Picking the Right Utility Trailer Parts for Your Vehicle’s Upkeep

While essentially unpowered, a utility trailer can serve you well in many occasions. Whether you’re camping out of town or moving to a new city, your utility trailer can save you the need for professional towers. It is therefore crucial to keep your trailer in good shape, and whenever you will need towing, have it checked for faulty parts at least a couple of weeks in advance to avoid possible accidents or interruptions down the road.
http://blog.championtrailers.com/picking-the-right-utility-trailer-parts-for-your-vehicles-upkeep/

What You Need to Know and Do about Damaged Trailer Wheel Bearings

Does your truck make irritating screechy sounds whenever you make a turn around a curve? Or does it feel “wiggly”? Chances are your wheel bearings aren’t in good condition. Bearings keep the wheels from wearing out due to friction. These parts facilitate smooth rotation and keep the wheels from decelerating due to the weight of loads pressing down from above, or due to turning around a tight curve.
http://blog.championtrailers.com/need-know-damaged-trailer-wheel-bearings/

Trailer Parts Supplier’s Reminders for First-Time Trailer Drivers

Truck drivers serve as the indispensable linchpin of the supply chain. Due to rapid economic growth, the US trucking industry is currently short of 35,000 drivers. Consequently, the demand for truck drivers has risen, and aspiring vehicle operators are likely to find job whichever state they go to.
http://blog.championtrailers.com/trailer-parts-suppliers-reminders-first-time-trailer-drivers/

Basic Boating Terms: Differentiate a Boat Trailer Winch from a Buoy

Before becoming a full-fledged boatman, one needs to be equipped not only with the right vehicle or tools, but also with the basic knowledge of nautical terms. Boating jargon might be a bit confusing for a newbie because the amount of technical terms and boat parts you need to familiarize yourself with is almost as vast as the ocean. Launching your boat in the water for the first time takes some preparation. So for your initial foray into the boating lexicon, it’s logical to first discuss the parts related to your boat, and the trailer you’ll be using to transport it from land to sea.
http://blog.championtrailers.com/basic-boating-terms-differentiate-boat-trailer-winch-buoy/

Trailer Wheel Hubs: Choosing a Perfect Fit

A wheel moves because of the axle, and the wheel hub connects both parts to make the system fully functional. Your trailer’s wheel hubs are as important as the wheels themselves, and therefore requires the same maintenance. Failing to do so might cause difficulty in steering or result in a broken axle.

Inspecting Boat Trailer Parts for Safety

Having a boat trailer makes it easier to own a boat without living next to the shore. You can simply tow your boat to the port whenever you feel like going out to the water. As you drive your boat from the shelter of your home, through the highway and onto the lake, its safety will hinge on a large part on the reliability of your boat trailer parts.

Why Learning about Boat Trailer Winch Is Crucial

As in most other endeavors, becoming a full-fledged boatman entails preparations and learning. Before getting all the needed vehicle and equipment, it would wise to start with the basics, such as familiarizing yourself with nautical terms. Boating jargon might be a bit confusing for a newbie because the amount of technical terms and boat parts you need to know is almost as vast as the ocean.

Preventing your Boat Trailer from Rusting

Boat trailers and their moving parts are as subject to rusting as the boat itself, especially if the trailer is made of steel and not of rust-proof aluminum. Fortunately, there are a lot of ways to prevent rusting on a boat trailer and keep it spic and span.

Fish oil– Adding a coating of fish oil is what one could consider the “Old Reliable” method. Fish oil is one of the cheapest rust-preventing solutions available, and is renowned for its ability to prevent rusting even if the steel is fully submerged in water.

