Trailer Tire smoked and froze up

[summerwind1991]

After pulling Sea Ray 250DA out for the season, one of the trailer tire/hub smoked and locked up. I have to jack up to find out whats wrong. I believe boat must way 5,500-6,000 lbs. Do I need a special jack? Any advice as I attempt to take off tire to inspect. Obviously alot of wieght and I have never attempted such a process before. Thank you.

 

[b.gagnon]

Re: Trailer Tire smoked and froze up

The bearing must have seized up..and it probably took the hub with it. It is a pretty easy fix.<br />All new parts should be used.

 

[brine]

Re: Trailer Tire smoked and froze up

For that size boat you probably have two axles. Jack up the bad one while the trailer is still hitched to the truck (and the parking brake on). Remember to chock the wheels as well. The load rating of an individual tire on the trailer will be very close to the amount that you will have to support with a jack. Jack it just high enough to temove and replace your tire.<br />This is a fairly simple fix as b.g. says, but if you haven't done this before, have a friend who has help.<br />I am sure you know this but never put yourself or any part of your body that you cannot do without under a jacked vehicle!!

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Trailer Tire smoked and froze up

You need a jack capable of lifting at least 1500# and preferably 2000#. Leave the wheel on but remove the hub cap or bearing buddy and then remove the spindle nut. Simply pull the entire tire/wheel and hub assembly off. You have more leverage if there is any internal damage. The wheel and hub can be separated once off. Chances are the bearing may have spun on the spindle which will require replacement of that spindle or possibly the entire axle if you can't find anyone to cut the old spindle off and weld in a new one. If there are any grooves in the spindle where the bearings ride, the spindle must be replaced or you will be doing the project again in very short order. Chances are the hub is not damaged but the bearings and races will need replacement.

 

[jtexas]

Re: Trailer Tire smoked and froze up

Probably a brake there, too.<br /><br />www.championtrailers.com has some good info, click on "technical advice"

 

[summerwind1991]

Re: Trailer Tire smoked and froze up

Thank you gentlemen. Another swivit, is that the the boat is parked up on the lawn adjacent to the driveway, ....warm winter and the ground is not froze.

 

[jlinder]

Re: Trailer Tire smoked and froze up

This is a good time to also look at what you carry in case you get a flat. Without the right tools you can be on the side of the road for a long time.<br /><br />Make sure you not only have a good jack, but also a good lug wrench (those nuts can get awful tight). I carry an X-wrench for extra torque.<br /><br />Also carry some blocks of wood. A lot of times you are trying to jack up the boat on a soft shoulder and only succeed in driving the jack into the mud. The wood can also help keep you from scratching up the frame.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Trailer Tire smoked and froze up

IF the yard is soft, place the jack on a plank or piece of plywood to spread the weight out and prevent the jack from sinking as Jack L indicates. In addition to the cross-wrench, carry a short piece of pipe (about 24 inches long). You can slip the pipe over the part of the cross-wrench that's tapered on the end. This gives you extra leverage.

 

[saumon]

Re: Trailer Tire smoked and froze up

here's how NOT to do it: <br />

 

[SwampNut]

Re: Trailer Tire smoked and froze up

Rocks can break up easily. Wood is much safer.<br /><br />

 

[saumon]

Re: Trailer Tire smoked and froze up

On the last one, it would be safer to tie the lumber to the frame with duct tape...

 

[summerwind1991]

Re: Trailer Tire smoked and froze up

Taking tires off for the winter, not going to do it for the Sea Ray 250DA, however I have a 17' that I'd like to take tire off and prop up.<br /><br />What can be used to prop up trailer when tires are off? I've seen cinder block, that looks brittle...also some of the marina's have these large styrofoam blocks. <br /><br />Any advice. Thank you.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Trailer Tire smoked and froze up

Summerwind -- any discount store that sells auto parts has jack stands. They are generally sold in pairs and are height adjustable. By far the safest way to support any vehicle. They are also inexpensive.

 

[brine]

Re: Trailer Tire smoked and froze up

Jack stands, used in pairs are the safest and they are RATED for this type of use. <br /><br />The gentleman, welding a gas tank, under a 5000 lb truck, held up by two termite infested twigs, is not (in my opinion) working in a safe manner. But I suppose it is safer than just one twig.<br /><br />

 

[rwidman]

Re: Trailer Tire smoked and froze up

Originally posted by Jack L:<br /> This is a good time to also look at what you carry in case you get a flat. Without the right tools you can be on the side of the road for a long time.<br /><br />Make sure you not only have a good jack, but also a good lug wrench (those nuts can get awful tight). I carry an X-wrench for extra torque.<br /><br />Also carry some blocks of wood. A lot of times you are trying to jack up the boat on a soft shoulder and only succeed in driving the jack into the mud. The wood can also help keep you from scratching up the frame.

Good info. I use a bottle jack. The're relatively small and inexpensive and available in several weight ranges.<br /><br />Anyone towing a trailer should practice changing a tire before towing for the first time, not only so you'll know how, but to insure that you are carying the right tools to do it.

 

[rwidman]

Re: Trailer Tire smoked and froze up

Originally posted by Upinsmoke:<br /> Summerwind -- any discount store that sells auto parts has jack stands. They are generally sold in pairs and are height adjustable. By far the safest way to support any vehicle. They are also inexpensive.

Yes, jack stands. And squares of 2X10 or larger lumber under them if they are to be used on turf or asphalt. And don't rely on the trailer jack and two stands for storage. Use four jack stands.

 

[jtexas]

Re: Trailer Tire smoked and froze up

I'll just throw this out there, in case somebody decides not to get the x-wrench: don't count on your vehicle's lug wrench to fit the trailer lugs.<br /><br />You suggesting four jack stands placed one each side (left & right) each axle, right?

 

[jlinder]

Re: Trailer Tire smoked and froze up

rwidman - <br /><br />Thanks, I forgot to mention the type of jack. Bottle jacks are small and easy to carry. Just make sure to get one with enough capacity to lift your boat and trailer.<br /><br />Another reason for getting the x-wrench is that for those really really tight lug nuts you can get 2 people on them. One pulls up, the other pushes down.

 

[summerwind1991]

Re: Trailer Tire smoked and froze up

Thanks Gentlemen. I'm going to head down to bumper to bumber get a pair of jacks.<br /><br />Some great pictures above.<br /><br />I take tire off follow up upinsmokes direction. I'm no expert, but once I get off I'll probably refer back here. Assuming the X-wrench is that typical device folks usually have in their cares that they use to change tires?<br /><br />Speaking of Sail boats thats actually the next baot I'd like to buy that I thouroughly and completely ignorant about. But love the water!!

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Trailer Tire smoked and froze up

A cross-wrench looks like two steel rods crossed and welded in the middle. The end of each of three of these bars has a socket which fits a specific size lug nut. The forth end is flattened like a big screwdriver to pry off hub cabs. This is not what the manufacturers put in their cars but it's what you need if you tow a trailer as the lub nuts on the trailer are rarely the same size as your car or truck.