HF tires and wheels

[Billinthedesert]

Bought and assembled the Harbor Freight heavy trailer with the two-ply tires. How critical is it to stay at 55 or under even when just hauling a couple of kayaks? (I'll build the tear this fall/winter.)
Also, how do you get grease into that weird, non-zerk grease fitting??
Thanks for advice for the total noobster ...

[Woodbutcher]

I drive mine as fast as the speed limit. I just took some solvent and wiped off that warning. Pretty sure it was put there by the lawyers. I took the hubs off and cleaned and repacked my bearings before going to far. You will be fine. People with HF trailers have been all over the country with few issues.

[les45]

Ditto on driving the speed limits, although I don't usually take it more than 70. The key is to totally clean the hub and bearings when you first get it and repack with a good quality grease. I use Red N Tacky #2 as it seems to be the one most used by a lot of boating folks. I think the grease fittings and the whole concept of pushing grease through the entire hub is a waste. I pack my bearings by hand the old fashioned way and simply make sure that there is a lot of grease around the races on both sides and on the bearings themselves. I re-pack about every two years and I've never had a wheel or bearing problem on my old HF.

[IndyCubby]

Agree with the others. Ive had two hf trailers and never had a tire issue. The one that I still have and use as a utility trailer has 8 inch wheels and has been across country a few times doing 70 or faster.....never an issue. Im about to put on my third set due to wear.....but thats from many thousands of miles. Keep the tires inflated to spec and you should be fine. Happy towing!

[Roly Nelson]

I have HF 12 inch wheels on both of my teardrops, and after over 35,000 miles and 3 sets of replacement "May Pop" tires.... no problems what-so-ever, so far. (May-Pop tires are made in China, and I've been told they may POP anytime) So far, I have never had to use my spare tire, which I carry with me at all times. For some reason, out of the 5 tire treads, the second and forth always are considerably more worn than the other three, and no tire experts can tell me why. Perhaps 65 to 70 mph speeds might have something to do with it.
Roly