Keep Rolling: Easy Trailer Wheel Hub Maintenance

Trailer wheel hubs are what connect your trailer wheels to your trailer axle, and also makes sure both components spin smoothly, so it’s important that the wheels hubs are in great shape. It can sound intimidating to pull apart your wheel hub and poke around, but it’s actually pretty easy to do. Here are a few pointers to ensure that you’re maintaining your wheel hub properly:

A Quick Safety Inspection before Hitting the Road

Whether you are driving a trailer for the first time or the millionth time, you should always perform a safety inspection before you hit the road. In particular, you should check the following trailer parts:

Lights

As a wide load, your trailer lights serve to help you avoid accidents with other vehicles. Check the lights of your trailer if they work properly, especially the brake lights and turn signals. You may want to ask someone to help you do this so you won’t have to keep going back and forth between the driver’s seat and the rear end of your trailer.

Buying a New Trailer Winch? Consider these Factors

Boat trailer winches come with different specs and features, which means that buying a new one isn’t as straightforward as it sounds. For one thing, buyers should consider the purpose they intend for this equipment, because a winch with a permanent magnet motor is best suited for hauling light objects while a hydraulic winch is intended for heavy duty lifting.

Zinc-ing Boat Trailer Parts

Trailer parts are usually resistant to corrosion to some extent, but some take it up a notch. For the record, boat owners should worry more about salt than the water itself, especially if boating by the sea. It doesn't matter if you have the most robust axles money can buy; the salt will eat them away one atom at a time.

What You Must Know Before Building with Quality Utility Trailer Parts

"What’s towing it? Make sure that your towing vehicle is compatible with the specs of the trailer. The last thing you want is your underpowered vehicle being dragged downhill by your stuff. Towing vehicles should also be attached properly with the proper hitches. Ideally, the trailer should be as wide as the vehicle pulling it, and not much taller (to avoid wind resistance). Protect your investment This means making room in your garage, or creating a shelter for your trailer. Exposure to elements will warp wood panels and rust wheel bearings. Although quality utility trailer kits are available for parts replacement, it’s better to protect your initial investment for the longest possible time."
http://blog.championtrailers.com/must-know-building-quality-utility-trailer-parts/

A Quick Trip to the Trailer Parts Store Could Prevent Costly Repair

"The weather is perfect to plan a day at the lake with the family. You’re raring to load your gear and hitch the boat trailer when you realize you’ve overlooked one very important thing: your boat trailer. Proper maintenance doesn’t require much time– only some effort and a short visit to a well-stocked trailer parts store. In an article for AutoHub360, writer Curtis Carper gives invaluable advice on how to prepare for a safe trip with your boat in tow. Preparation is key Your recreation equipment has been sitting in storage since last summer. It would be prudent to wax that surfboard, gas up the boat’s outboard motor, check your inflatables for punctures, etc. Your boat trailer and the parts that keep it running, like its sturdy trailer wheel bearings, shouldn’t be an exception. Stores like Champion Trailers carry everything you need for repairs and maintenance."
http://blog.championtrailers.com/quick-trip-trailer-parts-store-prevent-costly-repair/

Transacting with a Boat Trailer Parts Store for more Stopping Power

"An EOH set up allows you to install electric trailer brakes that can handle more powerful surges of brake fluid. Drum brakes are able to withstand up to 1,000 pounds per square inch (psi) while disc brakes handle up to 1,500 psi. Take note that your brakes seller will recommend interlinking the brakes to EOH systems if the boat to be towed is over 3,500 pounds. It will be to your benefit (and safety) if your tow-vehicle and its trailer can stop whenever you need it to. Companies like Champion Trailers will help you make it happen."
http://blog.championtrailers.com/transacting-boat-trailer-parts-store-stopping-power/

Repacking the Bearing through a Reputable Boat Trailer Parts Shop

"The removal of the cotter pin enables the user to safely dislodge the wheel hub from the main axle and set it aside. Tap on the unit lightly with the inner side facing down to gradually remove the inner bearing and the grease seal, which may have to be replaced. When the bearings have been removed, set the hub aside and clean the bearings immediately. Inspect the bearing rug for pits or scars; finding either or both on the bearings will warrant fast replacement. A company like Champion Trailers will have a hefty supply of boat trailer bearings in stock, but you must ask if their bearings are of the same size as yours."
http://blog.championtrailers.com/repacking-bearing-reputable-boat-trailer-parts-shop/

Pre-Haul Inspection for your Boat Trailer

Before you even think of taking your boat out of your yard this summer, you should first see to it that it won’t just roll over on its side while you’re doing 70mph on the highway. This means inspecting every part of your boat trailer for safety and possible signs of wear.

