Vacation saved by my tandem axle trailer!
 

On more than one occasion I have posted the benefits of a tandem axle trailer, like quickly changing a flat by rolling the good tire unto a block of wood.

About three weeks before our scheduled rental of a lake house, to my surprise after dumping Anita and our 20’ Seafari in the water, as I rounded the crest to the parking area my left trailer wheel passed me and rolled into the woods. I knew the bearings were suspect but it was only 4 miles RT from storage to the ramp and truly was going to attend to it the next day. After pressure washing the axle and discovering only minor nicks in the spindle which blended out with a Dremel, I was able to install a new bearing hub assembly. So, thank God this event was not much more than an embarrassment and was easily, inexpensively, and quickly resolved, which would not have been the case with a single axle dragging on the road.

I agree with the one big outboard versus two smaller ones logic, but for trailers I continue to be happy with my tandem Hitchhiker.

Nice save. Had the tire not rolled past you, would you have noticed right away you were running on 3 wheels only? If not, how long do you think before you would have realized? I am just wondering if in a similar situation and not noticing right away if there would be additional harm to the one tire/axle holding up that side.

I was on one of my cross country mast deliveries when I pulled in to refuel one night. Umm, that's strange? Only three wheels. Have no idea when or where it came off. Luckily there was a hotel nearby so I laid up for repairs. Otherwise, jack the loose end up and strap it off tight to the frame until you reach a repair facility.

This is where Dexter's "Vortex" hubs come in handy. 6 year/100,000 mile warranty!

I used to have a 21' Chris Craft Scorpion. When I bought it the seller said something about his kids were "playing with the lug nuts". I didnt think anything of it until I was on the freeway a guy pulled up next to me screaming "The wheels are falling off your trailer!!!!" I lost 2 (one on each side). Dual axles have their advantages.

I towed a boat from Aransas Pass, TX to Boston, MA. I was about 80 miles from home and pulled up to a toll booth only to have someone tell me that my hubcap fell off my trailer. So I pulled over to find a totally smoked bearing that was just about on fire. Looks like the bearing buddy fell off at some point and the centrifugal force of the wheel spun alll of the grease out! Nothing like a 6 hour delay on the side of a tick infested highway in 95 degree heat before a holiday weekend.

Don’t even get me started on the piece of plywood kicked up by an 18 wheeler that perforated the hull of said boat or the transmission on the Uhaul taking a crap near the Greenbriar resort!!

You're lucky it came off into the woods and after you unloaded the boat too. The trailer was helping you get the job done. That was a smart move having the spare hub/bearing ready to go. Infrared temp guns are great for letting you know when the bearings are getting warm.

For sure on the IR temperature gun!! Every stop I make on the highway gets a scan on each hub!

I never pull my boat without my "trailer tote" in the truck......never! It has everything to fix an issue with a bad hub, bearings, etc.! It has an electric impact wrench, spare bearings, spare hub with bearings, grease gun, grease, two jacks (small and large), hand tools, tire repair kit, rags, Go-Jo, hammers, dust caps, etc., etc. I've had to change hubs along Alligator Alley in the summer when it was just under 1000 degrees, having all the tools makes it much easier!

X2! Atta boy! I have a Similar “Road kit” with all those goodies. Just peace of mind on a trailering trip

Prefer tandem..cost more but worth peace of mind...Bigshrimpin is a boat tow master he can hold classes for beginners. His towing resume includes at least 4 cross country trips with maxed out loads and under powered vehicles...how ya doing over there buddy?

Strick

In 60 years of trailering this was my first bearing failure. Thanks to all for some interesting remarks & tips on my tandem axle post. On occasion I roll one wheel onto a block of wood to check the rotation and if there is any excessive play in the unloaded wheel. Somehow this one got away from me. I am most thankful the wheel did not come off on the interstate and cross the road endangering others like I witnessed years ago from a trailer that was about to pass me going about 80. I currently have the boat stored about two miles from our normal ramp and with new bearings, hubs and tires on that axle. And also did the rotation, play check, and grease fill on the other axle.

We had another great time at the home we rented on Lake Hartwell. The grands progressed from skiing off the ski boom with the bridge between the skis, to a 6’ line attached to the boom, then to the 75’ long line and with the bridge replaced by bungee thereby providing another degree of freedom. My son and daughter remarked I didn’t use this baby step method for them. They were at the end of the normal ski rope with Mom holding them in the right position until “hit it" time. With the bungee the 8 YO boy was lifting one ski and then the other in anticipation of slalom- next time!