New Posts New Posts RSS Feed: Road bases
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Register Register  Login Login

Road bases
 Post Reply Post Reply
Author
  Share Topic Share Topic  Topic Search Topic Search  Topic Options Topic Options
laser193713 View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more


Joined: 13 May 09
Location: United Kingdom
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 889 		Post Options Post Options   Quote laser193713 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Road bases
    Posted: 16 Dec 15 at 4:18pm
Originally posted by JimC

Its easy enough to test bearings, don't just chuck 'em out on principle. Just lift each wheel off the ground (couple of bricks) and check that the wheel turns smoothly by hand with no hesitation (and especially no sort of "notchy" feel, and that the wheel doesn't wobble on the suspension unit. A genereous shot of grease first will do no harm. Even if the wheel wobbles it may just need adjustment.

Alternatively hook it up to the car, drive 20 miles down the road as fast as you dare. If the wheels are still in place than that is stage one passed. If they didn't make a noise then this is stage 2 passed. If you can touch the bearings without burning your fingers then you're doing better than most!  LOL
Back to Top
JimC View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more
Avatar

Joined: 17 May 04
Location: United Kingdom
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6660 		Post Options Post Options   Quote JimC Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Dec 15 at 2:14pm
Its easy enough to test bearings, don't just chuck 'em out on principle. Just lift each wheel off the ground (couple of bricks) and check that the wheel turns smoothly by hand with no hesitation (and especially no sort of "notchy" feel, and that the wheel doesn't wobble on the suspension unit. A genereous shot of grease first will do no harm. Even if the wheel wobbles it may just need adjustment.

Edited by JimC - 16 Dec 15 at 3:30pm
Back to Top
about a boat View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie


Joined: 25 Oct 06
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 60 		Post Options Post Options   Quote about a boat Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Dec 15 at 1:43pm
If the trailer is like that then the bearings would most likely be shot as well. Although a little more expensive than bearings but would be a lot less hassle on an old trailer, an option is to replace the whole indespension units. The cost around £80 a pair and you just unbolt the old one and bolt on the new one. Then you will have perfectly running bearings and suspension for a long time.
Back to Top
MSaxp View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie


Joined: 01 Nov 15
Location: Swindon
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 10 		Post Options Post Options   Quote MSaxp Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Dec 15 at 9:50am
I will do, thanks.

I haven't really sailed the boat yet, I only just bought it and I sail in a lake anyway :)
Back to Top
laser193713 View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more


Joined: 13 May 09
Location: United Kingdom
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 889 		Post Options Post Options   Quote laser193713 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Dec 15 at 9:22am
The roller can normally be removed by taking out two bolts, one at either end. If this is all seized and rusty then it's a sign of trouble. I doubt that the road base will have been in the water but the salty wet trolley being pulled over it could have brought enough salt to the bearings that they have given up, especially if it wasn't used too regularly. 

If you can't get the roller to turn with some good penetrating spray and a bit of brute force then I would be very surprised. Then just pack as much grease as you can into the bearings (not really bearings, just a hole in some metal rotating around a bolt) as you can possibly get away with. 

In the future just make sure you wash the boat down after ever sail, including the trolley, particularly if sailing on the sea. 
Back to Top
MSaxp View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie


Joined: 01 Nov 15
Location: Swindon
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 10 		Post Options Post Options   Quote MSaxp Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Dec 15 at 1:51pm
Ok, I will have a look and see what needs doing to both bearings. Don't want to have a dangerous trailer (although no intention to move the boat in the foreseeable future)

Thank you!
Back to Top
Time Lord View Drop Down
Far too distracted from work
Far too distracted from work


Joined: 03 Dec 13
Location: Warwickshire
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 301 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Time Lord Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Dec 15 at 9:57am
Just because you have new wheels does not mean that the previous owner has looked at or serviced the wheel bearings which are in the stub axle and not the wheel. The fact that the roller has seized up makes me wonder if the trailer has been in the sea and wonder what is the state of the axle bearings.

Check these and at the very minimum squirt in some grease!
Merlin Rocket 3609
Back to Top
MSaxp View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie


Joined: 01 Nov 15
Location: Swindon
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 10 		Post Options Post Options   Quote MSaxp Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Dec 15 at 9:13am
Thank you.

The wheels were just replaced because they were old and the chap who brought it over had to drive it for 100 miles. And I don't really intend to move it anytime soon.

I was just hoping to keep the boat on the trolley, on the road base, to save some space. But I currently need 2 people to put it on and off, which doesn't help.

I will have a look at the bearing of the roller when I get a change.
Back to Top
Neptune View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more
Avatar

Joined: 08 Jun 09
Location: Berkshire United Kingdom
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1314 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Neptune Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Dec 15 at 9:04am
if it doesn't turn then its probably just seized, some big grips to free it and then grease the bearing should see it work fine.  Yes they are higher than the wheel axle as the dinghy trolley has to go above the wheel axle as its a rigid axles between the wheels.

Provided when you get the trolley on the pin locks on the stub and the front and the trolley axles are held snug by the catches at the roller all should be fine for you to tie it down to.

I'd suggest though that if the roller has seized you might want to have a look at the wheel bearings too.
Musto Skiff and Solo sailor
Back to Top
MSaxp View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie


Joined: 01 Nov 15
Location: Swindon
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 10 		Post Options Post Options   Quote MSaxp Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Dec 15 at 10:08pm
Hello,

I finally got me a sailing dinghy.

It came with a trolley and road Base and my question is about the road Base.

It seems to be a weird not standard design and a bit tricky to work with. For example the roller is a bit too high (quite a bit higher than the wheel axle) and also doesn't seem to turn.

I assume that one option is to modify it. But it's an old trailer and I'm not really a welder.

So I had a look at buying one. Road bases seem to cost £600+ which I think is way too expensive, given you can get boats with trailers for not much more!

Any tips? Anywhere I can find second hand Road bases? The boat is just a little RS vareo, so not too big or too heavy.

Thank you!

Mike
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Bulletin Board Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 9.665y
Copyright ©2001-2010 Web Wiz
Change your personal settings, or read our privacy policy