How You Can Build Utility Trailers from Quality Utility Trailer Parts

The builder’s level of ability should be also considered in deciding which kind of trailer to build. Building a trailer from scratch requires welding, carpentry, and electrical knowledge. That said, a trailer may also be built with utility trailer kits.

Once the type of trailer has been decided, it will be easier to decide which materials will be needed. Most designs, the article reads, consists of a bed, a hitch, a tongue, an axle with wheels, taillights, and a license plate frame. Once materials are gathered, a trailer frame should be assembled by welding a support frame and support beams.

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The Good, Bad, and Ugly or Trailer Leaf Springs

Posted by

Champion Trailers


on February 11, 2014

5

The Good, Bad, and Ugly of Trailer Springs


Trailer springs are
essential part of trailer suspension and as we all know you cannot go
anywhere without your springs. Unfortunately, many of us do not pay
attention to our springs and years can go by before we think of them.
Usually, this thinking occurs when you are sitting on the side of the
road or boat launch waiting on that expensive tow truck that is heading
your way! And the worst thing about it? It can be avoided and all it
takes is knowing what to look for before leaving on your fishing trip. A
good trailer spring makes a happy fisherman and boater! Any of these
problems and issues we will cover can occur on Double Eye Springs, C-Hook (reverse curl) Springs, and Slipper Springs at
any time. These types of leaf springs can be found on boat trailers,
utility trailers, and enclosed trailer so make sure you check every
trailer you may have to avoid suspension issues in the future. 

The

reason we see so many issues with springs at Champion is that trailer
springs are not usually a trailer part that wears or breaks easily
unless it is over loaded, rusted badly, or just old. For this reason
many people overlook the springs during yearly maintenance checks.
Champion Trailers takes trailer repair and maintenance very seriously as
damage or failure of your leaf springs can cause tire and axle damage
or complete failure of the trailer suspension. To help our customers
stay safe on the road we will go over what to look for before hitting
the water this year. 



 Trailer springs should always be inspected for
cracks and breakage to avoid failure of the trailer spring. Cracks
typically appear near the philister bolt and near the eye of the bolt that connects your spring to your hanger.
Anytime you see a crack or break in the spring it is time to replace
them. When a trailer spring fails you can receive significant damage to
your trailer and boat such as complete suspension failure, cracks in the frame, tire or hub damage, and trailer axle damage.

The Cracked Trailer Spring

When
inspecting your trailer springs you also want to make certain that you
do not see daylight between leafs of the spring. This is caused from
the spring fatiguing over time due to weight and use. When springs
fatigue they cannot support the weight as needed. A fatigued spring
will flatten out quicker and may possibly break. Tired springs are not
safe springs!

The Separated Trailer Spring

Another
thing to keep an eye on is the amount of rust on your springs. The
type of rust you need to be worried about is chunks of rust coming off
the springs or large amounts of rust that would not be considered
surface rust. Rust compromises the strength and load capacity of the
spring as it begins to take over the strong steel and turn it into weak
layered rust. 

The Rusted Trailer Spring

Don’t let a bad and ugly trailer spring cause you to have a bad boating or fishing trip this year. Champion Trailers
offers FREE repair estimates on broken and damaged trailers as well as
yearly maintenance inspections. Don't forget to buy all your spring bolts, spring hangers, shackle links, and U bolt tieplate kits
when you replace those old trailer springs.

The Good Trailer Spring

Visit the trailer experts today because we help keep your trailer rolling.

A Quick Guide to Properly Greasing All Your Trailer Wheel Bearings

Then a thorough inspection of the bearings and other parts should be done to determine if replacement is necessary; afterward, the bearings need to be packed with grease by a bearing packer, a grease gun, or by hand.

Greasing bearings is a tedious task, but it is necessary to keep machinery running at optimal levels. A well-stocked trailer parts store like Champion Trailers offers trailer wheel bearing parts and grease for any bearing maintenance work.

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Starting Over with Fresh Hubs

Every trailer will have busted wheel hubs at some point in their operational life. A number of things can contribute to their end of days. However, for your beloved trailer, that shouldn’t be its end as well, as you can simply replace the hubs alone. It takes a lot of work, though.

Start by learning whether your trailer’s wheels are either hub or lug centric. Hub-centric models have lug bolts that pass through the wheel from the outside all the way to the hub. They also have a hub bore that’s designed to shoulder part of the trailer weight, along with the wheel studs. The wheel’s pilot diameter should be just a bit larger than the outer diameter of the hub bore.

Once you know the hub model, check the original specifications of the hubs, particularly those regarding bearing load and wheel size. Hubs normally come with five stud holes but others tend to have four. Know the sizes of the inner and outer bearings; the hub’s stock bearings will have the proper labels to guide you. If such info is not available, the trailer’s dealership can provide you with the appropriate specifications, perhaps maybe even the replacement hubs that you need.

Replacing a damaged hub will work wonders in the long run. They can help the trailer continuously deal with the weight.  

Replacing the Trailer Drum Brakes

Some of larger trailers in service today have drum brakes installed. They provide sufficient stopping power for the trailer if the towing vehicle also decelerates. However, the long drives and stops may take their toll on the trailer and the brake system – as such, you need to get to work on replacing them right away.

The first thing to do is to raise the trailer on jack stands and remove all wheels. Once they are off, start using a hammer to gradually shake the drum loose from the assembly and use the drum brake spring tool to remove the hold-down spring for now. Needle-nose pliers are to be used in removing the return springs, but no tools are required in taking off the adjuster-level springs from the bottom of the primary shoe. The primary and secondary pads can then be removed and replaced.

