Braked trailer service

rigi36 · 30 December 2018, 17:08

Hi

We have a trailer that has been sat outside for a bit and could do with some maintenance.

I don't know much about trailers and certainly not braked ones so would appreciate some pointers on where to start.

When moving the trailer it does sound like something isn't as loose as it should be. Brakes or bearings?

The bearings I'm used to servicing are all on unbraked trailers where you pop the plastic cap off, these don't look the same.

I've attached some photos, hopefully someone can give me some pointers.

Many thanks.

The Black Pig · 30 December 2018, 17:52

Looks like these may be bearing buddies/savers

beamishken · 30 December 2018, 18:19

Its just a metal cap just knock it off with a hammer & screwdriver or use a pry bar to lever it off behind the ridge in the cap
Youll find the bearing retaining nut under the cap

Waterman · 30 December 2018, 18:21

They’re just the dust caps. Just knock them off with a mallet/block of wood and a hammer.
If the bearings feel ok and grease is not compromised I’d start by greasing up all the grease nipples (lithium based grease). Tow the trailer around a bit and actuate the brakes a few times... they don’t like to be laid up for too long, especially if you had the hand brake on [emoji1303]

Waterman · 30 December 2018, 18:25

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I’d also lubricate the cables here also.... wd 40 or similar to make sure they’re moving [emoji1303]

Orwell boy · 30 December 2018, 21:06

[QUOTE=rigi36;78793maintenance

When moving the trailer it does sound like something isn't as loose as it should be. Brakes or bearings

Many thanks.[/QUOTE]

Personally i would expect brake shoes to be rubbing ,however looking at your picture two i am not sure you have any brake shoes fitted as the tiny slits in the backplates should be showing the tails of springs which hold the shoes flat onto the backplates , not sure but worth a look

beamishken · 31 December 2018, 07:01

Only sure way to check the brakes is strip the drums off remove the shoes and clean and regrease everything that moves or slides. Your not supposed to grease inside drums but on a boat trailer its essential in my opinion.
While apart pull the cables in and out as far as you can and smear grease on the ends behind the dust covers & pump grease into the inline grease points if fitted.
Trying to cut corners is asking for trouble

Last Tango · 31 December 2018, 10:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by beamishken

Only sure way to check the brakes is strip the drums off remove the shoes and clean and regrease everything that moves or slides. Your not supposed to grease inside drums but on a boat trailer its essential in my opinion.
While apart pull the cables in and out as far as you can and smear grease on the ends behind the dust covers & pump grease into the inline grease points if fitted.
Trying to cut corners is asking for trouble

And....having gone this far you might as well replace the bearings while it's stripped, they're not expensive. Mines get replaced at least once a year just as a matter of course.

beamishken · 31 December 2018, 11:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Last Tango

And....having gone this far you might as well replace the bearings while it's stripped, they're not expensive. Mines get replaced at least once a year just as a matter of course.

Yep 100 % agree

rigi36 · 31 December 2018, 12:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Last Tango

And....having gone this far you might as well replace the bearings while it's stripped, they're not expensive. Mines get replaced at least once a year just as a matter of course.

Thanks, what's the easiest way to find out what bearings I need?

Last Tango · 31 December 2018, 13:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by rigi36

Thanks, what's the easiest way to find out what bearings I need?

Knock them out and check the numbers on them. Order from Ebay or local supplier.

If you can't make out the numbers take them (and the seal) to a bearing supplier and they'll ID them for you.

jeffstevens763@g · 31 December 2018, 15:16

Your ID plate has all the info ring mersea trailers they do Bradley stuff

beamishken · 31 December 2018, 15:42

Take last tangos advice re sourcing bearings youll pay twice or three times the price from a trailer dealer than you will from a bearing stockist or ebay.
It doesnt matter if there cheap shit bearings they dont wear out on a boat trailer they rot away.
Rust doesnt care if your bearings are 30 quid a set or 10 quid a set they all rot away

Bobg · 31 December 2018, 16:02

I could not quite see the wording on the dust cover for the bearing hubs.
Does it say ALCO Waterproof?

Orwell boy · 31 December 2018, 16:23

Looks to me like it may be indespension axle with Knott hubs , you can get a hub size by measuring the inner diameter of the brake drum <maybe 204mm and then the width of the brake shoe maybe 40mm or 50mm ,giving you 200 by say 50mm ,check out by looking at brake shoes on ebay ,say 200x50 knott , search knott and al-ko trailer brake shoes on ebay and with your dimensions you should tie it down this can then lead you to the right bearing for the hub you have got .

goearth · 31 December 2018, 16:41

If its a Bradley trailer (and it looks like it is from the label!!), spare parts are available from:

https://www.bradleydoublelock.co.uk/...6-bearing-kits

You MAY need a small gear puller or a the correct sized drift to remove the bearings. I'd suggest that you probably need to give both the bearings and the brakes a full service - replacing any dodgy parts. I'd always suggest that moving parts on a trailer need good maintenance - you don't want a wheel skidding while you are towing.

Alternatively, you could always buy a great Indespension trailer from us - as we are marine trailer dealers for them and offer 10% discount to RIBNet members. (OK - end of advert!!).

Happy new year all.

Orwell boy · 31 December 2018, 17:14

The bradley label in the picture is on the hitch head ,thats because it describes the spec of the hitchhead ,nothing to do with the trailer manufacturer ,should be a label on the a frame somewhere for the trailer manufacturer

jeffstevens763@g · 31 December 2018, 19:40

https://www.bearingboys.co.uk/Bradle...earings-2463-c

paintman · 01 January 2019, 11:17

Read the sticky at the top by trailer guy. Lots of 'how to' info.

I remove the brake cables on mine annually, hang them up & put motor oil in the cup shaped end. This works its way down inside & any excess will drip out of the bottom. Same way I used to lube old motorcycle cables.

Don't leave the handbrake on when the trailer is parked up.
Very common for the shoes to rust to the drums & it can be an absolute PITA to free them off. (Some helpful soul once decided I'd forgotten to put mine on & when I came to fetch the trailer 3 weeks later it was solid. I now chain & lock in the off position)
Use wheel chocks & a wheel camp type security device to stop it rolling away.

Waterman · 01 January 2019, 14:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by paintman

Read the sticky at the top by trailer guy. Lots of 'how to' info.

I remove the brake cables on mine annually, hang them up & put motor oil in the cup shaped end. This works its way down inside & any excess will drip out of the bottom. Same way I used to lube old motorcycle cables.

Don't leave the handbrake on when the trailer is parked up.
Very common for the shoes to rust to the drums & it can be an absolute PITA to free them off. (Some helpful soul once decided I'd forgotten to put mine on & when I came to fetch the trailer 3 weeks later it was solid. I now chain & lock in the off position)
Use wheel chocks & a wheel camp type security device to stop it rolling away.

This has happened to me on more than one occasion, where someone has done me a favour and pulled up the handbrake 🤬🤬

When I know the trailer will be laid up for a period, I’ve taken to disconnecting the cable ends at the compensator.