Trailer maintanance thread

[Mike Kamm]

I thought I would throw this in here because I have been asking different people questions about their trailer maintenance, and found out something I didn't expect: A lot of people do little if any! :shock:

I have also done a search on various sites and couldn't find any threads covering this important topic. Here are some of the things I have been dealing with recently. Now remember that I use my trailer all throughout the winter each year, and it gets a salt bath regularly. Please chime in with your trailer maintenance war stories.

OK, the sanding, painting, and tail/marker light replacement stuff is self explanatory. So is the corrosion in the harness connector at the tongue. I spray WD40 in mine regularly and it never gets that green corrosion in it any more.

But how many of you ever check your brakes, spring eye bushings, shackles, and bolts?

If neglected too long like these, it makes no sense to try to unseize all of the moving parts, replace the shoes, trailer brake magnets and hardware. You can get the whole setup you see here for less money than if you tried to buy the parts separately. I get my parts HERE (http://shop.easternmarine.com/).

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v452/blownb310/Ice%20racing/210/Cnv0461.jpg

After my second set of spring eye bushings in six years on my old trailer, I mentioned to a friend that I was getting tired of this all too frequent trailer repair work. He said he simply uses an oil squirt can to lubricate his shackles and bushings every so often. I started doing this and virtually eliminated the [2 to 3 year] spring eye bushing replacements. Very simple.

How can you tell if your spring eye bushings and shackles are excessively worn? All you have to do is get down and take a look at them. The arrow is pointing to a wear mark from excess play from completely worn out spring eye bushings.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v452/blownb310/Ice%20racing/210/Cnv0466.jpg

In this advanced case, the bushings were shot for so long, that the spring eyes were wearing the bolts out as well. They were all grooved up from the shackles rubbing on them. The formerly round holes in the shackles were now ovals. Don't let this happen to you. Check and lubricate your shackles and bushings frequently. It's like the old Fram commercials used to say: "You can pay me now or pay me later".

http://shop.easternmarine.com/images/product/4340.jpg
This is a generic picture, my bushings are actually much thinner than these.

One last thought: the spring eye bushings I keep referring to are really thin and cheaply made. I say it's planned obsolesence on the part of the trailer supply manufacturers. But in the past 20 years, I have never seen anyone's trailer come with anything else. But there is a better way. A place like Albany Spring can bore out your spring eyes and install bronze bushings in your springs, complete with zerk fittings to grease them. They will last the life of the trailer with ease. Why don't they make them that way in the first place? http://www.v8buick.com/images/smilies/confused4.gif

So, what shape is your trailer in?

[Mike Kamm]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v452/blownb310/Ice%20racing/Cnv0499.jpg

Last week I replaced all of the spring eye and equalizer bushings [highlighted in above picture] on my trailer. They are the high wear pieces in a typical tandem axle type suspension. I upgraded the equalizer bushings from nylon to bronze. Here's what the old and new bushings look like.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v452/blownb310/Ice%20racing/Cnv0495.jpg

If you are wondering what kind of shape your trailer's suspension bushings are in, there is a sure fire way to know if they are bad. In advanced cases, you will hear lots of squeaking noises coming from your trailer when driving over bumps at low speeds [like in a parking lot]. The squeaks are coming from the metal shackles rubbing on the spring eye through bolts. Here is an example of the wear I am talking about.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v452/blownb310/Ice%20racing/DSC02833-1.jpg

Notice the ovaled out bolt holes in the shackles that started out round. The matching grooves in the bolts tell the story. The shiny area is where the leaf spring itself has also been rubbing on the shackle. These parts should be kept lubricated with an oil squirt can occasionally.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v452/blownb310/Ice%20racing/Cnv0496.jpg

Check your trailer's suspension for grease fittings. It's really important to pump some grease into a "wet bolt" like this one for the equalizer shaft. Look how badly they can wear out if run dry. In this picture, you can see how one side of the wet bolt has worn right into the equalizer casting's bore. I upgraded to bronze bushings here and will be sure to grease them regularly. It only takes a minute to do.

I've replaced three sets of these inferior nylon spring eye bushings in my old open car trailer.

Anyone else ever deal with these?

