Length of chains? (Was 'Cross chains or not when trailering')
 

"Short Wave Sportfishing" wrote in message
m...
JoeSpareBedroom wrote:

Have you seen or heard of failures in other parts of the system? If so,
where?

Tires - improperly inflated or dry rotted, wheel bearings and brake
systems - surge and electric.

I've seen older trailers with bad bunks and rollers drive a hole in a hull
so I suppose that counts.


Whattya think of this:

I've got bearing buddies on my trailer, bought in 1999. My mechanic's a
boater, so during the trailer's NY inspection, he says "Let's jack it up &
listen to the bearings". I know he's not looking for extra work because he
refuses to work on trailers, except his own. His shop's a half mile into
some woods, nice & quiet. He spins the wheels, says "Listen - I don't hear a
thing. I wouldn't clean those bearings. Just keep adding grease when they
need it".

Good advice? Bad advice? Moderately good/bad advice?

Length of chains? (Was 'Cross chains or not when trailering')
 

Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:
JoeSpareBedroom wrote:

Have you seen or heard of failures in other parts of the system? If so,
where?

Tires - improperly inflated or dry rotted, wheel bearings and brake
systems - surge and electric.

I've seen older trailers with bad bunks and rollers drive a hole in a
hull so I suppose that counts.

The rollers on my trailer on the 23' marquis arn't in good shape, I
noticed that a couple of them look like they're about to break in
two. That's going to get a priority work over, but I gotta get the
boat off the thing, first!

Probably wait till the weather breaks really well and dump it in my
brothers pond for a couple days while I replace the rollers, and paint
it.

Length of chains? (Was 'Cross chains or not when trailering')
 

"Bob" wrote in message
...
This thread brings up a good question...

How do you determine the proper length of the chains?

Long enough so that they won't bind in a tight turn, but short enough to
cradle the tongue off the ground with chains crossed should the ball or
mount fail. Overall, as short as possible without binding in a tight turn.
The exact length will be different for each application.

Length of chains? (Was 'Cross chains or not when trailering')
 

JoeSpareBedroom wrote:

Whattya think of this:

I've got bearing buddies on my trailer, bought in 1999. My mechanic's a
boater, so during the trailer's NY inspection, he says "Let's jack it up &
listen to the bearings". I know he's not looking for extra work because he
refuses to work on trailers, except his own. His shop's a half mile into
some woods, nice & quiet. He spins the wheels, says "Listen - I don't hear a
thing. I wouldn't clean those bearings. Just keep adding grease when they
need it".

Good advice? Bad advice? Moderately good/bad advice?

I wouldn't buy it.

Visually inspecting the bearings is the only proper way to determine if
there is any damage to the races or bearing assembly themselves. In
particular after seven years.

You may have BB on the bearings, but that doesn't mean that they haven't
picked dust, dirt and other contaminants which hurt bearings. Over
time, even grease can't prevent heat buildup which can also damage
bearings. Also after seven years, the seals are probably worn which
just increases the chances of failure.

Length of chains? (Was 'Cross chains or not when trailering')
 

"Short Wave Sportfishing" wrote in message
m...
JoeSpareBedroom wrote:

Whattya think of this:

I've got bearing buddies on my trailer, bought in 1999. My mechanic's a
boater, so during the trailer's NY inspection, he says "Let's jack it up
& listen to the bearings". I know he's not looking for extra work because
he refuses to work on trailers, except his own. His shop's a half mile
into some woods, nice & quiet. He spins the wheels, says "Listen - I
don't hear a thing. I wouldn't clean those bearings. Just keep adding
grease when they need it".

Good advice? Bad advice? Moderately good/bad advice?

I wouldn't buy it.

Visually inspecting the bearings is the only proper way to determine if
there is any damage to the races or bearing assembly themselves. In
particular after seven years.

You may have BB on the bearings, but that doesn't mean that they haven't
picked dust, dirt and other contaminants which hurt bearings. Over time,
even grease can't prevent heat buildup which can also damage bearings.
Also after seven years, the seals are probably worn which just increases
the chances of failure.


OK fine. I'll get the parts this weekend. Stop nagging me.

Length of chains? (Was 'Cross chains or not when trailering')
 

wrote:

Waiting for a bearing to make noise before it is replaced is sorta
like saying, "I'll wait until it breaks a little and then I'll fix
it...."
--

Grady-White Gulfstream, out of Oak Island, NC.



Or, in the automotive world.

"I'll wait for the idiot light to come on before I check the coolant,
or oil...."

One guy checked the oil for his uncle and said" Uncle Bernie, there's
not a drop of oil on the stick!"

Bernies reply?

"So? She ain't clatterin' yet!"

Length of chains? (Was 'Cross chains or not when trailering')
 

"Tim" wrote in message
oups.com...

wrote:

Waiting for a bearing to make noise before it is replaced is sorta
like saying, "I'll wait until it breaks a little and then I'll fix
it...."
--

Grady-White Gulfstream, out of Oak Island, NC.



Or, in the automotive world.

"I'll wait for the idiot light to come on before I check the coolant,
or oil...."


Not exactly. What do you know about Bearing Buddies?

Length of chains? (Was 'Cross chains or not when trailering')
 

JoeSpareBedroom wrote:
"Tim" wrote in message
oups.com...
wrote:
Waiting for a bearing to make noise before it is replaced is sorta
like saying, "I'll wait until it breaks a little and then I'll fix
it...."
--

Grady-White Gulfstream, out of Oak Island, NC.

Or, in the automotive world.

"I'll wait for the idiot light to come on before I check the coolant,
or oil...."

Not exactly. What do you know about Bearing Buddies?

I know that you can overload them with grease and blow out the seals.

Length of chains? (Was 'Cross chains or not when trailering')
 

On Feb 19, 3:57 pm, "JoeSpareBedroom" wrote:
"Tim" wrote in message

oups.com...







wrote:

Waiting for a bearing to make noise before it is replaced is sorta
like saying, "I'll wait until it breaks a little and then I'll fix
it...."
--

Grady-White Gulfstream, out of Oak Island, NC.

Or, in the automotive world.

"I'll wait for the idiot light to come on before I check the coolant,
or oil...."

Not exactly. What do you know about Bearing Buddies?- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

I know I don't trust them that much. Even with the BB's, I still pull
the wheels check and replace, every other year.

Length of chains? (Was 'Cross chains or not when trailering')
 

"JoeSpareBedroom" wrote in message
...
"Tim" wrote in message
oups.com...

wrote:

Waiting for a bearing to make noise before it is replaced is sorta
like saying, "I'll wait until it breaks a little and then I'll fix
it...."
--

Grady-White Gulfstream, out of Oak Island, NC.



Or, in the automotive world.

"I'll wait for the idiot light to come on before I check the coolant,
or oil...."


Not exactly. What do you know about Bearing Buddies?

I've been using this stuff on my trailer's bearings since 1999, about 40K
miles. I find it less of a mess when you have to inspect the bearings. The
clear plastic cover lets you easily inspect the lube level.

http://www.liqualube.com/