Luck of the Irish... trailer troubles

[SamRiley]

Driving back with my boat after her spring service, the trailer was sounding a little funny. It was a very rainy night though and the roads were rough so I figured that it was the jack stand rattling or something. The next morning I'm out in the driveway with a cup of tea, looking over the boat and daydreaming about the season to come. Then I notice something. One of my bearing buddies is missing. Not only that, but the wheel doesn't look quite right. I jacked up the trailer and my heart almost stops.... the elevated wheel is wobbling. I grabbed it for further inspection and the wheel falls right off. The bearings were totally disintegrated and it was only pure luck that the wheel didn't come off on the highway.

I just bought the boat last fall and only had a half dozen trips with her before I had to put her down for the season. I'm new to trailering and so didn't think to inspect the bearings... it just wasn't on my radar. Now and forever more it will be. I was lucky and can now learn from my experience. Please, if you haven't done so already, give your trailer a safety check before you hit the road. It could save your boat and your life.

[Bob Parsons]

With my small duck boat and my utility trailerm, I used to have that happen. Even with the lund It happened. Preventive maintence was the only way, Part of the preseason ritual.

Current boat has bearing buddies with the protective end cap. Only time I had a problem was knocking one off on a curbing while cornering.

[PeteV]

Sam ... your a lucky guy.
It could have been worse.
I'm just the paranoid type.
my 2 constant fears: #1 engine conking out, #2 Trailer problems.
I've been reading up and practicing how to swap the bearings as well as how to make sure their greased properly. As well as now I'm swapping out the lights with a fresh set. I was a clutz last season and was suprised by a serious speed bump (the cut-through behind Nausett Icecream & the Bank in front of Blackbeards) and had the trailer pop off the hitch. I hit the bump & suddenly hear this loud scraping sound.....hmmm..I've got a problem, put on the brakes & yep my trailer hits the back of the truck....what a dope...I should have slowly stopped rather than hit the brake....live & learn!!

Glad you & the boat are OK!!