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Author Topic:   Karavan Trailer Hubs

skinnywater posted 03-27-2013 10:34 PM ET (US)
I have been engaged elsewhere and unable to take keep up with everything on the home front and the boat has sat on the trailer in the driveway under cover and unused for most of its life - Karavan Trailer for 170 Montauk is 6 years old and hasn't been used but maybe 20 - 30 max times over last 6 years but obviously the hubs need to be changed. I have researched and came across a few topics on doing this within the CW site (and youtube) but the amount of products and information mentioned has me confused so I am still a little unsure of just what to do with this and I respectfully request some direct assistance and recommendations -
Port Side hub is obviously in trouble:
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj55/Arch2110/0327131511b.jpg
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj55/Arch2110/0327131510.jpg
Starboard hub for comparison:
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj55/Arch2110/0327131511a.jpg
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj55/Arch2110/0327131511.jpg
What should I do here - replace with bearing buddy? What size/type hubs do I need? Or should I replace with OE (read a 2009 post from Henry the Yiddle that I could possibly get direct from Karavan) but my thing there is this - if these hubs have been dunked in only the ICW a few times a year (and hosed down when returning home) and are in this condition after not being used much, why would I replace with something that seems to rust and fall apart from limited intended use (and exposure to weather)?
Request suggestions and recommendations as to what to do and inspect (i.e. are the tires/rims and the axle itself a concern?).
Thank You all for your knowledge and holding back your anger with allowing it to get into this condition - I honestly just never paid much attention to it when I was home as it just sat in the driveway and has only been used maybe 10 times total over the past 3-4 years (I think the port cap may have come off when I just moved it to the new home or I would have noticed when hosing everything down last time we got back from being on water).

Thanks Again for any advice and suggested courses of action -
Skinny
andygere posted 03-28-2013 12:31 AM ET (US)
Replace hubs, bearings and seals on both sides.. You need to know what size they are, and can probably get that information from the trailer manufacturer by phoning them with your VIN. Cast iron trailer hubs suck and they all rust, but the Galv X ones probably last a little longer. The good news is that they are relatively cheap. I like conventional hubs and stainless steel Bearing Buddies. This outfit has everything you need at reasonable prices.
http://championtrailers.com/
http://championtrailers.com/hubs.html
skinnywater posted 03-28-2013 08:20 AM ET (US)
Thanks Andy! I'll definitely look into them.
andygere posted 03-28-2013 01:07 PM ET (US)
Here's a basic tech article on how to pack and install new bearings.
http://championtrailers.com/techsup.html#packhubs
There are lots of good articles on this site and elsewhere about the whole procedure, do a search and you'll get the details you need. It may look ugly, but it's really a simple job that you should be able to complete on a Saturday afternoon. It is messy, and I like to have a few sheets of clean cardboard handy to set the parts on as I assemble the hubs. Plenty of paper towels, clean rags and degreaser are a big help as well. Be sure that your trailer is properly and safely supported while you are working on the axles, and avoid putting your legs under the trailer while working on it. A crate, short stool or slab of foam to sit or kneel on makes it go a bit easier.
jimh posted 03-28-2013 01:30 PM ET (US)
I recommend learning how to service the bearings and doing it yourself. My reasoning:
--if you do enough trailering you will eventually need to do this yourself sometime, usually on the side of the road; if you learn how to do it in a more controlled environment, it will be simpler to do it in the distress situation;
--by doing it yourself you will learn what components to have on hand so you can carry the right spare parts with you when you need them; see above;
--you can probably do a better job than the kid at the shop who is going to be doing this work if you have it done. In this way you will know the bearings are properly installed and reliable.
If done properly, bearings will last a long time and won't need much attention.
AZdave posted 03-29-2013 12:27 AM ET (US)
Recently I was amazed to find that grease comes in several types. These various formulations may not be compatible. I would recommend that you you use a grease that is widely and easily available. You might have to top up the bearings on the road. If you don't know the original grease type, you may have to clean off every bit of old grease.
Chuck Tribolet posted 03-29-2013 07:54 AM ET (US)
Tie-Down Engineering makes a nice galvanized hub with a zerk
fitting on the back. It's really easy to add grease.
Champion Trailers has stainless steel lug nuts.
Put some waterproof grease on the threads before you put the
lug nuts on.

