A perfect reason to have a tandem axel trailer

Just to set the stage, back in early May I replaced the races and bearings on all the wheels on my tandem axel trailer. Since then I have traveled about 1,500 miles and check the wheels frequently for temperature and any grease that might be leaking out. The hubs have all been warm but not hot and no grease visible. All bearing protectors have been in place. On the way back from fishing yesterday, all the wheels were fine. When I got home and put the boat in the garage, my partner says you have a problem, "you are missing a wheel". You cant imagine what ran through my mind, not only how bad it was but also how bad it could have been. I traveled maybe 15 miles on country roads and then the last 45 on the major highway at 65 to 70 miles per hour. The missing wheel was on the passenger side so my hope is that it came off and went into the ditch instead of hitting another vehicle. The other thought was having the tandem axel really saved me. Just said a little prayer as someone was watching over me. Here is all that is left. What looks like rust is road grime. The washer, castle nut and cotter key are still on the spindle. The back grease seal is also on the shaft. I have to clean it up to see the rest of the damage but it looks kike a part of the bearing from the front and rear are still on the spindle. I am going to say that the bearings failes and the tire spun right off. There is not a single mark on the fender at all.I am also needing another rim to match the others I have. Posted on the Garage Sale with a wanted. If anyone has an idea on the make of the wheel or where I can get another rim, it would be appreciated.John

This topic has 9 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 10 years, 8 months ago by Love To Fish.

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August 11, 2014 at 7:02 pm #428708

Basscatdreams
Participant

I actually had this happen to me on the way home from Nolin Lake in Kentucky with one of my boats. Only I was not so lucky, I had a single axel trailer and knew immediately when it came off….

August 11, 2014 at 10:11 pm #428709

1MANSHOWW
Participant

I left a tire somewhere between the lake and my house (200km) in a similar manner. Didnt notice it till I was backing the trailer into the driveway. Same as you, my father said “You have a problem.”The scary part about my incident was that two days earlier I had just had the annual “Safety” done on it. What a waste of money that was.

August 11, 2014 at 11:29 pm #428710

toledobasser
Participant

Isnt that the 20″ Boss rim?Jim EbarbMany, LA (Toledo Bend Lake)2004 Cougar/ 225 OptimaxHumminbird Helix 12 Chirp SI on BalzOut Mount at bowLowrance HDS 7 at bowHumminbird Helix 12 Mega SI on Ram Mount at ConsoleLowrance HDS 8 in dash at console

August 11, 2014 at 11:49 pm #428711

GRR884
Participant

wow..thats crazy. Years ago I lost a wheel on single axle only to watch sparks in the rear view mirror and the wheel pass me up.

August 12, 2014 at 5:16 am #428712

Basscatdreams
Participant

That is what happened to me Gary. I felt a huge thud and then saw sparks in the rearview mirror. By the time I got her stopped, I had left a gouge in the asphalt about 50 yards or so. My dad was sleeping in the passenger seat and work up and said, WTF and then he saw the tire pass us by on the drivers side and knew what happened. I am glad that tire did not hit someone, it would have killed them as I was going about 60 when it came off.

August 12, 2014 at 1:13 pm #428713

grybrd
Participant

So what do you surmise actually happened to leave the attaching hardware in place but to lose the wheel and hub? Inner and outer bearings both failed, destroyed themselves, and then the whole mess slipped off the axle? Given the maintenance and checking for heat that you reported, how can that happen? Makes me rethink my own trailer maintenance!Is the spindle going to need to be replaced (unclear in your photos)?Bummer!

August 12, 2014 at 3:15 pm #428714

BIGCATTER
Participant

As hot as that thing had to get to come apart as it did , there HAD to be a lot of smoke at some point . — Thats why Im always checking my mirrors . — I run a single axle , so all the more reason to be very vigilant , and to be sure and use high quality parts . — This Chinese junk that everybody is selling will come back to bite you in the a– if youre not careful . — Even Timken went offshore for a while , as well as BCA . — Ill buy KOYO any chance I get . — Hoss

August 12, 2014 at 4:37 pm #428715

Basscatdreams
Participant

Is anyone a fan of the self-contained oil hub bearings? I know a guy, who knows a guy, who has them on his “cough–ger” boat. lolNot sure if they hold a patent on those oil hubs or not, but curious as to what you all think about them.

August 12, 2014 at 4:58 pm #428716

Love To Fish
Participant

The only thing I can think of is that the bearings failed and fell apart. There is enough room in the hub for the bearings to go from the inboard ones and into the bearing protector on the outboard ones. Since there was no damage on the fender anywhere , the wheel would have had to spun off the spindle. I filled the hub with grease when I replaced the races and bearings so there should have been plenty of lubricant. I have my passenger side view mirror set out so I can see if anyone is in my blind spot and my rear window on the cap is dark so if it was smoking I would not have seen it.I had a chance to look at it last night. The washer was wrapped around one side of the nut and I had to pry it back to get the nut off. The outboard bearing housing was still on the spindle but was worn badly and had cut the spindle. The damage is severe enough that the axle will probably have to be replaced unless just the spindle can be. It would have to be cut perfectly straight and then the new one welded on perfectly straight. The inboard bearing housing was still on there but really tight to the spindle. It had also worn the spindle so replacement is required.The puzzling thing is that they went the 1,500 miles before they failed. If the bearings had a defect I would have thought they would have failed long before that.Thanks for the feedbackJohn
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