Trailers by Indespension

[ProDave]

Carefully placed with the axles / bearings just ABOVE the waterline.

For a small boat like the OP's, and with rollers on the trailer, that would work, but not for my boat that requires total immersion of the hubs to float the boat off.

 

[Capt Popeye]

hi electrosys - thank you for info

having read the info its perhaps 'interesting' that I saw no mention of 'water proof / resistant' bearings / hubs and that the pics seemed to show the trailers with the wheels in the water, but not the hubs.

also no mention of 'caution' about imersing the hubs

 

[Lakesailor]

I did think about getting a combination trailer but the one recommended as a road and launch trailer was more expensiveand therefore I would have thought better.


I have attached a picture of my boat if you are interested.

I had a similar (but heavier) boat and modified my lakeside launch trolley to retrieve the boat without any immersion at all.

​

I also had my road trailer set up in the same way to pick up the boat from the water's edge or the lawn if needed.....

To be honest I can't see why so many of you seem surprised that saltwater is not good for wheels,brakes, hubs etc.
I take responsibility for my own actions. If I chuck a trailer in the sea I expect to have to maintain it.
To expect a handbook with written warnings is a bit hopeful and to resort to Trading Standards to gain recompense seems OTT.
As has already been pointed out this may result in manufacturers supplying only marine grade materials in their trailers. See my earlier post in which I mention how much you could be paying for marine grade bearings.
Like Avocet, I think a few minutes maintenance is a decent trade-off for cheap trailing.

 

[electrosys]

hi electrosys - thank you for info

having read the info its perhaps 'interesting' that I saw no mention of 'water proof / resistant' bearings / hubs and that the pics seemed to show the trailers with the wheels in the water, but not the hubs.

also no mention of 'caution' about imersing the hubs

Yeah - but I don't think there's any realistic 'trading standards' defence there - "Must only launch boat on flat calm days. Any waves are a definite No-No" - that's rather like saying you mustn't use an umbrella when it's raining ...

Back up this thread away, I was actually defending Indespension - but now I've changed my mind: as you say, I think they have an obligation to at least have some kind of warning notice attached to their trailers, advising folk about the correct action to take if and when the trailer is fully immersed in salt water. Anything less is irresponsible.

Some users have the appropriate knowledge, but tyros do not - and on the basis that "you don't know what you don't know" (i.e. you don't even know that you have a lack of knowledge that you ought to be asking about in order to remedy ... ) manufacturers really ought to be catering for 'the lowest common denominator' (so to speak) - that is, the absolute beginner.

After all, if you look at a new motor mower - it comes with instructions not only about where to put the petrol and oil - but cautions about not touching a hot exhaust, or putting your hands anywhere near the blade when the engine is running ! Stuff that many of us would simply take for granted. Maybe trailer manufacturers should do the same.

 

[William_H]

Boat trailer bearings

The common trailer bearings I have seen are all the tapered bearing types. My own come from the front wheels of a Rear wheel drive car. Assuming this is the type OP has then yes the manufacturer should have given warnings or maintenance instructions about caring for bearings.
The bearing is easily dismantled by jacking the trailer removing bearing cap and removing the large nut on the end of the axle. The outer small bearing can be picked out and its condition is immediately obvious. The wheel and hub are removed leaving the inner rollers either on the axle or in the hub. Again the condition is obvious. Rust is a different colour to the grease. Regrease and refit the hub and wheel if all OK.
If you want to replace the bearing the outer bearing rings can be difficult to drive out using a hammer and drift. (soft metal punch between the hammer and bearing.) You can often however just replace the rollers for a quick repair.
I try to dismantle mine as soon as possible after each dunking. It takes about 10 mins.
There was the story of my Dad who went to Darwin to tow home a caravan. The van had only done a few Km but was a few years old. He set off down the road with 2500km ahead of him. After an hour or so the wheel fell off the van. The bearing had got hot melted off the axle and the wheel rolled into the bush starting a small fire. So yes you need to care for bearings.

It is common to see boat trailers around here with a spare tyre mounted on the winch post. If you look carefully you find they have mounted a stub axle on the post. The spare then has hub and bearings so everything can be replaced easily. I tend to carry replacement bearings for a long trip.

