Thread: Trailer tires
View Single Post
  #6  
Old 07-06-2015, 09:22 PM
Gerald Gerald is offline
Sailfish
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Lake Charles / Moss Bluff
Posts: 4,648
Cash: 4,182
Default

It could be that the trailer axil is a little too small and weight of the boat has bent the axle..... or.....maybe you hit a big "bump" in the road that caused the boat to bounce and bend the axil.

You can take measurements to check if this is the problem. To do this you need 2 people, a straight edge [piece of steel or maybe a board that is straight that is say at least 5 feet long.] a tap measure and or some string.

First mark a spot on the axil 3 or 4 feet from the tire and put an "x" on the top of the axil to mark this spot.

Now mark the exact center of the straight edge. Hold the straight edge horizonal so that the center of the straight edge is lined up with the center of the axle. Once you have the straight edge in place, the distance from the ends of straight edge measuring back to the spot ["x"] on the axle should be the same. If the measurements are not the same, the axle is bent.

Next rotate the straight edge so that one end is tilted up [if you can take the boat off the trailer.....this would make it easier.] as much as possible and so that you can still take the measurements. If the axil is bent due to the weight of the boat, this measurement will not be the same.

Remember the accuracy of this method depends on having a good straight edge and holding the straight edge exactly in place.

Another slightly less accurate method would be to hold a 3 or 4 foot long level in a vertical position up against the trailer tire. Look the see if the bubble is centered or is it showing to be off center.....ie. bent axle.
Reply With Quote