Wheels and Tires

Of all the trailer parts that you have, the wheels and tires are some of the most vulnerable to wear, and thus, are in need of constant maintenance. To remove the tires, use a lug wrench to remove the lug nuts– then, jack up the trailer and check the wheel hubs. If the studs, bearings and brakes are no longer in good working condition, consider getting them replaced.

Trailer Lights

Trailer lights can be a handful as you may need to check the efficiency of the parts, whether you plan on driving with the trailer attached or not. You should inspect the brake, turning, running, and clearance lights and make sure they are all satisfactorily operating. You can also save yourself some trouble by installing a light bar that you can easily remove as the trailer gets dunked into the water.

Inspect and Adjust

Throughout the drive to the lake or river, or wherever you choose to dip your boat into, make sure to keep adjusting the trailer coupler, bow safety chain, trailer-lights plug, trailer safety chains, bow-winch strap, and transom straps. Doing so will add up to your safety in the long run.

Louisiana Boat Trailers now Exempt from Inspection

A new Louisiana bill has been passed exempting boat trailers from the requirement of periodic and annual inspection of motor vehicles by the DMV. House Bill 347 is sponsored by Rep. Austin J. Bado, who says the boat trailer exemption, which was signed by Gov. Bobby Jindal, will take effect August 1.He claims that the stripping of boat trailers from the list is no major inconvenience to government books anyway, so they opted to strike it out from the outset.

Before you heave a sigh of relief, however, you need to remember two things. First: the bill exempts only boat trailers and not other types of trailers, so if you own an ATV or utility trailer, you still need to have that rig inspected. Second: though you won’t need to take your boat trailer for inspection anymore, know that it doesn’t spare you from the responsibility of taking care of your trailer yourself.

When you’re on the road, highway safety is always top priority, and ensuring that your boat trailer is always in good condition is a crucial investment toward this goal. If you plan on taking your boat for fishing this summer, have your trailer inspected by a professional mechanic first, and replace any worn items immediately with brand-new, top-quality trailer parts.

Driving a Boat Onto a Trailer: A Few Points

There are two ways to load a boat onto a trailer from the water: by winch and by driving through the trailer ramp. While both are acceptable methods, there's a lot to be said about driving your boat onto the trailer. For the record, it's not as easy as you think.

Good Aim

You need to aim for the trailer dead center for the driving method to work. It's hard enough to do this in still water; doing it against a fierce current is a nightmare. In the latter's case, boat owners often set up their trailers facing the current so that the boat can be guided safely onto the trailer. Strong winds can also mess up your aim.

Good Rollers

Well-maintained rollers will keep the boat firm and steady as it drives onto the trailer. Otherwise, the boat will simply slide off once you attempt to load it. If you don't check your rollers regularly, resort to the winch method instead. It will save you time, fuel, and the trouble of tantrums from other irate boaters.

Not for Beginners

Driving onto the trailer takes masterful control of the throttle and steering. If this is your first time owning a boat, it's better to get a feel for loading and unloading by the basics. Use a good winch to assist you in launching and retrieving your boat.

Boat Trailer Parts for Efficient Weight Balance

Balance is one of the most important factors in efficient hauling, especially for heavy equipment like boats. Even if the trailer can carry the boat’s weight, it takes efficient weight distribution to keep the vessel from rocking back and forth and getting dislodged from the trailer.

Quality boat trailer axles work by finding stability in numbers. The more axles installed, the less load one axle has to carry throughout the length of the trip. To do this, your boat trailer needs to allow a spread tandem system that puts the axles almost equidistant from each other. Before that, however, here’s a review of how spread tandem axles work.

