Wheel diameter

[andrewkafp]

I have a trailer (Australian Dunbier) with 12" wheels, and radial tyres. I am about to travel @2000km on good surface roads. I can't replace these wheels with larger diam to reduce friction due to Carport clearance, mudguard clearance, roat ramp launch height. Is there anything I should do to ensure that they don't overheat and blow tyres ? The time of year will be late spring and @25 deg C on average.

 

[Hasbeen]

Re: Wheel diameter

If the tires are in good shape, make sure your bearings are cleaned and greased, run the maxumum tire preasure,(should be posted on the tire somewhere), and keep the speed down 55 MPH or so, Not sure what that figures in KPH! Keep an eye on bearing temps, Feel the hubs every so often when you pull over for a break! Should be fine, and have a nice trip!<br /><br />Hasbeen

 

[andrewkafp]

Re: Wheel diameter

Thanx Hasbeen<br /><br />55mph = @90kmh That would be a good speed as limits here range from 100kmh to 110kmh (freeway)<br />Will strip down hubs, check out and re-grease bearings.E-mailed to manufacturer about Pressure (think it's around 50psi_) Have 1 spare wheel /tyre and periodic checks will be done.<br />This time of year, us Southern Australians need to travel way up North for good weather and fishing.

 

[Hasbeen]

Re: Wheel diameter

Always wanted to come to Austalia, but just havnt made it yet! Wife hates snakes and says there are a lot of them there, so she wont go! She also says I cant go to the beach because of the topless issue! What do you fish for??<br /><br />Hasbeen

 

[andrewkafp]

Re: Wheel diameter

Actually, Hasbeen.. the wheels are 10" not 12..<br />But it's a very well known professionally made Dunbier trailer, so it would have to be designed for towing anywhere. I'll just make sure that the bearings and pressures are all good.<br />As for Australia.. It's a massive area of land..<br />In all of my 48 years, I've only seen 10% of it.<br />We live way down south, and fish in Port Phillip <br />bay for Flathead, King George Whiting, Snapper, Trevally, Mullet and from the surf coast .. Australian Salmon. <br /><br />As far as snakes go, we have most of the bad ones, but you would never see one unless you were bushwalking in a remote area or walking through long grass in summer.<br />They have anti-venom for all of them.. so by some remote chance of a bite ( Never met anyone who was bitten).. You won't die <br />When I can get time off, we go 2000km up North to the Sunshine Coast (Queensland) which has nice warm to hot weather like California all year round. It's closer to the tropics and you won't see any snakes there And the fish up there are totally different.This is a local fishing forum from up there.<br /> http://www.fishraider.com/ <br /><br />Topless issue ??? Only happens at trendy over populated beaches like Surfers Paradise, Bondi.. etc. You won't see it in many places..<br />Sorry ' bout that

 

[T S N]

Re: Wheel diameter

carry a spare tire, wrench to change it, and a jack. Much better to have and not need.

 

[andrewkafp]

Re: Wheel diameter

Dismantled , cleaned and re-packed bearings today. They looked OK. Got a spare,jack wheelbrace.

 

[werdna]

Re: Wheel diameter

Unicorn,<br /><br />I have seen a product available which runs oil in the hubs as opposed to grease, hence reducing the temperature of the bearings. If you have a look at BIAS (www.biasboating.com.au), they are called Sea Bears and are $69.95. these are supposed to be the best thing since sliced bread, and although i dont run them i think i would if i could afford them . If you have a standard tyre on the trailer at the moment you should pump it up to about 35psi. if you want to go up to a higher pressure, look at getting an 8ply light truck tyre, as with these you can pump them up to 50psi. Also, just remember to take a spare set of bearings with you (a set of bearings for an HT hub will set you back about $20) and plenty of gear to change the bearings if they die. I dont have a Dunbier trailer (we've got a RoadMaster) so im not sure what sort of hub they use, although check this out. You might want to take a complete hub with you. A galvanised HT hub costs about $30 from memory, so its well worth the security of having the spare!<br />Andrew

 

[andrewkafp]

Re: Wheel diameter

Thanx for the replies. (Is Werdna.. Andrew spelled backwards ? )<br />I dismantled, cleaned with Kero and re-packed bearings and filled the Bearing Buddies. There was no sign of any rust and the port side grease was clean.. starboard was black. Bearings spin OK when cleaned and oiled. Might take your advice with the spare bearing kit, the hub is a rare 4 bolt though. I reckon she'll travel fine, with periodic checks..<br />BTW can't go any bigger with wheels due to guard clearance and carport height( 1/2" clearance)..

 

[werdna]

Re: Wheel diameter

Well observed Unicorn, werdna is indeed Andrew spelt [sic] backwards! From what you are saying, i would imagine that the 4 stud hub is either a toyota or a ford stud pattern. Just a suggestion.<br />Andrew<br /><br />PS> we used to have a small 1960s trailer with a 10' brooker ontop, which had minature wheels ~10-12"!!! we towed that from perth up to kalbarri once and down to August/Denmark a couple of times. These didnt even have bearing buddies, although we did install the best bearigns we could find- we went to an industrial bearign supplier. It was well worth it! Just a hand temp check and didnt go over 90 clicks and it was fine!

 

[andrewkafp]

Re: Wheel diameter

Feedback.<br /><br />The trailer with the 10" wheels (After some preventative maintainence .. Check, grease, adjustment) travelled 4000 km at between 100-110 KMH. Road temperatures were quite hot through NSW and periodic checks showed that although warm, the tyres and bearings held up with no problems.