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Is It Time for a New Trailer?

A trailer is a boat's faithful steed in getting to and from the water. But, like horses, they get old and wear out.

So how do you know when it's time to retire your trailer to the glue factory? Here are three key indicators:

Rust is a trailer's biggest enemy. Advanced stages of rust in a trailer's key structural components indicate it's time to bite the bullet and get a new trailer. Be aware, however, that rust often works from the inside out and is not readily apparent. Use a wood or rubber mallet to tap tube or boxed channels to find badly rusted areas. If you hear a dull thud rather than a solid metallic ring, you've likely found serious rust. Push on it with your hand. If it gives, the steel's structural integrity has been compromised.

If you have a welded trailer, check for weld cracks. Try rewelding cracked joints. If the weld doesn't take or continues to crack, it's time to consider a new trailer.

Bends are almost as bad as breaks. When primary structural components are put under undue stress or heavy loads, they can bend. Hitting holes, curbs or large road debris can contribute to this. Hauling too heavy a load can cause this problem, too. Take the trailer to an authorized repair shop. If it can't be repaired in such a way that structural components maintain their integrity, get a new trailer.

Key to Longer Life

Some experts claim that it's 10 times more expensive to repair corrosion than it is to prevent it. A little Corrosion Block from Midwest Corrosion Products is good preventive maintenance for your trailer. This spray-on product applies a nongreasy atmospheric barrier that protects the base metal without leaving a gummy residue. Cost is $13.95 at nocorrosion.com .

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