Stability in Numbers

Widely used in the trucking industry, a spread tandem system features at least two axles that allow better weight distribution. In simple terms, this means that one axle doesn’t have to bear the full weight of the cargo. Spreading the axles far enough also contributes to the distribution; two axles too close together may succumb under the sheer, concentrated weight.

Axle Weight

When shopping for boat trailer axles, you may notice numbers preceding the type of axle listed. This refers to the gross weight the axle can support. Although the axle market provides axles that can support as much as 27,500 lbs, boat trailers only need a maximum of 6,000-lb axles.

A Guide to Choosing Utility Trailer Parts and Accessories: On Safety

Be it for safety or simply as part of emergency preparedness, having a toolbox for your trailer is always a smart idea; you just never know when you’ll need it. You can buy utility trailer kits from distributors like Champion Trailers; when you do, make sure that it has everything you need for a quick trailer fix.

Aside from these safety components, consider also the quality of the parts and accessories you’re about to buy to add to your trailer’s longevity.

http://blog.championtrailers.com/guide-choosing-utility-trailer-parts-accessories-safety/

The Importance of the Wheel Hub: A Historical View

Since its invention thousands of years ago, the wheel has helped civilization advance to far greater heights. It didn't matter that the first wheels were made out of stone; mankind finally found a way to transport goods much easier. Unfortunately, the wheel means just half the job done. With a hollow core, how can it be put to use for carts and other vehicles?

The answer lies in the other half of the machine: the axle. By designing a fixed platform where the wheel can freely turn, early civilizations came up with the first modes of transportation like the chariot. The need to continuously lay down rollers, like what the ancient Egyptians did when they were building the Pyramids, was eliminated.

The key in keeping the wheel and axle tandem working lies somewhere in the middle: the wheel hub. Early wheel-and-axle machines incorporated the wheel hub as part of the wheel, but today's wheel hubs are separate, allowing easy tire and axle replacements. Even the individual parts of the wheel hub can also be replaced: lug nuts, washers, bearings, you name it.

As long as the wheel hub is there, the wheel and axle will continue working together, hauling your boat or taking you where you need to go. 

A Look at Trailer Disc Brake Systems

Despite the prevalence of drum brake and electric brake kits, many boating trailers still use the tried and tested disc brake system, which can also be found in most automobiles. Thanks to its simplicity, the disc brake is also the easiest to maintain or replace. This is why most trailer brake parts sold nowadays are actually components of the disc system.

Despite their simplicity, maintaining or replacing disc brakes and disc brake parts still need some skills. Disc brakes typically have three main parts: the caliper, the brake pads, and the rotor. The caliper slows the vehicle down to a halt by pressing the brake pads against the rotor, which is directly connected to the wheel. Since it holds the rest of the brake parts together, the caliper can be considered as the main component of a disc brake system. In fact, if a broken disc brake system needs to be repaired, the caliper is usually replaced altogether for safety reasons.

In addition to this, disc brakes in boat trailers also rely on brake fluid, much like in any other vehicle. Therefore, the brake lines of a disc brake system needs to be inspected thoroughly in any brake repair or maintenance job, to see if there is sufficient brake fluid. 

Visit your Trailer Parts Store before taking your Boat off your Yard

Throughout the drive to the lake or river, or wherever you choose to dip your boat into, make sure to keep adjusting the trailer coupler, bow safety chain, trailer-lights plug, trailer safety chains, bow-winch strap, and transom straps. Take note of any part that you might think is faulty and be sure to have them replaced.

For optimum safety, everything from your boat trailer’s bearings to the trusty trailer wheel hubs should be in good working condition. Always remember the importance of maintaining your equipment before you leave for a long tow.

http://blog.championtrailers.com/visit-trailer-parts-store-taking-boat-yard/

Trailer Parts News—Inspection Exemption Now a Reality for Trailers

When you’re on the road, highway safety is always top priority, and ensuring that your boat trailer is always in good condition is a crucial investment toward this goal. If you plan on taking your boat for fishing this summer, have your trailer inspected by a professional mechanic first, and replace any worn items immediately with brand-new, top-quality trailer parts.

