Announcement

[tattoo]

Bearing buddies are ok, but also dangerous for people who think they can just pump grease in them every couple weeks or months. Too much grease is bad in a bearing hub. Grease gets hot, then expands and blows out past the inner seal.

The second thing is that 99% of people out there pump so much grease into them that they blow out the grease seals even before they get on the road

The blown seal will now allow water and dirt into the bearings. You can always tell by the inside of the rim being covered in grease. Bearing buddies create a false sense of security. I've pulled many bearing buddies off to find water and rust in the bearings.

I've owned a dozen trailers ,worked on hundreds and built several myself.
On my own trailers I wont put them on. If they came with the trailer I use them,but still clean and repack my bearings at least once a year.

[MYLESLONG]

http://www.bearingbuddy.com/faqs.htm

[tattoo]

The only thing I disagree with is #3. Like I said, I've pulled off many bearing buddies to find water and rusty slop in the hub. Its always best to take them apart and check the bearings.

[06zuki]

The only thing I disagree with is #3. Like I said, I've pulled off many bearing buddies to find water and rusty slop in the hub. Its always best to take them apart and check the bearings.

those trls. would be the people who dnt care and never service their vechiles either.

[tattoo]

Exactly ,or they think the trailer can go through anything cause it has buddies on them. Like a boat trailer thats always in water.

[MYLESLONG]

So your hole point was about boat trailers? My lanscaping/ utility trailer only ever see's water in mud puddles. LOL!!!!

[parider]

Just picked up my trailer teh smorning. I had the entire trailer Rhino Lined and just mounted my toox box to the tounge. New picture in my gallery if anyone wants a look.

[tattoo]

No not just boat trailers
Hey ,believe whatever you want. I make lots of money fixing trailers. I just thought I would dispel a few myths and save you some money.

[Mr Mayor]

My neighbos trailer had bearing buddies, and he ended up tossing them for exactly the reason Tattoo said. rust and gunk and the seal blew up and muffed the rim (my 1st trailer had that problem too).

I wish I heeded my own warnings about tires here... already blasted a set inside a year, admittedly though, they were a little dry and under used until I got it.//

MM

[MYLESLONG]

No not just boat trailers
Hey ,believe whatever you want. I make lots of money fixing trailers. I just thought I would dispel a few myths and save you some money.

YOU REALY ARE THE ANTI BEARING BUDDY!!!!!!!LOL!!!!

[mudslinger828]

Just picked up my trailer teh smorning. I had the entire trailer Rhino Lined and just mounted my toox box to the tounge. New picture in my gallery if anyone wants a look.

I'd watch the tight turns with that big of a box on the tongue.

[dakota]

So is it safer to not to turn then> lol

[dakota]

Trailer Tire Truths
(From our pals @ http://www.hechttrailers.com/ )

The "ST" Sign
Look at the sidewalls of the tires on your car or truck you'll will see a "P" or "LT" designation. P stands for "passenger" while LT indicates "light truck," These indicate that that tire is designed for automotive/truck use. The marking on your trailer tire sidewall, will be an "ST" designation, which stands for "special trailer."
ST tires have been specifically designed for use on trailers and they are considerably different from automotive tires. The ST tire has inherent benefits specific to use on a trailer.
1. An ST tire has about 10 percent more load capacity than an equivalent LT tire and nearly 40 percent more than a P tire when each is filled to its maximum psi rating.
2. An ST tires's mold shape is designed to accommodate trailer wheels, which are typically narrower than P and LT wheels.
3. Because ST tires are narrow they roll easier. A free-rolling trailer tire does not need to turn or grip pavement like a steering or drive tire.
4. ST tires don't need a deep of a non-skid tread as P and LT tires do. As a free rolling, tire a deep gripping tread would be detrimental to its performance. Having a shallower tread depth provides the ST tire with two benefits:
a. it doesn't wiggle as much, which can help reduce sway.
b. it rides cooler, which adds to its longevity.
A ST tire also has stiffer sidewalls to reduce sidewall flexing. That will help prevent sway. The stiffer sides also lessen the risk of sidewall blowout.
Bottom line. Don’t put passenger or light truck tires on a trailer.

Under-Inflation
The most common cause of tire problems is under-inflation. It is estimated that a trailer tire that is 20 percent under-inflated will cut 25 percent off its lifespan; one 30 percent under-inflated will reduce its term by 55 percent. Under-inflated tires also affect fuel efficiency by as much as 10 percent due to added drag.
More important, under-inflation puts undue stress on the tire, producing irregular wear at best. At worst, under-inflation causes complete failure that can result in an accident. Abnormal tire flexing occurs when a tire doesn't have enough air, which can generate an excessive amount of heat internally. Too much heat will exceed the tire's capabilities and cause the tire plies to separate or result in a blowout.
Merely looking at a tire won't always tell you if it is under-inflated. In fact, some tires can lose up to half of their pressure before it is noticeable from appearance alone. (But you still should check for cracks or other signs of wear.) And with each pound of pressure loss, there is a corresponding loss of load-carrying ability. Therefore, you should check the tire's pressure regularly with a good quality gauge. And for accuracy, always check the pressure when the tire is cold. Driving only a few miles will heat the tire and increase the pressure reading.

Overload
Another major cause of tire failure is overloading. That is why it is important to know the actual load being towed. That includes the boat, trailer and any gear, including the boat fuel in the boat. An overloaded tire will produce an inordinate amount of heat, which, as mentioned above, can cause tire degradation or blowout.
So make sure to give your trailer tires a bit of attention. You'll find that taking good care of them before a long tow will make for a whole lot more trouble-free miles.

Another good topic now that it's warmer out and many of us are riding again.