Looking after those wheels

[Bigplumbs]

The year before last my trailer hubs on my 17 footer were all rusted up and I had to have a new axle. This year I have had an idea:

1) I bought a set of these axle stands from Toolstation £22.37 http://www.toolstation.com/shop/p83498

2) Then I will take my wheels off and put them inside my outbuilding. This will keep them better and also add some security to the boat.

3) I will then spray WD40 all over the hubs incl inside. I know this will lube the brakes but it will soon burn off the first time they are used.

4) I then have a pair of strong black plastic bags with no holes in. I will add one of these cheap water absorbers to each bag http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/321924438061? ... EBIDX%3AIT

5) I will then tape round the neck of the bag with insulation tape around the axel.

6) I will also have a good blast over then hubs etc with my heat gun to evaporate as much water as possible before I spray the WD40

I hope this will keep my hubs and brakes nice over the winter.

What do you think

Dennis

[betty boop]

axle stands are good, Ive done it for years as I was told to take the load iff the rubber shocks in the axle as get brittle over winter, the prolonged weight on them in cold crushes them. no idea if thats duff advise but it came from a manufacturer so must be good.

[Bigplumbs]

I know loads of advice out there never quite know what to believe.

Taking the wheels off and doing as I have also gives you the opportunity to give the wheel a refurbish on a cold and horrible day. You can get in your workshop with the heater on and some music away from the wife lol

[Ianfs]

I know loads of advice out there never quite know what to believe.

I listen, then pick the bones out of it, I go with my life skills then try it, what follows is either right or wrong. You then know what to believe and you can pass it on to the next person who doesn't know whether to believe you or not.

What do you think

I think you've done a pretty good job, I'd like to know the outcome of keeping the hubs in plastic bags.

In the meantime, you may have already seen this but for those that haven't, this is a good article from this months Motorboat Owner Magazine......

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[shibbs]

I've always jacked the boat up for the winter months to take the weight off the tyres, whilst I don't have axle stands ( they're on the list) I use a few breeze blocks under each axle to take the weight. I've never taken the wheels off but as you say, it's a good idea for no other reason than for security. If nothing else it will At least make them re think!
I have always meant to take the wheels off in the summer though to stop the sunlight degrading the tyres, always forgotten though.

[Bigplumbs]

I looked at the back of the wheels once they were off and even though I cleaned them down and painted them the year before last they now need another clean and paint. Its that salt water don't you know

Dennis

[BruceK]

What? No ACF50 on that test? It's lost credibility I swear by it, you should see what salt road grit does to motorcycle ali rims and magnesium alloys.

As for sea water vs Road Salt I can't be sure there is much in it.

[Ianfs]

What? No ACF50 on that test? It's lost credibility I swear by it

The product which came first, called Corrosion Block, as it says in the write up, is made by the same people as ACF50 and is the same product, but slightly thicker.

[BruceK]

Credability restored

[NickT]

I have taken wheels off my trailer and stored them on the shed for the winter. Currently being supported by a sleeper that I chopped up. Good for security as well.

I just need the time to convert steering to hydraulic this winter oh and the £560 for the new kit of course!

Haven't bothered winterising the engine, instead I will run it every two weeks on the muffs. Just debating if I strip off all the antifoul back to gell coat or just slap some more on.

Anna spent a long time stripping last year!!!!!!!!