I Would Like To Convert My Hubs To Oil Bath And Winch Strap

[BoatNoobie]

At least I think that's what I want to do. Just picked up a new boat trailer. The condition of this is not what I would like,but it is 5 years old.

On my old boat trailer, I had a EZ Loader with oil hubs. Very easy to take care of.

This new to me trailer has grease hubs with bearing buddies. I know it has a type of failure a while back, but I'm told it was fixed and hasnt had any issues in hundreds of miles of trailering. Which caused a weird tire wear. I assume from a loose hub? I can confirm, I drove for about a hr home with the trailer and it was fine.

Here's a trailer label.

I cant find the model or any specs about the trailer online. I have no idea what part it has and such. But it does have a "Yacht Club Trailer" sticker on there. I have contacted them but havent heard back.

Maybe some of you experts can answer.


What size parts do I need? Is there any way for me to find out without pulling it apart first? In my current condition, I cant leave the boat on blocks.










Also, I need to put on a safety bow strap on my winch area for peace of mind. I've read the thread about installing them, but I'm still not quite sure how to go about it on my setup.
There are no extra holes to put a bolt through. I was thinking, maybe using one of the bolts holding the winch to secure the chain? Or possible some type of u-bolt underneath the winch bracket?

 

[BoatNoobie]

Re: I Would Like To Convert My Hubs To Oil Bath And Winch Strap

Here are the pics of the axle/hub area.
PS, do I need new leaf springs? They are sure rusty looking.

 

[NHGuy]

Re: I Would Like To Convert My Hubs To Oil Bath And Winch Strap

Grease hubs are fine, every car you ever see has at least two. The spare tire has been mounted with the inside edge outward, I believe this because the other tire we see in a different image has raised white letters out and the spare is showing it's blackwall side.
This concerns a bit because the axle has a bend to go below the hull, so you can't visually check the trueness of the axle. A rough check you can do is to find a perfectly flat spot by using a big level. Put the trailer there and check that the wheels are perfectly perpendicular to the pavement. (I know, too many P's). You can also measure the distance from left to right tire at the top, bottom, front & rear. Any deviation would mean the axle needs straightening. This is unusual unless the boat weighs more than 1900 lbs, which the sticker shows. Sometimes trailers can get out of alignment if they have been pulled over really rough terrain or over been loaded.

 

[BoatNoobie]

Re: I Would Like To Convert My Hubs To Oil Bath And Winch Strap

No, the wear is on the outside edge. You can see the valve stem right now. The reason for the difference in letters is because they are actually different brand tires.

I was just looking over the pictures. It looks like I might have a zerk behind the hub. I guess these might be surelube hubs?

If so, that means shouldnt I remove the bearing buddies then?

 

[marlboro180]

Re: I Would Like To Convert My Hubs To Oil Bath And Winch Strap

I would think greased hubs would be fine as well.

The chopped tire looks like it would have been from a really misaligned or bent axle. The u-bolts and plates look like they were worked on , ( slightly kittywhompus, a tad over torqued) That would indicate a repair to me and hopefully it is just fine. Do the current tires show any wear other than normal.

Leaf springs are gonna rust. Do they show any other signs of wear/ failure? If not , how about a coat of paint??

For a good read on bow safety chains, check this thread out, especially the catalog page from 45Auto.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=410308

 

[bigbad 4cyl x2]

Re: I Would Like To Convert My Hubs To Oil Bath And Winch Strap

spray them with rustolium from a can

 

[rentprop1]

Re: I Would Like To Convert My Hubs To Oil Bath And Winch Strap

I bet ya, that guy had a bearing start to freeze up and thats what caused the chop to the tire, as long as the bearings have been replaced and re-packed no worries

 

[BoatNoobie]

Re: I Would Like To Convert My Hubs To Oil Bath And Winch Strap

I would think greased hubs would be fine as well.

The chopped tire looks like it would have been from a really misaligned or bent axle. The u-bolts and plates look like they were worked on , ( slightly kittywhompus, a tad over torqued) That would indicate a repair to me and hopefully it is just fine. Do the current tires show any wear other than normal.

