When i launch my dingy in salt water will my trailer wheel bearings be damaged if submerged in salt water ?

Question

When i launch my dingy in salt water will my trailer wheel bearings be damaged if submerged in salt water ?

Answer 1

If the seals let the water in it not good. Take a cheap wrench and dip in sea water and not clean it. It will be ruined in less than a week. If the rear seal good and the Bearing cap, water usually not get in, but, there no guarantee.

I should say, IF, you have Stainless Steel Bearings they be OK, but, I not sure they make them. Maybe they do, I just not sure.

Answer 2

Probably not, since the trailer is dedicated to launching boats, and they usually have sealed wheel bearings.  If you're not using a dedicated trailer or have changed the wheels, I'd recommend that you keep them lubricated with grease and rinse them off frequently (at least hose the wheels and hubs each time they've been submerged).  Good luck!

Answer 3

keep the bearings heavily greased with "marine" grade grease. Also, install "bearing buddies" they only take a few minutes to install and will really help protect the bearings. Bearings that are low on grease can get messed up quickly by salt water. However, We launched our 21 ft Glastron off a trailer into salt water weekly for years. We followed the advice above and neber had a single problem with the bearings. We did have problems with wire connectors and lights though. The way around that is to be sure to wash everything (including the boat) with fresh water as soon as you finish for the day. Don't even wait overnight to do it. I've seen fiberglass hulls "crack" from constant exposure to salt water.

Answer 4

if your worried, just take it apart and re grease the bearings when you get home. that is what my friends do.

Answer 5

When launching a boat from a trailer, in fresh, or salt water, let the rig sit for a while to let the bearings cool down .  Hot bearings will suck the water right into the their casings.  Be sure you have bearing buddies on the axle and make sure they are full of grease.  You should have no problem then.

Answer 6

Only if the bearings are not properly greased AND sealed.

Answer 7

Any water will eventually damage bearings.Put on a set of bearing buddies and grease the bearings regularly,I grease mine about every fifth launch.

http://www.bearingbuddy.com/