2001 Ram-Lin Trailer hub/spindle/axle damage?

[mrgrey]

Hello! New Nautique owner here of a 2001 Sport Nautique with 2001 Ram-Lin Single axle trailer. Boat is in A+ shape, yet found the trailer wheel bowed outward on passenger side causing inner tire wear. Hub bearings show some very small slop but wondering if spindle/axle is bent causing the "toe out" on the camber of the wheel. The bearing slop is not enough to account for the toe out amount alone. Found out the previous owner may have trailered with 1600lbs of ballast a couple times for the quick ride home not thinking of the damage it could have done.

Gonna take off the wheel and do a better inspection, however, I want to know if anyone has heard of this and are there any recommended aftermarket hubs, bearings, spindles that are any better than original? I am hoping the axle is still in good shape and just need to replace the cheap parts. Thanks!

[rbalan]

Can you post a picture, I am assuming its a torsion axle?

[mrgrey]

Can you post a picture, I am assuming its a torsion axle?

Yes it is a torsion axle. Picture prob won't help though... No much to see. I will have to take it completely apart to really know what's going on. Like I said I know at minimum the hub bearings are a little sloppy, but spindle could be bent too. The axle looks true after I looked closer last night.

[rbalan]

Sounds like the only way to find out is to replace the bearings and see how it looks, but if you haven't done so yet, see if the spindle nut can be tightened. Toe out does sound odd, I would figure it would have toe in if it was damaged by overloading.

[jmo]

I had a 2001 single axle ramlin under my old NSS and I replaced my bearings as part of changing the trailer to have disk brakes instead of drum, I bought a Kodiak kit that includes new bearings, integral hub/rotor and calipers, well worth it.

As for the tire wear, I had the exact same experience with tire wear, I think it's a function of how the trailer is built that the inner edges just get more pressure than the outside. Initially it's okay by as it wears overtime I think the uneven wear accelerates very quickly. One of mine was bald on the inner edge before I noticed...

[s_kelley2000]

Jmo do you happen to remember which kit you used? I have a 2001 Ramlin under my boat as well and have been thinking about making this upgrade.

[bhectus]

Sounds like the only way to find out is to replace the bearings and see how it looks, but if you haven't done so yet, see if the spindle nut can be tightened. Toe out does sound odd, I would figure it would have toe in if it was damaged by overloading.

I think he meant negative camber, not toe in/out.

[mrgrey]

I do have terminology wrong... I meant to say negative camber. The tire does not sit perpendicular to the ground. It tracks just fine without any sway. I am gonna pull the hub tonight and see what I can see. I do have the disc brakes and they work nice, however, the dampener when you accelerate is not working and it gives a little bump when you get going again.

Does anyone know the bearing numbers by chance for that model year trailer? Would save me pulling it apart to find out...

[jmo]

Jmo do you happen to remember which kit you used? I have a 2001 Ramlin under my boat as well and have been thinking about making this upgrade.

Let me know if thread doesn't answer your questions, I bought the silver-cadmium model, which they replaced with the decromat finish available today

http://www.planetnautique.com/vb3/sh...ak-Disc-Brakes

[s_kelley2000]

That's exactly what I was looking for, thanks!

Is your 196 red? If so I think I saw you on qunisig a month or two back when I was on my buddies red and white 220.

[jmo]

Is your 196 red? If so I think I saw you on qunisig a month or two back when I was on my buddies red and white 220.

Yep - I run in the morning and then get out of there before the local knuckleheads all come of the wood work...