Boat dealers against bearing Buddies?

[edwardh1]

I have been looking at 17-18 ft new boats and tell the dealers what I want, including among other things a trailer with bearing buddies.
Most of the dealers say Oh No we dont use those, we use xyz and they try to explain what they use.
What gives? I used BB for 12 years on the last boat without problems (did sling some grease out on the inside but we greased it a lot.)
Are BB past their prime?

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Boat dealers against bearing Buddies?

I thought that most trailers these days came with through spindle greasing. Bearing buddies are fine if you need to add them to an old trailer, but not something you are usually going to see on a new trailer.

 

[robert graham]

Re: Boat dealers against bearing Buddies?

If you get a trailer with the through spindle greasing then you won't need Bearing Buddies. If you just have to have some you can buy a pair of Bearing Buddies at Walmart or most any hardwear store and install them yourself, just tap them in the hub with a hammer. The through spindle grease system works very well, that's what I have and you just remove that little rubber cap, a couple of shots of grease, wipe off the old grease, replace the cap, go fishing!

 

[jacknbella]

Re: Boat dealers against bearing Buddies?

I'm seeing oil bath hubs more and more lately on newer boat trailers. On-hwy trucks use them everywhere so they must have some advantage.

They are less messy and are advertised to have 4X the lubrication of greased hubs. However, should a seal ever give way, I don't suppose the bearings will last longer than a couple minutes, unlike greased hubs. In other words, the verdict is probably still out.

Clear as mud?

 

[jaxnjil]

Re: Boat dealers against bearing Buddies?

I thought that most trailers these days came with through spindle greasing. Bearing buddies are fine if you need to add them to an old trailer, but not something you are usually going to see on a new trailer.

they came from the factory on our new 2010 4 axle trailer????

8 of them in all

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Boat dealers against bearing Buddies?

they came from the factory on our new 2010 4 axle trailer????

8 of them in all

Who made the trailer? Even my car dolly and car trailer have thru spindle greasing.

 

[642mx]

Re: Boat dealers against bearing Buddies?

I have been looking at 17-18 ft new boats and tell the dealers what I want, including among other things a trailer with bearing buddies.
Most of the dealers say Oh No we dont use those, we use xyz and they try to explain what they use.
What gives? I used BB for 12 years on the last boat without problems (did sling some grease out on the inside but we greased it a lot.)
Are BB past their prime?

Simply tell the dealer that you 'must have' bearing buddies installed or you'll find a dealer that will. Make them throw in a spare rim/tire while your at it.

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: Boat dealers against bearing Buddies?

I'm seeing oil bath hubs more and more lately on newer boat trailers. On-hwy trucks use them everywhere so they must have some advantage.

They are less messy and are advertised to have 4X the lubrication of greased hubs. However, should a seal ever give way, I don't suppose the bearings will last longer than a couple minutes, unlike greased hubs. In other words, the verdict is probably still out.

Clear as mud?

These are the best in my opinion.
And yes they can fail, but the same is true for a greased bearing, when either run out of lube they are finished.

For me, BB's are not worth tossing in the trash. I cant stand them and removed them from any trailer I own that has had them.

 

[crablegs]

Re: Boat dealers against bearing Buddies?

Got a buddy who has a trailer with one bearing buddy, and one that you fill with gear lube. I am not a fan of the oil reservoir ones, if it cracks all the oil is gonna run out, if a bb cracks the grease will stay in, and the oil ones are tricker to fill.

 

[BoatNoobie]

Re: Boat dealers against bearing Buddies?

I'm seeing oil bath hubs more and more lately on newer boat trailers. On-hwy trucks use them everywhere so they must have some advantage.

They are less messy and are advertised to have 4X the lubrication of greased hubs. However, should a seal ever give way, I don't suppose the bearings will last longer than a couple minutes, unlike greased hubs. In other words, the verdict is probably still out.

Clear as mud?

When it leaks from the seals, it's a very slow leak. As long as it's not gushing out. Fill up to maximum level and drive wherever you have to. It will be no problems. I had a bad seal this year on my ez loader. Drove 200 miles with it with no issues.

 

[Outsider]

Re: Boat dealers against bearing Buddies?

Simply tell the dealer that you 'must have' bearing buddies installed or you'll find a dealer that will.

I think he should do a little more homework, BBs are old technology ...

 

[642mx]

Re: Boat dealers against bearing Buddies?

I think he should do a little more homework, BBs are old technology ...

And so are small block Chevy's.... but they still get the job done. Point is, if the OPer wants bearing buddies, then he should insist the dealer installs them before delivery.

 

[BoatNoobie]

Re: Boat dealers against bearing Buddies?

And so are small block Chevy's.... but they still get the job done. Point is, if the OPer wants bearing buddies, then he should insist the dealer installs them before delivery.

unless they are like the thru-spindle type hub. then it's counter productive and interfers with the workings of the hub.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Boat dealers against bearing Buddies?

What seems to be missing here is the fact that "Genuine" Bearing Buddies, when properly used, maintain a slight positive pressure on the hubs to prevent water incursion. Some of the imitators are no more than a dust cap with a grease fitting. You cannot pump anything into the hub with those without expelling air or grease. Where does it go? Past the seal. My personal 2008 Shorelander trailer came with Bearing Buddies. I'm not endorsing any of the lube systems. Some are just junk (the imitators). Bearing Buddies, through-hub and oil bath systems all have their place -- their price -- and their issues.

 

[sethjon]

Re: Boat dealers against bearing Buddies?

NO way.

 

[iop]

Re: Boat dealers against bearing Buddies?

they came from the factory on our new 2010 4 axle trailer????

8 of them in all

Ok I'll bite...
What excatly are you luggin with those 4 axles???

 

[jaxnjil]

Re: Boat dealers against bearing Buddies?

310 sea ray sundancer
twin 7.4 mpi with b-3 drives
its a 20000lb rated trailer

 

[mla2ofus]

Re: Boat dealers against bearing Buddies?

Haven't heard anything about them on boat trailers. Wouldn't the oil type allow water to enter by having the airspace and then suddenly cooling off under water?
Mike