Chocks

[jb44]

Regarding straps:

When you say "tension style strap" - how does that differ from a ratchet style strap?

Looking at the site JB44 posted: http://www.powertye.com/index.php?cPath ... bc5ebdc002 -- would it refer to what they call their quick lock strap? Why not ratchet style straps all the way around?

Ratchet straps on the rear are "overkill', but that's what I prefer. You will notice that Powertyes sells both ratchet and friction (tension) clamp straps. Also 1" and 2 " straps.

For me, it's the 2" wide, ratchet straps all around.

Check tire pressures and check wheel bearings before departure. Check straps and give the once over to the trailer and bike every gas stop.

Fourteen trips in the last 12 months between Florida and North Carolina. No trailer problems.

jb

[GypsyRR]

JB,

You lost me at "wheel bearings". I am still learning all the mechanical stuff and now adding trailering. One day I will know something worth sharing about bikes/trailering that might help someone else, if I ever learn all the thingsyou guys know. TIA

[Boxer]

HEY! I got some new chocks! Chure do! I got tired of my bike chaken around, so I juss went to da bike chop and got me a chort little Rockster chock. Now it chifts so much better...and iss chiney too since I wached it!
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Oh...Sorry. I tought you meant dose bouncey tings.

[GypsyRR]

Felipe, aren't chu from de valley?

[jb44]

JB, You lost me at "wheel bearings"

Hubs, wheels, and tires, and the entire weight of the trailer are resting on the wheel bearings.

Once a year I repack the wheel bearings on my trailer (mostly because it gets so much use).
On a new trailer it shouldn't be necessary.

Before each trip, I jack up each side of the trailer, grab hold of each side of the tire and wiggle, back and forth, side to side, and top to bottom, feeling for any looseness or "play" in the bearing. This isn't exactly scientific but works for me.

The alternative is to remove the dust cap and cotter pin, then snug up the nut so there is no play, then back off (loosen) the spindle nut about an eighth of a turn.

Then I use a grease gun to add a bit of grease to the bearing. The axles on my trailer have a grease fitting and a channel through the center of the axle to grease the bearings from the inside out.

Bearing buddies are another option. But you have to be careful not to overfill them, or you may blow out the rear seal.

This link will show you all the parts.

http://www.rd.com/familyhandyman/content/17452/

Sorry to be so long-winded. Trailering can be trouble free if you take the time to do the preventative checks. Just like you check your bike before each ride.

jb