Having trouble finding good quality parts for your trailer? Don’t worry—online sellers like Champion Trailers have got you covered. These well-respected businesses can supply you with everything you need, including first-class trailer brake parts, axles, axle spindles, bearings, bearing kits, hubs and drums, and many more.

http://blog.championtrailers.com/trailer-parts-news-inspection-exemption-now-reality-trailers/

Know Your Boat Trailer Winch

At the front of the boat trailer is a winch system that helps load and unload a boat. Obviously, boats are too heavy to be pushed or shoved off, even by a host of strong men. A winch is needed to do this job, pulling with a rating of as much as 2,500 lbs or even higher.

Winch systems come in different variants, and may be classified according to three major components: gear system, crank type, and drum type.

Gear System

Typical gear systems include the single and two-speed gear. The single-speed gear is simple to use—crank and go—and has a load rating of between 400 and 2,100 lbs. The two-speed gear can switch between low and high-speed cranking. The low-speed configuration allows greater loads--between 1,600 and 3,700 lbs--to be pulled with ease.

Crank Type

The standard hand crank is the most versatile type of cranking system for winches. It can work with most gear systems in loading and unloading a boat. A ratchet crank is more portable, but is not recommended for anything other than incline pulling.

Drum Type

The single and split reels are two known drum types. The single reel focuses the pulling power on one line, requiring a sturdy winch strap. A split reel, on the other hand, allows pulling from two directions. 

Boat Trailer Inspections in Louisiana

It only takes a loose screw or faulty bar to send a trailer with your 1,000-pound boat careening toward disaster. Due to this risk, the Louisiana Department of Fisheries and Wildlife conducts inspections on trailers at boat launches across the state. These inspections aren't a new campaign; they've always been there.

Section 1304, Title 32 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes grants authorities the power to inspect not just boat trailers but also the vehicles towing them. Over the years, however, enforcement has been irregular, and many trailer owners are now unfamiliar with such requirement.

The requirement exists, nonetheless, and trailer owners must make sure their units pass legal scrutiny. Some of the components inspectors will look at include the brakes, trailer lights, and connection length. For example, trailer brakes must be installed on trailers with a gross weight of 3,000 lbs. Trailers weighing 3,001 to 5,000 lbs. must have brakes on at least one axle.  

Trailer lights are also important, and trailers at least six feet long must have an array of safety lamps and reflectors installed around them. The taillight must be able to emit light bright enough to reach 1,000 feet, useful in night driving. As far as connections go, the trailer's connection to the tow vehicle must not exceed 15 feet.

Boat Trailer Axles—Care, Loading Tips, & What to Do In Case of Failure

You’ve spent thousands of dollars and put in so many hours to customize your boat just the way you want it, and now you’re going to load it onto your double-axle trailer and take it somewhere you can show it off. Although loading a boat onto a trailer appears pretty straightforward, it’s easy to make a disastrous mistake if you don’t go about it the right way. Trails.com offers the following tips on how to properly load your boat—or any other large equipment for that matter—onto your double-axle trailer.

http://blog.championtrailers.com/boat-trailer-axles-care-loading-tips-case-failure/

Knowing if You've Got the Right Trailer Wheel Hub

Trailer wheel hubs are an important part of making sure a trailer runs properly. Unlike the truck or car pulling the trailer, there is no central suspension that coordinates all the wheels together. This is where a trailer wheel hub comes in. Without the wheel hub to align the wheels together, you might end up conducting repairs more than traveling.

This is why making sure that you have the right wheel hub for your trailer is important. Some reasons for installing a new wheel hub may range from the old one having worn out to needing a total overhaul after an accident. The end result must always be choosing the correct wheel hub. To do this, there are a few things to consider:

• Check on the number of stud holes in the hub. They are either four or five depending on the make of your trailer.

