Bass Fishing Tip of the Week 05/12/08: Bass Boat Trailer Care

Boat trailers are often the most neglected item that a bass fisherman owns. Usually it's a no-brainer and you simply back your tow vehicle up to the tongue, hitch it, put on the safety chains and lights and off you go.

It's when you have problems that you realize that a few minutes of maintenance goes a long ways to prevent a long wait along the sparsely traveled country roads.

Here's my list of top 10 things that need to be checked and maintained for trouble free fishing trips.

1- Check your tire pressure and match it to what the tire is rated for. Many of the smaller tires require higher pressures than the standard 34 psi that a car/truck tire has. Low pressures can lead to punctures when going over bumpy roads as well and damaging your rims.

2- Check for small cracks in the sidewalls on your tires. These cracks are often the sign of old tires in need of repair and can lead to blowouts!

3- Carry a spare tire. If you don't have one, buy an inexpensive trailer mount and get one! No spare means a long tow to the nearest service center.

4- Along with the spare, carry a multi size tire iron in your tow vehicle. The tire iron in your tow vehicle may not fit!

5- Pack a low cost 12V inflator. I've saved myself a tire change by plugging a tire and using the inflator to make it home.

6- Lubricate your bearings. Bearing Buddies or similar bearing lubrication systems make it a snap to accomplish this task.

7- Always use trailer tie downs. The risk is a loose boat on the highway or coming through your back window when braking hard!

8- Check your trailer lights. You need to have all lights working properly for the greatest visibility to other drivers on the road.

9- Check your trailer winch strap for wear. It's no fun to drive 5-10 mph when you strap busts just to get home!

10- Check your bolts that hold the bunks on your trailer. These will often work their way out or simply rust causing you a big headache to drive back on your trailer when your bunk is floating or sinking due to missing or damaged lag bolts.

By checking these items and taking proper care of your trailer you will greatly reduce your chance for a big migraine!