PSA. Check your trailer brake calipers.

This topic has 7 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 6 years, 12 months ago by Redngoo.

Viewing 8 posts - 1 through 8 (of 8 total)

Author

Posts
June 13, 2019 at 8:39 pm #675220

DGreaud
Participant

Gents just putting this out there so hopefully some of y’all avoid the mess I’m dealing with. Top bolt on my right fender surge brake came out at some point on my 07 Puma. The results have been a blown tire, cracked caliper, cracked rim, cuts all over my hydraulic lines and a lot of time spent trying to find a new caliper. BCB gave me the part number reference today and after 15 calls to every store that should have these, no luck. Alan ( I’m sure that was his name was so nice and helpful) tried to get me going faster than him sending me one but that may need to happen if I don’t get traction tomorrow. Cabelas said they can fix it all as well as a place called Trailer Pros but I’m afraid they will have a hard time sourcing the caliper as well. Hopefully tomorrow goes better than today. Check those bolts that hold them in place men, this hasn’t been all that fun 🙂

June 15, 2019 at 6:47 pm #675256

schodackbassman
Participant

Yep, been there. Every spring I usually post a reminder to check those caliper assemble bolts as part of the spring routine getting ready for the season. Have an 07 Classic and had caliper fall off and go through my claw wheel in a small town in VT. Fun getting that thing changed out.

June 16, 2019 at 10:45 pm #675318

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

We try every season now to place a notice on these forums about tightening the Torsion Idler bolt to 150 PSI torque and check the clipper bolts.

Sorry you had had an issue.

June 17, 2019 at 10:02 am #675332

DGreaud
Participant

Not yalls fault at all that I was not treating my trailer in the same manner I treat my boat. It was one of those moments where you experience some personal growth 🙂 Bass Cat makes amazing products, what we do to them is in no way you guys faults! Keep doing things the BCB way guys!

DannyG

June 17, 2019 at 12:51 pm #675347

Redngoo
Participant

DGreaud:

Not yalls fault at all that I was not treating my trailer in the same manner I treat my boat. It was one of those moments where you experience some personal growth 🙂 Bass Cat makes amazing products, what we do to them is in no way you guys faults! Keep doing things the BCB way guys!

DannyG

This statement has many truths! Yes BCB builds a great product. And yes many neglect their trailors some not intentional and some intentional and dont realize it! One thing i see often is how some folks drive over rough rds. Literally tearing their equipment to pieces. Thru the years ive been passed, given the im #1 hand signal and horn blown at me. Simply because i want drive a certian speed on some of these wagon trails around my area.. As far a regular maintence i made me PM LIST. Certian items i check every outing and some twice a yr.. Danny i not acusing you of these in no form! Im simply just saying!

June 18, 2019 at 6:33 am #675381

DGreaud
Participant

Thx bud. While I like to think I am #1 I never flash the sign. Lol

share that pm list. That might be beneficial for many of us. Thx again man!

June 18, 2019 at 2:28 pm #675410

Matt Hayes
Participant

I got a trip coming up and yall inspired me to check over my trailer. All the bolts are tight. I checked all the wheel bearings 3 have zero play. One has a smidge, per vault hubs bearing check instructions less than 1/8″ is acceptable when push/pulling on the edges of the tire. I crawled under and snugged up a bunk board or two that I could wiggle the washers on. (wood expands! they will get loose). All my brakes looked pretty good but on a 3 year old boat that hasnt seen many miles one inner pad is wearing faster than the others. Nature of the beast, single piston caliper, probably needs the slides greased. I will probably pop pads on it this fall and keep a close eye on it. As said above all these checks should be done annually… I bet they have never been done on my trailer. (I’m the 3rd owner)

June 18, 2019 at 4:56 pm #675414

Redngoo
Participant

My list each outing

Tire pressure, all straps, motor totor, all lights, swing pins for clips and excessive slack, inspection of tires and inner seals, basically a good walk around. Just these few takes only minutes though can save you hours and $$.

2 times a yr

Brake fluid level, tire inspection including jacking trailer up and checking wheel torque along with bearing movement. Disc pads., torsion arm bolt torque. All rollers, bunk board bolts. Bolts that hold axles up, caliper bolts, all items mention in each outing. Pretty much if its got a bolt or nut it gets a wrench put on it. These few not counting boat & motor inspection take me a couple hours but can save one thousands!

Im sure ive missed a couple. In my 32 yrs of boating ive been on the side of the rd a few times. Its never no fun. We live we learn!
Author

Posts

Viewing 8 posts - 1 through 8 (of 8 total)

You must be logged in to reply to this topic. Login Register