How To Keep Your PWC Trailer from Breaking Down

When good trailers go bad

I had the occasion to borrow a personal watercraft trailer the other day. I’ll protect the identity of the lender, but I will use their trailer as an example of how quickly a nice PWC trailer can go bad if it’s not maintained. And no, I’m not talking about the glaringly obvious things you should be doing, like maintaining your trailer lights, checking your tires for wear, or periodically greasing the hubs. I’m talking about all those little details that typically go overlooked, but lead to your trailer aging faster than it should.

Like your PWC, your trailer is an investment. Here’s how to make sure you get a good return.

If you want your PWC trailer to look and perform like new, you’ve got to take care of it.

Rinse it off…Be honest, most of your trailers probably get a cursory rinse after a ride in saltwater. Freshwater? A rinse is probably forgotten all together.

Salt and contaminants in the water, however, like to have their way with metal, even if it’s galvanized. Let it linger and it will eat away at your trailer like tooth decay, growing slowly but steadily. First, it just detracts from your trailer’s looks with nasty rust stains. But next, it eats away at key components, like leaf springs. Rust and corrosion will even eat away at the bolts that hold key components together.

What To Look For In A PWC Trailer

The trailer in question? Rust had resulted in the lag bolts that anchor the center walk board crumbling away, and the board flopping loose on the highway. Rust could do the same to the bunk boards that hold your PWC in place. If one of them fails, you’ll likely have significant hull damage.

…especially in all those little nooks and crannies. My borrowed trailer even featured a tongue jack handle whittled away from years of rust and corrosion, to the point it lost its plastic handle and resembled a rusty, jagged, hypodermic needle just waiting to stab an unsuspecting user.

Salt water will eagerly eat away at your metal trailer. Check out the remnants of the tongue jack handle on this trailer we borrowed.

Take a moment after you wash your PWC to thoroughly rinse down your trailer, and play close attention to those tight spots that may hold salt, including your tongue jack and safety chains or cables. It’s also a good idea to follow up with a protective spray on all metal surfaces once everything is dry.

Sea-Doo PWC Trailer Line Review

Shaking your head at light problems? Check the ground. LEDs have made life easier, but trailer lights are still notorious for failing. But before you drive yourself crazy trying to troubleshoot and trace the problem, first take a moment to check the ground wire. Should it be broken, corroded or loose, this one simple wire can be the source of all your problems.

Those safety chains don’t look all that safe.

Intermittent problems? The ground wire may be faulty, and the trailer may be getting a ground off the hitch ball. As you drive down the highway, however, the shaking and bumping will constantly interrupt this ground. Left unchecked, it will also take a toll on your electrical system.

Maintain the tire pressure. When I first set out on the road, I was shocked at how bad my mileage was. Sure, I knew I was pulling a load, but the drop-off seemed more extreme than it should be. So, I pulled off the road, hit up the nearest service station, and checked the tire pressure. Yup, it was low…way low. And looking around, I noticed that a lot of other trailers share the same problem.

Upgrading a PWC Trailer to LED Lighting

We tend to ignore our trailers, but just like in your car you need to monitor your trailer’s tire pressure, and keep it topped up to the manufacturer’s recommendation. Let them leak down – and they will, whether it’s from the repeated dunkings in the water or just lack of upkeep – and not only will your mileage suffer, but your trailer will also prove harder to handle on the road. Your tires will also wear faster, leading to an early replacement.