Storing Your Trailer When Not in Use

If you love adventure, it’s likely that you own a trailer. Whether you use it to tow a boat, an ATV, a golf cart, a motorcycle, a waverunner or any other fun piece of equipment, you should make sure it is properly stored when not in use. Here are some important tips for storing your trailer when not using it so that it does not rust, have parts broken, or gets stolen.

Use a Garage

If you have enough room, put the unused trailer in your garage. You might have to move a vehicle outside but it will protect the trailer. Trailers can rust, which is why they should be stored inside when not in use. If you cannot get them inside a garage, try to cover them completely with a tarp to protect them from the elements. Also, if left outdoors, remove all loose trailer parts and store them in your garage.

Storage Facility

If you don’t have the room in your garage or in a shed, consider renting a storage unit big enough to hold a trailer. This will protect the trailer from the elements, from being stolen, and from being damaged by any storms or vandals. You will also be able to store items on the trailer in the storage unit, giving you more space in your garage, shed, or basement. You can even store your trailer axles in the unit.

Check Parts

It’s best to check all the parts of the trailer prior to storing it. Be sure they are not broken, rusted, or have any other issues. If you don’t check the parts before storing the trailer, be sure to do so when you bring it out of storage for the first time. This helps reduce the risk of the trailer breaking or coming disconnected when it is being towed.

Equipment for Your ATV

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Owning an ATV is a lot of fun. A lot of fun. You can fly through dirt, mud, water, and just about any other type of terrain with ease. Some of the best riding is done with a group of family members or friends. The safest riding is done after you’ve inspected your ATV or other pieces of powersports equipment to ensure that all of the parts are operating correctly. Here are some tips for keeping your equipment running smoothly.

Check Before Each Ride

The best way to find an issue with your ATV is to check it prior to each ride. You should never go on a ride without checking your ATV first. Look for broken parts, leaks, rust, and other issues that could lead to a serious problem if you operate the ATV. Replace any broken parts immediately. Fix all leaks and document all areas affected by rust.

Change Fluids

An ATV is just like a car or motorcycle. It needs to have its fluids changed. If you haven’t ridden the ATV in months it’s a good idea to change the oil and any other fluids prior to going out for a ride. If you ride the ATV often, be sure to change the oil every couple of months, sometimes more because of the dirt that can get in it.

Check Tires

Preventing a tragic accident can be done by checking the tires for ATV prior to riding. Check the tire pressure before each ride. Add air if needed. Check the treads on the tires and replace the tires if they are cracked, damaged, or worn down. The tires are important parts of the ATV that keep it moving properly. You don’t want to take any risks with old or damaged tires.

Follow these tips the next time you head out for a ride on your ATV.

Extending the Life of Your ATV

Do you own an ATV? If so, you’ll likely want to protect your investment as much as possible. As with owning a car, routine maintenance is very important for an ATV. It’s not hard to extend the life of your ATV — you just need to know what maintenance should be performed on a regular basis. Today, we will provide you with a handful of tips that will help your ATV improve performance and last longer.

Wash Often

Many people love to drive through mud and water with their ATV and then never wash it. This is doing the vehicle a disservice. Yes, it looks cool to have a mud-covered ATV, but it’s even better to have one that works for quite a while. You should wash your ATV after each use, especially if you’ve been mudding.

Change the Oil

Just like owning a car, you need to change the oil in your ATV every so often. Change the oil based on what the owner’s manual recommends. It won’t cost an arm and a leg because an ATV only takes a couple of quarts of oil.

Use a Clean Air Filter

A clean air filter is vital to the longevity of your ATV. If you go mudding, it’s best to check the air filter immediately upon returning home. If the air filter is filled with debris and dirt, be sure to clean or replace it. Do not continue to operate the ATV with a dirty air filter. If the ATV is stored in the winter without being used, check the air filter prior to its first use in the spring.

Check Nuts, Bolts, and CV Axles

Be sure to check the nuts, bolts, and CV axles as often as possible. Checking these items prior to going out for a ride can save your life. You never know if a nut or bolt has come loose. The only way you will find such an issue is by checking. You don’t want to find out the hard way.

Get Your RV Ready for Your Next Summer Outing

Vacation is the highlight of everyone’s summer. It’s a chance to take a break from work and enjoy time with family. Vacations also create some of the best memories. The last thing anyone wants to experience while anticipating that much needed time away is RV issues. This can delay or potentially postpone your summer trip. Don’t let that happen! Take the following steps now to make get your RV ready.

