Sled Bed Trailer Vibration [Archive] - Snowmobile World : Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

: Sled Bed Trailer Vibration


lamb0071
11-20-2005, 08:04 PM
Anyone have a Sled Bed trailer? Mine has developed a small vibration. I don't think its the bearings because the tires rotate freely and don't make any new noises.

catdoo
11-20-2005, 08:41 PM
Check your tires very carefully, we just had a similar problem and found a tire with a very large bulge and that caused the vibration.... might be time for new tires. :(

lamb0071
11-20-2005, 10:10 PM
I will definitely do that - another question - did you keep the stock bearing grease retainers or did you change them out for bearing buddies? my stock retainers seem to sling a lot of grease.

SnoFast
11-21-2005, 09:20 AM
I will definitely do that - another question - did you keep the stock bearing grease retainers or did you change them out for bearing buddies? my stock retainers seem to sling a lot of grease.
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Just a small warning, which may not appy to your trailer, but "slung ( I don't think that's a word, but it sounds right) grease" could be a sign of bearing failure. That is the bearing start to fail, gets hot, like real hot, turns grease in to a liquid that gets flung out on the wheel and tire. So if you have those streaks of grease on your wheels, it may be time for new bearings and seals. It's a slung-flung kinda deal. If you just have grease seeping out on the axle, then disregard the above.

Polar_Bus
11-23-2005, 07:38 AM
Anyone have a Sled Bed trailer? Mine has developed a small vibration. I don't think its the bearings because the tires rotate freely and don't make any new noises.
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I have also seen on many occasions, a sled trailer tire will "flat spot" from sitting for 8 months without being moved, causing a vibration. This is more frequent with trailers that are parked on asphault, rather than soft dirt or grass. Sometimes it works it's way out, and will smooth out over running time, but sometimes it ruins the tire.

michahicks
11-23-2005, 09:10 AM
Just a thought regarding the grease being slung. A grease gun can exert a lot of hydraulic pressure, and is very capable of blowing the seal completely out of the back side of a hub when operated by somebody not aware of that potential.

On the vibration, nylon tires do develop a flat spot from sitting, although I've never known that to be a permanent thing. As soon as the tires warm up, they'll go back to their original shape. Key words being "warmed up". A trailer running empty may not be capable of doing that in colder weather. If that's not the case, a little more tongue weight may help. Just move the load forward a little (2-4").

lamb0071
11-23-2005, 05:37 PM
good call - may have been flat spotted - it sat all summer with a bunch of lumber stacked on it. I will give it a try. The back seals are ok - the grease is being leaked from the front seal, which is a bearing-buddy type retainer plate with spring.

michahicks
11-23-2005, 06:03 PM
<<<The back seals are ok - the grease is being leaked from the front seal, which is a bearing-buddy type retainer plate with spring.>>>

Probably same problem. Some of them have a pressure relief of some type on them for you to watch when greasing. Grease comes out when hub is full?

3ffreak
11-25-2005, 09:31 PM
Check the tires for bulges. Also make sure your air pressure is up. I have worked in the tire bizz for ten years,and I see guys come in all the time with a blown trailer tire. Most of the time it is caused by low pressure. Those small tires require alot of air to keep them cool when up to speed. Another good tip is to park your trailer on some old scrap wood in the summer. tires absorb water thats why they crack up. Parking on some old wood helps prevent that problem. or jack the trailer up so the tires don&#39;t touch the ground.If the tires are 12" or bigger get them balanced, alot of shops will think you are crazy to balance your trailer tires but it&#39;s got to be better for the bearings...GOOD LUCK

lamb0071
11-27-2005, 09:26 PM
I will check the air - come to think of it I haven&#39;t in two seasons. Thanks for the tip....