Tire conditions and blow outs

Ryan, I have the Vault bearings on my Boatmate trailer. I've had the trailer for four years and I've never had to do anything to them. I've had it to GL three times and TN a couple times. They are supposed to be a 10 year, unlimited miles, maintenance free.

I'm told from the dealer that this is a 100,000 mile maintenance free bearing.Guess that would explain the lack of a grease zert. Still, a little concerned or unconfident.

Ryan,

Watch the tires when you drive down the road I'm the mirror. If the sidewalls don't line up and and look like they are running straight change them out.   They all last about 4 years if your close or at year 4 change them. I've learned this from experience, within about 150 miles of noticing the wobble, the tread will start to seperate, then they're done, and they all seem to go quickly once it starts. I've lost 3 in one 150 mile trip before, that's how I learned to watch and how the process goes.

If you have bearing buddies, a few squirts of grease until the cap starts to move is plenty. Don't keep going until it won't move anymore, that's likely to blow out a seal. Make sure you use waterproof grease, don't just grab a grease gun at the office or something. Learned that one the hard way too when I used the one for my mower, grease got wet and then sat for 2 months rusting, a 4 mile trip to fill up the boat cost me a whole new axel, destroyed the hub and the spindle.

Around 10% of total weight you could go more but I wouldn't go less than that

I'm not expert and I'm not looking at it but it almost sounds like the axle might not have enuff weight on it or it may have alittle to much toung weight ? How are the bushings in the spring eyes and the equalizer? Are they original?   Again I'm not stareing it in the face just shooting from the hip with things I have seen go wrong on other trailers.

It looks like the tire is warring on the out side? Is that correct? How dose the rear tire look on the other side mossy trailer axles have a crown in them so the tires will run flat when loaded

Please disregard the first photo. The last is of my "Bearing Buddy type maintenance free bearing hub. Can you really trust a bearing buddy? Can't seem to find a zero anywhere. It is a Dorsey Trailer. Just looking for some peace of mind before the TN trip. hope the above pictures help. Would it be wise to get another bearing / hub for the trip. I'm looking @ 10.5 hrs drive.

Is it a tandem? Is it a spring suspension or torsion spring? Where is the ware on the tire? What are you running for pressure? How are the spring bushings in the ends of the springs?

SN206 wrote: I am considering ONE OF THESE. Has anyone used one before?

I have one of those and they work great. I had a old hub that would not hold a bearing buddy on my trip to the SJRR in 2011. Once I got to Astor, I used that jack in semi sandy soil to chenge the hub. I was impressed with the way it worked. I carry it and a star wrench with me when I travel. My axel is round and it worked great.

Donald

SN206 wrote: I'm glad this discussion has come up. My right rear trailer tire appears to be wearing faster than the others. I am considering ONE OF THESE. Has anyone used one before?

Ryan-- You mean McMaster/Carr doesn't have one of those? Pete won't like that link to 'TuberTons'

I'm getting one of those---- The 'Donald' says they are awesome !Donald80SN--- He just used it on the trip over to the WLM 2012

Pull off the blown one and strap up the axle been there to many times so I carry a generator and compresser in the truck at all times and an impact gun for thouse stubborn lug nuts. I like the troly jacks (mini Floor jack) but that's me and I don't like to be on the side of the road any longer than I have to be!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A floor jack worked well for me.

Just happened to me a couple weekends ago. Couldnt get the trailer high enough with the bottle jack in my truck, on the inclined dirt shoulder. What fun... had to leave the boat on the side of the road and drive home to pick up the floor jack. Ill be throwing it in the truck from now on.