Check the Batteries: When you put an RV in long-term storage, it’s ideal to remove the batteries to prevent freezing. It’s not uncommon for a battery to lose some current when in storage, which is due to internal leakage. Fully recharge the batteries and reinstall them.

Inspect Your Tires: Take a good look at the tires, checking the tread wear and looking for any signs of damage. If there isn’t enough tread depth or you spot tire damage, replace your old tires with new trailer tires.
Inspect the tire pressure as well and inflate your tires as necessary. Also, make sure your spare tire is in good working order.

Examine the Exterior: Protect your RV from water damage due to leaks by inspecting the roof, windows, vents, air conditioners, and doors for any cracks or missing caulk. Even the smallest crack or hole can cause serious water damage.

Test the Heating, Cooling, and Electrical Systems: Turn on the heating and cooling system and lights to make sure they work. If there’s an issue, contact a specialist to diagnose and fix the problem.

De-Winterize the Water System: If you filled the water lines with anti-freeze for winter storage, they need to be flushed out. Run fresh water through the entire system until all the water runs clear.

Test the Appliances: Make sure all appliances work by turning them on. This includes your stove, refrigerator, and furnace and water heater.

Clean the Outside and Inside: Lastly, give your trailer a good cleaning. Wash the outside of the trailer to remove dirt and debris. Clean the inside with household cleaner to get rid of dust.

Try These Boating Tips To Make Next Trip Out On The Water An Interesting One

The opportunity to get out on the water isn’t always an easy one to come by. You need to set aside time so you’ll have at least a full day that’s free of other responsibilities. Logistically, you need to worry about getting your boat both to and from the water and that means safely towing it to the launch ramp. The payoff, of course, is when you’re free to explore the open waters with family and friends aboard. To get to this point, you’ll need to research the best boat trailer parts currently on the market. That’s because safety should be a primary concern when it comes to towing your precious cargo. An under-inflated tire, sub-par trailer hitch or worn brake pads can mean the difference between an afternoon cruising around under the sun or crawling under your trailer along the side of the highway as you attempt to diagnose what went wrong. In this article, we’ll safely assume that you’ve made it to the water so we’d like to offer up some entertaining options for you and your passengers to partake in.

– Keeping the kids happy: Maybe they don’t see the novelty in being on a boat, but a kid’s cry of, “I’m bored” can quickly be satisfied by planning ahead. Tubes, slides and other inflatable toys will give them a chance to feel a little bit more free; just make sure that you fasten them with rope to the boat!

– Surf’s up: The exhilaration that surfing the wake that your boat makes can’t be beat. You’ll need a specialized board to surf and equipment to connect the rider to the boat, but this is an entertainment option sure to please anyone who is daring enough to get out there and try.

– Explore the shore: You don’t need to spend all day gunning the engine and zipping around deep waters. After leaving the shore, head for parts unknown and disembark with the help of a canoe, kayak or paddle board. Not only will you see parts often unknown, but it will add a sense of adventure to your outing.

No Two Tows Are Alike: Pick The Right Trailer For The Job When Hauling Your Goods

Automobile trailers are not a one-size-fits-all affair. You won’t be transporting horses on the same type of trailer used to haul motorcycles unless you want to get stopped by the local police and questioned by the SPCA. Granted, that may be a bit of an obvious example but there are a plethora of trailer types out there. For those researching trailer tires and the options on the market, read on as we break down what’s on the market and how you can put it to use.

– On any Sunday: How many motorcycles will you need to cart around from Point  A to Point B? If the answer is one, then a single-rail type should suffice. The drawback here, and for other open-air trailers used for multiple bikes, is that they are subject to the elements. Enclosed trailers for more than one motorcycle often come with amenities you’d find inside a home. Of course, cost goes up with size and convenience.

– Safe and sound: The concerns that come to mind when purchasing a trailer for animals are vast and varied: What kind of animals will you be towing and how much will their combined weight be? How often and how far will you and your crew be on the move and what will the weather and road conditions be? Do you know how to maintain the trailer… the list goes on. Be sure to do your homework in this catergory, as the right trailer will go a long way toward making these trips a pain-free affair.

