Why boat trailers fail

When boat trailers are immersed in saltwater, they are instantly subjected to an extremely corrosive environment that leads to decay and deterioration of trailer parts. Should water ever find its way into the trailer hub, the wheel bearings also start to suffer. 

So, what should you be doing to keep your boat trailer in the best condition to keep you afloat in the summer seasons? First, let’s look at some of the reasons why boat trailers fail in the first place.

Avoid that sinking feeling: Why boat trailers fail 

When did you last check the health of your wheels?

Tyre issues are the leading cause for roadside assistance calls involving boat trailers, and the two main culprits are low pressure and wheel bearing problems. Focusing on these two areas alone can help to significantly reduce your risk of an accident when towing your boat.

Tyre pressure monitors are one of the easiest ways to keep on top your tyre pressure. They are available with most modern caravans and provide invaluable insurance against accidents from low pressure by warning you whenever your pressure drops too low. 

Similarly, bearing monitoring is now available to provide accurate and live insight into your bearing temperatures while towing. Wheel Sensei is the first smart solution to monitor bearing temperatures and provide drivers with direct alerts to a smart phone app while driving. 

Wheel Sensei is like the tyre pressure monitor for your bearings – it’s just as important and it’s just as easy. Wheel Sensei replaces your dust cap to monitor bearing temperatures and provide real-time updates on your trailer’s wheel bearings as soon as you start driving. Designed and manufactured in Australia, it’s built to withstand all weather conditions and is suitable for all types of trailers. The best feature of Wheel Sensei is that it warns you of any impending issues (just like a tyre pressure indicator does) and allows you to address them before they become serious problems.

Here are six more ways to keep your wheels healthy:

•  Always keep your wheels inflated.
• Do your best to keep your trailer covered so that the wheels are kept out of the sun and rain. Often most of the problems in boat trailers are caused simply by being exposed to the elements for too long. If you don’t have an undercover spot, consider getting covers for your trailer and wheels.
• If you know your trailer will be unused for a while, jack the frame up and keep the tires off the ground to prevent rot.
• Have the wheels serviced as soon as you’re about to go on the road.
• Sometimes you’ve hit a curb and you don’t even know it, so always make sure your wheels are straight. Even if the alignment is slightly out it can cause problems later down the road.
• Always check the load rating and never go over its capacity. This will avoid putting extra and unnecessary pressure on the wheels.

What more can go wrong?

When it comes to a boat trailer, unfortunately plenty more can go wrong. While focusing on your wheels is one of the most important aspects of your safety, there are more things to consider:

• Trailer lights
• Bunks
• Rollers
• Trailer brakes
• Frame
• Winch
• Axles, and much more

Every element of a boat trailer needs to be maintained and monitored, especially when it’s been left outside for long periods at a time. By keeping an eye on your tyres and wheel bearings, and maybe even investing in some smart sensor technology, you can keep your boat trailer in good condition and avoid any unexpected pit spots.

Digital wheel bearing monitoring – Helping drivers stay safe on the road when towing.

Wheel Sensei’s smart driver app and wheel bearing monitoring technology helps drivers stay safe and protect their caravans and trailers while towing. Wheel Sensei monitors your bearings and alerts you to any potential issues while you are driving so you don’t have to stop for ‘manual bearing ‘touch-tests’. 

Wheel Sensei’s smart sensors replace your dust cap and monitor the internal hub temperature of each wheel, sending you live updates of each bearing temperature every minute via the phone app.  

If any issues arise, such as a sudden spike in wheel bearing temperatures, you’ll receive an instant notification.

By using Wheel Sensei, drivers can avoid potentially dangerous situations and prevent damage to their vehicles and precious cargo.

Wheel Sensei provides peace of mind to drivers who frequently tow, allowing them to focus on the road and enjoy a safe and stress-free journey.

If you have any questions, or would like to know more, please get in contact with us today.