• Check the bolt hole in the center of the hub and measure it. This is where the castle nut goes to hold the entire thing together and the correct diameter makes sure it is a snug fit. Castle nuts usually range from four to six inches, so measure carefully.

• There are inner and outer ball bearings in the hub and you need to know their sizes. Just check on their reference number.

The Basics of Adjusting Your Trailer Brakes

Travelers, campers, and professionals in the freight industry understand the importance of a good trailer. It is through these mechanisms that a person or a party can easily carry and transport large and numerous items from one location to another. A good trailer helps people get from place to place.

The most important part of the trailer is arguably the brakes. As the trailer is not a natural part of the vehicle, it is going to skid and crash to the back of the vehicle if the brakes are not properly secured and adjusted. This is why it is important for the brakes to be re-adjusted properly.

One of the first things you should do is to raise the wheel whose brakes are going to be adjusted using a jack. The person who will do the work must be careful and ensure that the wheel is properly lifted from the ground.

Next, make sure that the wheel is properly loose and isn’t stopped by the handbrake. Follow that action by removing the lower dust cap on the inside of the brake. With a flat blade screwdriver or a special tool meant for adjusting the brakes, tighten up the brake’s adjuster until the wheel does not move anymore. Afterwards, loosen the wheel up by five to eight times. Doing this with every wheel of the trailer will assure the owner that he will have nothing to worry about on his next trip.

Which Winch Goes With My Boat?

Suppose you’ve bought yourself a nice boat for regular periods up and down the coast. The craft may or may not have their own berth at the marina. However, there will be times when you want your boat off the water and try your luck in another location, hence hauling them off on a trailer. The thing is: if you already have a trailer, you will need a winch to reel in the vessel before you can transport it anywhere.

The curb weight of your boat will be a major factor in choosing the proper winch. Some experts first recommend checking the manuals of the boat, motor, and trailer for each one’s weight. Add all three weight values and list down the sum in a notebook. Next, compute for the additional weight of gas and other items. Multiply the regular weight of gas per gallon– at 6.25 pounds– times the fuel tank volume, then add around 50 pounds worth of equipment. 


Add up the weight of the first computation and the second, then divide them by two. The result is the minimum weight capacity of the winch you need. Run the capacity by your boat parts seller so they can present you with some choice winches. Buy a new winch strap and some tie-downs to lock the boat on the trailer while in transit.

A Brief Look at Boat Trailers and Marinas

You find towing your boat to and from the water a hassle. You ask yourself, “Why can’t I just leave my boat at a marina or something?” You just asked yourself a good question.

Before anything else, keep in mind this article isn’t trying to persuade you to get a boat trailer. You, the boat owner, always have the final say. However, it should be obvious that a trailer is less costly than paying rent at a marina. If you can afford to keep your boat in one of several marinas in Louisiana, then by all means, do it.

Marinas charge on a monthly basis based on the size of the boat; obviously, the bigger the boat, the bigger the slip fee. In northern California, the cost can reach around hundreds, even for the smallest boat. Also, marinas stick to their rules as tight as barnacles on a boat’s hull. You could only use your boat under certain conditions.

Boat trailers may cost more, but at least it’s a one-time investment; one full payment and it’s all yours for as long as you need it. Even if you and the seller agree on a monthly installment, the cost is much lower than a month in the marina. Towing trailers may require more careful driving, but buying the right parts will make sure your boat stays put during the trip.

When to Grease or Replace Your Trailer Bearings

The looming spring and summer are ideal seasons for out-of-town family vacations. Before packing up and traveling, make sure that you’ve thoroughly inspected your vehicle and trailer for mechanical issues that might affect your journey. You surely don’t want to ruin your vacation by a broken trailer wheel while on your way to the beach. Here’s how to know if your trailer wheel bearings need to be replaced.

A trailer wheel bearing is not visible as the majority of its components are concealed within the metal housing. Therefore, you won’t easily find damage that tells you it should be replaced right away. Instead, you can check what’s visible—the wheel itself. If you find that some tires have an uncommon wear, it probably means the bearings are broken or poorly installed.