[alan]

Good info! I think it's time for a certain trailer to get looked at. :error: :Dou:

[Mister T]

Two things I can think of:

1. It's time for me to check out my boat trailer (don't have a car trailer)

2. Perhaps this thread could be a sticky. :Do No:

[Brad Conley]

2. Perhaps this thread could be a sticky. :Do No:

You wish is my command....

[Mister T]

You wish is my command....
Thanks Brad. :TU:

Hopefully this will prevent any catastrophes, for we'd all hate to see someone lose a car or worse for lack of maintainance.

[65gs76limited]

Excellent information. I'am guilty of the above mention neglect. I will check my trailer i will check my trailer i will check my trailer i will check my trailer.

[Rusty Davenport]

Good post Mike,Thanks! You made mention of some things I had not know about and I will check out my trailor.I just got a trailer about a year ago and it is something I wish I had done much sooner than I did.It has come in handy many times and allowed me to get some parts cars that if I did not have a trailer I wouldn't have got.Don't forget to mention to pack the wheel bearings.

[skylarkroost]

Yikes! After reading Mike's post I went out to take a look at my trailer and it's obvious I'll be a busy camper this weekend. It's easy to overlook (reads procrastinate) trailer maintenence. Guilty as charged. :Dou:
Thanks for the heads up Mike.
Eddie

[Mike Kamm]

Good post Mike,Thanks! You made mention of some things I had not know about and I will check out my trailor. Don't forget to mention to pack the wheel bearings. You're welcome guys!

Yes of course, don't forget to repack the wheel bearings. Some trailers have "easy lube" spindles, where you can remove a rubber cover on the dust cap and there is a zerk fitting behind it to pump grease into. Some trailers don't have this feature and you'll have to remove the drum to properly pack each bearing.

I'm headed back out to weld on a mounting bracket for my Superwinch today. I occasionally rescue cars that won't move under their own power. :grin:

[avc1966]

Mike, I actually drilled and tapped my shackles for zert fittings. Has worked out pretty well. I also have a snap on tool that goes on the end of a grease gun and has a needle end. It works great to shoot grease into tight areas. Also allows you to shoot grease at your friends some awesome distances when using a air grease gun. The winch plate and super winch was the best thing I ever bought. The set up is on a receiver end and locks into place on the trailer when in use. I have a stand alone battery in the tool box to power it, and also ran cables on my truck with an additional quick disconnect. To many years of pushing cars around. You gave alot of good info. Thanks Tony

[Mike Kamm]

Mike, I actually drilled and tapped my shackles for zert fittings. Has worked out pretty well. You gave alot of good info. Thanks Tony Thanks Tony,

How/where did you drill your shackles for grease fittings? I'm game for anything that keeps these things from needing replacement again.

I was at Lebanon Valley Dragway a few weekends ago and was looking at someone's dual axle open car trailer that was just restored. This guy went all out. He had the top and bottom completely sandblasted, professionally painted, and even undercoated. It looked like new. I was curiuos to see if he neglected the suspension, so I took a peak at his equalizer bar and shackles. They were in the advanced case of severe wear. The shackle holes were ovaled out so much they were completely visible above the bolt heads. I pointed it out to the owner and he said he he was very glad I did. He never thought of the suspension.

[nekkidhillbilly]

good idea to put the tires in the garage etc.......for winter or when not in use keep em from dry rotting by the way

[Mike Kamm]

good idea to put the tires in the garage etc.......for winter or when not in use keep em from dry rotting by the way Or use covers to keep the ultraviolet rays off of them anyway. Yes, that's a good point. In fact I have never worn a trailer tire out.They've always needed replacement from sidewall dry rot first.

[slowride66]

Excellent read !!


Thank You :TU:

OK here are some tips I do

~I have a cheap winch & have made a external battery tray for it what I do here {this is a must for dump trailers} is to use one of the open legs on the 7 prong plug & run a hot lead so that when the trailer is on the truck the battery is charging on the trailer
Nuthin worse than having to come A long a car onto a trailer because of a dead battery :rant:

~ I always run the white wire {the ground wire} to a frame ground point on the truck & trailer.

