Long Trip with Trailer

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willbjew

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Jul 19, 2003
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Ok i am about to go on a long trip of about 6 hours total. Mostly interstate. I just got new tire/wheels for the single axel trailer. It has tortion bars and i am just wondering about the hubs. I uses the trailer all the time but i am a little hesitant about that long of a trip. I have jacked up the trailer and the wheels spin freely but i just want to be on the safe side. They are also full of grease. Thanks<br />Will
 
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garycinn

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Re: Long Trip with Trailer

Make sure your spare is in good shape and inflated properly. Double check that your lug wrench will fit your trailer lugs. Double check air in the tires as techs can screw up. Make sure no grease is blowing out on the inside of the hubs if you have bearing buddies. Check the hubs a few times during the trip for excessive heat.<br /><br />Make sure safety chains/cables are in good shape, are fastened crossed under the tongue. Mount the hooks from under to secure vs. on top thru the hole -- less likely to bounce out. Not as critical if you have some kind of keepers on the hooks.<br /><br />Every time I stop I put on the emergency flashers and the parking lights. If all the marker lights are on and the rears are lit with a brighter flash I know that all functions are working -- no need to do the left/right/brake routine with a helper in the truck.<br /><br />Other than that, look in your rearview every once in a while to make sure the boat is still there ;) .
 
jlinder

jlinder

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Re: Long Trip with Trailer

I would add make sure you have a good jack, lug wrench, and some small boards of wood to put under the jack in case the ground is soft.
 
Dunaruna

Dunaruna

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Re: Long Trip with Trailer

Originally posted by garycinn:<br /> Check the hubs a few times during the trip for excessive heat.<br /><br />
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Good call garycinn,<br />So simple to do and yet it could save headaches futher up the road. Do a walk around every once in a while and touch the hubs.<br /><br />Aldo
 
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SeaTrek

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Re: Long Trip with Trailer

If your inner hub seals are leaking grease out, they are most likely leaking water in. Replace them.<br />In some cases, a faulty bearing buddy will also allow too much pressure to build up, thus forcing the grease out the seals.
 
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willbjew

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Re: Long Trip with Trailer

I see the hub assembly's around in store, but how do i take the old one off to install the new one. And about how much do they cost. i will probably replace both just to be safe.
 
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SeaTrek

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Re: Long Trip with Trailer

You don't have to replace the entire hub, just the grease seals.<br />Jack up the trailer and use a jack stand or other suitable item to support the weight while you are working. Never rely on a hydraulic jack to support your work!<br />Remove wheel.<br />1. Remove the dust cover or bearing buddy.<br />2. Remove the cotter pin from the castle retaining nut, remove the nut and thrust washer.<br />3. The hub should slide off the spindle, ( might need a little persuasion )<br />4. The outer bearing will fall out of the end of the hub.<br />5. Use a punch or screwdriver to either drive or pry the seal out of the hub. The inner bearing will fall out of the hub.<br />6. Thoroughly clean the bearings and hub of all old grease / dirt etc and clean the spindle especially where the seal rides. If the bearings or races are pitted or show signs of excessive wear, replace these also.<br />7. Assembly is in reverse order, remember to repack the bearings and coat the lip of the new seal with a small amount of like grease.<br />8. The bearings must be "pre-loaded"<br />Tighten the castle retaining nut so that the wheel does not spin freely but takes a small amount of force to spin the wheel, then back off the nut to the previous slot.<br />Do NOT re-use the cotter pins! Buy new ones.<br />You should be able to do this in about 2 hours if this is your first time.<br />You can purchase the seals and cotter pins at any automotive supply store, just remember to take one of the old ones with you so they can match it up.<br />Approximate cost for both sides $15.00 versus $50.00 + for complete hub assemblies.
 
tommays

tommays

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Re: Long Trip with Trailer

i have allways used bearing buddies and find that over time small amounts of water do get into the rear bearing no matter how good the seal is<br /><br />it might take 2 to 3 years but it happens<br /><br />even with marine wheel bearing grease tiny rust spots will stat to form and slowely snow ball into bigger ones<br /><br />the front bearing near the buddy have never looked anything but new so its EASY to think the rear is GOOD<br /><br />a new set of bearings and seals is less than 20 dollars per wheel<br /><br />tommays
 
JB

JB

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Re: Long Trip with Trailer

Good advice for any tow trip, long or short. Many a "short" trip has been made long by oversight. I think a spare hub as well as a spare tire is useful, or at least a spare set of bearings and seals.<br /><br />Now, I don't view 6 hours as a long trip. To me a long trip is 1500-3000 miles, or 25 to 50hours.
 
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umblecumbuz

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Re: Long Trip with Trailer

And loosen all the lug nuts just the once before you set off, to make sure they're not binding.<br />Tighten then again afterwards!<br /><br />We had one trip ruined because two of the nuts had seized so hard they finally tore the studs off the hub!
 
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willbjew

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Re: Long Trip with Trailer

Well i took the wheel off and the plastic circular thing off the hub and all i see is a hole with greese and a little zert fitting on it. i didnt go any farther until i talked to yall. I am only 16 but do know SOME things, so dont assume much.
 
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craze1cars

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Re: Long Trip with Trailer

If this trailer is more than a few years old, I'd recommend a bearing repack/inspect and new seals. Cheap insurance. Do a google search on "repack trailer bearings" and you'll find countless step-by-step walk throughs with photos and everything.
 
Realgun

Realgun

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Re: Long Trip with Trailer

Do a google search on "repack trailer bearings"
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You can do 1 here in the red Search button. I know there are step by steps posted somewhere.<br /><br />Basically remove the bearing buddy. <br />Take off the cotter pin. <br />Unscrew the nut. <br />Pull the hub off.<br />Remove bearings and seal on rear. <br />Use a punch to take out races only if you are replacing bearings.<br /><br />Clean and repack bearings with grease. <br />Put races in hub. <br />Put bearings in hub. <br />Replace rear seal.<br />Put hub back on axle. <br />Lightly tighten nut while turning hub till hard to turn then turn wheel 2 times.<br />Back off till you can turn freely. then 1/16 turn tighter and instert NEW cotter pin.<br />Bend pin till it will not come out.<br />Pop bearing buddy back on and give a wee squirt to buddy till it floats about two pumps.<br /><br />Thats 1 side now do the other and if you have 4 wheels well do them 1 at a time. :D
 
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willbjew

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Re: Long Trip with Trailer

ok i searched google and this site. but i wish i had pictures of what each step did. Althought i cant find it mabye yall might have a link. I dont know what yall mean by rear seal bearing and races .....???????<br />What does the whole hub that comes with everything cost.
 
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