Flushing trailer before long tow

lakelandterrier · 11 May 2013, 12:27

May be sa silly question, but is it necessary / beneficial to hose down a tralier to rinse of the salt it before embarking on a long tow?

I rarely tow further than Galmpton-Brixham to launch & always wash down back at the yard, but for the IOW trip I'll be pulling straight from Brixham (weather permitting!) 120 miles, and after the IOW trip another long trip home.

THe bearings on my trailer are sealed, but can salt cause any additional corrosion by dryout / gettinhg hot on a longish tow?

I will wash down at the end of the tow (after letting the bearings cool of course).

Nos4r2 · 11 May 2013, 12:29

It'd be better to flush before you tow. Dried on salt is harder to shift.

Personally I try and flush everything before it has time to dry after the boat comes out of the water.

Mollers · 11 May 2013, 12:49

The less salt that's left to dry on and do its thing the better. If I can't rinse on recovery (rarely), it gets one when I get home.

Boats&Outboards · 11 May 2013, 12:59

Rinse off after every dunking if possible. The sooner the better. It's harder to but if you can also rinse it off when you first launch the boat, before going out for the day as that often gets forgotten.

Remember to let everything cool down before launching from a long tow.

lakelandterrier · 11 May 2013, 13:44

It'll definitely get as wash when I get home. I was wondering if I need to make a real effort to find somewhere to rinse off before starting long tows, or for these rare & occasional trips it doesn't make much difference (I don't rinse the trailer on launching, only recoveryas standard).

jyasaki · 11 May 2013, 15:32

If you carry a one or two gallon garden sprayer (hand pressurized, with a spray wand) you can get the critical parts (anything that moves - springs, bearings, etc.)

I don't; I rinse at the end of the weekend when I get home.

jky

SPR · 11 May 2013, 15:38

in UK - the trailer usually gets washed on the way home - by rain and food water ...

lakelandterrier · 11 May 2013, 15:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPR

in UK - the trailer usually gets washed on the way home - by rain and food water ...

Well it probably would in Scotland!

HughN · 11 May 2013, 17:29

I've been experimenting with some cheapy flat sprinkler hose in the box section of the trailer - up one of the long sections, down the other. Its the only way I could think of of rinsing the inside completely.

Connect garden hose, switch on, wait for a while, switch off!

Bern Hanreck · 11 May 2013, 21:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by lakelandterrier

May be sa silly question, but is it necessary / beneficial to hose down a tralier to rinse of the salt it before embarking on a long tow?

I rarely tow further than Galmpton-Brixham to launch & always wash down back at the yard, but for the IOW trip I'll be pulling straight from Brixham (weather permitting!) 120 miles, and after the IOW trip another long trip home.

THe bearings on my trailer are sealed, but can salt cause any additional corrosion by dryout / gettinhg hot on a longish tow?

I will wash down at the end of the tow (after letting the bearings cool of course).

I may be teaching mother how to suck eggs here BUT your ( Alko , Caravan ? ) bearings are sealed against dust , NOT water , fresh or otherwise . In time salt water WILL corrode them to the point of destruction . There is some excellent advice on here about checking / replacing these bearings . I quite often tow to Scotland and Pembrokeshire ( 1100 and 580 miles return respectively ) . I change my bearings every 12 months , which some would say is overkill , but it is a lot less hassle than a major bearing failure , which will wreck at least one side of the axle , possibly damage the boat and maybe cause a serious RTA . Trust me , Ive done it.......

Changing the bearings also gives you a chance to give the brakes a quick once-over . It costs about £60 all in , and you probably will need some decent socketry plus access to a press of some sort . Regards...Bern

thomas · 11 May 2013, 21:38

I'd jack it up and check the wheels, I replaced the bearing in my old trailer today, I was amazed when I head they failed as I replaced them last May, one side was completely worn as my trailer only moves a matter of feet each time I use it.

It's a good thing to know how to do in case one fails when your are on the road (I always take a spare with me).

Hightower · 12 May 2013, 01:12

I use bearing savers to protect the bearings and haven't needed to change them in 6 years. Just keep them topped up with grease and regular checks on jacks. I only drive 6 miles to and from my slipway and there are no wash down facilities there so I have to wait till I get home for a brake flush. There is a hole through the wheel and hub that gives me direct access to the inside of the brake components via a spray attachment that I insert at the end of the day to enable me to irrigate the inside with water in an attempt to remove the salt. It must work pretty well as I haven't needed to inspect the brakes since I bought the trailer.

Nos4r2 · 12 May 2013, 01:21

Andy, what axle is on yours? I've got the hole in the wheels on the Ballistics trailer, but not in the drums.

I'm wondering if I can get drums with holes in when it's time to replace the drums.

9D280 · 12 May 2013, 02:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by lakelandterrier

Well it probably would in Scotland!

pot - kettle!!!!!

yeah, but regardless of the sh!t the heavens throw at you, the bearings aint gonna see none of it!!!!

bedajim · 12 May 2013, 05:20

If your worried and the thread would maybe say you could be just a little, would it not be a good idea to service the trailer change the the bearings before the trip so you're starting with 100% good bearings as when the wheel comes off its going to make a mess or worse if you're unlucky.

I've never done the 150 mile tow to Southampton without seeing either a caravan or boat trailer minus a wheel somewhere on the way

I've been in the the q behind a few while they're cleaning up the mess too

Jim

Sent from my iPhone in bed, she's asleep but snoring

thomas · 12 May 2013, 08:48

The hole in the back of some drum is to inspect the brake shoes and should have a rubber bung in it, yet the flushing kits require you to drill another hole, I use it for flushing the brakes.

Bern Hanreck · 12 May 2013, 11:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by thomas

The hole in the back of some drum is to inspect the brake shoes and should have a rubber bung in it, yet the flushing kits require you to drill another hole, I use it for flushing the brakes.

So do I , but I can feel another Nos " best way to drill a hole " thread coming on.........

Mollers · 12 May 2013, 11:49

Made my flush kit from Hepworth Hep2o pipe and fittings and an Hozelok hosepipe connector. It works a treat.

Pikey Dave · 12 May 2013, 11:58

Just fitted this to my trailer. No need for any drilling if you have the AlKo sealed bearing hubs. A doddle to fit, but I've not tried it in anger yet.

Jeff · 12 May 2013, 12:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Just fitted this to my trailer. No need for any drilling if you have the AlKo sealed bearing hubs. A doddle to fit, but I've not tried it in anger yet.

Straight fit to the newer avonride axles with Knott sealed bearings too. Tapped hole in backplate. Added to my recent new axle. Not sure if it's quite as good as the old retrofit I had which had a spray nozzle but definitely easier to install ,,, time will tell
Jeff