~ axles with brakes you should never put a "bearing Buddy" on it {like on a boat} because it might push the grease thru the rear seal & get on the brakes.

~ I also can not stress this point enuf.. .. lock up your stuff!
I use a tongue lock ,a lock on the latch & pad lock the safety chains with the electrical in it .

WHY ? because a trailer can be drug off far enuf to a spot where the thieves can cut off the other locks.

I've read too many threads where someones car that was on /in the trailer has been stolen :af:

Its also good to have a tool/storage box for your trailer accessories like chains binders & ratchet straps.


I will post some pix tomorrow{if I remember} :Dou:

~ good big convex mirrors are a must for me too.

~ 1 more!

I painted my deck & ramps with rustoleum {YELLOW}& then used a hand held fertilizer spreader to spread 00 sand blasting sand & then roll some more paint over the sand .

Helps loading & unloading & is easy to walk on when wet..keeps the wood from rotting too.


SR66 :TU:

http://hotrodders.com/gallery/data/500/medium/slowrides_pictures_565.jpg

[Mike Kamm]

Those are some great additions to this thread!

Thanks SR66. :)

[Truzi]

I don't have a trailer, but found your post very interesting - very well explained. I love to learn and you made it easy.

[Keith Seymore]

Good thread (just wanted to get my name on here so I could find it easily later). :TU:

[slowride66]

Thanks

Keith if you ever want to subscribe to a thread but not post in the 2nd header @ the top of the page under the 1st options box labeled "thread tools" you will find a drop down menu just choose "subscribe to this thread"

If you want I can show you how to organize you threads so you can group them any way you like.

Examples;

rear ends
motors/engines
suspension
Bull Sh**! :Do No:


SR66 :TU:

[slowride66]

WOW BIG PIX!!

Anyway the Pix I promised & remembered :laugh:

Pictures make everything better :TU:





SR66 :TU:

[Keith Seymore]

Keith if you ever want to subscribe to a thread but not post in the 2nd header @ the top of the page under the 1st options box labeled "thread tools" you will find a drop down menu just choose "subscribe to this thread"


Done! (I like the thread you chose for an example).... :TU:

As soon as it quits raining I'll get out there and get to work!

K

[slowride66]

(I like the thread you chose for an example).... :TU:

I knew I would be graded on that!

I just happened to save that from a few months ago LOL :bglasses:

Move to Florida It NEVER rains here ,Its Liquid Sunshine!



SR66

[Eric Schmelzer]

I noticed on my trailer that it would leave a mark on the ground from one of the tires on the left side. I took it in to a trailer dealer to get it seviced and they found the bearings were dry. Not to the point that they needed replaced but dry non the less. They cleaned them and repacked and put it back together. They also found a couple of broken ground wires for the brakes. Only 2 of the 4 brakes were working and one tire was dragging, but I'm good to go now.

[slowride66]

I noticed on my trailer that it would leave a mark on the ground from one of the tires on the left side.
.
:grin: it was just marking its territory!! :pp

How do you mean it was leaving a mark on the ground?
was the tire scuffing the pavement? :confused:


SR66 :TU:

[Eric Schmelzer]

:grin: it was just marking its territory!! :pp

How do you mean it was leaving a mark on the ground?
was the tire scuffing the pavement? :confused:


SR66 :TU:

One of the tires was dragging slightly and it was leaving a light black stripe on the pavement for about 50'. I'm not sure if a brake was dragging or if the dry bearings were causing it. It quit doing it after the service was done.

[SharpSabre455]

What a great thread - lots of info. Wish I'd found it sooner... :(

[rallye bob]

How about some tips on cleaning those nasty, "black streaks" off the sides of your enclosed trailers (i.e.; products, methods).:mad:

[GoldBoattail455]

I use ZEP RV-BRITE RTU (ready to use) on all our trailers. It works but you need to be patient. Do't expect it to pressure wash off, you need a brush with soft bristles, hard might be better but I've never tried it. It takes alot of scrubbing and depending on the size of your trailer you sometimes need to empty the bucket and refill with fresh soap. Any bathroom cleaner with bleach in a spray bottle is good too, spray on and wipe off with a rag.