– Dry docks: A single-axle trailer should suffice for most boat owners. Steel may be stronger, but it’s more prone to rust than the aluminum counterpart. Rollers, which make loading and offloading easier, are an alternative to bunks, which arguably provide a firmer hold on the boat.

– Business or pleasure: Finally, what about the trailer that’s going to make your life easier? For those hauling household goods for a move, there are plenty of options that’ll attach to the hitch on your vehicle. Open-air flat beds provide a wide area to stow goods, or even a car. Enclosed cargo carriers are smaller, but protect your personal effects from the elements.

For more information on trailer tires and trailer types, call 1-877-294-7343.

Heed These Boating Safety Tips To Stay Afloat And Alive During Warm Summer Months

With summer months just around the corner, captains everywhere should be itching at the opportunity to get back on the open water.  However, operating a boat isn’t always like riding a bike, as the saying goes, so it’s important to refresh yourself with the following safety tips to ensure a safe and entertaining afternoon. You’re the one in charge and you might have a boatload, pun intended, of guests aboard. For those searching for boat trailer parts, read on and find out how to make your next trip out a pleasurable one.

1) Self-preservation: This one should be a no-brainer but we’ll stress it again. Life jackets save lives. That’s their purpose. We don’t want to hear about how good of a swimmer you are; you’re going to wish you wore one in the event of a sudden and urgent emergency. For the relatively cheap price of admission, around $40 or $50, the payoff will be priceless.

2) Self-control: Things get a little trickier here, as there is certainly a grey area when it comes to intoxicating substances and operating a sea vessel. Drinking alcohol while boating occurs, but it’s when you become legally intoxicated that it’s illegal. Accidents happen, however the U.S. Coast Guard reports that alcohol is a factor in 16 percent of boating fatalities. Keep yourself in check and make it back to shore safely.

3) Self-reliance: Boats aren’t toys, as those with plenty of maritime experience will tell you. Boats are machines that require maintenance and the watchful eye of an attentive captain. The last thing you want to do is run out of gas in the middle of nowhere while you’re already in the middle of the ocean. The U.S. Coast Guard can come fetch you, but let this advice be a lesson to you.

For more information on boat trailer parts and safety tips for those headed out to sea, call 1-877-294-7343.

Tips for Choosing the Right Trailer Hitch for Your Vehicle

Are you looking to purchase a trailer hitch to install on the back of your car, truck, or SUV but don’t know where to start? Having the right trailer hitch is vital to ensure a safe and secure trailer towing. So, how do you go about buying the right trailer hitch for your vehicle? Follow these tips.

Determine the Trailer Weight and Trailer Tongue Weight

Not all hitches are the same, so you need to do some research on your vehicle’s hauling capabilities. Check your owner’s manual to find out the maximum gross trailer weight (GTW) that your car can tow.

There are four different classes of hitches, each designed to haul a certain amount of weight.

• Class I – Can haul a GTW of up to 2,000 pounds.
• Class II – Can haul a GTW of up to 3,500 pounds.
• Class III – Can haul a GTW of up to 5,000 pounds.
• Class IV – Can haul a GTW of up to 10,000 pounds.

You will also need to determine the tongue weight (TW) since the hitch you choose needs to be able to handle the force of the towing object. This can usually be found in your owner’s manual.

Choose Fixed or Receiver Hitches

Another consideration when selecting a hitch is whether you want a permanent hitch (fixed) or a hitch that can be removed or repositioned (receiver). A fixed hitch is permanently installed in place and remains there. This is suitable if you have a vehicle that you will specifically use to tow vehicles. Receiver hitches, sometimes called box or tube hitches, are removable when not in use. These are the more popular style of hitches and what you see on most vehicles.

The Make and Model of the Vehicle

Because there are many different hitch designs and some may not fit on certain vehicles, take into account the vehicle’s model, year, and manufacturer. Also, all vehicles have a towing capacity that has to be looked at before determining what can be towed and the hitch that is most suitable.

 

Shopping for an RV? Here’s What to Look For

It’s easy to tell why so many people are interested in taking the leap and purchasing an RV. An RV lets you spend time traveling and exploring new areas. Many people are even moving from traditional homes to RVs. Aside from reduced expenses, RVs can eliminate yard or lawn maintenance, there is much less home cleaning, and if you don’t like your neighbors, you can instantly move.

