New (to me) trailer needs a little maintenance. I have some questions.

[cecho]

I'm getting ready to take my new (to me) boat out for its first outing in a week and a half. Now that I've got most of the engine and out drive taken care of it's time to focus on the trailer.

While towing the trailer home after buying it (In a 30 MPH headwind ), one wheel bearing got hot and the bearing buddy popped off. The surge breaks seemed to be working (Ford Explorer didn't have any issue at all stopping) and did not seem to be dragging... At least I couldn't tell if they were dragging while driving... I also saw no evidence of smoke. The boat weighs 2900 lbs empty and has what I'm guessing to be 100 lbs of gear and 240 - 300 lbs of fuel on board. I'm going to put out a random guess that the trailer weighs 1200 lbs. That puts the towing weight around 4400 lbs. Which is probably what my Explorer weighs. Since breaking felt pretty much like it always does I can only assume the surge breaks work.

What should I do to make sure I make it to the lake in one piece? :lol:

I was planning on repacking all 4 bearings, bleeding the surge breaks, and cleaning and greasing (where necessary) the front wheel only drum breaks.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: New (to me) trailer needs a little maintenance. I have some questions.

If the Brakes are working, why are you bleeding them?
Are you bleeding them for any reason other than changing the Brake Fluid?

You will know they worked when you take the Drums off;
The insides should be nice and rust free if the brake shoes were doing their job.

If the trailer has a 5 Pin Connector, unplug the connector and try to backup.
If the brakes are working they will lock up HARD with the connector off.
4 pin trailers will have Free Backing brakes and this test will not work.

If one bearing was hot, check them all!
By the time you notice smoke the wheel may fall off!

Most Explorers have a tow capacity in the 3500lb range without optional equipment.
What year is yours and how is it equipped?

 

[cecho]

Re: New (to me) trailer needs a little maintenance. I have some questions.

Thanks for the help. I'll bleed the brakes to change the fluid if it looks old. I'll check the drums when I take the wheels and hubs off. It is a 4 pin connector and it has a mechanical break away device. I'll be repacking all the bearings. My Explorer is a 5.0 V8 AWD Eddie Bauer edition with a towing capacity somewhere around 6,000 lbs. I have a 5,000 receiver hitch on it with a 6,000 ball and tongue. I also have self leveling suspension. Except for only having a top speed of 65 MPH in a 30 MPH head wind, the trailer towed very well. Absolutely no sign of sway.

 

[lncoop]

Re: New (to me) trailer needs a little maintenance. I have some questions.

Hi cecho. Sounds like you're on the right track, but since you have no idea what if any maintenance was performed by the PO I'd suggest the following. Pull all four wheels and at minimum clean and repack bearings and of course replace as necessary. Go ahead and get new inner seals because they're cheap and you'll destroy them in the process. While the wheels are off go ahead and replace the wheel cylinders unless they look brand spanking new and carefully inspect all other brake components. If they still look serviceable (as willie described) clean them then disconnect the couplers nearest the wheels and flush a bunch of brake fluid through the lines. Doing it this way will prevent the introduction of new contaminants (rust, gunk, etc.) into the wheel cylinders. Once you're satisfied everything is as it should be slap it all back together then bleed and test. Good luck. Nice looking rig.

 

[IraRat]

Re: New (to me) trailer needs a little maintenance. I have some questions.

What's the tongue weight with that boat on there, and capacity of the Explorer?

 

[cecho]

Re: New (to me) trailer needs a little maintenance. I have some questions.

My Explorer is a 5.0 V8 AWD Eddie Bauer edition with a towing capacity somewhere around 6,000 lbs. I have a 5,000 receiver hitch on it with a 6,000 ball and tongue. Don't know the tongue weight, but my guess is that it's less than 450 lbs. The boat weighs 2900 empty.

 

[Alwhite00]

Re: New (to me) trailer needs a little maintenance. I have some questions.

My Explorer is a 5.0 V8 AWD Eddie Bauer edition with a towing capacity somewhere around 6,000 lbs. I have a 5,000 receiver hitch on it with a 6,000 ball and tongue. Don't know the tongue weight, but my guess is that it's less than 450 lbs. The boat weighs 2900 empty.

You can put a 10,000# receiver on a VW but it will not tow that, What does your owners manual say for towing capacity? Somewhere around 6,000 tells me you don't know for sure. Not trying to bust your balls but you really need to make sure your rig will handle it. It is probably fine but you should still know. Maybe the tag in the door jamb will tell you.

LK

 

[cecho]

Re: New (to me) trailer needs a little maintenance. I have some questions.

You can put a 10,000# receiver on a VW but it will not tow that, What does your owners manual say for towing capacity? Somewhere around 6,000 tells me you don't know for sure. Not trying to bust your balls but you really need to make sure your rig will handle it. It is probably fine but you should still know. Maybe the tag in the door jamb will tell you.

LK

6460 lb. I just didn't want to look it up. This boat and trailer is well within the vehicle's capacity.

 

[Alwhite00]

Re: New (to me) trailer needs a little maintenance. I have some questions.

6460 lb. I just didn't want to look it up. This boat and trailer is well within the vehicle's capacity.

Good deal, Sounds like a good fit.

LK

 

[cecho]

Re: New (to me) trailer needs a little maintenance. I have some questions.

It did as well as I could expect a 1/4 ton truck to do. Plenty of torque down low and I barely feel the trailer when slowing. I have yet to drive it in anything but a very strong headwind, but I think my next vehicle will at least a 3/4 ton pickup... I think my boats will be getting bigger. My dream boat is a diesel i/o with a fly bridge and a walk around cabin.