1999 stratos trailer issue

[stratos295pe]

I have a 1999 Stratos ez load single axle trailer. Left for a 2 week vacation in Maine approx. 500 miles away. I made it about 40 miles until I noticed smoke pouring out of my port side tire and the wheel was wobbling pretty bad. I pulled over immediately. the bearings were shot and the wheel almost came off completely. I had the boat towed and repair shop said its a custom trailer and cannot get an axle and wants to charge $1000 to rebuild it. I had the exact same thing happen last year on the same wheel. it was completely rebuilt by a mechanic. What would be the cause of the same failure in the same wheel both times? Should I just look into buying a new trailer? (with duel axles for sure!) I need to get back on the water!!!!!!!!

[troyw]

Try Southwest Wheel out of Texas, they can build a torision axel for about $500. with hubs. I have had 2 built and a trailer co. charged me $125 to weld it on.

[PBR]

Are they using the correct seals? Should have a double lip seal 1 is for greas not to get out & the other is for water not to get in.

[TightLip]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by PBR &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Are they using the correct seals? Should have a double lip seal 1 is for greas not to get out & the other is for water not to get in.</td></tr></table>

Some have a wear sleeve that slides over the spindle where the seal goes. It is a thin copper coated sleeve so if there are any nicks it could tear up the seal. If it is missing and supposed to be there, the seal will not be tight enough on the spindle. On my previous trailer I lost 2 wheel bearings because fishing line was wrapped around the axle.

I have got in the habbit of feeling the hubs to see if they are hot every time I go somewhere. I also check the back of the wheel to see if grease is coming out