How to Choose and Maintain a Trailer for Your PWC
Vložit
- čas přidán 29. 08. 2024
- We spend a lot of time and effort (or money) making sure our PWC's are in tip top running condition. But what about the trailers? Let's take a look at some tips for making sure you have the right trailer and how to care for it.
- Sport
Your trailer appears to have a long tongue. The longer the trailer's wheelbase, the easier backing will be and you won't be as likely to have to back your tow vehicle into the water to get it deep enough to launch. Another great video!
Thanks. I agree. I don't like putting my vehicle in the water, especially salt water.
Yes! I hate short tongue trailers.
Great stuff. Especially the tip to check the heat on the hubs at every stop - I need to do that more often. One other thing I also am a bit crazy about - the bunk angles. Every time I get a new trailer, I drive the guys at the dealership a bit nuts because I want the angle of the bunks and the placement of the bunks to be perfect, with as much surface area as possible on the skis. Thanks again for the video.
You are welcome, and good idea about the bunks.
I carry a laser heat gun and shoot all the hubs on tow vehicle and trailers, tires too because you can tell if one is going low if it is warmer than the others. I drive a dually with a 5th wheel and then the ski behind that, so have 14 tires on the ground
@@gonridnponcho Dude! You are a pro! That's how the truckers do it!
Hey mate,
Just a heads up,
I’ve seen jet skis slide sideways off the trailer by tying up to the towing cleat,
It doesn’t have any sideways support as the strap can simply slide in the cleat while still being fastened and the jet ski comes off around a corner,
Also Yamaha states that the towing cleat is just for towing. It’s not to be used for lifting or for strapping down to a trailer.
There is a reason there are two reinforced tie down points on the rear to equalise the force on either side while it completely eliminates any chance of sideways movement,
Why would you risk damaging the cleat and also not securing the ski properly to the trailer to save a couple of seconds tying up a second strap!!
Please be safe, don’t risk it mate!!
Interesting point. I could see that happening if you don't have it strapped tightly enough. Thanks for the info.
I wiuld recoment putting the rear strap off to the sides of the trailer. That way it holds the ski down to the trailer incase the front strap gives out. The way you have it starped in the video if the front strap was to break the rear strap is going to go loose and not do anything at all to hold the ski onto the trailer.
@@catfisher420 not a bad idea but that's why you should always have two straps on the front. The strap built into the trailer is mainly for recovering the PWC from the water. Of course, it can hold the ski onto the trailer too but there should be an additional bow secure point.
I always pin the fold down tongue / ball latch when hooked up, so there is no chance of it becoming unattached. I also spray Fluid Film on the fold down tongue lock. Spraying from the top and also from the bottom will lubricate those parts and make them very easy to move. Auto Zone carries Fluid Film locally. Nice video!
Good idea. I do always put a lock on mine but I have never used the Fluid Film. I'm sure that helps make sure it will keep operating properly for years to come. I'll have to get some.
I learned so much about bearings. Thanks for the detailed video
You are welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Good vid! I carry pretty much everything you do (two spare bearing kits and pins, because I’m slightly paranoid), but also include additional ratchet straps. You know, I’m case I somehow manage to damage one while loading or unloading, or if I notice excess wear.
Sounds like you are definitely not new to this. Thanks for watching.
Great check list! Thanks a lot for sharing your experience with us. People added in the comments about fluid film. Since I ride only in salt water I'm using it on all parts that are not aluminum,,, excluding the tire nuts of course ;)
You are welcome!!!
Great video. You are right on the point with everything. I hope it will help and keep people safe on the road.
Thanks. Glad you liked it!
This was extremely educational. Thanks mate.
You are welcome!
Great video, helped me out a bunch. What's your take on spring leaf vs torsion axles?
Torsion axles are very nice. They do give your ski a bit of a smoother ride. They cost a bit more but I think it's worth it
Great video. Very informative.
Thank you!
Great video
Thank you!!!
Like always excellent video
Thank you!
Very informative video and well done. I just stated a PWC channel also.
Thanks!!! I'll be sure to check out the channel!
@@TheShipsLogg I just subscribed 😂👍🏼
Good video. I need a front backup tie down chain for my new Triton double trailer.
That's the one that a lot of people forget about. Glad you liked the video!
Yeah, Triton trailers comes with no safety chain. Had to add it on my trailer too. Glad that they(Triton) left some room for adding the chain.
Very informative thank you sir
You are welcome!
I carry an extra trailer wiring kit on long trips specially with old trailers.
Good idea! I may have to start doing that too!
