Sealed bearings on a Rapide

CJL · 14 October 2011, 18:29

Evening all,

Does anybody know if the Rapide trailer below has sealed bearings fitted?

Yes I know its a pants picture!!!

Many thanks,

Chris

Boats&Outboards · 14 October 2011, 18:41

No idea im afraid but I'd say the hull needs a couple of spots of gelcoat filler, cheap and easy to do before it develops.

Peter ~ Boatsandoutboards4sale ~ askboatsandoutboards4sale@sky.com ~ 07930 421007

CJL · 14 October 2011, 20:48

already on the list!!

Boats&Outboards · 14 October 2011, 21:45

How did you get them ? Was it trailer recovery

CJL · 14 October 2011, 23:05

No idea.....its a boat I'm looking at.

If it has sealed bearings I want to factor in the cost of a new trailer.

CJL

Boats&Outboards · 14 October 2011, 23:09

Why ? Sealed bearings are stronger and easy to change, just need pressed out. you don't need a new trailer because of them that's for sure!

Damage looks like could be due to way it's recovered so use that as your bargaining chip! Pardon the pun

Peter ~ Boatsandoutboards4sale ~ askboatsandoutboards4sale@sky.com ~ 07930 421007

captnjack · 14 October 2011, 23:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boats&Outboards

Damage looks like could be due to way it's recovered so use that as your bargaining chip!

Exactly, bearings are cheap and hidden anyway. Hard to use them as a negotiating point. The hull damage is obvious and probably more expensive to repair than replacing the bearings too. Use those chips to get the price down to your liking.

Chris · 14 October 2011, 23:37

I did '000s of miles on sealed bearing over 3 years they were fine and are still fine now.

CJL · 14 October 2011, 23:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boats&Outboards

Why ? Sealed bearings are stronger and easy to change, just need pressed out. 7

So how do you press them out at the side of the road?

Chris

Chris · 14 October 2011, 23:51

I always carried a spare drum with bearings, damn slight easier to change than a pair of tapered bearings.

Boats&Outboards · 15 October 2011, 00:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJL

So how do you press them out at the side of the road?

Chris

You don't but if a buyer wanted me to drop the price of a trailer to account for it having sealed bearings I'd end discussion and tell him to be on his bike. If a buyer decides to want to change a perfectly working system then that's at his own cost not something that should be asked to be discounted for on a sale for.

You don't press them out at the roadside, you carry a spare hub ready to drop right on. Far easier. It's more difficult for me as were never know what bearing to carry for each collection. We tend to bring a few variations and hope for the best. If the worst happens we have a recovery service able to assist then repair when back at the workshop.

Sealed bearings generally speaking will outlast a taper set by years. If you really did want to change them you would not need to change the entire trailer anyway just the hubs, possibly the stub axle but id suggest it unrealistic to factor a replacement trailer for such a reason. It actually looks in quite good condition too. Saying that if the seller is willing to drop then go for it.

Like others have said I'd use other negatives to get the price down.

Peter ~ Boatsandoutboards4sale ~ askboatsandoutboards4sale@sky.com ~ 07930 421007

Trailer Guy · 15 October 2011, 20:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boats&Outboards

Sealed bearings generally speaking will outlast a taper set by years.

Not if you dunk 'em in the drink all the time!

Boats&Outboards · 15 October 2011, 20:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trailer Guy

Not if you dunk 'em in the drink all the time!

My point being surely it's better to dunk sealed units than unsealed though - and would you deem it reasonable to "factor" an entire replacement trailer into an offer because it's got said bearings rather than just hubs/bearings etc ?

Peter ~ Boatsandoutboards4sale ~ askboatsandoutboards4sale@sky.com ~ 07930 421007

tony t · 15 October 2011, 22:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris

I always carried a spare drum with bearings, damn slight easier to change than a pair of tapered bearings.

