Simple, cheap works

[Oldfart9999]

I'll stand by tip to get a heads up on trailer bearing failure avoidance. When you get to the boat ramp walk up the drivers side of the tow vehicle to the trailer axle/axles and touch the hub to see if it's warm or hot then walk around the back of the trailer and do the same on boats drivers side and do the same. If any one or more of the hub/hubs is warm or hot have all of them serviced. Do the same when you get back home.
There you go, free takes less than a minute and just plane works, no high tech gear needed. It can save you a break down on the road and a ruined trip.
Rodney

[apenland01]

My boat is in the shop now getting a couple of things fixed, but the main thing is a bearing.  I was backing down the ramp on Saturday getting ready to load and one of the guys on the ramp said "hey, your bearing is grinding".  So I got out, thanked him and noticed the hub had black soot on it.  Not sure what from, but the shop is working on it as we speak.

Good tip for sure.  Nearly the worst breakdown you can have not being on the water.

[Mike Cork]

I do this regularly, especially when on long distance trips Letting a bearing go to the point of spindle or hub destruction is no fun...

[Tatsu Dave]

Very good tip it can save you a lot of trouble on the road. I voted!

[Donald Garner]

Rodney tks for sharing this valuable tip.  Bearing failure like mentioned is no fun nor is it cheap to repair.

[coldfront]

I'll stand by tip to get a heads up on trailer bearing failure avoidance. When you get to the boat ramp walk up the drivers side of the tow vehicle to the trailer axle/axles and touch the hub to see if it's warm or hot then walk around the back of the trailer and do the same on boats drivers side and do the same. If any one or more of the hub/hubs is warm or hot have all of them serviced. Do the same when you get back home.
There you go, free takes less than a minute and just plane works, no high tech gear needed. It can save you a break down on the road and a ruined trip.
Rodney

rodney:  what's hot feel like in this case?  just 'warmer' than air temps?

[TNDiver]

I check mine but I worry about the fact that drive a short distance to the ramp, would it heat up enough.   You can do the same with your vehicles brakes if they are sticking.  They will get very hot to where you can't touch them very long without getting burned and it will burn your skin!  Don't know if it is the same for trailer bearings.  I need to get a spare set, just need to figure out what all info I need

[FishaHallic]

Mine are slightly warm, not hot.  I just repacked them a month or so ago, gotta think even new bearings are gonna create a little heat......right?

[Oldfart9999]

Long trip, comfortable to the touch should be fine.
Rodney

[rjn cajun]

This may be the one of the single best tips of all time for trailer pulling in general but more so for us fisherman considering how much we pull. This could save you hours on the side of the road or ruin a family vacation. I do this every time I get to launch. Maybe an overkill but on long trips I will also stop every 100 miles or so just to check. That 100 miles is about the length of time my wife and daughters decide they need a bathroom break

[FishaHallic]

Long trip, comfortable to the touch should be fine.
Rodney

Thanks Rodney

[big g]

Been doing that every trip for 30 years when I get home.  A friend once lost a trailer tire. And hub and it past his truck while driving down the highway.  I always check.

[rich12]

At the same time, you can grab the top of the tire and push in and out.  This will tip you off to worn bearings even if they are not hot yet.