(Un)lucky Day!

[tonto]

Overnight I pulled the RIB from Somerset, through Glasgow, and to Campbeltown, stopped twice on the way for fuel etc, checked wheels and hubs each time, no real heat etc, all seemed fine. Last stop was just after Glasgow.

We finally got to our destination, and as we went through the gate to the causeway to the Island, one of the wheels of the trailer fell off!

It was very hot, sizzling noisily in the wet grass, so I guess the bearing had failed!

As we did not have too long to get across, we crawled over on 3 wheels!


Of course I had no spare hub, so will order 2 complete hubs!

Luckily we are here for at least 3 weeks, so we will launch as is, put the boat on the mooring and fix it.
Also pointed out was as though it was unlucky to have failed, at least it did so only a mile from the destination, and all off road.

Note to oneself, Always carry a spare hub!

[beerbelly]

I think you were lucky very lucky get the lotto done while your on a roll

[Doug_G]

Why not replace all four (4) hubs?

[jyasaki]

I had a brake shoe fail (most likely due to rust), and the entire bearing, after smoking a lot, burst into flame. A fire extinguisher and lot of water bottles later, it was towed to a place that replaced everything on the left side, and shoes on the right.

Not exactly an ideal trip.

Glad you made it with as little problem as you did.

jky

[Poly]

I think you were lucky. Did you tow it across the causeway to Davaar?

[Trimix]

Whoa !

*makes mental note to remove trailer wheels, inspect and book service*

[Trailer Guy]

Check your shoes and cables too.

The most common reason for the brakes cooking, ergo dispersing any grease and making the bearing fail, is due to the brakes seizing / dragging. And the most common reason for that is seized cables.

Check that the shoes are ok too, and not delaminating, as the linings are only glued on nowadays and often the heat cooks the glue off.

If you've still got the drum then you shouldn't need a new one. Just clean up the inside face and fit new bearings and you should be fine.

[tonto]

Originally Posted by Doug_G

Why not replace all four (4) hubs?

The aft axle was added last year for just such an incident, bought it brand new, so I am happy with them. I will probably renew both, and keep the old hub/bearings as an emergency spare.

Poly, yes I did, we are staying here for a while, lovely place, we have a mooring, and jetty to use here, although the jetty is only a couple of hours either side of HW

[tonto]

Originally Posted by Trailer Guy

Check your shoes and cables too.

The most common reason for the brakes cooking, ergo dispersing any grease and making the bearing fail, is due to the brakes seizing / dragging. And the most common reason for that is seized cables.

Check that the shoes are ok too, and not delaminating, as the linings are only glued on nowadays and often the heat cooks the glue off.

If you've still got the drum then you shouldn't need a new one. Just clean up the inside face and fit new bearings and you should be fine.

Thanks for the advice, will do once I get the boat on the mooring.

I didnt think I can change the bearings, the axle is by peak, and when I ordered the axle last year I had asked for a spare set of bearings, and they told me that they were not replaceable.

[paintman]

Sounds like an excellent reason not to buy stuff by Peak!
Are they saying you need to buy a complete hub/brake drum assembly?
I'd have a look at the bearings to see what numbers are on them, then see if a decent bearing supplier can sort you out.

Its one of the plus sides of twin axle trailers. Many years ago we bought a brand new caravan. On its inaugural run we were heading south on the M1. I noticed that a number of people were passing us & pointing downwards. A quick stop on the hard shoulder revealed a completely shredded tyre. I had no idea when it happened as there was no change in the caravan. Pulled off at the next off slip & changed the wheel.

[Trailer Guy]

Originally Posted by tonto

they told me that they were not replaceable.

I've yet to find a set I couldn't change and I've been doing this twenty years now... think someone may be telling porkies tbh.

Although it's the front one that's failed, not the rear... Or did you ask for an exact copy for the second axle?

[tonto]

I did ask for an exact copy. The original had a serial number on it, and when I made contact, they were able to match it from their records.

[Trailer Guy]

Hmmm. Post a couple of pics up if the drum and any bearing numbers you can glean and I'm sure I can point you in the right direction.

Unless you're still looking to replace and keep a couple of spares, in which case I'll shut up!

[wavelength]

that's a long old tow, glad it did the honourable thing and waited for a quiet place to fall apart

[tonto]

Here are some more pics. There is nothing left of the bearing at all, and the hub looks like I would need a local workshop to remove the bearing.
I also would replace the brake shoes.
I will launch tomorrow, so can take the other wheel apart after that to see if I can see what type of bearings are there.

[A1an]

It looks as dry as a wooden God.

Get some heat on to that race it might pull off.

[tonto]

All the grease probably burnt off with the heat!
You can see how hot it got by the Colour on the wheel.
I think I will need a new rim as well

[tonto]

Originally Posted by wavelength

that's a long old tow, glad it did the honourable thing and waited for a quiet place to fall apart

530 miles according to google maps!

[Trailer Guy]

Those inner races will come off. May need a bit of a thump with a cold chisel.

If not, a bearing puller will do it. Or, worst case, cut in to them with a grinder (take care with the stub axle) and then split them in half.

Brakes look like Knott 200x50. Should be around £50 for an axle set (2 pairs of shoes and two sets of springs).

[paintman]

Lots of pics on Trailer Teks website:
Trailer Parts and Spares TrailerTek