New Trailer recalled...

[Go Aweigh2452]

Well, after putting about 600 miles on the new trailer, I got a call from EZLoader to have my trailer left wheels looked at. They were stuned that I had put that many miles on it in the past week. After some silence, and finding out that I was in the water at Port Townsend (65 miles from home), they called a local PT dealer but he was closed and I asked if I could take it to my local deler Kitsap Marine in Port Orchard... They said to watch it closely since it may wobble off the shaft. Seems they may have installed an incorrect outer bearing on the left side.

I made it to Kitsap Marine and they were expecting me. They said they would fix it by next week. Needless to say, they changed their mind after I talked to them for a while. I got it back today and sure enough the bearings were bad and lots of metal was already in the oil bath and they estimate I only had a few more miles before failure... Kitsap Marine changed out the inner bearings too in case any damage occured for them too.

Nice to know EZ Loader wastes no time in getting in contact to take care of this recall they intiated.

[heymagic]

Wow !! Say, you aren't having an abundance of luck with boat trailers, you may need to think about a bigger boat and mooring. :D Some poor smuck, or 2, somewhere had their new trailer wheel fall off before this was found out and I'll bet there is an empty spot at the Xmas dinner this year at EZ Loader. Great they acted so fast to get you fixed up.

[SomeSailor]

Sounds like you bought your trailer from the right folks at least. Glad that worked out OK. Was that the same bearing window that looked a little different than the others? (slightly over serviced or milky?)

Just curious. But, hey you know how far you can get with bad bearings now. :D I wonder if that oil-bath system kept you going? It has to cool better than grease and keeps the debris free of the races better?

[Randygh]

Doug--What weight oil is used in the oil bearing baths? Just curious.

[Go Aweigh2452]

Mike, yes that milky bearing was on the suspect side. I really thought my trailer was not one of the problem ones since I had so many miles on it. I had checked for heat at almost every stop and thought it was actually cooler than the right side on a couple of occasions. Go figure.

I added a 3/4 ply step along the tongue this AM so I do not fall into the water...

I don't think I mentioned this before but as I was in the process of pulling my boat out of Port Townsend marina, I tied up along the pier as usual and went for my truck/trailer. As I backed down the ramp some old guy and his wife pulled right up to the base of the ramp in their trophy and within a foot or so of my trailer. I tried to get their attention but they would not respond and the old guy went for his rig. So we had a bit of a Mexican standoff. There was a sheriff boat tied up next to the gas pumps and Lea went over to ask for their assistance. They stated that they were only reservists and had no jurisdiction. She asked for them to call the police and they did. When Lea got back to relay the info to me while I was sitting on my tailgate, I asked Lea to make lunch while the other lady was in earshot. This lady then went up to her husband who was at the top of the ramp in a mobile home pulling their trailer. Eventually, she came down and moved her boat out of my way so I could pull my boat. I asked her to keep it there since the cops were on the way. She said "that's nice" and moved her boat anyway. I finally got my boat hauled out in about 3 minutes and went to the wash down rack when the cop finally showed up. I relayed my story as the other couple were still on the ramp. He parked his police car at the top of the ramp not allowing the camper to pull out and had what looked like a nice discussion of what transpired.

A sail boater who witnessed the event and was behind me waiting to pull out even said he'd be happy to ram the trophy...

I was a bit PO'd especially since I was concerned about the bearings...

Anyway, that's my story and I'm stickin to it...

[3788sam]

I asked Lea to make lunch while the other lady was in earshot

Too Funny Doug :lol:

[SomeSailor]

I had a similar thing happen one day a few years back. My 12 year old son was holding the boat as I went up to get the trailer. I waited until I was #1 for removal on that ramp and left him about a boat length back from the waters edge.

I back my truck up, and there's some old man helping Dane (my son) push my boat back... (now... I'm getting bothered) He drops the rope when I walk up, leaving Dane trying to hold a 7,000 boat alongside the pier and starts waving at someone to come in. When I said "excuse me" and got my lines again... he steps between me and my boat and says his son is "on his way in". When I looked behind me, there were 3 other boats at the finger now... all heading for their trucks. He explains his son dropped him off and was circling in the channel. :)

I finally got around the old geezer and got my boat trailered... but I thought I was going to blows with the old fart. Some people make no effort at all to observe whats going on and try to at least play along with the usual protocol. :(

[Tedster]

The only thing as good is the locks and the inability for people to see how many boats were at the door before them when the lights goes green. Ted :roll: