Wheel bearing issues

[Christos]

Hi there. I am about to pick up a rib on a single axle trailer for a 100 mile trip -the trailer has never left the boat yard before so has only been used to house the rib and move it to the slip for launch and recovery. The trailer is about 3 years old. The rib is approx 5m with a 50Hp so not too heavy.
Should I be concerned?
What can I sensibly do to ensure I do not encounter any problems on my journey?
Thanks

[kerny]

Take a grease gun down with you, check if there is any play on the wheels if not to bad, give the wheels a good grease up on the grease nipples, jack wheels up and give them a spin if only a slight rumble it should be okay to get you home taking it easy. If there is a lot of play and a lot of rumble don't chance it.

My hunch is though, because it's only been used from yard to slip, I very much doubt that it has been greased and maintained on a regular basis, so there is a good chance that the bearings are not in good order. So find out the make of the trailer and take a spare set of bearings with you and if you can't do it yourself get someone local to fit them for you. Trailer guy who is the expert and a trade member on here, if he see's this post can give you some better advice.

[jyasaki]

If you do get on the road without rebuilding (actually, even if you do), drive about 5 miles or so and pull over and feel the hub of the trailer wheels. Should be cool, maybe just warm to the touch. Hot means you're generating a bunch of friction, and bearing failure is imminent.

jky

[Trailer Guy]

Hi Christos

Braked or unbraked?

[PeterM]

I know your worry . I recentypicked up an trailer with a 200mile drive ahead of me....I had everything I could think of in the car , grease , grease gun , tools , jack , and even spare hubs ( with bearing already in ) .

Turns out all was fine and no drama at all . But I think just swapping hubs is easier than trying to chenge bearing from in the hubs. There have been some posts about the same on here.

If you can work out or find out the make I'd defo take some spares....(I'm assuming its unbraked given the size/ engine.)

Pete

[Christos]

Hi Trailer Guy
This is an unbraked trailer

[Trailer Guy]

Hi Chritos

Do you know the manufacturer? Most use a standard cast hub, but some do use variations on PCD and bearing type.

As PeteM says, with unbraked trailers it's often just as easy and economical to change the entire hub.

A very common hub is a cast unit, with 4 x 3/8" studs on a 4" PCD. They use bearings that the same size on both the inner and outer, but the inner bearing has an attached seal. They're likely to be taper roller bearings, same size on both inner and outer (outside bearing size 50mm, inside diameter 25mm). Bearing numbers likely to be:

Inner cone: L44643L (seal attached)
Inner cup: L44610
Outer cone: L44643
Inner cup: L44610

However, an entire hub (if it's the above) should only set you back around £20.

Depending on where in Somerset you're based, you could try:

Bridgwater Trailer Centre Home Page

I used to deal with them, a long time ago, and they were always helpful and friendly.

If you're still unsure, post a pic up of the current hubs (if one's obtainable) or talk to the chap you've bought the RIB from, he may have some details on the trailer.

Good luck.