The first type of boat trailer wheel lock is the single axle lock. These are very inexpensive and very easy to use. They are readily available for about $20 and take nothing more than a few minutes to install. Merely remove one of the lug nuts and replace it with the boat trailer wheel lock and you are good to go.

The second type of boat trailer wheel lock is more like a tire chuck, but also provides added security for the boat. These look a lot like “the boot” that local authorities will put on vehicles that have outstanding tickets. Luckily, you will have the key to unlock this one and get your boat in the water when it is time to head out.

These types of locks are a bit more expensive than the lug nut style locks, but give the added feature of the wheel chock. In addition to preventing anyone from being able to just hitch up and go, they will also prevent the trailer from rolling on the off chance that the owner did not have the trailer secured properly.

Boat security should be a priority for any boat owner. Unfortunately, we live in an era when far too many people are looking for the easy way to get things and all they need is a moment of someone not paying attention and they will take advantage of it. Making this small investment will pay off by dramatically improving the security of your rig. Just having the boat trailer wheel lock on there will serve as a deterrent and prevent you from ever having to go through the ordeal of theft.

For the most part, aluminum boat trailer wheels are going to run right around $100. It may be a little more or a little less, but it gives you a general idea as to what is going to have to be spent to get a set of these very attractive boat trailer tires. The price is going to depend on the class and size of the actual rim itself.

Aluminum boat trailer wheels are going to cost a bit more than standard boat trailer tires, but they look much better and last a lot longer. Also, because of the way that they are made, they are going to stand up to the elements much better than some of the standard boat trailer wheels. We have all seen the trailer being pulled down the highway with the rusted out rims. That is something that will not occur with the aluminum boat trailer wheels.

Just like standard boat trailer wheels, different wheels are going to have different capacity loads. It is extremely important that the owner is aware of what they require before making their purchase because the wrong purchase could result in undue stress being put on the rig and an unfortunate accident at some point. The last thing anyone wants to see is a boat trailer wheel taking a blowout while ripping down the highway at 65mph. Take the time to do some research and find the best product for your rig.

Every rig is only as strong as the weakest part of it. In other words, if discount wheels are used, that top of the line trailer that was purchased last year can only haul the capacity load of the boat trailer wheel that is being used. For that very reason, it is important to get the proper boat trailer tires that match up with the rest of the rig.

Once the type of boat trailer wheel has been decided upon, it is merely a case of matching up the bolt patterns to ensure that the tire will fit and then getting the best deal on them. Of course, there is no place like the Internet to do this as comparison shopping is easy from site to site and there is plenty of information available about the tires that are being considered.

The Internet is very useful in finding the best deals because there are far more tires available today than there was as little as 10 years ago. This is a great thing for the consumer as they have more choices, better choices and for the most part, they are going to cost less money. Instead of having the one local boat supply store to go to, everyone can now get on the Internet and look at the thousands of different retailers that offer boat trailer tires. The best deal is only a click away!

The boat trailer wheel is extremely important as it is absorbing the entire weight of not only the trailer, but the boat as well. They need to be checked for things like pressure, but also for corrosion and wear and tear on the boat trailer wheel bearings. These are the little things that will ensure a safe trip down the highway to the launch point.

Anyone that has aluminum boat trailer wheels probably has very little to worry about in the way of rusting. These types of boat trailer tires are less susceptible to rust, but they are more expensive. However, that expense is usually justified in a more stylish boat trailer wheel and a longer life span.

In addition to the wheels, the boat trailer wheel bearings are very important to check on a regular basis. Because of the nature of their use, they are going to break down far earlier than a regular bearing set on a wheel would. They are generally inactive for long periods and then when they are thrust into use, they usually hit extreme conditions very quickly.

Going from one extreme to the other will but massive strain on the bearings and can result in the deterioration of the unit. The process to change them out is fairly easy though and can be handled by anyone that has any kind of DIY abilities. If not, have your mechanic do it, just make sure that they are checked every season and throughout the season to prevent any unnecessary accidents from happening.

Unlike automobiles that are in constant use, a boat trailer wheel will usually sit around for months at a time with little to no activity. For those that live in an area with changing seasons, the boat trailer wheel will probably be out in the driveway for as many as 6 months. Then, all of a sudden, we expect it to jump into action.

The deterioration occurs because the wheel has been sitting and then gets put out on a hot highway traveling at high speeds that create quite a bit of heat in the boat trailer wheel bearings. When the owner arrives at their location, the trailer is usually dunked into the cold water and this immediately cools the bearings. All of this will eventually lead to bearing failure.

Luckily, the process to change out the boat trailer wheel bearings is not very difficult. In a very short period of time, the bearings can be replaced and the wheel set will be just as good as new. Here is a quick rundown on what needs to be done.

1. Elevate the trailer so that the tires are totally off of the ground and spinning freely.
2. Take the cotter pin out of the spindle nut.
3. Take out the spindle nut.
4. Remove the thrust washer.
5. Remove the outer wheel bearing (rock the tire slightly and this should loosen the bearing so that it can be pulled out).
6. Remove the tire from the axle.
7. Remove the bearing and grease seal (a hardwood dowel is recommended for this).
8. Remove the old grease from the hub making sure to remove any excess with a rag.
9. Remove the bearing races (be sure to be careful when doing this as the area is much smaller and more delicate than the inner bearing).
10. Re-grease the bearing races.
11. Heavily lubricate the bearing to the point of grease is visible between the inner bearing and rolling retainer. When you think you have enough, dip it one more time to be sure.
12. Put the inner bearing back into the hub.
13. Put in a new grease seal and make sure that it is flush with the back of the hub.
14. Replace thrust washer, outer bearing and spindle nut (reverse the process in the early steps).
15. Tighten the spindle nut (be sure not to over-tighten the nut when putting the wheel back on). There should be no play on the bearing and the nut should be aligned properly to allow the cotter pin to be inserted back into place.