I cannot believe it this is the second time this has happened to me. The first time I had to special order an axle as the one I had the parts were no longer available. So 3 years ago I special ordered a new axle and hubs, etc. Well today the same side flew off the trailer again. Had to really hunt for it out in the country, was in deep grass by a fence. Well all the insides were gone, but this time the hub looks good so I think I only need all the inside bearings, if where the racer goes is okay. I do not see others posting much about tires coming off trailer's. The odds of it happening multiple times are pretty good with me, just did not expect it so soon. We are talking a nice Dilly Trailer, with a pretty light load, 1978 15.5 foot Ranger with a 115 on it. Oh well, no one was hurt, just pride, may have to replace the 2 U bolts for the springs, as the highway ate off about an inch of metal on each of the 4 post, the nuts are still there with about a quarter inch of metal below. Think I will replace them as when it happens again, that metal on the U bolts really saved the end of the axle from heavy damage.

So the tire flew off with the hub attached? Or was it just the tire?

Did you install the hubs? Sounds like you did not tighten castle nut properly.

Which side came off? Driver or passenger?

Hubs came from the factory already on, all I had to do was mount the tires and of course put the axle on the trailer. Twice it was the Driver's side. I have now got it fixed, took it for a test run this afternoon while it was 98�, both hubs were very warm with one almost being pretty hot to hold, but could keep my hand on it, so i many have the side a little tight, even though I made sure there was play in the tire.

Something ain't right if the hubs are hot. I can trailer 300 miles and when I feel the hubs, they are only warm. Either not enough grease, too tight nut, or the bearings are bad. Fix it before you are in the weeds again.

I lost 5 hubs in a year and a half before I finally replaced the axles. Haven't lost any since. I bought a used boat with junk axles I guess.

just because they came from the factory installed on the axle does not mean they were installed properly. The first time I used the TM on my Ranger the prop came off. I was not happy. I think it was installed at the dealer.

I always check mine twice a year. Trailer hubs are bad about that. Only takes a few minutes to check and regrease or repack bearings.

Thanks to all, I have learned my lesson. I kept putting off greasing the bearings since it was new 3 years ago, so I reckon it was my fault. Now after working with it for the last few days, I realize it is not that big of job, just messy, but a needed job at least to check them twice a year. I will be doing that in the future.

Wear those nitrile/latex gloves or whatever they are. It will help keep your hands clean. They are readily available.

EVERY boater that pulls a trailer needs to carry, not only a spare tire and wheel, but a pre-greased spare hub! One of the boat builders(Ranger?) puts a hub, with spare tire and wheel, on their trailers. If you fry a bearing, you just put the whole assembly on and get home. The spare tire mount on my trailer IS a spare hub. Good idea to carry a spare castle nut and cotter pin, too. Simple. All trailer builders should do that. IslandJim

Sounds like you need some Vualt Hubs, like mine. No servicing them for 10 years.

Re-packing bearing can be messy but if you use one of these it makes it a lot easier. You can find these things at almost any parts house. Pick you up some good high temp bearing grease and new grease seals for your hubs. Remove the bearings and clean them (I use diesel fuel) and then blow them dry with compressed air, put the bearings in the packer and pump them full of grease with your grease gun. Put the new seal in and reinstall the bearings. I use some of the green chemical resistant gloves and when you are done your hands are not even dirty.

Lost a tire and burnt a bearing on 1 trailer went to dust caps instead of buddy bearings after that.hubs shouldn't be hot if you don't have brakes on it