Trailer maintenance help please

[snagged in outlet 3]

Got home today and one of the hubs is completely wallowed out.  I don’t know how the wheel didn’t come off.   I used to get them done by the shop every year but after a bunch of research looks I should do them more often.  Or at least check the rear seal.  I tow it just about every weekend.  That’s up to an hour each way.  Plus many trips to Taney.  4 hours each way.  @fishinwrenchwhat do you suggest?  I had a pre greased hub in the truck just in case but didn’t need it.    I figured others might want some info too.  TIA

[nomolites]

FW is the wrench, but it looks like you lost the buddy cap....I would have them repacked, bearings inspected, and replace the missing cap.  Pressure buildup for some reason can do that, but also if you clipped something with that hub end you could have knocked it loose.

Mike

[fishinwrench]

1 hour ago, snagged in outlet 3 said:

@fishinwrenchwhat do you suggest? 

I suggest that if you plan to keep up this worldwide traveling to fish... you'd better tighten up your maintenance schedule.  😅

[snagged in outlet 3]

26 minutes ago, fishinwrench said:

I suggest that if you plan to keep up this worldwide traveling to fish... you'd better tighten up your maintenance schedule.  😅

So do I repack a couple times a year or trust the ez lube system?

[aarchdale@coresleep.com]

If your wheel was about to fall off you better make sure the axle isnt grooved and messed up where the bearings ride...  When mine did that it ruined my axle and i had to order a new one

[Bushbeater]

Time for a new boat. I take a look at the bearings at least once a year, and before every long trip. I keep a bag of bearings and seals and the proper tools in the truck if I'm going a long ways. I once watched my buddys wheel come off and go so far into the woods it couldn't be found.

[snagged in outlet 3]

7 hours ago, Bushbeater said:

Time for a new boat. I take a look at the bearings at least once a year, and before every long trip. I keep a bag of bearings and seals and the proper tools in the truck if I'm going a long ways. I once watched my buddys wheel come off and go so far into the woods it couldn't be found.

I keep a spare pre greased hub and tools in the truck.    Don’t know how I made it home.  My son is coming over to rip it apart and see what’s up.  I love the boat!   I’ve had so much fun in it.  

[MrGiggles]

She's cooked. The biggest issue is what kind of shape the spindle is in. 

Don't rely on bearing buddies alone. They are a good idea in theory but don't hold up all that well in practice. They won't pump fresh grease in where it actually needs to go.

A couple times per year pop the cap off, remove the spindle nut, and slide the hub/wheel assembly off. Check the grease in the rear bearing, make sure it's still liquid and hasn't turned into coffee grounds, add new grease if it needs it. That's all you need to do.

The bearings and races are fairly inexpensive and usually not hard to find. Autozone and TSC usually have them in stock.

[snagged in outlet 3]

1 hour ago, MrGiggles said:

She's cooked. The biggest issue is what kind of shape the spindle is in. 

Don't rely on bearing buddies alone. They are a good idea in theory but don't hold up all that well in practice. They won't pump fresh grease in where it actually needs to go.

A couple times per year pop the cap off, remove the spindle nut, and slide the hub/wheel assembly off. Check the grease in the rear bearing, make sure it's still liquid and hasn't turned into coffee grounds, add new grease if it needs it. That's all you need to do.

The bearings and races are fairly inexpensive and usually not hard to find. Autozone and TSC usually have them in stock.

Yep, that's my plan from here on out.  Thx.  They tout the bearing buddys get grease into the rear race but a bunch of Youtube videos show otherwise.  

[fishinwrench]

Bearing Buddy's are supposed to keep water out of the hub assembly, but every boat trailer hub I have ever opened up had water in it.    

I still highly recommend Bearing Buddy's.....but I treat the hubs as if they don't have them.