Prestige Trailers. Custom boat trailers.

FAQ's

We take pride in making ourselves available to answer any and all questions you may have concerning our BTVs. So scan through these FAQ's and should you not find the answer you seek, feel free to contact us.

Q:  Can I get touch up paint for my trailer?
A:  Due to USDOT’s stringent limits surrounding the shipping of hazardous materials, we are unable to ship touchup paint via any shipping company ( ie,UPS, DHL, ect). Any auto parts store can scan your trailers’ color and replicate that in whichever paint manufacturers’ product they offer. We will be happy to provide consumers a copy of the formula for their trailer’s color, that they can then have mixed by any auto parts store offering PPG auto body paints.

Q:  How about some pointers for loading on a six bunk trailer?
A:  Proper Loading Technique


Proper loading begins with the unloading. After the transom straps have been removed, back the boat into the water until you see the transom start to float free. Stop right there. Back the boat off the trailer, then look at where the water line falls on the trailer. This line will vary from ramp to ramp. This where you want the waterline to be on your trailer, when you retrieve your boat.

When loading, back the trailer in until you have completely submerged the bunks, then pull out to the waterline mentioned before. Or if the ramp is too shallow to accomplish this, keep a can of Pam cooking spray in you tow vehicle. Spray the portion of the bunks that you were unable to submerge.

Point your bow between the fenders, and ease up to the trailer until the bow's keel makes contact with the bunks. Now as you gradually power on, trim the motor. This will push the stern down, raising the bow and allowing more water between the bunks and the keel. With very little additional throttle, your bow eye will bump into the bow roller. Leave the boat in gear and if accessible, reach over the bow and connect the winch strap. Shut the boat off, take up the slack in the winch strap, trailer up the lower unit, and pull out of the ramp.

These instructions have been gleaned from many who use our BTVs and have proven to increased confidence and decrease carpet wear.

FYI - Trying to drive a fiberglass hull onto dry carpet will melt the nap to the consistency of sandpaper and shorten the carpets life expectancy, tremendously.

Q:  How much PSI should I keep in my tires?
A:  Goodyear recommends maintaining maximum PSI of 50 in their ST215/75R14 tires and 65 PSI in their ST 225/75R15 tires, to ensure the most efficient and safe performance, over the life of the tires.

Goodyear has always advocated running their ST radial trailer tires at max PSI for the most efficient use. But that PSI is only good up to 65 MPH. If you know that you will exceed 65 MPH, you can increase your PSI by 10 pounds and safely travel up to 75 MPH.

Running Goodyear tires at less than max PSI for extended periods of time will actually create tread separation and blowouts.

Our warranty packets include a service bulletin.

The meat of the bulletin reads verbatim:

Industry standards dictate that tires with the "ST" designation are speed restricted to 65 PMH under normal inflation and load conditions unless a different speed restriction is indicated on the sidewall of the tire.

Based on industry standards, if tires with the "ST" designation are used at speeds between 65 and 75 MPH, it is necessary to increase the cold inflation pressures by 10 PSI above the recommended pressuure for the load.

[B]Do not exceed the maximum pressure for the wheel.

If the maximum pressure for the wheel prohibits the increase of air pressure, then the maximum speed must be restricted to 65 mph.

The cold inflation pressure must not exceed 10 PSI beyond the inflation specified for the maximum load of the tire. [/B]

Drivers should always obey posted speed limits and reduce speeds when necessary based on vehicle, road, weather or traffic conditions.

Trailer tires should be operated at inflation pressures that are specified by the trailer manufacturer. The trailer manufacturer's inflation information can usually be found in the owners manual, tire information placard or vehicle certification label, usually located on the forward left inside of the trailer.

Cold inflation pressures should be checked every morning during trips and monthly while in storage.

Q:  I have the Gold series oil bath bearings on my Prestige trailer. How often do I need to replace the oil?
A:  The manufacturer recommends the 50 weight synthetic oil to be changed every 20,000 miles or every two years; or should you see the oil in the sight glass becoming milky.

It comes from the factory with Royal Purple synthetic oil. Though they do not stock it, most Pep Boys, Autozone, or O'Reillys wharehouses can supply what you need within 48 hours.

