Troubleshooting Smoke Coming From Trailer Tire Area on Trailer

Updated 05/06/2024 | Published 08/26/2018

Question:

Boat trailer has surge brakes. Reservoir full. Got 2 miles from home driving 30-40 mph. Stopped at stop sign and inside of drivers side tire was smoking bad not tire Wheel or grease fill spot not hot. Limped back home 25-30 mph but when got back not smoking, not hot. Any ideas? Thank you!

asked by: Tom M

Expert Reply:

It sounds like you have 1 of 2 things going on. Either your tire is making contact with your trailer frame which is causing it to smoke, or you don't have enough grease on the inside of your hub so your bearings are causing all of that smoke. If it were your brake fluid you either wouldn't notice it as it would be such a small leak or your brake fluid would basically be empty.

Check your tire for any signs of abnormal wear. If that looks good then you need to remove your hub and check your bearings. If you can out of grease then you need to inspect the bearings and your spindle for damage and replace as necessary. If all of that looks good then you really need to take it to a trailer shop to get a second set of eyes on it.

expert reply by: Jon G

Curt M.

5/4/2024

Ok I just had the same problem as Mr.Tom M. And my hub or cover is missing. And the tire was moving side to side not much but still wiggling plus some sparks not much but I seen a little bit. Any suggestions where I could order bearings and hub/cover. Thanks you been very helpful reading you helping Mr. Tom M. And thanks Mr. Tom you for sharing ??

Jon G.

5/6/2024

@CurtM If you can let me know what the weight rating is for your axle I can let you know what the standard bearings are for that size, but with the wiggle you're describing I definitely recommend removing your tire/wheel and hub to check and see what's going on.