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i have a 13ft whaler and my family and i are planning to take it to the keys(about a 2 hour drive) by trailer. the trailer has new bearings and new leaf springs. we would be driving on the hiway with 2 straps on the boat. would there be anything to worry about with the trailer?
Make sure the trailer's tires are inflated to the pressure embossed on the sidewall. Also make sure you use safety chains on the trailer, cross them beneath the tongue before hooking to the car and if you have to, take a couple of twists in the chains so they don't drag on the ground. Use a padlock on the latch once you hook up to the hitch ball.
I winter in Ft. Myers and summer in St. Joseph, Michigan. It’s now about 12 years since I’ve joined this group. I gave my 1972 whaler to my daughter and sold the 17’. Bought an O’Day 28 sailboat and sailed on Lake Michigan. Yesterday I bought a 2005 130 Sport.
It's near impossible to say without seeing the overall condition of the trailer. new bearings and leaf springs could mean it's ship shape, or if they were slapped on a really rough trailer, you could still have structural problems to worry about.
Here are some of the things I worry about on my BRAND NEW trailer:
Tires - condition, inflation and any tramp iron in them from the road?
Bearings - even if new, I check the hub temperature with an infrared thermometer at every stop - the sunny side of the trailer will run hotter than the shaded side in the FL sun - that's normal, but they shouldn't be much more than 20 degrees warmer than ambient.
Springs - even if new - Inspect every 500 miles or so
Welds/joints - on a bolted together trailer, check all bolts every year, and when on the road, I check them daily - just look for signs that they've loosened up - rust if they're not rusty, or if they are rusty, look for bare metal indicating flexing or wear. On a welded steel trailer with surface rust, you should check the welds with a ball peen hammer. I use a wire brush and touch up any rust spots with paint annually.
You should carry a spare hub/bearing kit and a spare tire AND wheel. For a 13' Whaler trailer, this should not be hard to find - especially in the mecca of boating that is anywhere near 2 hours from the Florida Keys.
Your safety chains are a must, and you should also check your lights at each stop. I USUALLY drive with my lights on when trailering - even in broad daylight.
Don't over think it, but just give the rig a good thorough inspection a few weeks before you plan to hit the road so you can address any problems. Then, check the rig about 5 miles from home, and again halfway down the road.
