Check your trailer bearings !!!

[jpollman]

Hi fellow sportspeople.

I'm sure that a lot of you already know this but there are people out there that don't so I just thought I'd make a post to hopefully avoid a BAD situation.

Make sure that you check and regrease your boat trailer (or any trailer actually) bearings on a YEARLY BASIS. Here's what happened to me.

About 4 years ago I bought a nice little 4x8 utility trailer from Home Depot. I build decks and so I needed something to haul lumber on. The first couple of years that's about all that I used it for. I never thought much about the wheel bearings. Two years ago I bought a boat and started using the trailer to haul the boat to the lake. Well last Spring I went out to hook up the trailer to go to the lumber yard and pick up some material. I looked down and the right hub was completely SHOT. The bearing had disintigrated completely. Well I pulled both of them off and bought two new complete hub assemblies. I prepared them and greased them well. I bought a set of "Bearing Buddies" but never got around to putting them on. I figured that I'd just greased them well and they'd be good for a while. I launched and retrieved the boat many times last Summer/Fall.
A few days ago I decided to do a little maintenance on my yard equipment and trailers. I found the set of Bearing Buddies that I'd bought and decided to install them. I pulled the left side apart and things looked good. I installed the BB and greased it up. Then I went to the right side. I pulled the bearing cap off and it was all rusty and brown inside ! :eek: I figured I'd take the nut off and see just how bad the bearing was. When I removed the nut the bearing completely fell apart ! I'm fairly certain that a bad seal was the culprit in the problem. I went out and bought a new set of bearings/races and "rebuilt" the right side and regreased everything and installed the Bearing Buddies.

Just goes to show you how FAST you can develop a problem with a bearing and not even realize it. Take a short time and inspect your bearings. Losing a wheel on the road can RUIN a fishing trip and could cause a major injury !

Let's be careful out there !

[Hunt4Ever]

I have a grease fitting on each hub, it's easy access, on my boat trailer. Remember I think it is the heat that kills bearings. The friction of the bearings creates the heat. So I add grease about every two launches. It only takes a couple of pumps from the grease gun and at about $3.00 a tube for marine bearing grease, I keep them filled.

Be careful not to overfill and break the seal, fill only to the point of full.

[SalmonSlayer]

where/who is the best place to buy new bearings and bearing buddies?

thanks,

ben

[Mike]

where/who is the best place to buy new bearings and bearing buddies?
Ben,

I buy them from a local autoparts store. Take one hub apart and bring them the bearings/seals. They can match it up for you. The $20-$30 you'll spend is well worth the piece of mind.

Mike

[Burksee]

SalmonSlayer, Check the Yellow Pages;

There are several under "Trailers-Auto/Utility" and "Trailers-Equipment and Parts".

"Mr. Trailer" on Dixie Hwy in Waterford (Pontiac) is where I go for my trailer parts. He's got'em for all types/sizes of trailers. If he doesnt have it, he'll order it for you.

The biggest thing I see with failed bearings is the seal on the inner side of the hub fails because the "lip" or seal surface on the axle/spindle gets rusted/pitted and tears up the seals. I'd also recommend getting/using a grease "made for" wheel bearings. the stuff we use is "green" and is advertized as "high temp" wheel bearing grease. It seems to "stick" to the bearing/race better and is supposed to lube more effectively when it gets hot.

"Bearing Buddies" are great! If you've got a boat trailer and are in the water a lot I recommed getting/using "bearing buddies" and to carring your grease gun with you. When your out and after you launch then pull out your boat (same day/short period) shoot those bearing buddies up before you head home. It will help "push" the water out the backside if any leaked in. Its to late to grease'em after your home or before the next trip if there's water in the hub!

[steve ypsi]

jpollman

I bought one of those trailers years ago, I greased mine faithfuly, they were junk, bearings still went out.

[WALLEYE MIKE]

I use Hi-temp grease. More money but the grease will not "melt" with heat.