Leaf springs are gonna rust. Do they show any other signs of wear/ failure? If not , how about a coat of paint??

For a good read on bow safety chains, check this thread out, especially the catalog page from 45Auto.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=410308

Alright, a little update.

I was able to confirm, there is a zerk on the backside of the hub. So I'm guessing these are the Surelube hubs.

I also inspected my tires more closely. On the passenger side, with the white letter tires. I have a little bit of negative chamber. This should be normal. It has a different tread, but wear looks to be even.

Now on my driver side, it's starting to show similar wear like in the 1st picture. Except, the majority of the wear is on the inside area. The outside shows a little of the weird pattern wear also.

I dont know if it's the tread pattern producing this weird wear or what.

Looks like I may have to get a new axle if it is bent, which may be causing my unusual wear?

*sigh*
How much do those cost?


Oh yeah, I also picked up a bow safety strap. I couldnt find the chain version at West Marine. But they had the strap version and it was only $20. Looks like it will do the job.

 

[marlboro180]

Re: I Would Like To Convert My Hubs To Oil Bath And Winch Strap

Before you condemn that axle, have you measured the trailer for being square? And also checked to make sure the axle is mounted straight?

 

[BoatNoobie]

Re: I Would Like To Convert My Hubs To Oil Bath And Winch Strap

Before you condemn that axle, have you measured the trailer for being square? And also checked to make sure the axle is mounted straight?

No I havent. I need to find a nice flat spot to measure that.

 

[marlboro180]

Re: I Would Like To Convert My Hubs To Oil Bath And Winch Strap

The storage yard where you have the boat would be fine for measuring how square it is. I am talking about measuring the actual trailer for square, not the distance to the ground BTW...

 

[dozerII]

Re: I Would Like To Convert My Hubs To Oil Bath And Winch Strap

In the fourth photo you can see the angle the winch strap is pulling, is up on the bow. This will cause the bow to bounce on the bow stop when towing, I see it all the time. If you rewind your winch in the other direction so it pulls off the bottom is will hold the bow down into the stop, making for far more secure trailering.
My 2 cents
Glen

 

[JimS123]

Re: I Would Like To Convert My Hubs To Oil Bath And Winch Strap

In the fourth photo you can see the angle the winch strap is pulling, is up on the bow. This will cause the bow to bounce on the bow stop when towing, I see it all the time. If you rewind your winch in the other direction so it pulls off the bottom is will hold the bow down into the stop, making for far more secure trailering.
My 2 cents
Glen

If the winch is rewound off the bottom, he'll have a bear of a time pulling the boat up the last 1 or 2 feet. I'd leave the winch alone and add a bow tie down made out of a chain with turnbuckle. It'll never bounce then. (he should have a bow tie down anyway)

 

[BoatNoobie]

Re: I Would Like To Convert My Hubs To Oil Bath And Winch Strap

In the fourth photo you can see the angle the winch strap is pulling, is up on the bow. This will cause the bow to bounce on the bow stop when towing, I see it all the time. If you rewind your winch in the other direction so it pulls off the bottom is will hold the bow down into the stop, making for far more secure trailering.
My 2 cents
Glen

I dont see how it's a problem if you have the winch strap on tight. Where the bow eye is right under the rubber stop. It almost locks in place by leverage.

And beside, as stated, I do have a bow safety strap on now. I wrap it under the winch support bracket and go up to hold onto the bow eye down.

Seems to work.
I stole the picture, but it looks something like this.

Looks pretty secure. Only thing I dont really like is the cheap buckle. Testing while inside didnt give me any confidence in it holding in place. But when I put it on the trailer and snugged down on the bow eye. It locked in place and doesnt appear it will accidently release.


Not to mention, I do have transom tiedowns too.

 

[bigbad 4cyl x2]

Re: I Would Like To Convert My Hubs To Oil Bath And Winch Strap

i own the Kodiak oil hubs and think they are great. before you buy an axle try taking yours apart and installing new races