Chuck
Jefecinco posted 03-29-2013 08:58 AM ET (US)
Some people who trailer often or for long distances carry a spare hub with bearings installed and greased. In the event of a bearing failure on the road the roadside repair is simplified by having a replacement on hand.
A spare hub for a large trailer can be bulky but if you ever need one you'll be glad you made room for it.
Butch

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Author	Topic: Karavan Trailer Hubs
skinnywater	posted 03-27-2013 10:34 PM ET (US) I have been engaged elsewhere and unable to take keep up with everything on the home front and the boat has sat on the trailer in the driveway under cover and unused for most of its life - Karavan Trailer for 170 Montauk is 6 years old and hasn't been used but maybe 20 - 30 max times over last 6 years but obviously the hubs need to be changed. I have researched and came across a few topics on doing this within the CW site (and youtube) but the amount of products and information mentioned has me confused so I am still a little unsure of just what to do with this and I respectfully request some direct assistance and recommendations - Port Side hub is obviously in trouble: http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj55/Arch2110/0327131511b.jpg http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj55/Arch2110/0327131510.jpg Starboard hub for comparison: http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj55/Arch2110/0327131511a.jpg http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj55/Arch2110/0327131511.jpg What should I do here - replace with bearing buddy? What size/type hubs do I need? Or should I replace with OE (read a 2009 post from Henry the Yiddle that I could possibly get direct from Karavan) but my thing there is this - if these hubs have been dunked in only the ICW a few times a year (and hosed down when returning home) and are in this condition after not being used much, why would I replace with something that seems to rust and fall apart from limited intended use (and exposure to weather)? Request suggestions and recommendations as to what to do and inspect (i.e. are the tires/rims and the axle itself a concern?). Thank You all for your knowledge and holding back your anger with allowing it to get into this condition - I honestly just never paid much attention to it when I was home as it just sat in the driveway and has only been used maybe 10 times total over the past 3-4 years (I think the port cap may have come off when I just moved it to the new home or I would have noticed when hosing everything down last time we got back from being on water). Thanks Again for any advice and suggested courses of action - Skinny
andygere	posted 03-28-2013 12:31 AM ET (US) Replace hubs, bearings and seals on both sides.. You need to know what size they are, and can probably get that information from the trailer manufacturer by phoning them with your VIN. Cast iron trailer hubs suck and they all rust, but the Galv X ones probably last a little longer. The good news is that they are relatively cheap. I like conventional hubs and stainless steel Bearing Buddies. This outfit has everything you need at reasonable prices. http://championtrailers.com/ http://championtrailers.com/hubs.html
skinnywater	posted 03-28-2013 08:20 AM ET (US) Thanks Andy! I'll definitely look into them.
andygere	posted 03-28-2013 01:07 PM ET (US) Here's a basic tech article on how to pack and install new bearings. http://championtrailers.com/techsup.html#packhubs There are lots of good articles on this site and elsewhere about the whole procedure, do a search and you'll get the details you need. It may look ugly, but it's really a simple job that you should be able to complete on a Saturday afternoon. It is messy, and I like to have a few sheets of clean cardboard handy to set the parts on as I assemble the hubs. Plenty of paper towels, clean rags and degreaser are a big help as well. Be sure that your trailer is properly and safely supported while you are working on the axles, and avoid putting your legs under the trailer while working on it. A crate, short stool or slab of foam to sit or kneel on makes it go a bit easier.
jimh	posted 03-28-2013 01:30 PM ET (US) I recommend learning how to service the bearings and doing it yourself. My reasoning: --if you do enough trailering you will eventually need to do this yourself sometime, usually on the side of the road; if you learn how to do it in a more controlled environment, it will be simpler to do it in the distress situation; --by doing it yourself you will learn what components to have on hand so you can carry the right spare parts with you when you need them; see above; --you can probably do a better job than the kid at the shop who is going to be doing this work if you have it done. In this way you will know the bearings are properly installed and reliable. If done properly, bearings will last a long time and won't need much attention.
AZdave	posted 03-29-2013 12:27 AM ET (US) Recently I was amazed to find that grease comes in several types. These various formulations may not be compatible. I would recommend that you you use a grease that is widely and easily available. You might have to top up the bearings on the road. If you don't know the original grease type, you may have to clean off every bit of old grease.
Chuck Tribolet	posted 03-29-2013 07:54 AM ET (US) Tie-Down Engineering makes a nice galvanized hub with a zerk fitting on the back. It's really easy to add grease. Champion Trailers has stainless steel lug nuts. Put some waterproof grease on the threads before you put the lug nuts on. Chuck
Jefecinco	posted 03-29-2013 08:58 AM ET (US) Some people who trailer often or for long distances carry a spare hub with bearings installed and greased. In the event of a bearing failure on the road the roadside repair is simplified by having a replacement on hand. A spare hub for a large trailer can be bulky but if you ever need one you'll be glad you made room for it. Butch