I'm amazed that this matter hasn't received enormous attention.
What amases me is that the industry uses these terrible brake systems that give constant problems, poor performance and poor reliability.
Would you accept them on your tug?
No way!
Cheers,
Peter
rmoor said
10:20 AM Sep 4, 2024
Good point.
I always stop and check with the palm of my hand when travelling if any wheels are running hot.
Will invest in one of those temperature gauges, they sound a REAL good idea.
Are We Lost said
10:40 AM Sep 4, 2024
I keep one of those laser thermometers in the door pocket. I usually have all the wheels checked by the time my partner gathers her stuff and gets out. Tyres as well.
Touching the hubs is just as easy but using the temperature gun takes the guesswork out of any inconsistencies. There is also a tiny risk of burning your hand in the touch method. I know if I approached and could smell the heat I would still be tempted to feel just how hot.
-- Edited by Are We Lost on Wednesday 4th of September 2024 10:40:40 AM
Brodie Allen said
12:22 PM Sep 4, 2024
Peter_n_Margaret wrote:
Brodie Allen wrote:
I'm amazed that this matter hasn't received enormous attention.
What amases me is that the industry uses these terrible brake systems that give constant problems, poor performance and poor reliability.
Probably a thought for a spec for a new van rather than an upgrade - a guess would put that
at something like $5000 + - would be worth it in the long run, but I don't see too many opting
to make a change on an existing van. but many think little of spending $4000 + to upgrade to
Lithium.
I wonder what the manufacturers think of incorporating this into the build of a specced van?
They have enough trouble building a white refrigerator now!!
B
Peter_n_Margaret said
06:39 PM Sep 4, 2024
Brodie Allen wrote:
I wonder what the manufacturers think of incorporating this into the build of a specced van?
If that is what customers insist on, that is what they will build or go out of business.
While the customers accept the crap that is offered, that is what they will get.
I see no reason why a set of disc brakes and an electric over hydraulic actuator should cost more than $1000 compared with the crap now supplied. Disc brakes are 10 a penny these days. The crappy brakes currently supplied are unique to the van industry.
Cheers,
Peter
Silkwood said
08:58 AM Sep 29, 2024
On top of that (and agreeing with your point) I've had a (Chinese made, Australian built) Spitfire trailer for my (6m) boat for the past 12 months. Apart from being very impressed with the trailer (with a few minor caveats) I would like to suggest trailer and caravan manufacturers look into the bearing system they use. Spitfire call it their "Fastflush" system, I believe it is a type of hub which uses Zerk type bearing lubrication.
Each time you want to check the bearing has ample grease you simply take out the rubber plug and use the exposed grease nipple to pump a few mils of grease. It goes through the rear bearing and pushes out through the front bearing, ensuring the whole hub is greased. You can check for any moisture coming out and, if found (I haven't had this happen yet), simply keep greasing until all of the old grease is pushed out and the new grease appears. You have just repacked your bearings! Apparently the system is popular on many industrial and agricultural heavy trailers.
So far I've done over 12000kms this year and put the boat in at numerous places. Giving the bearings a quick pump of grease after every few outings and fully replacing the grease (via the nipples) at 5000km &10000kms the bearings have never shown any sign of lateral movement, never shown sign of water ingress and consistently show a temperature of 35 -40 degrees when checked (regularly) with the infra-red temperature gun.
I'm a convert, does anyone know more about these type of bearings? Coupled with the disc brakes I find it is easily the best system I have used after owning numerous trailers.
Cheers, Mark
-- Edited by Silkwood on Sunday 29th of September 2024 08:59:38 AM
-- Edited by Silkwood on Sunday 29th of September 2024 09:00:35 AM
Brodie Allen said
07:22 AM Sep 30, 2024
Has anybody considered "Bearing Buddies" to keep the bearings lubed?
They are a spring loaded pressure cap that pushes against a small
reservoir of grease at all times.
An essential addition to the kit if you do much water crossing. Used
on boat trailers forever.
B
Silkwood said
10:29 AM Sep 30, 2024
Used bearing buddies for years on boat trailers. They give a "cap" of grease to aid in keeping water out, but they can also retain water against the outer bearing if ingress is effected. They don't really do much more for the bearing. Useful but they need attention. A problem is (one I've been guilty of), if you add grease to the level of full extension of the cap it gives you the idea you are maintaining the bearings. This can stop you from keeping a good eye on condition, as everything is covered up.
Still, a good addition to standard bearings, particularly for boat trailers. Just need to keep up other maintenance.
Keep a check on your wheels/hubs/drums each time you stop and maybe avert a possible calamity
of biblical proportions. Lose a wheel/hub and imagine how you would control the
rig! Any oncoming traffic????
I have had early warning of one brake drum getting a bit hot - the shoes were set too
tight and were rubbing enough to take the temp of the drum to 98 def C. after a service.
Other 3 were 32 (ambient) Fixed it on the spot - no worries.
Here's a couple of "don't leave home without one" recommendations.
https://www.outbackequipment.com.au/icheck-hub-heat-indicators
(ps - these can go off in hot weather when parked in the sun for lengthy periods.)
https://www.outbackequipment.com.au/ichecktpms-wheel-hub-infrared-thermometer
Here's my recommendation:
google "Infra red temperature gun".
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/176540250813?_nkw=infra+red+temperature&itmmeta
Also a site called TEMU. (Cheapest and an excellent site).
