Trailer Rollers... Replace?

[Gearhead62]

Help - I have an old Shoreline tandem w/ 32 rollers.

The rollers function but are old, cracking, have metal hubs and need replacement. Rollers have an OD is 4 3/8", are 3" wide, and the metal hubs have an inside diam of 7/8". The roller shafts are 3/4" and with that excess play (1/8"), these rollers really are loose and wobble on the shafts....Steel on steel

Is all that wobble normal? I am getting mixed opinions......Or do I need to replace with rollers having true 3/4" ID, or larger size that seat to 3/4" with reducer bushings? Seems most new rollers have plastic hubs...

Trailer hauls a 22" '87 Celebrity I/O

Any insight? Thanks

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Trailer Rollers... Replace?

Regardless of the excess play, if the rubber is cracking, it's only a matter of time before one breaks apart and gouges your hull.

It sounds to me like you either have badly worn rollers or shafts.
Are your rollers smooth with thin center hubs?
How wide is the bushing area, the distance between the cotter pins or C clips?
There are several style rollers out there, usually metal hubs are thin to allow for a lot of wobble and self alignment, but most don't have quite that much play.
I have one trailer with that style, the shafts are 3/4", and the rollers are a bit larger, but without removing one I can't say how much exactly.
My rollers are more like 4 1/8" wide by 4 1/4". The roll pins that retain the rollers on the steel shafts are about 1" apart or so with a washer on each side.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Trailer Rollers... Replace?

If they are old and cracking then they should be replaced. That's the bottom line to save any hull damage.

 

[Wee Hooker]

Re: Trailer Rollers... Replace?

Do yourself a HUGE favor and spend the extra $ to get the yellow urathane rollers. They last longer, and roll 3x better due to less friction/compression.

 

[Gearhead62]

Re: Trailer Rollers... Replace?

Thanks for replies

The rollers are ribbed, outer measurements are 4 3/8" Diam x 3" wide

Roller has Inside Hub Bearing length of 7/8"...no wear on shafts or hubs, just a little rust but lots of play

Roller has 7/8" Hub Inner Diam sitting on 3/4" shafts....maybe this enables the "self-align"

Overall Shaft length is 1 5/8" but only 1 1/4" available (backstop to clip hole), leaving a approx 1/4" play w/ current rollers

So if I go w/ new urethane smooth rollers do I go with 3/4" ID that ride and roll snug on 3/4" shafts? Suggestions on where to buy?

Thanks again