What You Need to Know When Replacing Your Boat Trailer Axels
Your boat trailer carries your prized possession and the axle distributes the weight over the entire trailer, so you need it to be sturdy and durable.
Because of the weight a boat trailer axle must bear, it goes through plenty of wear and tear. If you don’t have the best components on your boat trailer, the axle is often the first thing you’ll need to replace. When you do, you’ll want to replace it with an axle that’ll last.
In today’s post, we’ll provide tips for replacing boat trailer axles and help you get a perfect axle fit. With a safe, well-maintained boat trailer, your boat will have the support it needs during transport. Keep reading and let the experts help you master boat trailer maintenance.
Why Trailer Axle Repair Is Important
As mentioned, your boat trailer goes through plenty of wear. Depending on the boat you’re hauling, it might carry anything from 1,000 to 10,000 lbs. As it goes over bumps in the road, weight can shift and gradually take a toll on your axle.
When your axle starts to wear down, multiple things can start to happen. If it’s seriously damaged, it might break altogether. Even if it’s not fully broken, you may discover that your trailer tires won’t turn and you still won’t be able to go anywhere.
Should major damage happen while you’re in transit, you could end up in an accident. At the very least, you’ll end up damaging your boat. It’s important to recognize the signs of axle damage early on so you can perform the necessary boat maintenance and replace the axle immediately.
When to Perform Boat Trailer Maintenance
If your boat trailer axle is starting to break down, it’ll show signs of damage before the above-mentioned situations occur. You should always perform regular boat trailer maintenance to prevent major issues, but here are a few signs that your axle is giving way:
Poor Alignment
The most telltale sign that your axle is damaged is poor alignment. Your trailer’s axle is what distributes the boat’s weight across the trailer. If the axle is damaged, the boat’s weight will shift, thus affecting your car’s alignment.
So, if your vehicle is pulling one way or the other while your boat is in tow, it could be due to trailer axle issues. Stop driving immediately and inspect the axle for damage.
Vibrations
If the trailer begins vibrating more than usual or directly beneath your seat, it strongly indicates axle damage. It may also be combined with rumbling noises that ramp up every time you hit a bump or turn. Don’t ignore these signs, as it likely means your axle is beyond repair and needs to be replaced.
Sluggish Performance
Other problems while driving may indicate an underlying trailer axle issue. For example, you may find it difficult to control your vehicle while braking or feel that it’s difficult to pull away from a stopped position.
Poor steering performance is also a good indication of a broken trailer axle. Again, this is the component that balances the boat on the trailer, so if you can’t turn properly, it means the boat’s weight has shifted too much.
Where to Buy Trailer Axles
Once your boat trailer axle is damaged, it’s better to replace it entirely rather than to try and fix it. If you’ve got a custom aluminum boat trailer from Owens & Sons, you can buy your replacement axle directly from us. We have a wide range of spring and torsion axles to choose from on our website.
When you see our inventory, it can be a lot to take in. Our helpful professionals are available to assist you in choosing the right axle for your boat trailer. If you’re unfamiliar with the type of axle or part number, you don’t need to guess, just reach out and we’ll help you figure it out.
If you’re experienced with boat trailer repair, you may be inclined to install the new axle on your own. For most boat owners, however, having a professional do it for you is best. Fortunately for you, we also offer boat repair services, so we can install that new axle for you, no matter what type of trailer you have.
Boat Trailer Axle Replacement Tips
Replacing a boat trailer axle might sound complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. As we said above, if you’re not comfortable doing it, you should always seek professional help. With that in mind, however, here are the steps you’ll need to take to replace the axle successfully:
- Jack up the trailer using a floor jack
- Remove the trailer’s wheels, take the lug nuts off, and then the wheel itself
- Cut the power and ground wire to disconnect the trailer lights from your vehicle
- Jack up the trailer again, then remove the nuts and bolts holding the shackles in place
- Remove the shoulder bolts that hold the leaf spring in place
- Jack up the axle until the trailer clears the jack stands, slide them out, then lower the axle back down and remove it from the bottom of the trailer
- Carefully slide the new axle into place with its center point resting on the floor jack, then raise it into position while lining it up with the mounting points
- Reverse the process by reconnecting the leaf spring, shackles, wires, and finally, the wheels
Let Us Help With Your Boat Trailer Axles
Now that you know how to detect damage on boat trailer axles, the importance of boat trailer maintenance, and where to buy your replacement axle, you’re a better boat owner for it. Although the process of replacing a boat trailer axle sounds simple, it should only be done by experienced professionals.
Whether you need a new axle, other boat trailer parts, or an entirely new aluminum boat trailer, Owens & Sons Aluminum Slide-On is here to help. For 39 years, we’ve been helping boaters safely transport their vessels to and from the water. Contact us today with any questions you have about your boat trailer axle and we’ll point you in the right direction.
