Boat Trailers

Boat Trailer FAQ

• Do salt and rust have an effect on the trailer, and what steps should I take to care for it?

  Rust will jeopardise the structural integrity of a trailer.

  Exposure to a salty environment will start the process of electrolysis which will slowly break down the protective galvanised coating. Once this coating is depleted, the steel structure will rapidly rust. Rust will most commonly start from inside the RHS (box steel) chassis where the saltwater cannot be hosed off.

  To prevent problems with rust, we recommend clients always wash their trailer with fresh water (not soapy) as thoroughly as possible after every use.

  FELK engineers understand our boat trailers will be exposed to high levels of salt, particularly between the beaches of Newcastle and the shores of Lake Macquarie.

  The average lifespan of a trailer exposed to regular use in saltwater is 15 years providing it has been well maintained.
  FELK Engineers will check for signs of rust during your service and e-safety inspection. It is always important to be vigilant of this potential rust problem.

• How regularly should I get my boat trailer serviced?

  As a rule of thumb, we recommend clients have their trailer(s) serviced every 12 months or before every long trip. This period may be longer or shorter depending on the frequency of use. Wheel bearings are a major consideration. I’m sure you have seen many a trailer broken down on the side of a road with a wheel off on a hot summer’s day. That’s a wheel bearing problem!

• How do I select the right model for my boat?

  We would encourage you to get in touch with the FELK team. We’ll ask questions about your boat make, model, year, current loaded weight on the existing trailer. With this information, we will match the right trailer to your requirements.

• If well maintained, how many years of service should I expect from my FELK boat trailer?

  FELK boat trailers that are well maintained usually average a lifespan of 15 years.

• What tyre pressure should I use for my boat trailer tyres?

  Approximately 45 PSI is the average pressure required for the weight of the loaded boat and the capacity of the light truck tyres.

• Can FELK Engineers convert skids to rollers?

  Yes, though it depends on the type, make and model of the trailer.

• How do I know if I need a multi-roller or a skid trailer?

  Multi-roller trailers are much more popular than skid. Around 95% of our sales use multi-rollers. Skid trailers are becoming far less common.

  With multi-roller setups, you don’t need to submerge the trailer as deep in the water compared to a skid trailer. The rollers allow the craft to move freely once the winch is disconnected, making launch and retrieval easier.

  Multi-rollers will give your hull better support with equal pressure on all the rollers. Most yacht trailers are now converting to multi-roller systems for this reason.

  Some people may still opt for a skid trailer if their hull is comprised of thin alloy hull or plywood eg. an old ski boat.