Embarrassing photos of trailer wheels

DaNinja · Aug 12, 2013

Just background: This boat and trailer came with the house we bought in 2006. The longest trip it probably ever took was the ten miles from the dealership in 1999. Everything else was to the ramp 100 yards away.

This morning I was getting ready to pull the boat out of the slip for some cleanup today when I noticed one of the trailer wheels was not turning. I was in reverse and sometimes that gets the attention of the surge brakes. Sometimes the trailer is a pain in reverse.

Nope.. even going forward the wheel was locked up. Time to pull a wheel and take a look...
Let me share a few pics..

-Remove tire and wheel and gently remove the dust cap/ grease cap/ bearing buddy.

-What you have left is a nut with a castle washer or castle nut and a cotter pin. Pull the pin and the nut comes right off as it should be about hand tight.

-With a little coaxing, the drum comes right off. Hopefully yours doesn't have remnants of brake shoes in it. :facepalm:

Now it's time to learn about drum brake replacement...

DaNinja · Aug 12, 2013

Re: Embarrassing photos of trailer wheels

Speaking of embarrassing... most all of my trailer tires have been replaced for age, not mileage.

The SeaRay's trailer barely made it home. I discovered this after she was parked after being on the highway coming back from the lake...

All four tires were de-lammed like that.

briangcc · Aug 13, 2013

Re: Embarrassing photos of trailer wheels

Just out of curiosity...how old were those carlisle tires?

I just replaced a set of Carlisle Radials that came as original equipment on my '05 Four Winns. They looked like new and had no signs of dry rot like yours did.

I do agree that you dodged a bullet getting that boat home on those tires.

DAN M VAGOS · Aug 13, 2013

Re: Embarrassing photos of trailer wheels

Drum brakes are not bad to change but I thing finding the parts that may be your problem.

matt167 · Aug 13, 2013

Re: Embarrassing photos of trailer wheels

DAN M VAGOS said:
Drum brakes are not bad to change but I thing finding the parts that may be your problem.

Most auto parts stores sell brake hardware that fits trailers

DaNinja · Aug 13, 2013

Re: Embarrassing photos of trailer wheels

matt167 said:
Most auto parts stores sell brake hardware that fits trailers

After a few phone calls and visits to local auto parts stores, it does look like parts are a slight issue.
A friend owns a local boat and truck repair business. He will order the parts tomorrow.

I am in the process of removing both (L&R) backing plates. This boat and trailer may end up going from Missouri to Texas so I do not want to just throw new shoes on those nasty backing plates. Just four bolts and a brake line, but, man, these bolts are a pain to get at without deeper surgery.

DaNinja · Aug 13, 2013

Re: Embarrassing photos of trailer wheels

briangcc said:
Just out of curiosity...how old were those carlisle tires?

I just replaced a set of Carlisle Radials that came as original equipment on my '05 Four Winns. They looked like new and had no signs of dry rot like yours did.

I do agree that you dodged a bullet getting that boat home on those tires.

I think those tires were 3-4 years old. Could have been a tough lesson that tire tread is not the only indicator of tire life. I posted the pics so others could learn from my mistake.

LippCJ7 · Aug 14, 2013

Re: Embarrassing photos of trailer wheels

I think your issue was probably a lack of use...

Could be wrong though

DaNinja · Aug 14, 2013

Re: Embarrassing photos of trailer wheels

LippCJ7 said:
I think your issue was probably a lack of use...

Could be wrong though

Definitely a possibility. A couple of Iraq and Korea tours left the SeaRay parked for extended periods.

ONEGA · Aug 14, 2013

Re: Embarrassing photos of trailer wheels

Direct sun light is the killer #1. Tire covers are recommended for trailers and motor homes, available in different sizes and they are not expensive. Also it's a good idea to keep them fully inflated. Let a trailer sit on underinflated tires for a longer time and you have a problem.

slag · Aug 14, 2013

Re: Embarrassing photos of trailer wheels

DaNinja said:
Definitely a possibility. A couple of Iraq and Korea tours left the SeaRay parked for extended periods.

Thats what you get for taking vacations to foreign countries and neglecting your toys here at home. :happy:

Seriously though, thanks for your service.

bruceb58 · Aug 14, 2013

Re: Embarrassing photos of trailer wheels

Just buy new backing plates with everything. Probably cheaper in the long run as your slave cylinders are probably also bad.

Hydraulic Drum Brakes Trailer Brakes | etrailer.com

DaNinja · Aug 14, 2013

Re: Embarrassing photos of trailer wheels

bruceb58 said:
Just buy new backing plates with everything. Probably cheaper in the long run as your slave cylinders are probably also bad.

Hydraulic Drum Brakes Trailer Brakes | etrailer.com

Ordered both backing plates about 30 minutes ago. That looked better than throwing parts at the old ones. Should have them tomorrow. Today I am making sure all the lines are clear.

bruceb58 · Aug 14, 2013

Re: Embarrassing photos of trailer wheels

you ordered a left and a right correct?

DaNinja · Aug 14, 2013

Re: Embarrassing photos of trailer wheels

bruceb58 said:
you ordered a left and a right correct?

I ordered a pair (well, my buddy ordered a pair as I was at his shop), but you do make me think that a follow up call may not be a bad idea before they ship. They may have already shipped so I will find out tomorrow.

DaNinja · Aug 14, 2013

Re: Embarrassing photos of trailer wheels

bruceb58 said:
you ordered a left and a right correct?

These were the backing plates that I pulled off yesterday. I could see that throwing new parts at them would be as expensive, and a whole lot more aggravating, than just buying $65 complete assemblies. We ordered new backing plates from a trailer company, so we are assuming a "pair" means left and right.

(note my sticky labels but I think the shorter shoe always faces forward)

DaNinja · Aug 15, 2013

Re: Embarrassing photos of trailer wheels

New backing plates arrived noon today. Really good copies of the originals.

I need to blow out the lines and get these things installed.

MH Hawker · Aug 16, 2013

Re: Embarrassing photos of trailer wheels

A fyi also you may want to take a close look at the date code on new tires. Tires have a limited life expectancy. Even if they look brand new hafe of their expected life can be all ready over. Here is how to under stand date coding. Tire shops will try to pass off old tires on you.

Tire Age Calculator - When were my tires Manufactured?

rbh · Aug 16, 2013

Re: Embarrassing photos of trailer wheels

With the trailer for the most part sitting or dropping the boat off 100 yards at most to the ramp, you really can see how the moisture took its toll on the parts over time.

Note to self, move the trailers off the grass.

DaNinja · Aug 16, 2013

Re: Embarrassing photos of trailer wheels

rbh said:
With the trailer for the most part sitting or dropping the boat off 100 yards at most to the ramp, you really can see how the moisture took its toll on the parts over time.

Note to self, move the trailers off the grass.

Good info. The tires on the Texas SeaRay came from a national brand store, but that did make me think about where the clock starts. Thanks.

Embarrassing photos of trailer wheels

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