Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos

Posted by FASTFJR on 08/02/08 - 8:52 AM

2005 Karavan Trailer with 2005 Montauk 170. I brought the boat home this weekend to get it ready for vacation. Both wheel bearings were replaced in the spring by the BW dealer. Without the boat in the trailer the hubs were both 118-120F after 30 miles at 65. With the boat on the trailer after 40 miles both hubs were 148-150F, they were fairly hot to the touch. In prior years they just got really warm (I do not know what the temps were). The trailer has not been in the water yet this year. I thought the temp was too high and called my local BW dealer. He had no idea what trailer hub temps run at, so he was no help. I guess my question is are these temps to high? Outside temp was about 80F.

Thanks

Posted by wrangler on 08/02/08 - 9:25 AM

They should be warm to the touch but not hot where you have to take your hand away.
To tight fasteners or incorrect bearing grease are the biggest reasons.
The nut should be tight then backed off to the next hole for the cotter pin.
The wheel should be spun when tightening the nut. Trailer wheels are smaller than tow vehicle wheels, they will turn faster which means higher temps. They should not be hot merely warm to the touch.

Posted by FASTFJR on 08/02/08 - 11:27 AM

Something is wrong with both hubs. I just jack up the trailer and struggled to get one spin out of each tire. Its going to the dealer Wednesday.

I don't see this nut your talking about. I took the tire off and all I see is the hub, where is this nut?

Thanks for the info

Posted by HarleyFXDL on 08/02/08 - 12:31 PM

Like any wheel bearing the wheel should spin freely with no binding. You shold be able to grab the wheel at the 6 and 12 o'clock positions and shake with no movement. As stated earlier, the hub nut should be snugged up the backed off to seat the bearing properly. If you can not move the wheels freely, you have a problem.

Posted by ioptfm on 08/02/08 - 1:02 PM

There should be a cap in the center of the Hub. Pry that cap off and you should see globs of grease along with the nut and cotter pin. Remove the cotter pin and back the nut off until the wheel turns freely. Then insert the cotter pin back and you should be all set.