Dust and debris may little by little enter the bearing and affect the rotation of the balls that keep the wheel’s turn smooth. Such a concern can spell disaster as it may increase the friction formed between the rotating wheels and the bearings. This is the most likely problem if you start hearing unusual noise in the wheel as the trailer starts moving.

Jack up the trailer and remove the wheels to access the trailer wheel hubs where the bearings are. Get rid of debris and make sure it’s well greased before you put it back. Try towing it and if the unusual noise disappears, it means the trailer is ready to take a long journey without breaking down on the road.

Installing Electric Brakes on Your Trailer

Brakes are one of the most essential parts of trailers and failing to have an effective braking system may cause all kinds of troubles on the road, which may even lead to fatal accidents. If you are planning to install electrical brakes on your trailer, there are vital trailer brake parts that you need to purchase in order to ensure that your brakes will work once you step on that pedal. Here are four must haves:

1. Mounting flanges – these items should be attached on your trailer's axle, right behind the existing hub assembly. Generally, most axles already have these installed, but in case yours do not have them, you can purchase a square-shaped, 4-bolt pattern flange, which is one of the more popular choices available.

2. Trailer hub and drum assemblies – when shopping for these assemblies, you must look for the ones that are compatible with the spindles of your trailer. One of the best ways to be guided accordingly is to look at your existing bearings and seals and find the stamped numbers.

3. Trailer brake assemblies – when searching for these, all you need to remember is to find something that will match your flanges, and fit the hub and drum assemblies.

4. Controls and wiring – when everything is already set up, you can now install the brake controller, along with the proper wiring necessary for your brakes to work.

Choosing a Boat Trailer Winch

There are probably about as many different boat trailer winches as there are boats or trailers, so narrowing down your choices isn’t always the easiest thing to do. However, considering a few factors, finding the right boat trailer winch doesn’t have to be so complicated.

Capacity

Weight capacity is the first thing you will need to consider when choosing a winch. The capacity of the winch you buy should be at least three-fourths the combined weight of your boat and motor, fully loaded with gear and fuel.

In addition, there are other things you will need to factor in that can increase the capacity requirements for a winch. These include, steeper launch ramps, a trailer that uses wood bunks instead of rollers, as well as how far into the water you can go to launch the boat.

Power

A single-speed winch is suitable for lighter boats like dinghies, catamarans, and inflatables. A two-speed winch, on the other hand, can be used for boats that are any heavier than that. For truly big boats, an electric winch with higher gear ratios may be required.

Brake

While most boats can be launched safely by letting them slide freely off the trailer and into the water, bigger boats will require a boat trailer winch with some form of braking system. This should allow you to launch the boat into the water at a safe speed.

Safety Checking Boat Trailer Parts

Only a few lucky people have waterfront homes with docks at which to moor their boat. For the rest of us who have to haul our boats several miles to get to a suitable launching area, the trailer is a necessity. However, owning a boat trailer comes with its own set of challenges. One of these is making sure that the risk of an accident is as small as possible by thoroughly checking boat trailer parts before any trailering excursion.

Before you ever even attempt to tow your boat trailer, make sure the following are in order:

• The coupler, hitch, and hitch ball must all be of the same size. The coupler and safety chains should also be safely secured to the hitch of the tow vehicle. If any of these things are neglected, the boat trailer may uncouple mid-transit and cause a major accident.

• Make sure that the boat is properly tied down. Do not use the winch line as a tie down.

• Make sure that all fasteners and wheel lug nuts are properly tightened. If any of these have lost tread, replace them immediately.

• Check that the wheel bearings are properly adjusted, lubricated, and sealed. Creaking in the bearings may mean that they have started to disintegrate and may fail catastrophically while you’re on the road.

• Check that all the trailer lights work properly. Without lights, drivers may not be able to see your trailer at night and plow straight into it as you slow down or negotiate a turn.