Over the years, friends have wondered why they were having bearings go out on their light duty trailers. The reason is pretty simple. The majority of light duty trailers, like kayak trailers, have very small wheels as compared to normal automobile or pickup truck wheels. Because of their smaller diameter, they turn MANY more revolutions per mile than automobile wheels, creating a lot more heat, especially at highway speeds, for these smaller bearings which are light duty bearings to begin with. Hence the need for frequent maintenance, which resourceful DIY Paddlewisers can handle themselves. You can, can't you? *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
From: "Dave Bishop" <bishopd_at_jps.net> Subject: [Paddlewise] Kayak Trailer Bearings > The majority of > light duty trailers, like kayak trailers, have very small wheels as compared > to normal automobile or pickup truck wheels. Because of their smaller > diameter, they turn MANY more revolutions per mile than automobile wheels, > creating a lot more heat, especially at highway speeds, for these smaller > bearings which are light duty bearings to begin with. Hence the need for > frequent maintenance, which resourceful DIY Paddlewisers can handle > themselves. You can, can't you? Maybe I can, but I never have. What type of bearings are we talking about, ball bearing? roller bearings? plain bearings? *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
----- Original Message ----- From: "Gordon Snapp" <grsnapp_at_charter.net> What type of bearings are we talking about, > ball bearing? roller bearings? plain bearings? Polar Bearings................ *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Most of them are tapered roller bearings. Trailers using 8"-12" wheels do see high RPM as compared with vehicle wheels. Bearing load is, however, relatively light given the nature of the cargo. If your trailer sees the wheels in the water occasionally, a spring and fall re-packing would be a good idea. One can also employ the infamous Buddy Bearings which negate much of this kind of maintenance. As I do not dunk my trailer in the water I simply pack the bearings each spring. This is a simple operation that any paddler can do and it gives one the opportunity for visual inspection of the wear and tear on the bearing and race. Regards, Holmes ----- Original Message ----- From: Gordon Snapp To: Paddlewise Sent: Monday, September 29, 2003 3:31 PM Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Kayak Trailer Bearings Maybe I can, but I never have. What type of bearings are we talking about, ball bearing? roller bearings? plain bearings? *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
The other obvious message about bearings is - find a trailer that has larger automotive-type wheels - in a 13-14" size....better ride, easier to move by hand over rough ground, longer tire life, fewer problems with bearings... K *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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