check those trailer bearings
#7277127
06/01/21 09:53 AM
06/01/21 09:53 AM
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 18,561 Green County Wisconsin
GREENCOUNTYPETE
OP
trapper
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OP
trapper
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 18,561
Green County Wisconsin
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if you haven't put eyes on your trailer bearings in 2-3 years make sure you do that
I jacked up one side of my trailer to check the bearings , bough this trailer in Dec.
it used to go 1 mile from a co-workers house to the boat launch and back about 8 times a year 16 miles a year for 8 years
I towed it home about 40 miles , the wheel still spun but it was starting to make noise if you took the weight off of it and rolled it . I took it apart , rear seal failure and it was muddy brown colored grease and the bearings were sloppy the races pitted
checked the other side and it was perfect blue green grease and good bearings , perfect smooth races
Napa is getting me a new hub and bearings at 70 dollars it isn't too bad and I caught it before I towed it hours from home, a few dollars in seals and grease could sure save a lot of cost and inconvenience.
glad I checked before I was on the road and loosing fishing time
it had bearing buddies , you just can't trust that to keep it right
America only has one issue, we have a Responsibility crisis and everything else stems from it.
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Re: check those trailer bearings
[Re: GREENCOUNTYPETE]
#7277131
06/01/21 09:59 AM
06/01/21 09:59 AM
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 3,298 Ontario, Canada
slydogx
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 3,298
Ontario, Canada
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When we were younger (19-21 years) my brother had a 16' boat and trailer and we were both mechanically ignorant to say the least. We had no idea that trailers had bearings and bearings needed maintenance. So, after 2 or 3 years of towing that boat all over the place it finally came home to roost. My brother and his friend towed that boat out to Mitchell's Bay on Lake St. Clair to do some duck hunting at about 3am. This was a 1 hour drive from our house. They ramped the boat fine but didn't realize that both tires had simply fallen off the trailer underwater LOL. Was quite the operation to get the trailer out of the way for all the other hunters LOL... kinda sorry I was at work that day. Would have been a bad deal if one or both tires had auto-ejected on the highway at 90 km/h but luckily it ended with a funny story instead of a tragedy. Agree.. keep an eye on those bearings.
Just happy to be here.
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Re: check those trailer bearings
[Re: GREENCOUNTYPETE]
#7277142
06/01/21 10:28 AM
06/01/21 10:28 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 29,868 williamsburg ks
danny clifton
"Grumpy Old Man"
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"Grumpy Old Man"
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 29,868
williamsburg ks
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put your hand on the hub after you tow one a few miles. If its hot you got a problem. Do that in between checking/greasing the bearings in the spring. you dont want the spindle to break.
or get all scored up
Last edited by danny clifton; 06/01/21 10:29 AM.
Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety. Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)
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Re: check those trailer bearings
[Re: GREENCOUNTYPETE]
#7277144
06/01/21 10:35 AM
06/01/21 10:35 AM
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 18,561 Green County Wisconsin
GREENCOUNTYPETE
OP
trapper
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OP
trapper
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 18,561
Green County Wisconsin
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I think I was 15-16 when I learned to pack bearings
funny thing is for all the other bearings I re-packed we never did the ones on my dads boat trailer that I can remember , he had bearing buddies on it from the time he bought it new he always greased it but I don't recall ever taking it apart. we may have just got lucky that boat and trainer got a lot of miles.
lesson learned is don't trust the bearing buddies forever even if your pumping grease in every year , if the seal failed your letting water in also
America only has one issue, we have a Responsibility crisis and everything else stems from it.
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Re: check those trailer bearings
[Re: danny clifton]
#7277148
06/01/21 10:45 AM
06/01/21 10:45 AM
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,451 Missouri
ol' dad
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,451
Missouri
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put your hand on the hub after you tow one a few miles. If its hot you got a problem. Do that in between checking/greasing the bearings in the spring. you dont want the spindle to break.
or get all scored up I do this all the time. But I would add to tap it with your fingers first rather than just lay your hand on it. Ol dad
"I season my food with hunger"
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Re: check those trailer bearings
[Re: GREENCOUNTYPETE]
#7277156
06/01/21 11:05 AM
06/01/21 11:05 AM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 531 NE Mississippi
GRP
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 531
NE Mississippi
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I agree, they are easily overlooked. Came home from church one day, and the split rail fence at the road was busted. Our mailboxes, all in a row, smashed. My 1st thought was some type of vandalism. Grab a rifle, check out our houses, farm, and equipment. All good. But what? Why? I notice about 20 cows circled up about 400 yds away. It's a tire wheel and hub that the bearing has obviously failed. Even burned a ring into the grass where it stopped. If it would have gone a few more yards, it would have went into a lake, and would have never known what happened.
For by grace are you saved by faith, and not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.
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Re: check those trailer bearings
[Re: GRP]
#7277173
06/01/21 11:43 AM
06/01/21 11:43 AM
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Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 8,949 Indiana
Providence Farm
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 8,949
Indiana
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I agree, they are easily overlooked. Came home from church one day, and the split rail fence at the road was busted. Our mailboxes, all in a row, smashed. My 1st thought was some type of vandalism. Grab a rifle, check out our houses, farm, and equipment. All good. But what? Why? I notice about 20 cows circled up about 400 yds away. It's a tire wheel and hub that the bearing has obviously failed. Even burned a ring into the grass where it stopped. If it would have gone a few more yards, it would have went into a lake, and would have never known what happened. You didn't live in Indiana at the time did you? I was wondering where that tire l,rim, and hub assembly ended up. I went back to look for it and see if it caused any damage I need to pay for but never saw anything.