So to the OP I say get used to removing bearings and checking. carry spares.

Way back I used to teach power boat handling and being applicable to trailer boats I included a short lesson on bearing maintenance. It is just part of trailer boating. good luck olewill

 

[Beyondhelp]

Again, fit the indespension bearing savers. That will cure this.

 

[Seajet]

Yeah - but I don't think there's any realistic 'trading standards' defence there - "Must only launch boat on flat calm days. Any waves are a definite No-No" - that's rather like saying you mustn't use an umbrella when it's raining ...

Back up this thread away, I was actually defending Indespension - but now I've changed my mind: as you say, I think they have an obligation to at least have some kind of warning notice attached to their trailers, advising folk about the correct action to take if and when the trailer is fully immersed in salt water. Anything less is irresponsible.

Some users have the appropriate knowledge, but tyros do not - and on the basis that "you don't know what you don't know" (i.e. you don't even know that you have a lack of knowledge that you ought to be asking about in order to remedy ... ) manufacturers really ought to be catering for 'the lowest common denominator' (so to speak) - that is, the absolute beginner.

After all, if you look at a new motor mower - it comes with instructions not only about where to put the petrol and oil - but cautions about not touching a hot exhaust, or putting your hands anywhere near the blade when the engine is running ! Stuff that many of us would simply take for granted. Maybe trailer manufacturers should do the same.

+1 ! One should not be guessed at as being experienced when sold a product for a job.

Indispension should have replaced the OP's bearings as a gesture - instead they have got some pretty poor PR.

If they have any sense at all, someone is right now arranging 'do not immerse hubs / bearings' stickers for the trailers and useful 'top tips' brief handbooks, the cost would be negligible, and this is the 21st Century where "tough, mate, assumed you'd know that" doesn't cut it for after sales service...

 

[Neil]

After all, if you look at a new motor mower - it comes with instructions not only about where to put the petrol and oil - but cautions about not touching a hot exhaust, or putting your hands anywhere near the blade when the engine is running ! Stuff that many of us would simply take for granted. Maybe trailer manufacturers should do the same.

It reminds me of a case in the US (if it's not an urban legend), about a guy who successfully sued a camper RV vehicle manufacturer. He'd put the camper van on cruise control and then went back to make himself a cup of coffee. With the inevitable result. His case was successful because the manufacturer did not specifically state in the manual that under cruise control, the driver should maintain control with the steering wheel.

Edit: Actually, a moments google suggests that it is an urban legend! Pity - it would have been a good story!

 

[Ex-SolentBoy]

Is it too late to buy a launching trolley to go on top of the trailer?

I have just bought an Indespension combi unit, so perhps they make a trolley to fit yours.

 

[Seajet]

Yes, had heard of that one; but it implies crass stupidity, while all the OP was 'guilty' of was lack of experience; thoughtless at best ( and probably illegal ) not to supply some operating tips while taking his cash for the product.

 

[Capt Popeye]

yes, I would expect 'Marine Grade' components in a Boat Trailer AND proper Water Proof Hubs - I do not see Off Road Landy drivers dismantling the hubs to drain water out after a serious bit of Off Roading - fit for the purpose is certainly whats expected AND at least a warning sign about water dunking the hubs when its known to be a problem by the manufacturer and it would seem most of the Trailer Boating world.

there was a story about a customer getting burned by a cup of TEA and made a sucessfull cliaim against the Cafe because she was not warned that the TEA was hot

 

[Lakesailor]

If you are at risk of burning yourself on a cup of tea because of that then I would think seriously about boating.

yes, I would expect 'Marine Grade' components in a Boat Trailer

So that would be £360 just for the bearings then? I'd rather do a bit of maintenance each trip.

Going down the Trading Standards route may win the battle but lose the war.

 

[Seajet]

Lakesailor,

I think you're missing the point; if Indispension had supplied some warning sticckers on the trailer and a brief few notes on using their 'Marine' product, that would have avoided the cost and hassle.

Not rocket science to support one's product, I'd think any sense of pride in it would have had them wanting to do so.

Remember the Blackadder 2 episode where he buys a gun and consults the handbook, " Congratulations on your purchase of the Armstrong Cannonette; please read this carefully to ensure years of trouble-free maiming ".

