Trailer Service

rasbury

Most of the folks, at least in the cruiser forums, don't deal with trailers. We have a 270 dual axle trailer with surge brakes.

We bought the boat lightly used..it was apparent they threw an old trailer into the deal as it was a real piece of crapola.  Lugs were rusted on, tires were all cracked, no working brakes or lights. Drove that home with the boat 600 miles.

So first I did was tear down the hubs, not really knowing what I was doing. Two hubs I had to cut lugs off. The spindles have a zert.  So I replaced all the races and bearings, packed them best I could from my understandings of the process. New seals...put it all together and got the brakes actually working - but thats now been several years. I have put few miles on it as the river is close to me and I'm fresh water- but it's time. I've been on e trailer to see if they have comprehensive service instruction and I will look more on y tube but I'd like to have more confidence. Also, the hub is huge- I don't how I would possibly be able to fill it. Also, it's a real frigging mess with that grease- there has to be a better way to handle the parts...should the bearings be cleaned or just supply fresh grease?

Dream_Inn

You bought that boat longer than just a few years ago.  If you haven’t repacked the bearings since, then it’s definitely time.

Ian

rasbury said:

Most of the folks, at least in the cruiser forums, don't deal with trailers. We have a 270 dual axle trailer with surge brakes.

We bought the boat lightly used..it was apparent they threw an old trailer into the deal as it was a real piece of crapola.  Lugs were rusted on, tires were all cracked, no working brakes or lights. Drove that home with the boat 600 miles.

So first I did was tear down the hubs, not really knowing what I was doing. Two hubs I had to cut lugs off. The spindles have a zert.  So I replaced all the races and bearings, packed them best I could from my understandings of the process. New seals...put it all together and got the brakes actually working - but thats now been several years. I have put few miles on it as the river is close to me and I'm fresh water- but it's time. I've been on e trailer to see if they have comprehensive service instruction and I will look more on y tube but I'd like to have more confidence. Also, the hub is huge- I don't how I would possibly be able to fill it. Also, it's a real frigging mess with that grease- there has to be a better way to handle the parts...should the bearings be cleaned or just supply fresh grease?

Go to harbor freight and grab a box of disposable gloves, put 2 pair on - then massage grease into the bearings and races to work it in there. When done you can easily peel them off catching the cuff with a thumb and roll inside out and the mess stays inside.

I see most mechanics now working with these gloves versus “grease monkey” hands.

PickleRick

We have this tool at the shop.  A little cleaner than packing by hand.  The issues is the gloves keep the grease off your hands but you still get grease over everything you touch.  

I'm not sure how your spindles are set up, mine have a hole drilled where I can grease the spindle tip and grease will push out from the front bearing. 

Instead of removing and packing, so long as I don't see water intrusion or dark (got hot) grease I'll just keep applying grease until fresh comes out.   I rotate the wheel as I apply the grease to help spread the fresh grease.  It's not perfect but in 5 years of trailering 5 tons about an hour one way every weekend during the summer, she's worked well. 

If I see any signs of over heating or water intrusion I remove old bearings, clean out all old grease and install new bearings with new back seal.  

rasbury

Yea, I got some work to do. I wish I could leave 270 in the water and go through it front to back.
So..the hub looks like it would hold a quart of grease- now much and how do I fill it?

rasbury

@PickleRick the zero in the spindle gets the grease in the back bearing. The hub looks like it would hold about 1/2 quart if filled? How much do I fill it and how?

Formulaben

@rasbury, take a look at these. Not sure if your trailer is the same as mine (2 axle Venture), but this upgrade made me feel a lot better about how my trailer handled. It certainly makes a lot less noise now, and the hardware is plainly a lot beefier than what was on my OEM trailer. I love that you can service the pivots with grease too.

https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Suspension-Parts/MORryde/MR46ZR.html

https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Suspension-Parts/MORryde/MR87ZR.html

rasbury

Thanks @Formulaben. I don't think mine is set up that way..