Decided to plump for a trailer to carry all our equipment. Found one on gumtree and bought it. When I got it home, looked at the wheels, hubs, tyres and realised it definitely needed new tyres, new bearings, so may as well get new hubs as well.
Previously it had 8" mini wheels (100mm pcd) so changed to 10" (100mm pcd) because I have built the trailer an expansive lid, so double its carrying size. I will upload some photo's.
However having fitted the new hubs, it appears I have around 1mm to 2mm of play from side to side, the bearings fit the 1" stubs perfectly....having questioned the supplier they asked about the D shape washer between the bearing and castle nut. There wasn't one on before....so have now ordered some 50mm washers with a 25.5mm hole....will this be OK??
Bit worried, don't want the hubs/wheels to wobble off at speed!
------------- Easter - Forest of Dean
May Bank Holiday - Buxton
Other May Bank Holiday - Dumfries and Galloway
PLEASE PLEASE don't take this the wrong way, but do you have any idea how much over engineered your side extensions are ?
The four corner posts, and perhaps two lengths running from front to back would have done the job.
On a serious note, how do you gain access to load the contents, is the whole top hinged? if so, you will have to be very accurate with the way you load it.
Obviously it is an impressive piece of woodwork
With regard to the movement of the bearings. is the play of 1mm to 2mm at the tyre edge. Some bearings are designed to be like this, the ones on my trailer are the same. I'm an old time car mechanic, and this is the way they were made to work at one time. The nut was tightened up then backed off one nut flat to give some free play
------------- Canvas tent, paraffin light, petrol stove. Heaven
I'd rather be kayaking.
Spent up, not pent up, just had my new tent up.
Yes your right, but I wanted strength in the lid as it's not finished yet....cycle carrier x 2 to go on yet, so needed rigidity....probably still over did it though!!
Yes whole top is hinged from side, but reckon all heavy stuff will fit in the bottom bit, top will be for things like sleeping bags, mats etc, will use cargo nets etc to keep things tucked away.
Yeah, I'd heard that... but the play is a couple of mm at the hub, so when you grab the wheel by hand you can move it more like 5mm at the tyre edge in every direction. I understand that the hub being a bit loose can keep the temp down. The castle nut is fitted tight and the bearings packed with grease but you can slide the hub 1 to 2mm left to right on the axle suspension stub... I know the wheel won't come off?.but will it cause bearing failure due to the excess movement?
------------- Easter - Forest of Dean
May Bank Holiday - Buxton
Other May Bank Holiday - Dumfries and Galloway
Yes it will, I think probably the thick keyed washer is missing.
I really hope you aren't going to put bikes on top. The trailer is already higher than it is wide. It's not going to be very stable. You need a much wider trailer if you want to extend like that.
There wasn't a washer on the original hub, so have ordered 4 of these
Assuming 2 on each side will stop the lateral movment and be safe??
The base is all steel with checker plate, so quite heavy, so thought that would be OK....I know what your saying regarding being top heavy though...trial run once wheels are sorted without wife and kids and bikes....then with bikes....then and only then if all successful, wife as well ; )
If still ok, ill put the kids in the car
------------- Easter - Forest of Dean
May Bank Holiday - Buxton
Other May Bank Holiday - Dumfries and Galloway
Not the washers I was thinking of, but may well sort it. A picture of the end of the hub would be useful. Is there a big nut and is the end of the stub axle threaded?
If so, is there a groove down the threads? The washer may have a ky, or it may be done by a thinner plate that can be bent over to lock the nut. Two nuts are usually used for this, one to lock the other, and separated by the thin plate.
If you have any pictures of the hub assembly it would be a great help.
Just a thought.....how about packing the "squishy" stuff into the lid part and securing it with net or mesh material then closing it onto the lower part with the heavy/bulky items - might save trying to balance it all whilst shutting the lid or is that a daft idea??
Just a thought.....how about packing the "squishy" stuff into the lid part and securing it with net or mesh material then closing it onto the lower part with the heavy/bulky items - might save trying to balance it all whilst shutting the lid or is that a daft idea??
Hmmmm! Built with checker plate, wooden top and cycles on top of that + heavy load on the bottom. I would be careful with the actual weight of the trailer. Do you know the limit for the suspension units?
Quote: Originally posted by philz55 on 26/2/2013
Hmmmm! Built with checker plate, wooden top and cycles on top of that + heavy load on the bottom. I would be careful with the actual weight of the trailer. Do you know the limit for the suspension units?
I was thinking the same but as I'm new to trailers thought best not comment, I think my 5x3ft Caddy trailer is rated at 500kg and would love to extend its height but need to assess the weight I'm putting in before I consider building it up.
Glad you took my comment as it was intended, it does not always come across as intended when typed out. Don't think the bikes would be too much of a problem, as they don't cause much sideways windage. I often load my trailer high, and worry about police thinking it may be a bit top heavy, but all my heavy stuff is low down. My loading is basic trailer heavy stuff, then side extensions for light weight gear, and then a dinghy or kayaks on top of that
Hope the washers solve the bearing problems.
------------- Canvas tent, paraffin light, petrol stove. Heaven
I'd rather be kayaking.
Spent up, not pent up, just had my new tent up.
Quote: Originally posted by scotzlynnie on 25/2/2013
Just a thought.....how about packing the "squishy" stuff into the lid part and securing it with net or mesh material then closing it onto the lower part with the heavy/bulky items - might save trying to balance it all whilst shutting the lid or is that a daft idea??
yep cargo nets will hold sleeping bags etc
------------- Easter - Forest of Dean
May Bank Holiday - Buxton
Other May Bank Holiday - Dumfries and Galloway
Quote: Originally posted by philz55 on 26/2/2013
Hmmmm! Built with checker plate, wooden top and cycles on top of that + heavy load on the bottom. I would be careful with the actual weight of the trailer. Do you know the limit for the suspension units?
Previous owner said 750kgs, as the metal frame work is hefty. I reckon the trailer weighs in at 250kg...ish..but will check with local weighbridge.
------------- Easter - Forest of Dean
May Bank Holiday - Buxton
Other May Bank Holiday - Dumfries and Galloway
Quote: Originally posted by raf48 on 26/2/2013
Glad you took my comment as it was intended, it does not always come across as intended when typed out. Don't think the bikes would be too much of a problem, as they don't cause much sideways windage. I often load my trailer high, and worry about police thinking it may be a bit top heavy, but all my heavy stuff is low down. My loading is basic trailer heavy stuff, then side extensions for light weight gear, and then a dinghy or kayaks on top of that Hope the washers solve the bearing problems.
Nearly, got 2mm washers..took for a quick spin and there is still a bit of play, so going to add another 1mm washer on each side and think that will do it.
------------- Easter - Forest of Dean
May Bank Holiday - Buxton
Other May Bank Holiday - Dumfries and Galloway
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Topic: Trailer maintenance and issues
or is that a daft idea?? 
