Just wondering how many carry a spare trailer hub with them when on the road.

A few years back I started to be concerned about having a bearing/hub problem while on long trips so I purchased a complete hub assembly from BassCat and now carry it with me.

At least for me, it provides some peace of mind that I can most likely deal with a hub/bearing problem and not have to call for help or leave the boat beside the road while I go to get help.

C.

We have always carried a spare with the boat trailer. I do my own work with the bearings, pull and repack/replace every 2-3 years.

Also before I go on a trip with it to a lake other than the local 20-30 minute drive I will jack up the axle and spin the tire and then listen, if something is amis with the bearings you will be able to hear it.

matt

Yes I do.

I had one way back on an old Mark V trailer. I needed it once but I could not get the old bearing races off because I did not have the right tools. Fortunately I made it off the hwy and was able to park in a safe place. Do not carry one now but have thought about it.

I carry a set of bearing and races with tools to change them out.

Has anyone ever had problems in the same year they repacked them? Too many people count on bearing buddys instead of doing the maintenance IMO.

I haven't personally had thst problem, but BassCat is quite adamant about not relying on the bearing buddies. They indicate that many people overfill the hubs when using the bearing buddies. This compromises the seal and lets water inside the hub, leading to bearing failure.

C.

I considered that but opted for the complete hub assembly because I felt that bearing failure on the road might not be detected in sufficient time to keep the hub itself from being damaged. Plus a lot easier to swap a hub out than replace the bearings and races.

C.

I shure like the new Vault hub system. Of course you use the torsion type axel. Installed 2 complete axel assemblys on a boat and its real trick. No service for 5 years. If you have a failure, change the complete spindle and hub assembly and your done.

When we bought our camper, the salesman (store owner) said he loved those things. Yes, too many people over pump them and blow out seals. On a camper, you get greased brakes

+1 on the Vault system.!!

In all my years of fishing I've had one bearing that got to the point that I needed to do an immediate repair. That problem only happened because I had lost a bearing buddy.

I now have a 1999 trailer that I checked when I bought it in NC in 2005 and then repacked when I got home. I use it less than 5k a year and only did maintenance just a few weeks ago.
The inside seal on one side and the bearing buddy seal on the other side were leaking so I pulled the wheels and hubs and replaced both seals and new bearing buddies with the blue indicator. The inside looked as good as new. No wear on the races and the bearings were still shiny colored.

I used to have oil bath hubs on a couple of my Ranger's and never had one problem with any of them. Back then I was used to driving 15k per year and as far as 600 miles to some of my tournaments. Never stuck on the side of the road.



I must be lucky.

I know this may seam a little hard to believe but I would guess that 42% of the boat owners never check the greese, bearings or seals. I have helped several with bearings out on the side of the road and they always blame it on who they bought the boat from. One guy I asked how long have you had this boat? He thought for a little and said 6years. O my.

I don't believe anyone selling a boat now when it comes to trailer bearings. The last one I bought I asked and was told they just replaced them. So I didn't bother checking them. I pulled it home, headed th the lake the following weekend and lost a wheel and tire on the way home. Upon further inspection the seals still had trailer paint on them they had never been replaced. The trailer was 16 years old and still had the factory bearings and seals. I am partly to blame because I should have checked them, I replaced all bearings and seals that weekend for piece of mind. I never pull very far but add a little grease about every 3 months and feel the hubs for heat everytime I get to the lake and home.