Busted trailer wheel

[virgil]

Was about to hitch up my trailer to bring the wheeler upstate for a long weekend with my kids and this what I found. Am I screwed?  The wheel felt loose and the cap and bearings are gone. Haven’t used the trailer since early December- can’t imagine how I got it home then without it coming apart completely. Can this be repaired?

[b3h]

Looks like the axle back bracket broke. This tandem axle trailer or single?


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[wooly]

Just try to keep it under 55 and you should be fine! 

[reeltime]

probably going to need a new axle shaft and a complete hub assembly.  that puppy musta been singing going down the road.

 

[fasteddie]

I wouldn't tow that if you paid me . It didn't happen from just sitting there . Chances are you will need to replace the hub as well as the bearings . I am speaking from experience . I have a trailer that I use for work and I put a lot of miles on it ( 5000 - 6000 miles ) . It takes 5.3 X 12 " tires and the bearings just don't last using it traveling a lot of miles . Those small wheels make a lot of revolutions . You need to make sure the bearings are greased real good also . 

[virgil]

It’s a single axle and probably has at least 20k miles on it. Wondering if the repair will cost more than a new one. 

[grampy]

Is this one of the Tractor Supply type trailers? I have one of them. Been through a couple of hubs and bearings on mine. Started using the marine grade grease, that I use on my boat trailer. Seems to work better on the small utility trailer, as I haven't had to replace anything since making the switch. 

If the axle isn't scored, you might be able to replace the hub and bearings.

Definitely check the other side. As that one probably is going bad too.

[virgil]

Bought it at Lowe’s. About $700 five years ago. Who does these kinds of repairs- is it a regular mechanic?

[Dinsdale]

For around $200 delivered you can buy a complete axle new everything and just cut the U-bolts holding it to springs. Grease proper and put the tires on. No messing with what is all rusted and buggered. Hacksaw and a wrench, you already need to buy a grease gun.

eTrailer is a good source and I buy and rebuild trailers a few times a year.

For example;

https://www.etrailer.com/dept-pg-Trailer_Axles-gw-2200_lbs.aspx

Grease is your friend and so is a yearly check up.

 

 

Edited February 23, 2018 by Dinsdale

[fasteddie]

If the axle isn't trashed , you could get the hub and bearings at a Trailer dealer . Since my axle was okay , I bought a hub / bearing set on EBAY for my 1" axle . A small tub of axle grease runs about $7 . Don't get cheap crap . 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/5-Bolt-Highway-Trailers-Tire-Wheel-Hub-Repair-Kit-for-1-in-Axle-Pressed-Stud/142529215443?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

[b3h]

I'd call the nearest trailer place and get a quote. They may even come get it with a larger trailer. If u want to fix it, it's not to hard. Like Dinsdale said etrailer or tractor supply and just put a whole new axle assy on. A welder might be able to rig it up but it won't last long and u need the hub and bearings any way.


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[Pygmy]

Good  hear from you Virgil....Long time no see...

I figured that probably you slashed your wrists when Trump got elected....

[virgil]

Thanks for the advice everyone. 

[GreeneHunter]

11 hours ago, Dinsdale said:

For around $200 delivered you can buy a complete axle new everything and just cut the U-bolts holding it to springs. Grease proper and put the tires on. No messing with what is all rusted and buggered. Hacksaw and a wrench, you already need to buy a grease gun.

eTrailer is a good source and I buy and rebuild trailers a few times a year.

For example;

https://www.etrailer.com/dept-pg-Trailer_Axles-gw-2200_lbs.aspx

Grease is your friend and so is a yearly check up.

 

 

Nice website ..... thanks for the info !

[chas0218]

12 hours ago, virgil said:

It’s a single axle and probably has at least 20k miles on it. Wondering if the repair will cost more than a new one. 

It looks like the spindle is fine if it is you can buy a whole hub assembly and bolt it on and go. It will get you there and back then take it all back apart and clean the rust out and re-pack the bearings. Packing the bearings is a dirty job but it can be done easily.

Edited February 23, 2018 by chas0218

[virgil]

So, it cost me $420 to repair. A new 2000# axle, two new hubs, a v-bolt kit, and grease. 

[philoshop]

It's always all about the maintenance. Trailer, ATV, tractor, house, vehicles, guns, kids..... It's about the maintenance.

[virgil]

Lesson learned. A yearly $50 grease job probably would've prevented this expense and potential disaster. I'll do it every year for now on. 

[NonTypical]

$20 for a decent grease gun and $10 for a tube of synthetic grease will go a long way. 

[Bionic]

32 minutes ago, NonTypical said:

$20 for a decent grease gun and $10 for a tube of synthetic grease will go a long way. 

Agreed.