It's always something

[Uncle Joe]

Pulled the boat on Sunday.....almost made it to the yard when this happened. Previous owner replaced 3 of 4 hubs a year before I bought the boat and trailer. Now have to fix this before winterizing. Oh well......

 

[Legend]

I had that happen with a 19 foot Mako on a trailer going 60 MPH. Thought someone hit me. Was lucky the boat did not flip. No truer words - there is always something!

 

[Uncle Joe]

I had that happen with a 19 foot Mako on a trailer going 60 MPH. Though someone hit me. Was lucky the boat did not flip. No truer word - there is always something!

On the bright side I will add" how to change a trailer hub" to my ever expanding set of skills.

 

[Fishtales]

Gotta inspect trailers often and have a maintenance plan. Horrible if something happens on the road.

 

[enfish]

Been there... done that... Luckily discovered the issue when pulling the wheels off to put new tires on.

Before and after.

 

[Willy-C]

If it’s not one thing...........It’s two things

Glad you fixed it.

 

[Fishtales]

yikes... can you get better quality rotors that don't rust like that for trailers like you can for cars/trucks?

 

[wrxhoon]

Yes you can , stainless steel especially for boat trailers . I have them in my trailer, they don't rust , brakes work very well but rotors wear much quicker due to softer metal.
I use Kodiak S/S rotors , calipers and brackets, about 3 times the price but will last at least 3 times the mild steel .

 

[Fishtales]

I used Kodiak last brake job on my car. Everything looks great a year later.

Now for the thread, got the call that the starter in the generator wouldn't turn at winterization. I had it running 2 weeks prior. I swapped it out 3 years ago. Can't believe it went again. Spring job....

 

[Uncle Joe]

Well.............just to add insult to injury...I called EZ Loader with my VIN number and ordered the whole hub replacement kit. Not just the bearings. I knew I would pay a premium for it from them but figured get original equipment parts and do it right. WRONG..........previous owner replaced axles with sub standard ones and the kit does not fit properly. I had to get the boat off the public street and into the yard so I had to use what I had and pray (just 2 blocks). Got it into the yard but now I have to buy another kit. Going to cost me about $225.00 instead of $70.00.

Live and learn.

 

[wrxhoon]

I would use hot dipped galvanized hubs and USA or Japanese made ( not Chinese) bearings. If you stubs are not fitted with S/S sleeves install them as well , I use SKF speedie sleeve they are very cheap and the seals always run on clean surface so they don't let water in. I use Bearing Buddies ( genuine B/B brand) and I never have any problems with water ingression or bearing failure . Current trailer in over 7 years old , still original bearings and seals, I just check them once a year.
Another tip use acorn lug nuts so your studs don't rust, the nuts will eventually rust just replace them, I use S/S lug nuts, again very cheap . If you use S/S nuts you have to be careful when tightening and undoing them because they can grab, I use Loctite anti- seize on the studs.