It's not a new, cutting edge or loony idea to supply instructions...

 

[Avocet]

Absolutely Lakey! I just can't believe people can't see it coming! Someone, I'm sure, will successfuly sue a boat trailer manufacturer for providing something "not fit for purpose", and I imagine the response will either be to prevent trailer manufacturers from selling a sea boat trailer unless they also sell it with a launching trolley, or they'll have to develop eyewateringly expensive "marine" trailer running gear suitable for periodic immersion and we'll all get absolutely reamed every time we have to buy a spare part (which won't of course, be interchangeable with conventional trailer stuff.

After that, we'll start seeing insurers refusing to take road transport risks unless it's a trailer deemed suitable for marine use.

A few years after that, we'll probably see VOSA bringing in MOT inspection requirements for trailers - with particular requirements for boat trailers...

...and the bottom line is that I'll have to kiss goodbye to my £5 wheelbearings!

Seajet, I see your point, and in a sane world, I'm sure that might work, but these days, (speaking as someone in a manufactuing industry), it seems that disclaimers just aren't enough!

 

[Avocet]

yes, I would expect 'Marine Grade' components in a Boat Trailer AND proper Water Proof Hubs - I do not see Off Road Landy drivers dismantling the hubs to drain water out after a serious bit of Off Roading - fit for the purpose is certainly whats expected AND at least a warning sign about water dunking the hubs when its known to be a problem by the manufacturer and it would seem most of the Trailer Boating world.

there was a story about a customer getting burned by a cup of TEA and made a sucessfull cliaim against the Cafe because she was not warned that the TEA was hot

I don't think there are any vehicles (Landrovers or otherwise) that would survive a regular dunking in salt water!

 

[fifi]

Experience is a wonderful thing. Indeed I can see that you guys are aware of the problems that immersion brings.

I can't believe that the trailer did not come with some paperwork. I am not completely stupid I know salt corrodes but I did think a marine road trailer would be up to somewhat more than it has been. As per the sale of goods act - it should last a reasonable time and in the absence of instructions it has not lasted.

Not one person that I know or at the Academy after launch said hey quick after the launch lets all take off the hubs and clean and regrease them.

Just a simple maintenance check list would be sufficient. I surely can't be the first person that this has happened to.

I'm certainly not into not taking reponsibility for my own actions but as someone said earlier if you don't know you don't know. The manufacturer/supplier can't assume one has the necessary knowledge. After all if you go to buy mostly anything it comes with instructions and warnings on safety and things that would invalidate the warranty.

I am quite angry really and surprised too

Waiting to see what the supplier says now. Once it is sorted I will of course learn how to clean maintain and change the bearings.

 

[michaelh]

After a slightly worrying failure of a bearing on my single axle trailer I did a bit of reserch. The trailer had had 4 immersions and when returning from North Wales I heard a slight rumble. This was followed by a complete disintegration of the bearing about a mile from home - See pics..

Now this was a sealed for life bearing, something I've not had before so couldn't do any maintenance without a bench press and all the tackle. On my previous boat -with taper bearings - I've inspected bearings annually and through the season and replaced with new if there's any doubt.

A bit of research later. The axle was rated 1600kg. This was hard to determine since the marks on the plate were invisible. I reckoned with the boat full of fuel, batteries, anchors and my protable concrete mooring and other junk it was nearer 1900kg. I don't think that was the reason for failure but it didn't help. It seemed to me that the rig would be better off with twin axles. If this ever happened again there would be some redundancy and any way at that sort of weight it would tow a lot better on 2.

The trailer had obviously been specced on the weight of the boat without additional items and I suspect that a lot of rigs have the minimum specced trailer for the boat to keep cost down. I'd prefer to have a safety margin.

All bearing/hub manufactureres make no warranty with regards to waterproofness and I found plenty of evidence that there are numerous get out clauses to any warranty if you put them in water. But I need too immerse the trailer some times (its a 6.5 m rib) although I do try and leave the axles above the water.

I ended up replacing with Alko axles with their new waterresistant bearings. These are sealed for life units with additional seals but the advantage of these (I don't believe in waterproof but I am hoping that they will last a bit longer) is that the hubs are replaceable if anything similar happens. So I can renew the brakes and bearings with new complete hubs at about £80 a corner or just replace bearings and brakes at about £40. So that's a commitment to about £300 every 2 or so years I reckon.

