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Cleaning Your Boat Trailer 101

Sep. 22 2021 Article By Tropic Trailer

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It can be tempting to quickly hose down your outdoor equipment with some water and call it a day. After all, you’re going to use it again soon, right? That might be true for some outdoor-use equipment; however, when dealing with an aluminum boat trailer, you’ll need more than a quick hose-down or traditional cleaning method. In addition to getting the right cleaner, you also need to make sure you’re following all the correct procedures afterward. The last thing you want is your trailer to corrode and fall apart. The more time you put towards taking care of your investment, the longer your trailer will last. It’s much easier than you might think, so we put together some key tips to help you get on the right track. 

Hose Off

There are probably remains of salt, dirt, and sand on your trailer from all your adventures. To avoid any rough abrasions to your trailer, make sure you hose off any debris. The smoother of a surface you can get, the easier it will be to scrub and clean. Having a rough surface due to salt or sand could result in scratches and scuffs. While this may seem like a simple task, it is one of the most important steps — but a good trailer cleaning does NOT end with the initial hosing off!

The Right Aluminum Cleaner

There are numerous cleaners out there, but let’s focus on the two main ones. 

  • Brightening/Polishing Cleaner
    • Many times the appearance after traditional cleaning can leave your trailer very lackluster. Metal can be challenging to deal with and requires special tools to keep it in mint condition. By using a brightening and polishing cleaner, you’re not just cleaning the surface. You’re also restoring the original shine of the aluminum.
  • Cleaning/Protecting Cleaner
    • Cleaning your aluminum should result in stripping away debris that has been changing its appearance. In addition, the extra step of leaving a protectant behind helps elongate the lifespan of your metal.

Let it Soak

Once your aluminum cleaner is applied, let your trailer soak for a few minutes. Afterward, you’ll want to remove any build-up by agitating it with a brush. Always start from the bottom and work your way to the top. Take your time with this step, as this is the key to restoring your trailer. After scrubbing, make sure you rinse thoroughly, inspect thoroughly, and then decide if repeating is necessary. Sometimes there are hard-to-reach spaces, so we advise using a toothbrush to reach those crevices. 

Polishing

You can never do too much when it comes to maintaining the quality and appearance of your trailer. But, if you want to take it a step further, polishing goes a long way toward keeping the metal clean and helping it look brand new. When polishing, make sure you do so in a clockwise direction with a polishing ball and a few drops of metal polish. Then, you can add as much as you desire while you continue to polish.

You will want to follow up with a second clean and dry cloth to buff your trailer to reduce streaking and get a shiny finish. Unfortunately, aluminum is a metal that naturally fades over time. So if you want to keep it looking as good as new, you’ll need to put in the time and work.

Inspection

In addition to washing your trailer, you should also focus on maintaining the other essential, functional parts.

Wheels and Brakes

When you’re launching or re-trailering after your latest excursion, your trailer wheels come in contact with water. To ensure the longevity of your brakes and wheels, regularly clean them with fresh water, especially if you go boating in salt or brackish water. Regular inspection is an elementary yet often overlooked step as saltwater tends to be harsh on the equipment.

In addition to keeping them clean, you should also make sure that your tires remain inflated. If your tires are under-inflated, you could risk popping one or spending more money on gas because under-inflated tires decrease fuel efficiency. In addition, a monthly tire check-up should help protect accidents from occurring. 

Regular Greasing

Without regular greasing, you’ll risk slow-moving parts or embarrassing squeaking. In particular, you should be regularly greasing your ball bearings. Also, if your trailer will be in contact with salt or brackish water regularly, you’ll want to invest in grease that stands against saltwater.

Cleaning your trailer is one of the easiest things you can do to take care of it. You’ve already invested so much into your adventures, doesn’t the prepping part also deserve some attention? If you want something to last, you’ll have to put in a little extra love and time to make it work. At Tropic Trailer, we have the tools to help you buy quality products that last. We also feature many countless resources to help you maintain and handle your equipment. We’re here to help you focus on having an adventure and staying informed.