Grease bearings with boat on trailer?

juels98

juels98

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
May 17, 2010
Messages
37
Hi,

2 questions :) I'm a first time boat owner. I'm planing to clean and grease my bearings on the trailer.

1. Can I do this with the boat on the trailer? I'd only need to jack up the trailer a little bit. (it's a 2200lbs boat)

2. Any advice besides using marine grease?

Thanks!!

Julian
 
paultjohnson

paultjohnson

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jul 29, 2010
Messages
1,560
Re: Grease bearings with boat on trailer?

I do it all the time w a heavier boat on the trailer. Jack it up PUT BLOCKS UNDER IT - SAFETY !!! Do your maintenance...
 
WebsterCityIowan

WebsterCityIowan

Seaman
Joined
May 27, 2009
Messages
65
Re: Grease bearings with boat on trailer?

Welcome Juels!

I think you should be okay just jacking your trailer up to pack the bearings. Just be safe and make sure that it's fairly stable. Also-just personal preference- it wouln't be a bad idea to look over the bearings and races really closely. They're a cheap item and you don't want them to fail when your out on the road.
Good Luck Man!!
 
lncoop

lncoop

Vice Admiral
Joined
Apr 18, 2010
Messages
5,147
Re: Grease bearings with boat on trailer?

It's fine to leave the boat on the trailer. Be sure to chock the wheel(s) on the other side. If you're already familiar with bearing maintenance in general that's great. If not, Google it. There are very helpful videos on line that will make it a snap for you. Also, I recently picked up a very useful tool for bearing work. It slides over the grease cap and rests on the rim allowing me to tap it back into place evenly. The first time I used it was one of those "where have you been all my life? moments". It also matches perfectly with the inner seals and made short work of tapping in new ones.
 
juels98

juels98

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
May 17, 2010
Messages
37
Re: Grease bearings with boat on trailer?

Thank you all for your responses!! I'm glad I don't have to take the boat off the trailer :cool:

I packed my first set of bearings this weekend on a utility trailer (practice run for the boat :redface:), boat trailer is next.

Thanks again!!

Julian
 
J

jgregory01

Seaman
Joined
Nov 25, 2009
Messages
53
Re: Grease bearings with boat on trailer?

So what is the name of this tool? Help a brother out.
 
J

jeffnick

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
May 24, 2004
Messages
695
Re: Grease bearings with boat on trailer?

If you hook the trailer to the car/truck it will be more stable while jacking and performing the maintainence.
 
lncoop

lncoop

Vice Admiral
Joined
Apr 18, 2010
Messages
5,147
Re: Grease bearings with boat on trailer?

jeffnick said:
If you hook the trailer to the car/truck it will be more stable while jacking and performing the maintainence.
Click to expand...

True story. That's what I usually do.
 
S

sw33ttooth

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 24, 2011
Messages
498
Re: Grease bearings with boat on trailer?

usually when i go to do this i come home from the lake on saturday leave truck hooked up and do them sunday morning jack the front axle up get messy then jack up the rear axle get messier then repeat on other side. some times helps to have 2 people a person coverd in grease and a person doing the jack and tire removal and mounting. then every thing doesnt get a 1/2 inch coating of grease and you only clean your hands once. only differnce wiht boat on or off is how much your jack can handle get a good jack then your fine i used a 2k lbs jack on my 6k lbs boat/trailer. you also dont accualy need marine grease any will work the seals should keep most the water out if there good.
 
2

2300max

Seaman
Joined
Sep 21, 2010
Messages
54
Re: Grease bearings with boat on trailer?

I agree, I changed backing plates,ran new brake lines etc. lifting a 4400 lbs boat and 1100 lbs trailer. chocked wheels used 6 ton lift/jack.
 
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