Replacement Idler Hub Assemblies And Wheels For Boat Trailer

Question:

This application is a boat trailer, existing specs are bower 15100 bearings on SP204BT8 spindle square attached to a 2.75 round axle w/ leaf springs, rolling on 5.30-12 Deestone rubber over a hub-wheel combo. Flats are my nemesis! Is the Dexter 34822BX an exact crossover? Which Buddy Bearing is required? Boat and trailer, rigged for the day is pushing 2,100 to 2,300 lbs, Is 4on4 or 5on4.5 a preference or a standard? There is a unique line, cut, imbedded into spindle, is this a prior failure, or is it normal? To surgically remove old spindles for me, w/service truck and crane, abrasive wheels and welder is a 2-3 hr job, change the hole ball of wax is added cost and a day, what whats etrailer thoughts? If spindle is bad, what complete 2,500 axle, hubs, would you recommend? My primary purpose for this exercise is to circumvent my flat tires, or rather cut tubes inside of tire, this is a cabin boat, with the launch 5 -6 miles away, in three years, 3 flats, two tires, and a greasy mess. Thank you, SIR!

asked by: Jerry W

Expert Reply:

My thoughts are you have a really badly marred spindle, but that many flats is still crazy. You are most likely overloading your axle with the weights you gave. The cuts into your spindle are not good and could be from a bearing seized up that could cause issues for sure including a blown tire.

If you want to swap out the hub, as long as your inner diameter on your bearings is 1 inch, the Trailer Idler Hub Assembly for 2,000-lb Axles - 4 on 4 # AKIHUB-440-2-1K will work very well. This is rated for 1250 lbs per hub. For the bearing buddy to go in this hub, you will want the Bearing Buddy Bearing Protectors - Model 1968 - Chrome Plated (Pair) # BB1968.

Your choice of wheels is a good one. The Kenda 5.30-12 Bias Trailer Tire with 12" White Wheel - 4 on 4 - Load Range C # AM30780 you asked this question from will be excellent wheels for you. You will want to make sure they are inflated to 80 psi cold as under inflation is the primary cause of flat tires, and we don't want your nemesis returning.

Eventually I recommend changing your system out and based on the size of the axle the bolt pattern is preference. As axles get larger, more bolts come with capacity. If you were traveling further distances, I'd recommend it much stronger. For a 2,000 lb axle, I recommend the Dexter Trailer Axle w/ Idler Hubs - EZ-Lube - 4 on 4 Bolt Pattern - 72" Long # 20440I-EZ-72 or the 60" long # 20440I-EZ-60. The length will also change your leaf spring centers from 58 inches to 48 inches. To get above the 2,000 lb max capacity you would need to jump to a much wider axle and 3,500 lb capacity.