Thread: Boat Trailer Maintenance, Tips, FAQ

Many times we have trouble with our wheels...this quick guide will give you terminology and show you how to measure you wheels bolt pattern size. That way you know what to order when you need new wheels or would just like to spruce up the ol' trailer.

Terminology




Please note that even and odd numbered lugs are measured slightly differently...notice the 5 lug wheel.




5 Lugs are most common on boat trailers...here is a quick reference for measurements.




Lug Nut Tightening sequence and torque

Excellent Scrapper!!!!

use synthetic waterproof grease. not regular wheel bearing grease and your problems will be over. for years i used red panther industries synthethic grease but can't find it now unless my son still gets it and uses it on the farm. but tractor supply co. has a synthethic water proof grease that is green. it will do the same thing as the panther grease. water will not get in your hubs with this grease but when packing the bearings do not get it on your clothes. it will not wash out because water won't touch it. i'm running my trailer that's been at least 10 years since i packed the bearings. try that with regular wheel bearing grease and you'll be down on the side of a road somewhere.

Thats some useful info! Thanks for going to the trouble of posting all of it and making it a sticky.

Thanks Scrapper its that kind of info that makes this a great site.

Thought of this after seeing Duckhunters post...thanks for posting and thanks for all of your compliments. Anytime I've done something to a boat, outboard, or trailer I've always had to scour the web looking for information...always wanted a place I could go and have most of it or at least alot of it. Will keep adding as I find information...thanks again guys!

ramcospec

belray

Maxima-Waterproof-Grease

greengrease



superior industries

instead of using a 2x4 to remove inner bearing try this. remove nut, washer and outer bearing. put washer and nut back on spindle, take hub and give a pull, washer & nut will go trough the hub and inner bearing will come out. alot of times this will save your wheel seal.

Great idea hawg!

Hey Scrapper, I checked on the torsion axles, they're a no go for me. But
I got some decent news, I had 2 different boat trailer shops look at my axle
and both of them told me the same thing. They'll bill the "other" trailer shop,
notice I didn't say boat on the later, or support me in %#$&% as witnesses.
They don't know if they can true it or not, I'll find out Wed. On your tire wear
guide above you missed mine, which is sidewall warpage and tread/cord sep-
aration from all of the above. 2 tires completly disfigured in 800 miles, they
actually separated like retreads without coming apart or going flat. They
were very expensive tires.

Yeah people won't put it on the line. For others like they used to. Somthing rly amiss in ur case.