One I keep in the house as an easy check thermometer and the other in the tug.
Not only useful for the hubs, but I use it to monitor temp on my cook ovens, one being an
empty largish pot that with the lid on is used as a mini oven to reheat and cook things like
pies, leftovers, etc on the gas or fire, and to flick outside to check how hot/cold it is. Just point and pull the trigger
to get an instant reading of temp at or surrounding the laser dot.
By the way, I have checked the accuracy of the infra red devices against boiling water @ sea level and can
testify absolute accuracy - .5 deg !!!!!
B
-- Edited by Brodie Allen on Thursday 29th of August 2024 01:21:24 PM
-- Edited by Brodie Allen on Thursday 29th of August 2024 01:24:00 PM
-- Edited by Brodie Allen on Thursday 29th of August 2024 01:29:34 PM
I'm amazed that this matter hasn't received enormous attention.
So important - are you going to wait till a bearing or hub collapses
and creates a situation?
So easy to run around when you stop for a cuppa to fire a red dot at each
hub to assess temperature.
More kamikazi travellers out there than I thought!
What amases me is that the industry uses these terrible brake systems that give constant problems, poor performance and poor reliability.
Would you accept them on your tug?
No way!
Cheers,
Peter
I always stop and check with the palm of my hand when travelling if any wheels are running hot.
Will invest in one of those temperature gauges, they sound a REAL good idea.
I keep one of those laser thermometers in the door pocket. I usually have all the wheels checked by the time my partner gathers her stuff and gets out. Tyres as well.
Touching the hubs is just as easy but using the temperature gun takes the guesswork out of any inconsistencies. There is also a tiny risk of burning your hand in the touch method. I know if I approached and could smell the heat I would still be tempted to feel just how hot.
-- Edited by Are We Lost on Wednesday 4th of September 2024 10:40:40 AM
But whats the alternative?
B
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
What decent boat trailers have used for decades.
Electric over hydraulic disc brakes.
One selected at random. About $1,000. Operated by standard brake controller. Smaller than a loaf of bread.
Hydrapro 1600psi Brake Actuator for Trailers up to 3.5 Tonne Electric over Hydraulic - Deutsche Hydrapro (trailersrus.com.au)
Pic of a trailer (up-side-down) being built with disc brakes.
Cheers,
Peter
Probably a thought for a spec for a new van rather than an upgrade - a guess would put that
at something like $5000 + - would be worth it in the long run, but I don't see too many opting
to make a change on an existing van. but many think little of spending $4000 + to upgrade to
Lithium.
I wonder what the manufacturers think of incorporating this into the build of a specced van?
They have enough trouble building a white refrigerator now!!
B
If that is what customers insist on, that is what they will build or go out of business.
While the customers accept the crap that is offered, that is what they will get.
I see no reason why a set of disc brakes and an electric over hydraulic actuator should cost more than $1000 compared with the crap now supplied. Disc brakes are 10 a penny these days. The crappy brakes currently supplied are unique to the van industry.
Cheers,
Peter
On top of that (and agreeing with your point) I've had a (Chinese made, Australian built) Spitfire trailer for my (6m) boat for the past 12 months. Apart from being very impressed with the trailer (with a few minor caveats) I would like to suggest trailer and caravan manufacturers look into the bearing system they use. Spitfire call it their "Fastflush" system, I believe it is a type of hub which uses Zerk type bearing lubrication.
https://www.loadrite.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Knott-Bearing-Lubrication-System.jpg
(Not the Spitfire page but the same system).
Each time you want to check the bearing has ample grease you simply take out the rubber plug and use the exposed grease nipple to pump a few mils of grease. It goes through the rear bearing and pushes out through the front bearing, ensuring the whole hub is greased. You can check for any moisture coming out and, if found (I haven't had this happen yet), simply keep greasing until all of the old grease is pushed out and the new grease appears. You have just repacked your bearings! Apparently the system is popular on many industrial and agricultural heavy trailers.
So far I've done over 12000kms this year and put the boat in at numerous places. Giving the bearings a quick pump of grease after every few outings and fully replacing the grease (via the nipples) at 5000km &10000kms the bearings have never shown any sign of lateral movement, never shown sign of water ingress and consistently show a temperature of 35 -40 degrees when checked (regularly) with the infra-red temperature gun.
I'm a convert, does anyone know more about these type of bearings? Coupled with the disc brakes I find it is easily the best system I have used after owning numerous trailers.
Cheers, Mark
-- Edited by Silkwood on Sunday 29th of September 2024 08:59:38 AM
-- Edited by Silkwood on Sunday 29th of September 2024 09:00:35 AM
They are a spring loaded pressure cap that pushes against a small
reservoir of grease at all times.
An essential addition to the kit if you do much water crossing. Used
on boat trailers forever.
B
Used bearing buddies for years on boat trailers. They give a "cap" of grease to aid in keeping water out, but they can also retain water against the outer bearing if ingress is effected. They don't really do much more for the bearing. Useful but they need attention. A problem is (one I've been guilty of), if you add grease to the level of full extension of the cap it gives you the idea you are maintaining the bearings. This can stop you from keeping a good eye on condition, as everything is covered up.
Still, a good addition to standard bearings, particularly for boat trailers. Just need to keep up other maintenance.
Cheers, Mark