Trailer pains

[adla]

I thought I would share my trailer woes -

I lost the bearings on one side after a trip to Arizona and found upon searching an entire day...that the hubs and bearings on my trailer were as old as dinosaurs...

I finally found a reasonable place that bothered to actually measure the hub as they attempted to help me (shocking) :shock: but - there was no way to save my trailer set up...He suggested I drop the axle and bring it to him and in a couple of days he could make one just like it....but that would be too late for taking my Dad sailing the only weekend he and I were off together.

but here is the million year-old axle:

it was an absolute bear to take off - but once I managed it (no broken knuckles) I got to thinking - trailer parts seemed awfully high at the various places I went in town...I found that I could get a new axle and springs and all the necessary parts with hubs (the size I needed for my wheels) at this place:

http://www.etrailerpart.com/

The axle and parts, even with shipping are MUCH cheaper than what I could purchase locally.

It was time...the old trailer axle wasn't going to last forever.

a.

[JeffM]

Adla, what a disappointment! I suppose you shouldn't give in the temptation to simply drag the trailer--sans wheels--to the ramp. Would probably do bad things to boat, tow vehicle, and for sure the trailer...

[Frank Hagan]

It does pay to check for on-line deals! I've always found Northern Tools to also have trailer parts cheap ... with my Weekender trailer, it was cheaper to buy new hubs with the bearings in them, and pay for shipping, than it was to buy new bearings and grease seals from the local places!

[Craig]

If your budget will allow it go for the oil bearinigs. No muss no fuss

[adla]

Ray -

I acquired that trailer as part of a boat purchase (many moons ago) - The Glasspar DelMar it came with is in fantastic shape for its age and on my list of projects...it just so happened that it fit the weekender too. So, in some respects it was free as part of the boat purchase or the boat was free with the trailer -depending on how one feels about fiberglass cuddy cabins. And either way it was cheap - I sold the ancient outboard off the boat and recovered my money - so it is a wash!

Frank -

I agree about Northern and that is where I went first...but at the etrailer place I was able to select a custom size - to fit my current hub face distance and even select the hub 5/4.75 - an odd size but those are the wheels I have. It was so much cheaper to buy online - it isn't funny !

Craig -

Where are the no fuss bearings and hubs? The hubs on this axle come with the axle - I thought about upgrading to "marine grade" but I wasn't seeing a real difference ...

Jeff -

It was a dissapointment, My dad was pretty sad.

Adla

[capt jake]

where are the no fuss bearings and hubs? The hubs on this axle come with the axle - I thought about upgrading to "marine grade" but I wasn't seeing a real difference ...

They are an upgrade from even the 'marine'. They run in an oil bath rather than grease. Thy usually have a clear plastic cap so thet you can tell the level and condition of the oil at any given time. They are used on the steer axles of semi tractors all the time. Quite often on trailers as well.

I just googled this link.

http://www.floeintl.com/snowmobile_trailers/hub_axle.html

[adla]

Thanks John - I followed that link and then found them at

http://www.championtrailers.com/TURBOLUBEOILFILLEDHUBS.htm

They aren't really THAT much more (the ones that are on the way came with the $84 axle) - Thanks for the heads up Craig!

a.

[adla]

Ok - that is it!! I found some turbo lube hubs (galvanized) for 44 bucks - i will need to use different wheels...i have two spares for another trailer...but i like the ideal of the oil better than the grease (mostly because i hated the smell of bearing grease) and the clear cap that allows a quick look ....but now, i have to wait........... :evil:

thanks for the good idea Craig!!!

a.

[mrthethird]

And just when I was gonna apologize for saying adla "lucks" into everything... :roll:

Seriously, though, sorry about the weekend with your dad. But it would appear things will turn out for the better....as usual 8) 8) 8)

Thinkin' about changin' my boat's name from "Lazy Butte" to "Half-Fast". Whadda think?

[adla]

LUV iT!!! Hurry up already --- see you in the spring!

Adla

[Craig]

Adla this is my third year on the oil bearings and I love them. The hubs will come with rear seals that are a bit touchy to set so don't be suprised if they leak a bit at first. Just be careful sealing them per the instructions. Try to get the hubs with the "new " caps. They have a fill /drain port on the cap and come with O-rings. These are a must for not having to mess with teflon tape and messy oil changes (using the hub port or removing the cap). Any water in the hub will turn the oil a milky yellow color. In fresh water it isn't so bad a problem but you just can't keep saltwater out of anything it seems. On my dual axil trailer I was eating a bearing set per year before switching to these.

[Craig]

Adla please see you private message.

[Bud_Wilson]

Craig: Keep pluging those oil base hubs our stock has gone up considerbly,but you know we can't sell until after the first of the year so keep pluging another month for tax purposes. Y'ALL COME Cap'N Bud. :wink:

[adla]

ah geez buD - don't disclose that ya'll have insider information!!!

They weren't THAT much more...i spend more than that on beer and slim jims in a month....and from a CHICK standpoint - gear oil smells a might bit better than bearing grease PeeeEEWWWwwwwwW