Erde Trailers (Caution)

[granitetim]

Today we were traveling back from Robin hoods bay (Whitby) and heard a knocking kind of noise. So I ignored it for a little while (as you do) then decided to pull in and have a look around. All seemed well on the first circling of Bongo and trailer but noticed on the 2nd time around the hub cap was missing from one of the wheels on the trailer. I lifted the trailer with one arm and pulled the wheel completely off . The inner bearings and outer bearings had completely disintegrated. I popped the wheel back in position and set off gingerly towards Pickering with nothing physically holding the wheel to the shaft. Luckily I was pointed in the direction of a local trailer builder. Job was sorted within an hour and sent on merry way home. So to all you Erde or any other trailer dragging types check your wheel bearings as this story could have been a lot lot worse!!!

[You've Been Bongod]

isnt erdie a HALFRAUDS trailer ??

if so take reciept for repais and demand the money back or say that you are goin to trading standards over it

[missfixit70]

I had that happen years ago with a trailer full of sand, the wheel came off completely , luckily it was on a very slow road & I was able to pull in to a layby, overloading may have contributed, but the trailer never recovered
I religiously check wheel bearings now, I'm just in the middle of refurbing one at the moment & have just cleaned, regreased & tightened the bearings

[Simon Jones]

My Erde 102 has a rumbly bearing on one side. I guess I ought to strip both side down & re-pack with fresh grease. I've seen a wheel fall off a trailer before & it wasn't much fun for the owner or the car immediately behind.

[granitetim]

Hi Simon, The bearings are sealed units I believe and will not benefit from grease. The only thing to grease is the shaft I think. Best to just change the bearings. I have the serial numbers in the Bongo if you need them ?

[granitetim]

The problem is that like a lot of things they are built on a budget and cheap chinese bearings are used. If a 55kg unladen weight was to stress a bearing when left stood for a period of time it really is not up to the job!!

[bigdaddycain]

I lifted the trailer with one arm

Showoff!

Glad you didn't come unstuck with this little episode tim... Glad you highlighted this potential problem to others with a trailer.

[platty345]

Tim you are always greasing your shaft

[You've Been Bongod]

Tim you are always greasing your shaft

OOH MATRON

[bigdaddycain]

You lot are gonna corrupt innocent little me!

[Bob]

Very little to do with stressing cheap bearings, more to do with grease settling at the bottom after temp build up on a run. It's a well known fact about small trailers if you leave them to stand.

This is a well valid point, small trailers often stand for much longer than you think. The tyres also deteriorate with time, particularly if left in sun light. (No problem this summer, obviously.)

[teenmal]

Very little to do with stressing cheap bearings, more to do with grease settling at the bottom after temp build up on a run. It's a well known fact about small trailers if you leave them to stand.

I put my bairns to bed at 7 oclock every night.No problems.

[granitetim]

Very little to do with stressing cheap bearings, more to do with grease settling at the bottom after temp build up on a run. .

If that be the case then an hour after your run a single spin of the wheels then leave until your next outing surely not weekly!!!

[mikeonb4c]

An excellent tip there Keefy - wasn't aware of that one and I'll keep it in mind. Mine is permanently loaded so can't be stood on it's end, but I can run it up and down the drive from time to time. Luckily it lives in a v shaded spot, not that sunlight has been much of a problem this year