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Re: check those trailer bearings
[Re: Kevin Colpetzer]
#7277191
06/01/21 12:08 PM
06/01/21 12:08 PM
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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 13,137 Ky
jbyrd63
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 13,137
Ky
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2 things 1 Didn't check bearings ! 2 Drive like a woman and never look in rear view ! Because before it got that bad it was smoking and slinging stuff all over the road.
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Re: check those trailer bearings
[Re: GREENCOUNTYPETE]
#7277192
06/01/21 12:09 PM
06/01/21 12:09 PM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,337 The Hill Country of Texas
Leftlane
"HOSS"
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"HOSS"
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,337
The Hill Country of Texas
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Good one Kevin!
Here is a tip that can help. While you are pulling a trailer do a walk around after 20 or 30 miles. If you have a woman or children they take lots of bathroom breaks. Physically touch your trailer tires- generally the back one on a tandem axle will be slightly warmer just because it doesn't catch enough wind as the front one. A tire that is significantly hotter may be low on air.
Also, if one is hotter check the hub. If the increased temp is from the hub you likely have a bearing or brake shoe issue. If it is fry bacon hot you don't have a small problem and you should get it off the road until you know exactly what is going on.
Bearings are cheap compared to a damaged spindle and a now junk axle don't ask me how I know
“What’s good for me may not be good for the weak minded.” Captain Gus McCrae- Texas Rangers
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Re: check those trailer bearings
[Re: Providence Farm]
#7277309
06/01/21 03:27 PM
06/01/21 03:27 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 531 NE Mississippi
GRP
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 531
NE Mississippi
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I agree, they are easily overlooked. Came home from church one day, and the split rail fence at the road was busted. Our mailboxes, all in a row, smashed. My 1st thought was some type of vandalism. Grab a rifle, check out our houses, farm, and equipment. All good. But what? Why? I notice about 20 cows circled up about 400 yds away. It's a tire wheel and hub that the bearing has obviously failed. Even burned a ring into the grass where it stopped. If it would have gone a few more yards, it would have went into a lake, and would have never known what happened. You didn't live in Indiana at the time did you? I was wondering where that tire l,rim, and hub assembly ended up. I went back to look for it and see if it caused any damage I need to pay for but never saw anything. Lol, no. Happened here in 'Sip. Judging by the hub type, it appeared to come off a dump trailer like roofers and construction crews haul rubbish and demolition with.
For by grace are you saved by faith, and not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.
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Re: check those trailer bearings
[Re: GREENCOUNTYPETE]
#7277478
06/01/21 07:37 PM
06/01/21 07:37 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 21,031 St. Louis Co, Mo
BigBob
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 21,031
St. Louis Co, Mo
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Keep a spare set or 2 of bearings in the boat, cheaper than trying to find some on a Sun evening!
Every kid needs a Dog and a Curmudgeon.
Remember Bowe Bergdahl, the traitor.
Beware! Jill Pudlewski, Ron Oates and Keven Begesse are liars and thiefs!
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Re: check those trailer bearings
[Re: GREENCOUNTYPETE]
#7277574
06/01/21 08:46 PM
06/01/21 08:46 PM
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,958 South Dakota
Hydropillar
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,958
South Dakota
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Late one night was driving semi... cop pulled me over.... he seen sparks... had a wheel bearing out on trailer and hub was red hot.... we was yacking about the time the first tire blew... i bet we both jumped high enough to win the olimpics...lol
The only place you find free cheese is in a mousetrap !
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Re: check those trailer bearings
[Re: Hydropillar]
#7277620
06/01/21 09:38 PM
06/01/21 09:38 PM
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Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 8,949 Indiana
Providence Farm
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 8,949
Indiana
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Late one night was driving semi... cop pulled me over.... he seen sparks... had a wheel bearing out on trailer and hub was red hot.... we was yacking about the time the first tire blew... i bet we both jumped high enough to win the olimpics...lol I thought the sparkes I watched coming off a trailer I was following on the interstate was going to loose his tire. I finally got the nerve to pass him. When I did i discovered his trailer was loaded with a smoker and truck had signs for his meat smoking business. It was early morning and I'm guessing he was smoking meat heading to his location. Great way to start a wildfire.
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Re: check those trailer bearings
[Re: sweetwilliam]
#7277671
06/01/21 10:23 PM
06/01/21 10:23 PM
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 18,561 Green County Wisconsin
GREENCOUNTYPETE
OP
trapper
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OP
trapper
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 18,561
Green County Wisconsin
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All boat trailers should have greasable bearing caps. One shot after every trip to the lake and you should never have trouble. Same thing goes for all trailers. Preventative maintenance. this one did have the bearing buddy grease hubs , it also had the inside seal go bad , you were just adding good grease to bad grease and it was flinging it out the back side and letting water in even with the grease-able bearing caps , you should check them sometimes.
America only has one issue, we have a Responsibility crisis and everything else stems from it.
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