squeaky trailer

[TroutCowboy]

i have an early 90's tandem axle trailer that squeaks like crazy. i can't tell if the noise is coming from some friction between the leaf spring plates or from the bushings where the leaf springs connect to the trailer or the pivot bushings between the two sets of leaf springs.

i'm almost certain it's the bushings vs. the leaf springs, since the squeak is similar to when your boat bumpers are absorbing a bump up against a dock or something. very rubber-against-a-hard-surface sounding.

anybody know if i can squirt some silicone spray somewhere or if i need to replace some bushings?

[jmay]

Its really comman, and your correct it is the leaf springs or the bushings. Make sure they are tight and you can oil them. I have a snowmobile trailer with similar noises, I was towing it empty and noticed it hopped a lot on our supersmooth Spokane Co roads so I had the wheels rebalanced, and it cut down on the bouncing and the noise somewhat

[dilbert]

The squeak is a feature available on some trailers to let you know, without taking your eyes off the road, that you boat is still there.

[TroutCowboy]

The squeak is a feature available on some trailers to let you know, without taking your eyes off the road, that you boat is still there.

LOL! i have a more expensive and higher-maintenance option for the same purpose: a 2 year-old. "look, daddy! a boat!"

[dilbert]

Mine makes the same noise, so I sprayed my bushings with WD40 and then got in the boat and bounced around. No more squeaks! I'm not sure why I never did this before. Oh, and mine is a late 70's trailer. The real test will be if the squeaks stay away after a few launches.

[TroutCowboy]

WD-40 should be safe on rubber bushings, and better yet -- should work its way inside better than silicone spray. thanks!!

[Easy Limits]

WD-40 eats rubber! You can put it on the springs though and it will silence your squeak.

[dilbert]

What surfaces or materials are OK to use WD-40 on?
WD-40 can be used on just about everything. It is safe for metal, rubber, wood and plastic. WD-40 can be applied to painted metal surfaces without harming the paint. Polycarbonate and clear polystyrene plastic are among the few surfaces on which to avoid using a petroleum-based product like WD-40.

http://www.wd40.com/Brands/wd40_faqs.html