Trailer Tune -up

[spring fever]

That time of year-Just finished pulling and checking all the bearings, brakes, springs on my dual axle trailer. Went 6000km this year. So what did I find. Bearings were all good, surface the rear seal rides on is still perfect (stainless sleeves) cleaned and refaced the hubs. 1 adjuster totally seized-made a tool to take it off easily and re-install new one. All adjusters anti-seized.
1 set of shoes-gone (who knew)- new backing plate installed-bleed brakes -all new brake fluid flushed thru. Springs and shackles are showing their age (11 seasons)- end of next year probably time to do them. Shoes and hubs look to have 2 years left-at which point I'll switch to a set of Kodiak disc brakes. That is a good switch point because I'll need 4 backing plates and probably could use new hubs.
Tires are down to the wear bars- New tires this spring or whenever they come on sale!! Checked all rollers, winches straps etc.

Aside from the tires this is a pretty good year trailer-wise-I do this every fall. I believe it keeps me trouble free and rolling thru out the season.
Just thought I would share a little trailer maintenance with all of you in the hopes I see fewer guys at the side of the road next summer. Not an exhaustive list-I'm sure you could add more!!

 

[bigbruce]

Good job, SF. You will also have to get a new actuator when you make the switch to disc brakes which will add to the cost. Seriously consider one with the automatic lockout. Worthwhile, though - fewer moving parts and much easier to wash down the moving parts after they've been in salt water.

 

[spring fever]

Good job, SF. You will also have to get a new actuator when you make the switch to disc brakes which will add to the cost. Seriously consider one with the automatic lockout. Worthwhile, though - fewer moving parts and much easier to wash down the moving parts after they've been in salt water.

The actuator I have is a titan II with the reducer for drum (1500 psi to 750 psi) -so my actuator is fine. No lock-out required as these are not surge brakes and I believe it is only surge brakes have a lock-out. May be wrong on that but I don't do anything with my drums right now. Too bad my wife can't see The good Common Sense you guys do In discs LOL

 

[gungadin]

switching to disc brakes may eliminate the need for backing plates

 

[spring fever]

switching to disc brakes may eliminate the need for backing plates

It does-the backing plate is what the shoes and actuator are attached to. The hub goes over top of that and is attached to the spindle by way of 2 bearings inside races and the spindle washer, Castellated nut and Cotter Pin.

 

[tubber]

Castellated nut

Should be in the recipe section under cowboy meals.

 

[bigbruce]

Should be in the recipe section under cowboy meals.

Actually those castellated nuts can be very painful!!!

 

[Statler]

Not sure of the size of tires you might be looking for but I believe that Princess auto has 14" trailer tires on galvanized rims on sale for $139 about a$100 off I think.

 

[spring fever]

Not sure of the size of tires you might be looking for but I believe that Princess auto has 14" trailer tires on galvanized rims on sale for $139 about a$100 off I think.

St 225/75R15-at least 8 ply is what I'm looking for-rated for 2540 lbs a tire-pretty high end tire.-No hurry-she's up on blocks until April.