I find with a jetski trailer, crossing the chains is pointless, both chains connect in the same point in the center of the trailer.
Crossing the chains does not form a basket.
You are correct. I think I mentioned that in the video. You would think that they would design the connections where you could do that for safety.
You don’t scratch the jet ski by tightening down from the towing hook instead of the hook that are designed for tightening the machine down?
Not in my experience. I tighten everything down.
I don’t think the difference in efficiency is enough of an issue for someone to use as a reason to prevent one from getting a supercharged ski. The purchase price may be an issue for some people but not the gas mileage.
I agree. Most people buy a supercharged ski because they want to go fast. They couldn't care less about fuel economy.
Do you recommend towing with the cover on or off?
This is one of those questions where everyone has a different opinion. Personally, if I am just taking my ski from my house to the lake, I do not use a cover. If I am going long distance, I do use a cover to try to keep the ski clean through whatever conditions I may tow in on a long trip
I have 4.80.12 tires also.Do I need 90psi to tow my 2022 FX Ho.It bangs on every bump in the road! What psi do you keep your tires at?
I typically keep mine at around 60 psi. I have never had an issue and my ski doesn't bounce around like a ping pong ball when I tow it.
What trailer name brand for pcw do you recommend
There are a lot of good brands out there. The real question, in my opinion, is whether you get aluminum, galvanized, or painted steel. Personally, I would not buy a painted steel trailer. They will just eventually rust away, especially if you ever go in salt water. Aluminum is the best option but it is also the most expensive. If you don't want to spend the money for an aluminum trailer, a galvanized trailer is the next best thing.
@@TheShipsLoggwhat is the diffrence b/t galvanized and aluminum trailers
@@Sazonman a galvanized trailer is made of steel but it has gone through a galvanization process to prevent rust. This is way better at rust prevention than painting is.
Whats the song called starting at 0:10?
It's a clip I purchased from Audio Jungle for my intro. Not even sure it has a name. It is listed in their catalog as Tropical Calypso Island.
Why do you go to the high mount eye vs the lower corner eyelet for the rear straps?
The main reason is that it is easier and simpler. If you have a strap that is long enough, you just need one.
@@TheShipsLogg you are begging for that ski to slide sideways !. the rear tie down eye's are for straps, they won't allow the ski to go sideways, and they won't allow the ski to slide backwards. most name brand trailers already have these buckle straps bolted to the trailer.
@@alanshaw4655 you can do it either way. After thousands of miles of towing, my ski has never budged. The key is to ensure that you have strapped it tight enough and check it periodically.
@@TheShipsLogg you may be right ?, but the way you are doing it, you are running the risk of scratching the ski where that strap rest ?. personally, i use the strap eyes, that is what they are for. a little tip: get you some boat buckles that bolt to the back end of the trailer, takes less than 2 min's to remove them from the ski
@@alanshaw4655 no scratches but I will consider it. Thanks for the input.
Do those trailer actually take 90psi?
Mine say 90psi cold but I'm afraid it'll pop so I put 40psi in it
Yes they can take 90. It is also important to not under inflate or over inflate the tires. 40 psi may be a bit low but that does depend on the weight that you are carrying. I usually keep mine between 55 and 60. I find that at 90, The ski bounces around a lot.
@@TheShipsLogg yeah I have the sea doo fish pro which is about 800lb so maybe I'll go with 75psi...
Nope - 90 psi is the max inflation to seat the tire beads during installation. Read your sidewall carefully.
Titron trailer or loadrite?
Mine is actually a Com-Fab.
@@TheShipsLogg thanks for the reply. Do you recommend any type of marine grease and gun? Also do you have a video on how to replace the tire
@@ocasion3051 as long as it is a good quality grease you are good. The key is making sure it is a marine grease and not regular grease. I bought a basic great gun from Walmart and it works great.
Why are PWC owners towing their 800-900 Pounds Sofa Couches with the smallest legal tires allowed ... invest in 14 inch real wheels and rubber man ..
You do have to pick something that is a happy medium. My personal opinion is that 8 inch wheels are way too small but the larger you get, the further down the ramp you have to back it to get your ski in the water. My trailer has 12 in wheels and that works fine for me. My tow vehicle wheels do get wet at most ramps but I don't have to back it in too far. Not sure I'd like 14 inch wheels for that reason.
@@TheShipsLogg The wheels is this video are far from 12 inch
@@CP-kb1du no, actually, they are 12 inch. Maybe they look small on video to you. They have also proven to be more than adequate for the job. On the trip from Atlanta to Ft Lauderdale at highway speeds for long periods of time, the hubs never even got warm.