New boat on the way chris

Trailer Guy · 15 October 2011, 22:23

Hi Peter

I've never found a 'sealed' bearing that truly stays sealed. Even the ones advertised as 'waterproof'. That said, some people get lucky and they last quite a while. However, given the choice, I'd have (and do have on my trailers) taper roller bearings. Purely for the fact that I can take them apart, inspect them and service them. Obviously 'sealed' ones aren't designed to be serviced. They're excellent on caravans, but not boat trailers, for my money.

In answer to your question - no, I think that's a tad excessive!

Boats&Outboards · 15 October 2011, 23:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trailer Guy

Hi Peter

I've never found a 'sealed' bearing that truly stays sealed. Even the ones advertised as 'waterproof'. That said, some people get lucky and they last quite a while. However, given the choice, I'd have (and do have on my trailers) taper roller bearings. Purely for the fact that I can take them apart, inspect them and service them. Obviously 'sealed' ones aren't designed to be serviced. They're excellent on caravans, but not boat trailers, for my money.

In answer to your question - no, I think that's a tad excessive!

I appreciate taper bearings can be maintained but when they go they go. I've found the sealed ones to be a bit stronger and at least to the extent of a "get me home" solution

Obviously I bow to your experience/expertise on the matter though.

Peter ~ Boatsandoutboards4sale ~ askboatsandoutboards4sale@sky.com ~ 07930 421007

CJL · 16 October 2011, 00:16

Evening all,

I'm pleased the post has provoked some discussion on the various pros and cons of the different bearing types.

However, just a few clarifications, I'm not trying to get a discount on the cost the vendor is proposing.

For my needs I have already decided that sealed bearings wont work for me. Dunking trailers is essential on my local slipways and its a regular occurrence. That, coupled with all the miles I do towing and a need for high reliability/easy "repair-ability" means I need to stick to tapered bearings with bearing savers.

Its this reason that I want to check that the trailer hasn't got sealed bearings so if it has I can purchase a new trailer without them.

So if anybody can advise if it has got sealed bearings I'd be grateful.

Thanks,

Chris

Boats&Outboards · 16 October 2011, 09:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJL

Evening all,

I'm pleased the post has provoked some discussion on the various pros and cons of the different bearing types.

However, just a few clarifications, I'm not trying to get a discount on the cost the vendor is proposing.

For my needs I have already decided that sealed bearings wont work for me. Dunking trailers is essential on my local slipways and its a regular occurrence. That, coupled with all the miles I do towing and a need for high reliability/easy "repair-ability" means I need to stick to tapered bearings with bearing savers.

Its this reason that I want to check that the trailer hasn't got sealed bearings so if it has I can purchase a new trailer without them.

So if anybody can advise if it has got sealed bearings I'd be grateful.

Thanks,

Chris

Fair comments. I still think you would be better served buying replacement hubs with the preferred bearings that's going to be cheaper than a new trailer but it's your call

Best of luck with it either way

Peter ~ Boatsandoutboards4sale ~ askboatsandoutboards4sale@sky.com ~ 07930 421007

Trailer Guy · 16 October 2011, 09:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boats&Outboards

I appreciate taper bearings can be maintained but when they go they go. I've found the sealed ones to be a bit stronger and at least to the extent of a "get me home" solution

Obviously I bow to your experience/expertise on the matter though.

Peter ~ Boatsandoutboards4sale ~ askboatsandoutboards4sale@sky.com ~ 07930 421007

Hi Peter

Horses for courses! I fully appreciate both sides of the discussion.

Chris

If you could get a closer / better picture of the drum I should be able to tell you what gear it's running on and whether, or not, it's got SFL bearings.

biffer · 16 October 2011, 10:02

There is one point that hasn't been mentioned with bearings. Let them cool down before you put it in the water. Any bearing sealed or otherwise will suck in water as it cools. Another thing if you have a grease nipple on the hub you can push water out by pumping in grease. Can't do that with sealed bearings

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