For instructions to complete this task, please visit UFPs' website at www.ufpnet.com .

Q:  I have the SureLube grease bearings on my Prestige. How often do I need to have them repacked?
A:  The SureLube bearing system is a flow through bearing grease system that never needs repacked, as long as you give each set of bearings a couple shots of any Marine Grade lithium based bearing grease, after each trip. Period.

Q:  My Prestige built trailer was not ordered with brakes, can a brake system be retro fitted?
A:  Yes. The easiest system to retro fit is a straight electric brake system. Installation requires some additional wiring and mechanical ability, but is certainly doable for the weekend warrior.

Q:  My Prestige trailers has drum brakes, how often do I need to adjust the shoes?
A:  It is recommended that you adjust your drum brakes annually, to insure the most efficient stopping assistance. The instructions for completing this task are as follows.

Hook boat and trailer to tow vehicle.
Set parking brake.
Jack one side of trailer up and spin the tire that has brakes on it.
Remove the two plastic oval pop-outs at the six or twelve o'clock position, on your brakes backing plate, found on the backside of your tire.

Behind the pop-out, inside the backing plate, there is a shiny star adjuster that has teeth or splines. With a regular screwdriver, roll the star adjuster up or down until you cannot spin that tire/rim.

Then roll the adjuster up about ten clicks in the opposite direction.
Spin the tire. If you hear the brake pads rubbing the drum, roll the adjuster a couple of clicks at a time, until the rubbing stops.

Replace the plastic pop-out and repeat for the opposite side.

Q:  What is the bolt pattern for the rims on my trailer?
A:  If your rims require five lugs, then the bolt pattern is 5 on 4.5” Ford bolt pattern. If your rims require six lug nuts, then it will be a 6 on 5.5” Ford bolt pattern.

Q:  What is the proper torque required when reinstalling lug nuts?
A:  Optimum is 85 to 90 foot pounds of pressure. This should be checked once every 50 miles for the first 200, when you have had the lug nuts off for any reason. Then you should check this prior to each trip.

Q:  What is the warranty on a Prestige built trailer?
A:  Prestige grants a 4 year warranty on our workmanship. That includes our design, construction, assembly, prepping, or painting of the trailer.

* Dutton-Lainston winches featured on Prestige trailers include a 5 year warranty

* Dutton-Lainston tongue jacks featured on Prestige trailers include a 3 year warranty

*All UFP trosion axles, disc brakes, brake actuators, and bearing systems, including the GOLD oil bath bearings, feature a 5 year warranty

* All LED lighting and McGard lug nuts feature a lifetime warranty

*All other purchased components featured on a Prestige built trailer are 1 year as specified by their respective manufacturers.

* For warranty consideration on Goodyear tires, dial 1-800-GOODYEAR

Q:  Can I buy direct from the factory?
A:  Because we are licensed as a manufacturer, we are only able to sell to registered dealers.

Q:  What type of brake fluid do I use in the brake system?
A:  It recommended that you use standard DOT 3 brake fluid.

It is not recommended that you use synthetic brake fluid. Though it will work, you can never go back to standard DOT 3.

Q:  How do I bleed my brakes?
A:  The easiest way, whether you have help or not; hook your boat / trailer to the towing vehicle and chock in front of and behind the tires on your trailer.

Back the unit against the rear chocks.
Set the emergency brake.
Open the bleeder valve, located at the twelve o'clock position on the back of the brake backing plates or calipers.

Let the brake fluid flow until you have a continuous stream.

Close the bleeder valve and pull trailer forward against the front chocks.
Remove the reservoir cap, located on top of the actuator (coupler) and refill brake fluid (Dot 3) to within a ¼ inch of top of reservoir.
Take care not to spill any fluid on painted surfaces. If you do so, clean up IMMEDIATELY.
Replace the cap

If you do not get a steady stream the first time, repeat process until a steady stream is achieved.

Repeat this for the backing plate or caliper on the opposite side.

IF the brake line runs on top of the axle to the opposite side, bleed starboard side first.

IF the brake line does not run across the top of the axle, then the sequence will not matter.