Troubleshooting Oil Bath Hub Running Hot

Published 04/01/2022

Question:

After two 600 mile round trips towing a 27, 6000 pound Aluminum Cuddy King to Vancouver Island, BC, plus several 7 miles away local launch ramp trips, one of my dual axle trailer oil bath hubs gets hot to the touch after about 15 miles. The other 3 hubs are fine, whatever. All have sufficient oil showing in the hub window. The trailer and boat do not see that much towing use to speak of. Any suggestions what may be causing this right rear axle hub to heat up? Solutions?

asked by: Karl D

Expert Reply:

If that hub has sufficient oil in it then a hub running hot means that either the brake kit isn't adjusted properly or there is something wrong internally like a damaged bearing that is grinding metal instead of just rolling on it.

To check the brakes (if you have them) you should be able to freely spin the wheel when it's suspended but you should have some drag.

If the brakes check out then you need to pull the hub and inspect the internal components of it. Look for any abnormal wear on the bearings, hub, and spindle. Replace anything that looks like it may need it. If you don't get ahead of it (like what you're doing now) then that heat build up can cause further damage that will lead to a tire blowout which then affects the rest of your trailer as well as your watercraft.

Attached is a link to our trailer maintenance schedule as well as a link to our replacement hub selection that uses an oil bath. If you need help picking out the correct replacement then let me know what the bearing and seal part numbers are for your current setup and I can let you know what we have.

expert reply by: Jon G