Are there sealed bearings on boat trailers?

[erlindbl]

I recently sold my boat of 24 years which had a bearing buddy axle. I greased them often and never had a problem with it. I got a new boat with an EZ loader galvanized trailer. It is hauling an 18 foot Glastron and has no trailer brakes. I went to grease the bearings, but could not find a grease fitting. I checked through all of my paperwork on the boat but could not find any information on the trailer.

Do they make sealed bearings for boat trailers now, or do I need to check harder for a grease fitting? The hubs are covered with a plastic piece which did not appear to come off.

Thought I would ask here before I went further...

Thank you

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Are there sealed bearings on boat trailers?

Boat trailers do not have sealed bearings. Even though your previous trailer had spindles with grease fittings, that does not mean they shouldn't be disassembled, cleaned, inspected, repacked, and reassembled every couple of years. Annually if you frequently launch in salt water. Your boat manual will not discuss trailer maintenance because the boat manufacturer didn't make it. The trailer manufacturer provides maintenance procedures. Your new trailer may have bearing buddies and the plastic you see is nothing more than a rubber cover. It MUST come off because the spindle nut is behind that and is the only way the hub could be removed. Remove the cover. You will likely find a grease fitting.

 

[leoo24]

Re: Are there sealed bearings on boat trailers?

I was going to post a general question about bearings in the US, whether you guys had sealed bearings or not as i always see you guys talking about bearing buddies and repacking etc..

here in europe, UK/spain anyway i've seen a lot of sealed bearings, i have teflon sealed bearings on my dual axel 3 tonne trailer, dipped in sea water every summer 3 years on the trot and good as new. I only travel 5km to slipway though.


Seeing as they seem easier maintenance wise, what are the pros and cons for sealed and non-sealed that you guys in the US use non sealed?

 

[109jb]

Re: Are there sealed bearings on boat trailers?

Seeing as they seem easier maintenance wise, what are the pros and cons for sealed and non-sealed that you guys in the US use non sealed?

For us in the US, i think it is just the fact that the trailers manufactured here do not use sealed bearings. One con though that I see is not being able to visually inspect the bearings on a sealed bearing. On the non-sealed bearings I have "seen" things while cleaning/inspecting/re-packing that I didn't like before the bearing would ever "feel" bad. A pro for sealed would be no maintenance other than trying to feel a bad bearing. I'll stich with the unsealed bearings myself.

 

[C-worthy]

Re: Are there sealed bearings on boat trailers?

This is a good question. Some American cars had sealed bearings 30 years ago. They usually last the life of the car in all extremes of temperature (especially on front discs) and moisture. You would think if they can do all that, they could tolerate being submerged also. It would be interesting to submerge one and see if bubbles come out, indicating that it might not really be "sealed".

By the way, I check my car's sealed bearings the same way I usually check my boat trailer's unsealed bearings: by spinning them and listening. My experience has been, any damage or wear to bearings will show up in their sound.

Maybe the American boat trailer market hasn't gone to sealed just because of cost or "that's the way we've always done it...."

 

[leoo24]

Re: Are there sealed bearings on boat trailers?

I guess once we get set in our ways it's hard to change...

but that brings another question... i've never had to do anything with car bearings ever, whilst ofcourse i don't drive through sea water with my car i do go through many puddles, so how to they last so much longer than trailer bearings?

 

[109jb]

Re: Are there sealed bearings on boat trailers?

i don't drive through sea water with my car.....so how to they last so much longer than trailer bearings?

I'd say you already have your answer. On my non-boat trailers I rarely check the bearings other than to look at the hub seal to make sure it isn't blown. Also, trailer bearings many times are under more load than a car. A 3500 pound single axle trailer has 1750 pounds on each wheel and a 3500 pound car has about 875 pounds per wheel.

 

[abj87]

Re: Are there sealed bearings on boat trailers?

Not to mention trailer bearings are cheaper that sealed bearings. and of much much lower quality than auto bearings. You may be lucky to 30k out of a trailer bearing but in a car that would be unacceptable.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Are there sealed bearings on boat trailers?

This is a good question. Some American cars had sealed bearings 30 years ago.

Actually, all FWD cars use sealed bearings up front, and many have them in the back.

 

[FishOn123]

Re: Are there sealed bearings on boat trailers?

erlindbl you may have oil bath hubs. My Easy Loader does. If you do there is a small allen screw in the side of the hub that you can drain and fill with oil. It is easiest to do this with the wheels off. Do not over tighten the allen screw or it will be difficult to remove later.