Prepping/winterizing your boat trailer

[iconoclasticPaul]

Hey folks, I know about the winterizing of my boat engine, however there is one more thing for me to learn, how does one go about greasing the bearings on the trailer's wheels?
Do you use a jack to remove the tires or what? What kind of grease is used etc. How is all that done? Thank you BFT folks!
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[danzilla]

I usually replace the bearings and races every other year and pack them with marine grade grease every spring.
its easy to do, I can come over and do yours and show you so you know how to do it in the future.
DZ
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[wiperhunter2]

If you buy Bearing Buddies, (I'm not sure of the exact spelling), you won't need to pack them every year. You will need to use a grease gun after you pack them the first time with marine grease, after that just fill them up once or twice a year with the gun. Take Danzilla up on his offer, he knows all about that stuff. WH2
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[kokeking]

i agree with wiper,if you have bearing buddies ,not much to it as for winterzing the trailer.with bearing buddies the one thing to watch for,is over filling the bearing and blowing out the grease seal on the back.also if possible block up the trailer to get the tires off the ground,this will help to decrease the chances of flat spots in your tires.i usually give all the nuts and bolts,the springs and the shackels a good dose of wd-40 when it's going to sit for the winter.
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[Gumbo]

I've got to disagree with my well-respected friend regarding bearing buddies (BB's) and bearing maintenance. The problem with BB's is that they instill a false sense of security regarding the bearing. They don't seal out moisture, and the grease that's in there doesn't get replaced. And grease breaks down over time and with travel-induced heat.

So if you have BB's, you still had better replace or at least repack your bearings and races at least every other year. Repacking them is cheap insurance against finding yourself stuck on the road on a cold night after your bearings failed when you don't have the tools to easily fix the situtation. It seems like you can't drive to Lake Powell and back without seeing at least one boat left on the roadside while the owners are off trying to get new bearings, grease, etc. Not a good situation to be in.

I'm including as an attachment a Microsoft Word document that has two accounts of how to change your bearings. I did not author either one. But they're what I used to learn how. If any of it sounds intimidating, get Danzilla to help you. Then next time you'll have it down.

A few other things I do to the trailer is to release all tension on the transom and bow tie-down straps. If you won't use your trailer for months, then jack up the boat to relieve pressure on the tires which causes flat spots. Also, jack the front of the trailer up all the way so that all water will drain out the back.
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[wiperhunter2]

I agree with you on BB not being a cure all. I was just letting Paul know they are worth looking into and they do help by keeping most of the water out. Like you said, you still need to take them apart every few years, check and repack the bearings. I always keep a spare set of bearings in my boat just in case and I always bring a jack and tools when going on a long trip. I have never jacked my trailer up to get the wheels off the ground but it sounds like a good idea. WH2
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