What bearings?

[nicksharpe]

I've just bought a 4.5m RIB on an Extreme trailer. The bearing say waterproof, but obviously they can't be, so will need maintenance.

Having had a set of (non-waterproof) bearings fail on the motorway recently (different trailer) I'd appreciate some advice, namely:

1. How often do I need to replace these bearings?
2. Is it easy to do so?
3. What parts do I need
4. Where do I get them from?

All help appreciated.

Best,

Nick

[Xk59D]

1. Mines lasted about 2.5 years, some last a lot more. Just need to check for play or listen for rumble.
2. Need a hydraulic press to push bearings out and in ideally and you need a good torque wrench to tighten one shot nuts to spec.
3. Bearings, circlips, one shot nuts and new caps...DO NOT RE-USE ANYTHING!!! (Mega important!!!!)
4. Trailertek or any decent bearing supplier, take them out then order what you need. You can buy a bearing kit minus caps for about 20 quid per wheel on Amazon, just get caps elsewhere.

If you dont want hassle clyde outboards will do it all for you.

[whiskylee]

I’ve been changing my un braked trailer bearings every year, I’ve started buying Hub & Bearings kits from eBay complete for approx £30 for a set

You could go direct to extreme trailers

https://www.extrememarine.co.uk/trai...h4qi8ctugnalj1

[nicksharpe]

Thanks both.

Am I just looking for the usual signs of wear (rumbling, grittiness, wobble, heat) or is there anything else I should keep an eye on?

The loss of grease nipples has flustered me!

[Xk59D]

If they are waterproof bearings and not taper rollers then they will last a lot longer.

If you Jack it up you will see if any play, if there is ANY play they are probably shot. You will hear the grumble I'm sure, I certainly could a few weeks ago when one of mine started. Play or grumble get them changed asap, although you are less likely to lose a wheel when these start to rumble compared to taper roller.

[whiskylee]

Jack the trailer up so you can spin the wheels, see if there is any rumbling or play
For the cost of new bearings etc gives you piece of mind
Also check the wheels and tyres are good and you have at least 1 spare wheel.
I don’t take any chances when towing trailers, we leave our boats on the coast where we have a caravan, so they get dipped in the sea for at least six months then when the summer is over I replace the bearings/hubs before towing back home

[Xk59D]

That is just excessive IMO, you can only change waterproof bearings 7x officially then you need new hubs and stub axles is or was the recommended advice from ALKO/SBS 2 years ago, it may have changed.

I have dipped my trailer many times since I bought it new and the parts guy at SBS thinks I was unlucky to ruin a bearing already as they rarely fail this soon. Not changing the caps is usually why they fail early again as it isnt well known those need to be replaced too.

Anyways, whatever makes you feel good is what to do but I only done my rear axle on SBS advice and I'll probably do the front one next year so they are on different replacement cycles.

[whiskylee]

I don’t use waterproof bearings so therefore I change them yearly

[jeffstevens763@g]

I changed my bramber waterproof bearings at 6 years old they weren't rumbling or moving I just did it because I thought I should. Taper bearings I Change every time I jack the trailer up if they rubble as said the full hub is best £30 IMO

I'm a bit OCD about bearings non waterproof as had one fail on the m74 could have lost the boat wheel should have dropped off very lucky

[Xk59D]

Originally Posted by whiskylee

I don’t use waterproof bearings so therefore I change them yearly

The OP is talking about waterproof bearings, chalk and cheese.

[Lee argyle]

A lot of trailer hubs have a grease nipple on, so can be repacked before a run or prior to immersion ( obviously waiting for any heat to dissipate ), massively extends the life of the bearings

[Xk59D]

Never seen nor heard of waterproof bearings you can pack, packing them from outside will compromise the seal so doesnt make any sense to me that one?

[Lee argyle]

Originally Posted by Xk59D

Never seen nor heard of waterproof bearings you can pack, packing them from outside will compromise the seal so doesnt make any sense to me that one?

Never said they were waterproof, I said trailer hubs

https://www.manomano.co.uk/pulley-fo...yABEgIUQfD_BwE

[Xk59D]

The OP is asking about waterproof.....

[nicksharpe]

How on earth has an argument sprung up about something as boringly prosaic as trailer hub bearings?

[Lee argyle]

Originally Posted by Xk59D

The OP is asking about waterproof.....

Yes and other posts have mentioned / discussed other options

[Lee argyle]

Originally Posted by nicksharpe

How on earth has an argument sprung up about something as boringly prosaic as trailer hub bearings?

This is Xk59D we’re talking about

[Xk59D]

So the option is to replace them with a normal hub with taper? Is that possible?

[Xk59D]

Originally Posted by Lee argyle

This is Xk59D we’re talking about

You not got a boat to "board" yet?

[Last Tango]

Looks like a 2007 trailer which could make the bearings 11/12yrs old ?
Even if they are sealed I'd be getting wary about them and for all they'll cost I'd replace them and establish if they are "sealed for life" or taper rollers.

When I ran the unbraked, taper roller hubs I bought full hubs first time then after that I'd just repair the hubs I took off and put them aside as spares and used them for the next swap out. Replaced them at least once a year.

I also wouldn't assume a bearing is ok because it's not "rumbling" when you spin the wheel. I've stripped bearings that weren't rumbling and found them badly rusted and that puts them a couple of hundred miles from failing.

Been there, got the "T" shirt (twice). M9 wheel with hub flew off, A9 Hub collapsed onto the brakes and seized (bearings 6 weeks old with less than a thousand miles on them.)
Just not worth the gamble