Just had a first ride with the trailer .. few questions

[angib]

On the first trip after I replaced the bearings, seals, and grease, I noticed one side was warmer than the other. I backed off the castle nut one notch (on the bearings that were warm). Everything is now fine - runs cool - and that was about 500 miles on the trailer ago.

That was just what I was thinking.

The acceptable free play on a hub bearing is quite great - wobble of the hub when jacked up is not OK, but being able to move it enough to get a 'click' is fine. If in doubt, back the nut off a flat.

[Wolffarmer]

The curmudgeon in me says why put an oil cooler in the transmission. Just drive slower like you should when pulling a trailer. And use a good oil and have the transmission flushed like you should anyway.

Feeling your bearings for heat. 10-20 miles is enough only for very bad bearings. Once they pass that go between gas stops and then check.

And i don't know why people put "Bearing Buddies" on non boat trailers. Generally we don't go around backing warm hubs into bodies of dirty cold water. Just pack the bearings properly and they should go many thousands of miles, if the bearings was of good quality.

Yes, i am grumpy

Randy

[tcolar]

I've decided to not take the trailer to CA (leaving today), while it's pretty much ready, i decided not too because:
1) FEET of snow forecast over 2500' between today and saturday in northern CA
2) haven't had time to install tranny cooler
3) haven't had time to investigate warm bearing
4) would rather try it first on a "local" (<250 miles) trip.

Worked hard to finish it in time, but i don't think it's worth the trip.

It will be a quick in and out trip anyway, so we wouldn't have had time to enjoy it.

[Noob]

What was the ambient air temp ?
... if its 20 out, it might need loked at ... if its 100 then its fine.

[tcolar]

Juts had a second ride (~15 miles)

Since the last one, I've inflated the tires properly, loosened a bit the castle nut on the "warm" bearing and mounted the battery box.

Went much better, didn't feel the "drag" over 50mph (was probably the tire pressure) and the bearings / wheel hub stayed cool.

Went very well, barely know it's there.

Even got passed by highway patrol on the freeway, didn't even look at me