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Long distance- VA to SC, Towing my RXT-260X on SeaDoo iMove trailer.

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Tikiman

Tikiman

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I want to drag my new RXT-260X from Virginia Beach,VA to Greenville, South Carolina on a new SeaDoo iMove trailer. The trip usually takes 9-10hrs, mostly flat terrain. I drive a F350 7.3L Diesel. My concern is the trailer. I've made the trip many times in the truck, just never towed anything that distance. The trailer is new, (it has the new iCatch latch system) and has been towed less than 50 miles the few times I have been able to get the ski wet.
Is this trip too far for this trailer to make there and back? I'm concerned about the bearings and whatever else mechanical that could go wrong. Will the long miles be too much for the bearings and overheat or something? Also, I have a spare wheel/tire. Should I buy a second and throw it in the truck bed?
Thanks for your help.
 
If the ski doesn't have bearing buddies, get them. Make CERTAIN the bearings are greased before you go. Take additional ratchet tie-down straps and anchor both the front and the rear of the ski. The fact the trailer is new SHOULD lean you in a direction that you will have no issues. On the same token, the fact that it is new means you do not know the trailer,,,,

After the first 100 miles check the tires for high heat and re-grease the bearings. From there, I would just check things as you stop through out the trip and keep grease in the bearings.
 
Joe has given you excellent advice, I'm going to add just one thing, YES get a spare, get is from a tire distributor, tractor supply, the SeaDoo dealer will rape you. A spare should be less than $50.00 for tire and wheel. Also make sure the lug wrench in your truck fits the lugs on your trailer.

Lou
 
Good recommendations, I always carry a spare and a full tool box.
Also, if you need any help down here in SC, let me know. I am located here in Greenville.
 
Check the tire pressures and carry at least one spare, as well as the tools to change it. Strap down the ski a little more than normal like Joe said.

IIRC the bearings on that trailer are NEVR-LUBE's... So bearing buddies and grease are out.

You will be fine, the trailer will make it. However once you get there let the bearings cool before launching the ski.
 
OK, second tire..check. Northern Tools is close by. I saw they also sell bearing buddies. (and lug wrenches and quick-lift floor jacks and grease guns..) Sadly this little vacation popped up without much notice. After I get off my 24hr shift, I have a lot to get done for this trip and am not confident of my bearing switching-out skills. Great ideas, all.
So, does one apply grease to a fitting until it comes out somewhere? (I guess I need to Youtube videos on grease application now.)
Man, I Hate being new at stuff....
Thanks!

Ruskeyjdm- thanks for your offer. I'm actually staying with my cousins, nearby on Lake Keowee, have you heard of it?
 
Tikiman- absolutely, Keowee is an amazing lake. If you have the time, check out Lake Jocassee, no far from Keowee depending on where you are staying. It is my favorite lake to ride.
Enjoy the area, weather should be good throughout the weekend.
 
Don't blow out the seal on the inside of the hub!!! But I really don't think it matters as I'm 99.9% sure that trailer has NEVR-lube hubs!
 
"does one apply grease to a fitting until it comes out somewhere?"

Some are designed that way, it depends on your hub design. No grease type are sealed and there's little you can do, I suppose. If yours will take Bearing Buddies, the bearing buddies have instructions.

Most of the time, all you can do is put a couple of pumps in at a time, otherwise you might blow the hub seal out the back of the hub. The Bearing Buddies have a spring pushing a piston which keeps the inside of the hub pressurized, water can't get in unless the grease leaks out and the spring tension is relieved. This makes them great for submersion b/c the pressure inside ensures water can't get in.
 
Tikiman said:
I just went out to look at the trailer again. The bearing has a cover on it with "Knott and Waterproof".
I Googled it and learned that they are a no-maintenance automotive-styled bearing. Here is a link from a thread from Google search. Interesting.

http://http://www.**************/forums/showthread.php?t=184393

Sheesh, I have so much to learn...
Click to expand...

No maintenance simply means you can't do a shot of grease via the hub. That does NOT mean they do not require maintenance.

What I would do is, after 400 to 500 miles as long as the hub and or tires do not feel hot, have a shop re-pack the bearings. To big of a risk not to be certain

And for sure get a spare. I just assumed you had one.
 
All these trailers use automotive type tapered roller bearings, filled with sufficient amounts of grease. Personally, I don't like the idea of a non-serviceable bearing system in a marine environment.

You could always put a jack under the axle and spin the wheel to feel if there's any roughness.

This guy says the sealed types only last 2.5~3 years in his experience, he also explains how to remove the hub:

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?306544-Knott-trailer-bearings/page2
 
I see those bearings are just like those used in front wheel drive cars, pretty dang tough design. I think you're okay as long as they don't get hot and they feel okay when spun by hand.
 
Thanks!
CoastieJoe- thanks, I do have a spare, I just don't have a second spare.

I guess the reasonable thing to do is put the floor jack under the trailer when I pull off the trip for breaks and spin the wheel and feel for overheating.
Also, I might as well buy a set of bearings and keep them in the box for emergency repair. (As he pictures in his mind the good times to be had as he sits on the shoulder of the road, trying to replace bearings while rest of the family rolls their eyes and grow impatient... :facepalm:)
 
I don't think you need to jack the wheels off the ground during rest stops, just put your hand on the hub ans feel for heat as you do your walk around. You'll know if there's a problem long before losing a wheel.

It doesn't look like you'll be changing bearings on the roadside, I think they're pressed in and axle nut is torqued at over 200ft lbs?

Just slip a jack under the axle before you head out on the open road, if there's something awry you might feel the roughness ahead of leaving home.
 
While everything above is correct, and good info... it does get excessive.


You have a new-er trailer... and it's not that heavy. If you don't have any concerns towing it 10 miles... there shouldn't be any worries towing it 500 miles.

I've towed some questionable trailers over the years... because I have a tendency of buying "Projects" that aren't close to me. I towed my old Sportster home... over 200 miles... and it didn't even have grease caps over the bearing !! I stopped a few times, and touched the hubs... and they were cool. So... I kept going.

The only time a hub should get hot is if there is damage to the bearing, or if someone set the pre-load on it WAY too tight.

I've towed a lot of trailers... a lot of miles over the years, and the only issues I've had, were 2 blown tires.

So... take normal precautions.

1) Make sure the tires are inflated to max pressure.

2) make sure the hubs are greased

3) make sure your chains and lights are good.

4) Make sure your ski is tied down.

5) make sure you have a spare tire, and the tools to change it.


That's it. Go to your vacation, and have a good time... and don't worry about the trailer.
 
Thanks Everybody! The advice is always appreciated. I tend to plan for the worst & hope for the best. In my corner of the universe... there is always a character named Mayhem waiting to make his appearance.

...Now if anyone knows how to shut off the rain for the next 5days, I'm listening! :toetap05:
 
Tikiman, I'm right there with you on the weather, kinda a bummer when you have the whole week off and cant do much. Thought it would hold up better
 
Well, I made the trip w/o any incident. We stopped pretty much every hour for one thing or another.. (1 son w no needs, 2 females in truck w small bladders..) I checked the hubs w my hand each time, no heat, just slightly warm. So, looks like no worries for return trip.
Of course, the rain had stopped at home and the forecast was to be hot and sunny through weekend. HaHa, the rain followed us the entire trip and has been solid pounding rain with thunder and lightning since we arrived at Lake Keowee. The forecast says its supposed to continue through the weekend.... :banghead:


...the beatings will continue until morale improves.
 
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