TRAILER MAINTENANCE & STORAGE
It is very important to properly care for your trailer. As your trailer sets at the ramp after launching the corrosive process begins. Each time you are finished loading your boat it is important that you wash the entire trailer as soon as possible with a detergent soap. Salt water especially deteriorates certain metals over time and with proper care you can extend the life of your trailer. You must lubricate moving parts such as the tongue jack, winch & coupler with a quality lubricant. This helps keep these parts working properly and extend their life. Tires loose air when they sit for extended periods of time. Each time before towing check your tires for proper tire inflation “when cold”. Low tire pressure can lead to excessive tire wear & blowouts. Lubricate your trailer hubs each time before towing. When storing the unit for long periods of time cover the tires to protect from ultra violet rays that cause tire cracking and elevate the front of the trailer and remove the drain plugs from the boat to help the boat drain so water does not collect in the bow and cause excessive strain on the trailer tongue & frame.
TRANSOM BOAT TIE DOWNS
The rear of your boat must be tied down by law. This keeps the boat securely attached to the trailer in the event of accident or bad road conditions. An approved transom tie down can be purchased from a boat dealership or boating supply store. The trailer is equipped with tie down hooks on each side of the trailer for your convenience. Also make sure that the winch bow stop and winch strap are tight to the bow of the boat and the bow safety chain or cable from your winch stand is secured to the boats bow hook for added safety in the event of winch strap loosening or failure.
TRAILER BRAKES
State laws on trailer brakes vary from state to state. Some states require brakes on trailers grossing as little as 1500 pounds. Boat Trailer Outlet.com only sells trailers in accordance to the states law that it was sold to. It is the sole responsibility of the consumer to comply with their respective states law on items including brakes. For your convenience a list of the state laws are available, just click here. Boat Trailer Outlet.com strongly recommends brakes on all wheels for best stopping power and longevity of the brake system.
Check the brake fluid level each time before towing. Test your trailer brakes each time for proper operation. If the brakes are not working properly, brake fluid level is low or brakes need adjustment, only a qualified establishment with experience in trailer brake systems should repair or adjust the trailer brakes before towing.
DISC BRAKE EQUIPPED TRAILERS
Trailers that are equipped with “disc brakes” require a 5-prong trailer harness. The 5th wire is red in color and is to be hooked up to the back-up lights of the towing vehicle. This allows the trailer to be backed up freely without damaging the trailer brakes. Failure to hook up this wire could result in brake system failure (blown pistons). The supplied 5-prong wire harness is the safest way to assure proper connection. Aftermarket adapters that convert the 7-way vehicle connector to the 5-prong trailer connector are not always compatible to the trailer light system. If the adapter is used you must test each connection coming out of the adapter to assure proper wiring diagram including the 5th wire disc brake wire.
TRAILER LIGHT SYSTEM
Check each trailer light to make sure they are working properly before each towing. If lights are not working properly check bulbs or wiring and take corrective measures before towing. Submerging the lights in water can cause corrosion. The contacts may become corrosive and therefore not allowing electric current to the lights. A simple movement of the light against the contacts will usually re-gain light function. Electrical grease comes on the lights from the factory, which helps corrosion but will need re-application over time.
Wire Code For Trailer System: Brown wire=tail / running lights. Yellow wire=left turn signal. Green wire= right turn signal. Red wire (if equipped) =hook into back up lights of towing vehicle for “disc brake” equipped trailers. White wire=ground.
COUPLERS & BRAKE ACTUATORS
Verify that the hitch ball size of the coupler or actuator (brake coupler) and the towing vehicles hitch ball are the same size. Failure to do this could result in the trailer detaching from the towing vehicle and lead to accident. The ball size is listed on the top of the trailers coupler or actuator. Securely latch the coupler onto the towing vehicles trailer ball. Place a safety pin or lock on the coupler latch to prevent the coupler from opening while towing. If the coupler and hitch ball are the same size but don’t seem to be snug the coupler unit can be adjusted from beneath the coupler housing. Do not over tighten the latch to the hitch ball, as this will cause excessive wear. A snug fit is all that is required. In the event that the coupler or brake unit should become bent replace the coupler or brake unit before towing.
SAFETY CABLES
Road King Trailers are equipped with safety cables at the front of the trailer. Make sure there is slack for cornering. These cables attach to your towing vehicles hitch and are required in the event of trailer / towing vehicle separation. It is required by law to “cross” the cables under the coupler. In the event of separation this may keep the trailer from hitting the ground before you are able to safely stop.
WHEEL LUG NUTS & AXLES
Each time before towing check lug nuts for proper tightness. Torque settings: 80-90 pounds. If lugs become rusty replace before towing. Keep lugs coated with a quality corrosion spray.
Each axle has a different rating depending on weight capacities. Axles used on Trailers vary up to 8000 lb weight rating. Both “spring” & “torsion” axles are used. Spring axles have leaf springs on each side. Overtime springs can become rusty losing their weight carrying capacity as metal flakes off. Should this happen you must replace the springs otherwise failure could cause damage or accident. A torsion axle is independent on each side and doesn’t require springs. Torsion axles are required to be towed level if your trailer has more than 1 axle.
FASTENERS & BRACKETS
Check all fasteners, brackets, frames, etc., periodically for looseness, rusting, cracking or any sign of deterioration. Replace any questionable item before using trailer. If signs of rust show clean with appropriate items and spray with a galvanize spray. If item flakes with rust replace it before using trailer. Always make sure your tongue jack is fully retracted or swung horizontal before towing.
TIRES & INFLATION
Each time before towing check all tires for proper inflation when the tire is cold. Under inflation could result in excessive tire wear or blowout. Inflation ratings are listed on the tire sidewall. If there is excessive tire wear do not tow until correction / replacement is completed. We suggest to always carry a proper weight jack, spare tire & wheel, spare hub & bearings in case of failure. There are two style tires, bias & radial. Bias tires are a good overall value but will wear quicker than radial tires. Radial tires will give more mileage, a smoother ride and run cooler that bias tires.
BEARINGS
We suggest each time before towing fill with a high-speed marine grade wheel bearing grease with a grease gun. If a grinding sound comes from the hubs, the hubs become hot when towed or the tire and wheel are wobbling have the bearings and all internal parts replaced by a qualified trailer repair center before towing.
Bearing Sizes:
4 Lug Hubs: Same inside & out: bearing 1 1/16” #L44649, bearing cup #L44610, seal # 12194TC
5 Lug Hubs: bearing (outside) 1 1/16” #L44649, bearing (inside) 1 3/8” #L68149, bearing cup (outside) #L44610, bearing cup (inside) #L68111, seal # 171255TC
6 Lug Hubs: bearing (outside) 1 1/4” #L15123, bearing (inside) 1 3/4” #L25580, bearing cup (outside) #15245, bearing cup (inside) #25520, seal #22333TC
TRAILER LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY
Each Trailer is equipped with a manufacturers vehicle identification tag. This tag is located near the front of the trailer inside of the frame. It can be accessed from the driver’s side of the trailer. This tag states all of the trailer information required by law including tire info and pressure, carrying capacity, etc. It is important to make sure you have more than enough capacity for the boat, motor, fuel and gear. Failure to do so may result in trailer failure, excessive tire wear and void the warranty.
