trailer maintenance

[chomeur]

Practical Sailor has an article coming out in the January issue about trailer failure: http://www.practical-sailor.com/blog/St ... 112515&v=A

The connection to Cape Dory? The trailer discussed in the article was carrying Ralph Naranjo's "beloved Cape Dory Typhoon" when the axle failed.

David

[Astronomertoo]

Practical Sailor has an article coming out in the January issue about trailer failure: http://www.practical-sailor.com/blog/St ... 112515&v=A

The connection to Cape Dory? The trailer discussed in the article was carrying Ralph Naranjo's "beloved Cape Dory Typhoon" when the axle failed.

David

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Generally speaking, the advice provided was very good. As stated the primary reason for that type of failure is lack of bearing lube (IF it was lubed from the factory at all), which can cause failure of the spindle weld joint at the axle, which the owner was very lucky to have the failure at the dock. The bearings get so hot the weld joint catastrphically fails. Too many trailers on the road will have that failure for the simple reason the owner never bought the grease gun, plus many trailers are towed over speed per the mfr recommendations, not even talking about overloaded or over age cracked up tires. No trailer tire mfr covers the tires for failure after 5 years from the new date stamped on the sidewall, which also tells one another important issue. And car tires are not recommended. A boat and its trailer are a system, and the loading and operating/safety limit should be considered as such.
Bob C