Experience is always a good TEACHER !! I replaced Wheel Lug Bolts on my MAC 26X trailer, greased up the bearings, and "assumed" that I tightened the lug nuts "enough". A BIG OPPs !! Trailering this weekend, my starboard side wheel sheared off all five lug bolts, trailer hit the concrete at 45 MPH, and I saw my Aluminum wheel "trailing" ahead of me as I came to a stop. FORTUNATELY, a Good Semaritan came by, we installed 5 new lugs, and this time "TIGHTENED" it "CORRECTLY"! The other wheel was loose also, but stayed on. TAKE my advice--keep the lugs tight, bearings greased, and carry tools. I was quite BLESSED that no damage was done to the boat, me, others, or even to the TRAILER. SOOOOOO - if it can be tightened, strapped down, greased, double checked, and etc. -- dont wait and learn the HARD WAY. "Happy Safe Sailing to Yawall"
ALERT...Dont loose a Trailer Wheel as I DID !!!!
- Thread starter Louis Holub
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Congratulations on a safe landing. I lost my trailer wheel so years ago. Seeing your trailer wheel going down the road in front of you is and experience you will never forget. I lost mine after leaving the boat at a public ramp while we spent the night on the boat. Since I have not done any thing to the wheels and had made many prior trips to the lake I think someone messed with the boat. What ever, I checking the lug bolts is part of the startup activities after leaving the boat at any public ramp.
*yks
Once had a bearing buddy pass me. That has got to be some scarey s#&t. Glad all was safe. *yks
Once had a bearing buddy pass me. That has got to be some scarey s#&t. Glad all was safe. *yks
You're right Keith
I apologize to Keith for my earlier message. I reread it and yikes was I out of sorts. It's like talking to people but you can't see or respond the same so I need to be careful. Keith is right, I assume most people attempting these feats will at least have rudimentary knowledge in blocking the tires and making the job safe. It's kind of like changing spark plugs, I assume people will know to kill the engine first. makes it easier but I know not everyone thinks like that. Be careful jacking these trailers and boats guys. Steve
I apologize to Keith for my earlier message. I reread it and yikes was I out of sorts. It's like talking to people but you can't see or respond the same so I need to be careful. Keith is right, I assume most people attempting these feats will at least have rudimentary knowledge in blocking the tires and making the job safe. It's kind of like changing spark plugs, I assume people will know to kill the engine first. makes it easier but I know not everyone thinks like that. Be careful jacking these trailers and boats guys. Steve
Stupid Mistake
I lost my left wheel while towing. The lug nuts came off. The tire went into the fender and destroyed the tire. It wore off the spring U bolts dragging on the pavement so that the axle came loose. I put on a spare and tried to tow gently to a point where I could work on it. The axle slipped and the fender cut the spare tire. I finally just ended up dragging the whole mess about a hundred yards into a parking lot. After most of a days work I replaced the spring U bolts and bought a new tire and new lug nuts. The basic cause was that I tightened the lug nuts without the boat being on the trailer. I was unable to tighten them enough with the weight off the boat.
I lost my left wheel while towing. The lug nuts came off. The tire went into the fender and destroyed the tire. It wore off the spring U bolts dragging on the pavement so that the axle came loose. I put on a spare and tried to tow gently to a point where I could work on it. The axle slipped and the fender cut the spare tire. I finally just ended up dragging the whole mess about a hundred yards into a parking lot. After most of a days work I replaced the spring U bolts and bought a new tire and new lug nuts. The basic cause was that I tightened the lug nuts without the boat being on the trailer. I was unable to tighten them enough with the weight off the boat.
Horror stories abound
With these horror stories one might be inclined to stay home. I was with a friend years ago who had a new Boston Whaler behind the car. His stepson had "hitched" the boat and trailer. On our way at 65mph and guess what passed on the interstate? You guessed it, a brand new Boston whaler and trailer going 70mph. Stayed alongside pretty well and then crossed the median into the ditch on the other side of I 69. Pretty much ruined our fishin that year. I guess anal in these details are required. Steve
With these horror stories one might be inclined to stay home. I was with a friend years ago who had a new Boston Whaler behind the car. His stepson had "hitched" the boat and trailer. On our way at 65mph and guess what passed on the interstate? You guessed it, a brand new Boston whaler and trailer going 70mph. Stayed alongside pretty well and then crossed the median into the ditch on the other side of I 69. Pretty much ruined our fishin that year. I guess anal in these details are required. Steve
hub blow out
I had a trailer hub blow, looked like a small bomb. the tire was contained by the fender, and I was able to come to a stop. guess it was a inside bearing failure, but instead of bearing melting the hub casting exploded.
I had a trailer hub blow, looked like a small bomb. the tire was contained by the fender, and I was able to come to a stop. guess it was a inside bearing failure, but instead of bearing melting the hub casting exploded.
I feel a little less lonely.
Did the same kind of dumb thing. Put the spare on the trailer before a trip after finding a sidewall knot. Didn't tighten lugs enough. Lost 3 of them to loosening, then snapped off the remaining 2 studs. The only additional moral here perhaps is to strap boat to trailer with one of those big thick ratcheting straps. My boat stayed right on the trailer- don't know if it would have otherwise.
Did the same kind of dumb thing. Put the spare on the trailer before a trip after finding a sidewall knot. Didn't tighten lugs enough. Lost 3 of them to loosening, then snapped off the remaining 2 studs. The only additional moral here perhaps is to strap boat to trailer with one of those big thick ratcheting straps. My boat stayed right on the trailer- don't know if it would have otherwise.
Use a torque wrench!
Use a torque wrench when putting on lug nuts. (In fact, any nut.) Torque wrenches are cheap and you know you have done it right. See below, and the link, for suggested torque settings. Happy sails, Ron From the link... Trailers & Applications Not Listed 7/16" studs 80 ft-lbs 1/2" studs 100 ft-lbs 9/16" studs 140 ft-lbs 5/8" studs 175 ft-lbs 10mm studs 50 ft-lbs 12mm studs 100 ft-lbs 14mm studs 120 ft-lbs
Use a torque wrench when putting on lug nuts. (In fact, any nut.) Torque wrenches are cheap and you know you have done it right. See below, and the link, for suggested torque settings. Happy sails, Ron From the link... Trailers & Applications Not Listed 7/16" studs 80 ft-lbs 1/2" studs 100 ft-lbs 9/16" studs 140 ft-lbs 5/8" studs 175 ft-lbs 10mm studs 50 ft-lbs 12mm studs 100 ft-lbs 14mm studs 120 ft-lbs
Check it!
All good advice. I especially identify with Keith's comment on checking the trailer after leaving it for any time at all. Someone stole my hitch pin while I was sleeping in a motel recently. Thank goodness for the safety chains. Now, before starting each day, I check the wheels, hitch, trailer and boat just to make sure all is OK. I figure a little grease on the bearing buddies and a pressure check of the tires never hurts.
All good advice. I especially identify with Keith's comment on checking the trailer after leaving it for any time at all. Someone stole my hitch pin while I was sleeping in a motel recently. Thank goodness for the safety chains. Now, before starting each day, I check the wheels, hitch, trailer and boat just to make sure all is OK. I figure a little grease on the bearing buddies and a pressure check of the tires never hurts.
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