Important Trailer Info

[dogbert]

Well, I got my trailer brakes totally reworked, complete with coupler. Pretty much everything except the drums were replaced. I was talking to my service guy to try and figure out what I need to be doing to keep them in good shape and here's what I learned.

When I pull my boat out of the water, I'm typically going about 200 yards before it's in my garage. Apparently, that's not enough distance for the brakes to dry and will cause the brakes to wear very quickly. Your brakes will actually last longer if you pull your boat a few miles or more than what I'm doing. Not sure if anyone else is in the same boat (no pun intended), but be sure to drive your boat a little bit to allow your brakes to activate before you park it or you'll be contributing to early brake failure.

Just thought I'd pass that along.

[Moki]

I will trade having to re-do my brakes more often to only be 200 yards away from the ramp! Unfortunately this advice will not be relevant for me

[da.bell]

Well, I got my trailer brakes totally reworked, complete with coupler. Pretty much everything except the drums were replaced. I was talking to my service guy to try and figure out what I need to be doing to keep them in good shape and here's what I learned.

When I pull my boat out of the water, I'm typically going about 200 yards before it's in my garage. Apparently, that's not enough distance for the brakes to dry and will cause the brakes to wear very quickly. Your brakes will actually last longer if you pull your boat a few miles or more than what I'm doing. Not sure if anyone else is in the same boat (no pun intended), but be sure to drive your boat a little bit to allow your brakes to activate before you park it or you'll be contributing to early brake failure.

Just thought I'd pass that along.

Why can't you dock you boat on the lake and have a lift there.... I know, there is money involved but are you planning to do something like this eventually???????

[da.bell]

I will trade having to re-do my brakes more often to only be 200 yards away from the ramp! Unfortunately this advice will not be relevant for me

I wish the lake was that close for me..... I have to drive 10 miles... Not bad thou......

[Tequilasun]

Well, I got my trailer brakes totally reworked, complete with coupler. Pretty much everything except the drums were replaced. I was talking to my service guy to try and figure out what I need to be doing to keep them in good shape and here's what I learned.

When I pull my boat out of the water, I'm typically going about 200 yards before it's in my garage. Apparently, that's not enough distance for the brakes to dry and will cause the brakes to wear very quickly. Your brakes will actually last longer if you pull your boat a few miles or more than what I'm doing. Not sure if anyone else is in the same boat (no pun intended), but be sure to drive your boat a little bit to allow your brakes to activate before you park it or you'll be contributing to early brake failure.

Just thought I'd pass that along.

Good info, we don't have to pull our boat very far either.

[TigeDuner]

We have about a 6 mile drive from the RV to the lake, however, its 150 miles from the house to the RV. Thanks for the info, I suppose our 6 mile drive is sufficient and we have 4 wheel disc. These might dry a little quicker than drum brakes.

[da.bell]

We have about a 6 mile drive from the RV to the lake, however, its 150 miles from the house to the RV. Thanks for the info, I suppose our 6 mile drive is sufficient and we have 4 wheel disc. These might dry a little quicker than drum brakes.

If this is correct what you are stating, I'm moving closer to the lake in a few years.....

[dogbert]

Why can't you dock you boat on the lake and have a lift there.... I know, there is money involved but are you planning to do something like this eventually???????

I do, but I hate leaving my boat outside when I'm not there. The weather gets kinda nasty here at times and I sleep better at night when my boat is safely tucked away in my garage. After 8 years, my boat still looks really good.

[da.bell]

I do, but I hate leaving my boat outside when I'm not there. The weather gets kinda nasty here at times and I sleep better at night when my boat is safely tucked away in my garage. After 8 years, my boat still looks really good.

Understandable. We all want to make Tige look good even if there are a few things that we have to do to accomplish this.

[TigeDuner]

If this is correct what you are stating, I'm moving closer to the lake in a few years.....

Just stating the facts. We drive to the RV park each weekend then hit the lake.

[da.bell]

Just stating the facts. We drive to the RV park each weekend then hit the lake.

I believed you. I just need a good reason to move closer to the lake . We drive about 15 miles one way now and I would rather be a lot closer. It was interesting that you mentioned the disk breaks and I wasn't thinking about them drying out a lot faster than drum breaks. But that is so true.

[zad0030]

Ok, I just bought a hitch. Its a 3 1/4" drop and its rated for 5,000. Total weight with boat, trailer, gas, and everything else will be cutting it pretty close. Do you think I will be ok?