While an RV has a lot of perks and advantages, like making any major purchase, the RV buying process isn’t exactly fun and requires a lot of time and careful consideration. Here are some things you definitely want to keep an eye out for when scoping out a potential RV:

Bedrooms
Most RVs come without a separate bedroom; there are some that come with one or even two bedrooms. If you need more room, sleeper sofas are very useful and help you save money since they can be used as both seating and a sleeping area.

An Enclosed Bathroom
Although it sounds like a given, it’s not. Double check that the toilet has a door and the door isn’t see-thru glasses. Also, check that the bathroom isn’t only accessible through the bedroom as this can be inconvenient, especially if you plan on having guests stay in the RV.

Heating and Cooling
You want to stay comfortable when it’s hot or cold. Check the type of heating and cooling system the RV comes with and how it works.

Washer and Dryer
The necessity of a washer and dryer will depend on what you plan to use the RV for. If you see yourself using it for camping or road trips, most campgrounds have laundry facilities, and you can always find one during a road trip. However, if you plan to make your RV your new home, it’s probably best to invest in a washer and dryer set for convenience. Be mindful that not only can these be expensive, but they can take up a fair amount of room in your RV.

Water Heater
No one likes a freezing cold shower. Most shower-equipped RVs come with a water heater, but check the capacity. If you can’t upgrade the heater, you can always buy a water heater separately and install it.

Awnings
These are placed over the main entrance or large windows to protect you from the elements when sitting outside of your RV. They provide a great shade and keep the sun from beating on you during the summer and in warmer climates where RV travel is popular.

Leveling System
When shopping for an RV, pay attention to the jiggle and sway as you walk through it. Properly leveling and stabilizing your RV will add to your comfort, and ensure that all inside items work properly and stay in place. RV jacks are commonly used to stabilize and level the RV. Ask the salesperson to explain the leveling and stabilizing system that comes with the RV and any additions that may be available.

Hitch
If you have a car and want to tow it behind your motorhome, check to see if the RV comes with a hitch.

Test All Appliances
Make sure everything inside the RV works. This includes ovens, fridges, and heating and cooling units. These can all be expensive and buying replacements after spending on a new RV can be a downer.

Go for a Practice Drive
You want to feel comfortable and confident driving the RV, so it’s recommended to take it for a practice drive. This will help you get an idea of what it feels like driving it, how much space is needed for turns, and how hard it will be to switch lanes.

 

Three Reasons Why Your Trailer Is Falling Apart

You don’t know when it happened, but you’ve suddenly become the person everyone asks for help when they move. After all, it makes sense, you own several trailers because of your job and you seem to be in a constant state of hauling from point A to point B. Even though you’ve reached the rank of towing guru, your equipment never seems to last as long as it should. Hitches rust and break, tires blow out or are frequently unevenly pressured, and the brakes on your trailer can be really hit or miss. This may be shocking to hear, but the problem most likely isn’t the equipment you use, it’s the way you use it. It may not be intentional, but here are some common mistakes you may be making that are damaging your trailer and car.

You Don’t Load Your Trailer Correctly

Balanced trailer loads are crucial for safety and damage prevention. If you just throw things in your trailer and drive off, you could be harming the items you’re loading. Be sure to know the weight restrictions for your trailer so you don’t make the mistake of overloading it. Also, make sure that you pack things evenly, and don’t put too many things in one area. Balance is essential for proper packing.

You don’t periodically check your trailer brakes

Does it seem like your trailer brakes have a mind of their own? Think back to the last time you checked them. If the last time you checked your brakes was right before you hauled a load, you’re making a crucial towing mistake. Brakes have a tendency to deteriorate after they haven’t been in use. If you only sparingly use your trailer, you should be checking on your trailer every so often to make sure that everything, especially your brakes, is in working order. Also, make sure that you don’t over tax your brakes when you use them. Braking too hard or too fast can lead to a lot of problems.

You’re using the wrong equipment

It can be pretty difficult to get the wrong trailer axels for your trailer, but it can be surprisingly easy to get the wrong ball, chains, and other kinds of essential trailer equipment. Some “savvy” mechanics try to save money by retrofitting certain parts so they can use them on their trailer, but it can be doing more harm than good in the long run. When it comes to trailers, you shouldn’t improvise on what you use. Only use what the manufacturer recommends, and nothing more.