The new axles came with a complete instruction manual for maintenance and operation so I'm sure indespension units should have the same.

 

[gljnr1983]

Easy greasy

What i have noticed here is some people dont bother greasing there bearings after every use. Bearings should be re greased after every dunking pushing the water out . I have never had a bearing go on me with this method.If you have plain grease caps with the weep hole in the centre and cannot be bothered getting covered in grease all the time go onto ebay and buy a small packet of M6 grease nipples,a pack of shallow m6 nuts(stainless pref)and a grease gun with app cartridges £20.Use the weep hole as a pilot for a 6mm drill bit put the grease nipple through hole withe nut on the back and tighten it should not hit the stub when putting it back on,if it does just grind a little off of the nipple threads.Then just pump grease in till it is coming out the rear of the hub repeating as soon as poss after they get a dunking. other then that just make sure there is no exess movment 6 to 12 and 3 to 9 oclock.

 

[Avocet]

Experience is a wonderful thing. Indeed I can see that you guys are aware of the problems that immersion brings.

I can't believe that the trailer did not come with some paperwork. I am not completely stupid I know salt corrodes but I did think a marine road trailer would be up to somewhat more than it has been. As per the sale of goods act - it should last a reasonable time and in the absence of instructions it has not lasted.

Not one person that I know or at the Academy after launch said hey quick after the launch lets all take off the hubs and clean and regrease them.

Just a simple maintenance check list would be sufficient. I surely can't be the first person that this has happened to.

I'm certainly not into not taking reponsibility for my own actions but as someone said earlier if you don't know you don't know. The manufacturer/supplier can't assume one has the necessary knowledge. After all if you go to buy mostly anything it comes with instructions and warnings on safety and things that would invalidate the warranty.

I am quite angry really and surprised too

Waiting to see what the supplier says now. Once it is sorted I will of course learn how to clean maintain and change the bearings.

Fifi (gorgeous boat, by the way!) nobody (certainly not me!) is suggesting that you should have somehow magically known about this. I have to say, I'm a bit surprised that it seemed news to others at the academy though. It's a well known and long-standing problem. Over the years, I think there have probably been various tacit assumptions made by both owners and manufacturers. Indespension (who have a good name, by the way) don't just make boat trailers, and I imagine they use the same stuff on all their trailers.

I think you have every right to expect some sort of instructions (both for checking, and a suggested maintenance schedule depending on type of usage) with your trailer. Not to have provided this is inexcusable. I also think you have every right to expect better, and to try and "vote with your wallet" - which has been the traditional way of consumers forcing manufacturers to improve their products. The hope being that the first manufacturer who brings out genuinely "waterproof" bearings / brakes will be able to charge a premium price for them. The free market then allows people the choice as to whether they spend the extra and buy the good stuff, or whether they buy the cheap stuff. If everyone goes for the good stuff, the overall standard of boat trailers goes up (and so does the cost).

What I do have a problem with (and I wasn't suggesting that you were necessarily going to do it) is that when going down the litigation route, I'm pretty sure a decent lawyer could indeed prove that the trailer was "not fit for purpose" (I can't think of any road trailers that are, to be honest). It's what happens after that "landmark case" that I'm worried about. Almost overnight it stops being down to market forces and consumer choice as to whether we have better quality stuff or not because no trailer manufacturer would risk getting their butt sued, once there was some case law established. From there to manatory legal requirements is only a short step, and then we're all stuck with more expensive (but undoubtedly better) boat trailers. The days of me being able to "knock myself up a boat trailer" are drawing to a close. In the next year or two, VOSA will introduce a mandatory inspection of all new trailers, and (to my mind) it's difficult to see how you can have that when there's no legal requirement to register one. When that comes in, there will (I think) be a requirement for an annual MOT test for them. No bad thing in itself, but probably accompanied by various bad (and unintended) consequences.

 

[prv]

probably accompanied by various bad (and unintended) consequences.

The obvious one being that old knackered trailers are suddenly valued for their "grandfather rights" and continue to be used long after they should be, because the alternative is to buy a new one and have to comply with all sorts of regulation.

Pete