Axle bearings sealed or tapered

[martin33100]

Originally Posted by Maximus

10 yrs one trailer 1000's 0f miles 100's of launches and recoverys
Just One set!
....(had real problems like most with tapered and none sealed stuff in the past)
Sealed! 100%!!no argument!
Oh....and Grease Packed "bearing savers" too

Thanks for your reply.
I saw your comment regarding sealed bearings and using bearing savers.
Surely won’t sealed bearings be sealed and not able to take on additional grease?

[Peter_C]

The only way to get grease into a sealed bearing is to carefully remove the seal from the outboard side and use a needle type grease fitting, and pump grease in between the bearings. I do that often with smaller sealed bearings, and mid sized machinery bearings, but I wouldn't do it with a vehicle wheel bearing.

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by martin33100

Thanks for your reply.

I saw your comment regarding sealed bearings and using bearing savers.

Surely won’t sealed bearings be sealed and not able to take on additional grease?

The grease won’t get into the bearings, but it will fill the voids around the bearings & stop water from getting into the hub.

[CJL]

Originally Posted by martin33100

Hi, how did you find your Degraaff trailer?.
I have just been offered an ex display double axle one with £1000 discount, it’s basically new but the boat yard have moved a couple of boats with it.

It wasn't bad but just doesn't look as "beefy" as the new Indespension one. I recently spoke to somebody who uses them commercially but he did say they are fine as long as you move them on fairly frequently.

Chris

[martin33100]

Originally Posted by CJL

It wasn't bad but just doesn't look as "beefy" as the new Indespension one. I recently spoke to somebody who uses them commercially but he did say they are fine as long as you move them on fairly frequently.

Chris

Thanks for the reply, I am tempted to go any buy an Extreme trailer to be honest.
I live in Southampon where they are actually made so at least I can get bits locally if needed.

[Dry_Doc]

The original set of sealed bearings on my Bramber single (Alko) axle trailer lasted 9 years. Subsequent sets lasted 3-4 years until tinworm got the better of the pressed steel, hollow drop arms.
I replaced it with a new axle running Knott brakes and hubs. I prefer the brake arrangements (much easier to adjust than Alko!!!) and the drop arms are solid.
I've seen far more issues with taper roller bearings, but this is almost always due to poor or infrequent maintenance.
I'm also an advocate of hub flushing kits which REALLY helps prolong the life of brake components.

[martin33100]

Originally Posted by Dry_Doc

The original set of sealed bearings on my Bramber single (Alko) axle trailer lasted 9 years. Subsequent sets lasted 3-4 years until tinworm got the better of the pressed steel, hollow drop arms.
I replaced it with a new axle running Knott brakes and hubs. I prefer the brake arrangements (much easier to adjust than Alko!!!) and the drop arms are solid.
I've seen far more issues with taper roller bearings, but this is almost always due to poor or infrequent maintenance.
I'm also an advocate of hub flushing kits which REALLY helps prolong the life of brake components.

Thanks for your reply, Extreme will be adding a flush kit and side steps on my new trailer.
Regarding the hollow arms do you think the water gets inside them?

[Peter_C]

Off topic, but I would recommend side bunks for making it easy to load in less than ideal conditions. I used to have a trailer that had poles with roller pipe and if the bow was between them it was on the trailer. My current boat trailer doesn't have side bunks, but will soon.

[Orwell boy]

Originally Posted by martin33100

Thanks for your reply, Extreme will be adding a flush kit and side steps on my new trailer.
Regarding the hollow arms do you think the water gets inside them?

Definitely allow water in ,they rot from the inside out ,hence they will catch you out ! but not for the first five years ........snipe/rapide/mersea /bramber (colchester) run on uk made knott axles with sealed bearings ,however i did see the hollow arms on a german made knott axle fitted on a Brenderup goods trailer recently so the days of solid knott axles may be numbered ! hope knot !

[whiskylee]

Suspension arms (hollow) [emoji30]

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[A1an]

That’s some serious camber you are running there

[Dry_Doc]

Originally Posted by martin33100

Regarding the hollow arms do you think the water gets inside them?

Yes, they have drain holes in them.
See whiskylee's reply!

[gpsguru]

Originally Posted by martin33100

Hi, I am looking at a new boat and as it’s currently moored I will need to buy a trailer for it.
I have looked into most of the makes available and I will probably get a double axle Degraaff or Extreme.
Degraaff uses tapered bearing on a Knot axle and Extreme uses a sealed plain bearing in a complete assembly on an ALKO axle.

Has anyone had any issues with the ALKO axles?

My Rapid trailer has a Knott water resistant axle fitted with triple sealed euro bearings (64mm single piece bearing). I use the boat quite a lot and launch / recover about 40 times per year, and the bearings are still original and have so far lasted 4 years.

[martin33100]

Originally Posted by Dry_Doc

Yes, they have drain holes in them.
See whiskylee's reply!

I wonder if you could spray something like wax oil inside them when they are new?.

[beamishken]

Originally Posted by martin33100

I wonder if you could spray something like wax oil inside them when they are new?.

Or you could just go for a Knott axle with solid drop arms & avoid the potential failure altogether

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[Orwell boy]

Originally Posted by beamishken

Or you could just go for a Knott axle with solid drop arms & avoid the potential failure altogether

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[martin33100]

I have just ordered my new trailer and the Alko axle now has solid swing arms, I did take a picture but for some reason it won’t let me upload it.