[Jeff Peoples]

I had a trailer tire blowout (entire tread separated from the carcass) back in time going to the Nats in Columbus, OH. They were the Goodyear Marathon trailer radials, only about 2 years old and very little miles. I pulled into a nearby Goodyear dealer and he told me those tires had a recall from Goodyear and gave me a toll free number to call them. I did and he was right. They bought me 5 new Marathon tires and sent me a check to cover the cost of repairs to the trailer. How do you tell the old design from the new? The new ones have an "S" inside a circle on the sidewall near the word Marathon. I would hope than over the last few years all the old have been replaced for other reasons, but it wouldn't hurt to check if you have these tires.

[Keith Seymore]

Do you still have that toll free number?

I have the Marathons on my car trailer; I had one come apart but my Goodyear dealer didn't say anything about a recall.

Thanks -

K

[Jeff Peoples]

Sorry, but it is long gone. :Do No: You may want to try your local dealer, or look on Goodyear's website.


Do you still have that toll free number?

I have the Marathons on my car trailer; I had one come apart but my Goodyear dealer didn't say anything about a recall.

Thanks -

K

[evil16v]

Those have a huge history of failure. and he is right.. god year will take care of you... he wasn't the first one to come across that.

[slowride66]

How about some tips on cleaning those nasty, "black streaks" off the sides of your enclosed trailers (i.e.; products, methods).:mad:


I have a local detailing supply

Brite & Rite
Ocala , Florida.

352-401-3636
352-572-7343 ~Mobile

ask for the "Dreaded Red":gp:

This stuff kicks arse!

It is best if you have some one to work the hose to keep it wet,because it works best if you put it on dry{do it in the shade}

I use a 1 Gallon pump up sprayer
mix it about 50~40 & use a soft long handles brush.
spray it on & work it in & KEEP IT WET make sure you put it on in a uniform spray or it will not get all the gunk out of the finish.
simply keep moving it around try real hard to not miss a spot for about 5 to 10 minuets & rinse it off
Done!

it makes it SO easy
it will dull your aluminum trim if you don't wax or protect it
BUT

You can use flitz (http://www.flitz.com/)

to polish every thing if you like.

I have detailed stuff off & on for 25 years & this is 2 of my most powerful tools.

Now to all that have read this I must kill you

LOL


j/k

Lemme know how you made out OK?



SR66:TU:

[musclecarjohn]

I know this is a waaay old thread but I just wanted to say I enjoyed it and learned alot from it.

Thanks again...:TU:

[Mike Kamm]

Thanks John,

It's funny you gave this old thread a bump, because now it's six years later and time to replace all of my shackles, bolts, and bushings once again. They are just as worn out as they were back in '05, but now that I oil the shackles occasionally, they lasted 6 years instead of three this time.

Well at least I know what has to be done and where to get the parts. I no longer use the trailer in the winter so salt is no longer an issue.

Mike

[BuickNut455]

Regarding Goodyear Marathons: I have had three sets with the middle set "Made In China". They had a large rub strip around the side wall. My latest set was purchased in 2010 and made here, and resembles my first set in appearance from many years ago. Carlyles absolutely suck.

[rodrun36]

The best cleaner that I have found for cleaning those nasty black streaks is believe it or not, "Awesome Cleaner" from the Dollar Tree store. The stuff is great and only costs a buck. Try it you'll like it.

[73-462GS]

The best stuff I have found for cleaning black streaks off our trailers is a product called "Black Streak Remover" made by Bio-Kleen in Kalamazoo Mich. You can get it at RV Centers. It is a little pricey @ $15.00/Quart but works EXTREMELY well. You spray it on full strength and wipe it off. No rinsing required. They have a website - www.Biokleen.com.
I have not used the stuff from the Dollar Store so I can't comment on it. I'll have to get some and try it.
I have used Simple Green and if your trailer isn't too bad it works kinda. The BioKleen stuff is at least 3 times better.

Update, I bought some of the cleaner mentioned above (LA's Totally Awesome) from the Dollar Tree Store and tried it, it works essentially as good as the expensive stuff so because it is only $1/bottle and it works the same I would recommend it. Hat Tip to rodrun36!!
Thanks,
Mike D.