In setting up the brake’s replacement pads, put in the primary pad on the adjuster and the notch of the wheel cylinder, then reattach the return and adjuster springs. Repeat the process on the secondary pad. You can then lock in the hold-down spring and cap before placing the drum on the pads and setting the entire assembly back on the shaft.  

Electric Trailer Brakes: Essential Info for New Recreational Boaters

    “If you’re not comfortable with bundles of wires, you might want to have a trained professional take care of your brake controller installation; however, if you know what you’re doing and follow the directions provided by the device’s manufacturer, installing a brake controller shouldn’t be a problem.”

Regardless of whether you decide to take your boat trailer to a professional or opt to handle trailer repairs by yourself, you simply can’t afford to scrimp on quality, particularly in relation to replacement trailer parts. To ensure the best results, you may want to look for a trusted vendor like Champion Trailers.

http://blog.championtrailers.com/electric-trailer-brakes-essential-info-new-recreational-boaters/

Prevent Road Accidents with Quality Replacement Boat Trailer Parts

Slide the replacement axle under the trailer with the help of an assistant, and set it on jack stands above the leaf springs. Bolt the front leaf spring hanger back to the trailer, using the 1/2-inch ratchet and socket, and mount the axle to the leaf springs, using the factory hardware and the 1/2-inch ratchet and socket.”

Prompt trailer axle replacement enables boat owners to steer clear of inconveniences or accidents while en route to their destinations. Boat owners can count on a reputable company like Champion Trailers for a good selection of brand-new boat trailer axles as well as other replacement parts and accessories.

http://blog.championtrailers.com/prevent-road-accidents-quality-replacement-boat-trailer-parts/

How to Choose the Correct Boat Trailer Winch

A boat trailer winch is a device used to load and unload boats to and off trailers. Since a winch is integral in keeping a boat safe, the appropriate boat trailer winch for your particular boat needs to be selected. Here are some tips to consider:

Size matters

The weight of the boat will determine the required winch capacities. Ideally, the boat to winch capacity ratio should be 2:1. For instance, a 2,000-lb boat would generally need a winch with a 1,000-lb capacity.

Factor in the trailer factors

Boat trailers come in different shapes and with varying features. Generally, a trailer with a steeper incline or a long winching distance requires winches with heavier capacities. Same goes for wooden or carpeted bunks. Conversely, trailers with good rollers, short winching distances or gentler slopes will require bearings with less capacities.

Determine the winch material's quality

Winches are fabricated from various materials. Stainless steel and carbon steel would be the most durable. Other common makeups of winches are aluminum and bronze. Of those two, bronze is preferable for being more weather-resistant.

Take the easy ways out

Ease and comfort in winch usage should be prioritized, too. Reliable manufacturers promote ergonomic grips, permanently lubricated bearings and adjustable handles for varying speed needs. Warranties can also be considered to get your money's worth. Go for products with instruction manuals for comprehensive utilization guidance.

The Importance of Quality Boat Trailer Parts

Just because you live away from the sea, it doesn’t mean that you couldn’t enjoy owning your very own boat – hey, that’s what trailers are for. Nevertheless, you should know that it’s not just the vessel itself that you should maintain and buy efficient replacement parts for, since a rusty or worn trailer could be detrimental to your new boat as well.

Sadly, not everybody takes trailer repair and maintenance to heart until it is too late and may often leave it all to chance. One thing smart boat owners should have in common, though, is knowing when and how to replace boat trailer parts as needed—such as the trailer axle, for instance, which is the central shaft that enables the wheels to revolve.

When you’re working to replace parts like the axle, make sure that you have one or two assistants with you. This way, you can be assured of a fast and efficient installation, not to mention that you have people looking out for your safety throughout the task.

Prompt trailer axle replacement enables boat owners to steer clear of inconveniences or accidents while en route to their boating destinations. Boat owners can count on a reputable company for a good selection of new boat trailer axles as well as other replacement parts and accessories.

Have an Easy Delivery with Planning and Good Utility Trailer Parts

Planning is important, yes, but knowing your utility trailer parts is just as important. Different trailers have different weight capabilities, so it pays to know how much weight your trailer can tolerate before it calls foul.

Proper arrangement of the items in the trailer will also be necessary; placing at least 60% of the load in between the tongue and the trailer tires can help balance the trailer out. You should also go for improvements that can help maximize the trailer, such as attaching PVC pipes to the side of the trailer via J-hooks to transport long fragile items. One must also be prepared for any mishaps on the road by having comprehensive utility trailer kits to fix any possible damage sustained on the road.

http://blog.championtrailers.com/easy-delivery-planning-good-utility-trailer-parts/

Growing RV Industry Means More Reasons to Visit a Trailer Parts Store

After a lackluster few years, the RV industry in the US is rolling out (pun intended) better than before, so much that 2014 may be just as promising as the year before. According to the Green Bay Press Gazette, it is expected that RV sales could reach about 335,000 units sold: an 11 percent increase when compared to 2013’s figures. Unfortunately, sales for more “luxurious” trailers and recreational vehicles are expected to remain low, which in turn would have a negative impact for the sales of their spare parts as well.

If that’s the case, then the owners of these high-end vehicles have more reason to visit a reputable trailer parts store, like Champion Trailers in Louisiana, which has plenty of replacement parts from reputable and obscure trailer manufacturers in stock. Aside from that, such a store is also likely to offer repair and maintenance services that can be useful for those who own discontinued brands like Fleetwood’s Terry LX and Prowler models. Of course, that shouldn’t be a problem for responsible trailer and RV owners since it’s a basic necessity to know where he or she can obtain replacement parts for his or her vehicle.

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