Trailer Maintenance :: Catamaran Sailboats at TheBeachcats.com

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Trailer Maintenance

leeboweffect

Rank: Mate

Registered: Apr 22, 2015

Last visit: May 21, 2023

Posts: 484
Posted: Apr 27, 2017 - 10:46 AM

In preparation for the new season I disassembled and inspected my trailer bearings. Unfortunately, after only one season (new and fully packed with premium marine grease last year) here is what I found (bad dog!!!). I found entire replacement hubs with bearings and seals on etrailer for $ 17.49:

https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hubs-and-Drums/etrailer/AKIHUB-440-2-1K.html

The hubs were delivered in three days and installed without argument = VERY CHEAP insurance!

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Hobie 16 (3 formerly)
MacGregor 25 (formerly)
Chrysler Dagger 14 (formerly)
NACRA 5.0 (currently)
High Point, NC
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MN3

Rank: Master Chief

Registered: Jun 20, 2006

Last visit: May 22, 2024

Posts: 7089
Posted: Apr 27, 2017 - 10:54 AM

good call !
i just updated my entire axel and hubs this year too on my main trailer

sure beats losing a wheel while on the road
leeboweffect

Rank: Mate

Registered: Apr 22, 2015

Last visit: May 21, 2023

Posts: 484
Posted: Apr 27, 2017 - 10:57 AM

MN3sure beats losing a wheel while on the road

Nothing will buzz kill a weekend of sailing faster than a broken down trailer!!!

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Hobie 16 (3 formerly)
MacGregor 25 (formerly)
Chrysler Dagger 14 (formerly)
NACRA 5.0 (currently)
High Point, NC
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klozhald

Rank: Chief

Registered: Apr 19, 2011

Last visit: Nov 20, 2024

Posts: 1460
Posted: Apr 27, 2017 - 04:34 PM

Have you considered Bearing Buddies?

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Sheet In!
Bob
_/)_____/)_/)____/)____/)_____/)/)__________/)__
Prindle 18-2 #244 "Wakizashi"
Prindle 16 #3690 "Pegasus" Sold (sigh)
AZ Multihull Fleet 42 member
(Way) Past Commodore of Prindle Fleet 14
Arizona, USA
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leeboweffect

Rank: Mate

Registered: Apr 22, 2015

Last visit: May 21, 2023

Posts: 484
Posted: Apr 28, 2017 - 10:31 AM

klozhaldHave you considered Bearing Buddies?

Have run Bearing Buddies for years and they work quite well. I now use the knock off version from Harbor Freight as they are about a third the price and I can't tell the difference:

http://www.harborfreight.com/198-inch-wheel-bearing-protectors-1-pair-97166.html

The premature failure I experienced was a result of the seal leaking not lack of grease.

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Hobie 16 (3 formerly)
MacGregor 25 (formerly)
Chrysler Dagger 14 (formerly)
NACRA 5.0 (currently)
High Point, NC
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jgraham

Rank: Lubber

Registered: Oct 08, 2012

Last visit: May 04, 2017

Posts: 2
Posted: May 04, 2017 - 12:21 PM

Last fall I inspected my bearings and found them in the same trashed condition as yours - after installing not-cheap Timken bearings just two seasons ago.

I found a Westernprime complete kit with bearings & seals for $20 on Amazon. They're chinese (IIRC) but I decided for that amount I would just replace them once a season. Also using marine grease and the Reese "bearing buddies" which are very nice for $10 shipped on Amazon.
HULLFLYER

Rank: Mate

Registered: Aug 06, 2004

Last visit: Oct 20, 2024

Posts: 878
Posted: May 04, 2017 - 01:58 PM

Just another question
If you are running at 60 plus MPH
How fast do you think a 8 or 12 inch tire is traveling in comparison
I have seen sailors travel hundreds of miles and back down a boat ramp into the water to unload the boat without letting the bearing cool down.
Would that cause harm to the bearing
HULLFLYER

Rank: Mate

Registered: Aug 06, 2004

Last visit: Oct 20, 2024

Posts: 878
Posted: May 04, 2017 - 01:58 PM

Just another question
If you are running at 60 plus MPH
How fast do you think a 8 or 12 inch tire is traveling in comparison
I have seen sailors travel hundreds of miles and back down a boat ramp into the water to unload the boat without letting the bearing cool down.
Would that cause harm to the bearing
Edchris177

Rank: Chief

Registered: Nov 26, 2009

Last visit: Aug 10, 2024

Posts: 2531
Posted: May 04, 2017 - 06:00 PM

QuoteHow fast do you think a 8 or 12 inch tire is traveling in comparison

It is appx 83%, that is if an 8" rim travels 100 revolutions, a 12" rim will travel only 83. This is based on a tire having a 4" sidewall.
These numbers vary somewhat, depending on the actual tire mounted on the rim. If 2 different tires are mounted on identical sized rims, the tire with a higher sidewall will result in a larger total diameter wheel, & a slower rate of rotation.

QuoteWould that cause harm to the bearing

I have heard that immersing a warm bearing into relatively cool water results in the airspace in the hub cooling, which creates a slight bit of vacumn, which might then draw water into the hub. I'm not sure waiting gives much benefit. Good clean bearings don't really get hot, I have often stopped & felt the dust covers, they barely feel "warm", let alone "hot". If the air temp is in the 90's, & water only 80, you would still have a differential, even if you let them cool for an hour.
I think good seals, & servicing them every year is more effective.

Edited by Edchris177 on May 04, 2017 - 06:02 PM.

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Hobie 18 Magnum
Dart 15
Mystere 6.0XL Sold Was a handful solo
Nacra 5.7
Nacra 5.0
Bombardier Invitation (Now officially DEAD)
Various other Dock cluttering WaterCrap
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tominpa

Rank: Mate

Registered: Jul 29, 2015

Last visit: Jul 26, 2024

Posts: 590
Posted: May 04, 2017 - 09:16 PM

I love this place...

I always find more crap i gotta do, like tear down the bearings for a check and re-lube.

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Tom
NACRA 5.7 (1984 Sail 181)
Pennsylvania
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windwardde

Rank: Mate

Registered: Oct 20, 2011

Last visit: Apr 03, 2023

Posts: 167
Posted: May 05, 2017 - 10:26 AM

Just my 2 cents
Both my motorboat and my cat trailer have bearing buddies. Cat has 8" rims and motorboat 12".
I check them and repack them every season.
I do not slow down much from normal driving when I tow. I drive 65 mph or more. I am good about checking them for heat, but haven't run into an issue in years. When I did run into an issue, it was because I hadn't maintained them, nor did I use bearing buddies. Thus, why I do maintain them every year, now.
I don't let them cool down when I launch and I am 95% in salt water.
I say, check them every season, put the bearing buddies on and every now and then check them for heat when traveling and you will be fine.
Just saying!

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Supercat 15
Windrider 17
Several Sunfish and Sunfish clones
Ratboat built from Zuma and Sunfish parts
Shallow water sailor in the Delaware Bay
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