Wheelclamps and bearing buddies

Nos4r2 · 28 April 2007, 23:02

Does anyone know of a decent clamp that fits over a bearing buddy? I can't see any clamps that allow for them anywhere on the market.

Biggles · 29 April 2007, 00:30

Matt,

What size wheel. I have a wheel clamp going at half retail. SAS type for up to 12 inch wheels I think but would have to check. I also have a Bulldog Hitchlock if interested.

NR.

Nos4r2 · 29 April 2007, 00:38

PM sent

nik · 29 April 2007, 12:46

I have one of these
I also have bearing savers. So long as the bearing saver does not stick out much further than the sidewall of the tyre you should be ok.

Nick.

Nos4r2 · 29 April 2007, 14:07

Cheers-that's an expensive chunk of steel!

nik · 29 April 2007, 14:42

Quote:

Cheers-that's an expensive chunk of steel!

Peanuts compared to what it is protecting.

The tubes are full of concrete.

Nick.

Nos4r2 · 29 April 2007, 14:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by nik

Peanuts compared to what it is protecting.

The tubes are full of concrete.

Nick.

Yeah true. I don't normally skimp on stuff like that but I'm a tad broke after buying the boat.

nik · 29 April 2007, 15:52

Seriously though, I am quite pleased with it, it is bloody heavy.
Someone here posted that the easiest way of getting a clamp off was to drive it off. Whilst not wishing anyone to try it on my boat, it would be interesting to see how much punishment it could take.

Nick.

Ian M · 29 April 2007, 16:40

Matt,
I have a Bulldog Titan on my trailer, which is fitted with bearing savers.

Nos4r2 · 29 April 2007, 17:00

Cheers Ian. I think I'm looking at either the Titan or the Nemesis then.

Hightower · 29 April 2007, 21:04

I bought a Bulldog Titan from Trailer tek.

I found that I had to go for a slightly wider clamp to overcome the bearing savers on my trailer. However when on the wheel you could get an open ended spanner in between the tyre and disc of the wheel clamp. I might buy a couple of wheel trims and cut out the centres to clear the savers.

That said though, if someone really wanted your pride and joy they'll have it. Providing you wheel clamp and other security measures satisfy the insurance company I don't think you can do more than that.

Ian M · 29 April 2007, 21:11

Mine fit OK, but I must admit that it is a close fit. I guess that it is down to the actual fit on your size wheels.

See if the nice man in the shop will let you try before you buy Matt!

Hightower · 29 April 2007, 21:15

Perhaps my bearing savers stick out more than others, I did make some once, Mark Halliday has the prototype ones and the person that bought Kohaku have my other ones. Now they where low profile.

jwalker · 29 April 2007, 21:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hightower

I found that I had to go for a slightly wider clamp to overcome the bearing savers on my trailer. However when on the wheel you could get an open ended spanner in between the tyre and disc of the wheel clamp.

Andy, was it possible to drive the nuts completely off the studs with the clamp in place?

Nos4r2 · 29 April 2007, 21:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwalker

Andy, was it possible to drive the nuts completely off the studs with the clamp in place?

I've just realised something.
If the wheel can't pass over the bearing saver it's not going to come off anyway. All undoing the wheelnuts will do is mean the wheel falls off when you take the clamp off.

I'm actually quite tempted to go for one of these at the top along with two sets of locking wheelnuts-the combination of which apparently meets 'sold secure' specs. That way I'd be able to lock the spare wheel to the trailer too.

jwalker · 29 April 2007, 21:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

I've just realised something.
If the wheel can't pass over the bearing saver it's not going to come off anyway.

Won't the wheel always be able to pass over the bearing saver?

Nos4r2 · 29 April 2007, 22:01

You have a point. Do any of the clamps go far enough round the wheel so the brake drum prevents removal?

Hightower · 30 April 2007, 08:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwalker

Andy, was it possible to drive the nuts completely off the studs with the clamp in place?

Yep

Hightower · 30 April 2007, 08:23

Locking wheel nuts as Nos4r2 suggests would be a good Idea providing they don't rust up with continual dipping into the Solent.

Chris · 30 April 2007, 08:25

In all fairness even if they could drive the nuts off the wheels I doubt whether they would bother, far quicker to take a sledge hammer, angle grinder or cutting torch to it.

Lets face it these things are just a detterent to passing oppurtunistic wankers.

Chris