trailer tires and bearings

[lee senn]

O.K. now the unending questions begin. I received my Northern Tool trailer and have it assembled and ready to turn right side up, install wheels and floor. I have noticed that at the Harbor Freight store the trailer instructions say do not tow at speeds in excess of 55 miles per hour or words to that effect. My Northern Tool trailer indicates do not tow at speeds in excess of 45 miles per hour. Do I need to get high speed bearings and better tires or does everybody simply ignore the warnings and move on. When towing I stick to about 60/65 miles per hour. Thanks Lee

[KCStudly]

This has been discussed at length, over and over in more than one previous thread. Read the posts.

To recap: Clean and repack the bearings using a good high speed wheel bearing grease (keeping everything impeccably clean), replace the seals rather than trying to reuse them, and drive within reason for a vehicle in tow (i.e. under control and with adequate stopping distance) and you will be fine.

My opinion is that the speed restriction is based on liability concerns against people who have no idea what they are doing, have never towed before, and quickly get in over their heads, either due to ignorance, over confidence, or both.

If you have never towed before, start out slowly and work your way up over many different road and traffic conditions so that you can learn how your set-up responds and determine that you do not have any quirky issues that need to be addressed (bounce, wag, under steer, high hub or tire temps, weight balance, etc.).

If everything goes smoothly, you will gain confidence and experience, and you will do fine.

My $.02.

[les45]

+1 on what KC said. Lots of info already on the forum. Bottom line is drive reasonably and you will be fine.
One thing that a lot of people neglect though is planning for the possibility of problems on the road. Anticipate everything bad that might happen (Murphy's Law) and prepare for it. Include proper tire changing equipment (jack, right size lug wrench or socket, etc), spare tire, spare hub, and tools needed to do anything that might be anticipated. I keep a kit in my TV that includes all these things just in case.

[Dale M.]

Every once in a while while towing (does not matter what) when I stop, I walk around trailer and feel the bearing hub... If its cool or barely some heat, I know its probably ok... If it is HOT there is a problem.... On trailers with electric brakes, the hubs and drums will be a slight bit warmer than hubs without brakes ...

Dale

[Lgboro]

X2 on Dale's post - I have towed for years all kinds of trailers at high speeds and I also check the temp of my hubs every time i stop. The only ones I have ever had completely fail are boat trailers that are constantly submerged in salt water (even with extra care eventually you will have a failure with salt water boat trailers). Even the 8" wheels will run for years with a little care.

[les45]

Another caution on the12" tires on the HF and NT trailers, check the tire pressure after they have been parked for an extended period. They do lose air over time just sitting. Also, check the tightness on the lug nuts often. They have a tendency to loosen. I know one person who nearly lost a wheel due to loose lug nuts. They require a lot of torque (90 ft-lbs).