Got major Trailer issues and don't know what to do

[Derwood]

Took my rig in to have the trailer bearings serviced before my 600 mile or so trip. They said all the bearings are shot, the axels (or something) are pitting and need "sleeves" put on them or the bearings they replace will just need to be done again very shortly, brake drums are major rusted along with the pads. Labor up here is tough. I'm already into them for $250 to diagnose the issue ($120 an hour) and they say when I'm done, it will be just over a $1000. I also need a new tire as one has a busted steel belt and a staple in it (that's $115). I was thinking of using the spare.

Shorelander makes a tandem axle that would be $2600 new... They make a single axle rated for 3100 lbs for 2K....

Should I sink a thousand dollars into my 11 year old dri doc trailer???? I'm leaning in two directions: 1) just do the bearings and not worry about the "sleeve" things or 2) yanking it up to the guy who will put two brand new axles on it for the same $1000 dollars... am I at risk for other major damage (trailer actually breaking some welds, etc)?

thanks for any help, folks... Love to hear what you think I should/could do...


ps - the guy who sells the shorelander said he could get me complete axles for about $550 a peice... plus some to install... I have heard about some people saying their dri doc trailers are going to heck on them...

Modified by Derwood at 11:33 AM 8/4/2009


Modified by Derwood at 11:33 AM 8/4/2009

[Jig A Low]

I guess it depends on the condition of the rest of the trailer, is it a tube design or a channel design ?? are there any issues with the master cylinder on the tongue??

if the trailer has any serious rust on it, I think your just throwing money away by fixing what you have.

[Nick2000gmc]

Well given the 2 fixing options I would go with the new axles for sure. Of the 2 options that would be a no brainer for me. As for a new trailer, maybe post some pictures of it with the boat off and any major rust spots

[western angler]

If you can do any of the work yourself, then check out these links for parts.

http://www.trailerpartsdepot.c...S.htm

http://www.northerntool.com/we...66839

If not you will be at the mercy of those who can do the work.

[wackyjoe]

I just had axel problems with my Skeeter trailer, I bought a new axel and did the work myself. I bought the axel, hubs, bearings and all mounting hardware from Waymires for $150 shipped! and it arrived the day after I ordered it.
Joe

[TRCM]

I'm trying to figure out why you need sleeves on the spindle. The bearing do not ride on the axle/spindle directly.

[Derwood]

they said the axle was "pitting" and needed the sleeves... I have spoken with them about other options and not doing some things. I needed one sleeve they said because one of the axles was bad. I'm using my spare tire to replace the one bad one, and I'm just having the bearing kits done. With the first $250 to figure out what's wrong, i"m going to be out of their shop for about 500 bucks...

[champ223]

120$ per hour!!!!!!!! outrageous !!

[Derwood]

They were at $109 per hour, and then got bought out by Gage Marine... not they're at that $120... Welcome to Lake Geneva.

[Ba$$n]

They use to put sleeves on to provide a smooth surface for the grease seals to ride on.

[Lyn O. Dyer]

Call Dennis at UFP, 800-835-9211 ext 16..

[MisterE]

You used your spare tire and have a 600 mile trip? I hope you got another spare from some place.