Oil bath hubs - Changing oil

[foxer]

Seems like a fairly simple ordeal. Unscrew the fill holes, drain and replace to the same level. What brand/type oil is everyone using? Any tips to make this painless? Thx

[Gundog]

Why are you changing it?

[foxer]

Bought the boat/trailer new in Summer of 05'. Only one trip to the coast, mostly just short trips around PDX. Thought you supposed to change it every year?

[hot wire]

Seems like a fairly simple ordeal. Unscrew the fill holes, drain and replace to the same level. What brand/type oil is everyone using? Any tips to make this painless? Thx

Did this in April. Boat was 13months old...

Here you go:


You could pull the cap off to get the fluid out, it is easier than the screw. I used the screw and put a plastic bowl underneath to catch the oil. Next time I will just take off cap and keep a BIG rag (towel) nearby--save time. I waited quite a while to get all the fluid to drip out. Then I used some mobil 1 90w synthetic. It has a long skinny cap to get the fluid back in the little hole. (squeeze, wait, squeeze, wait..etc) Easy project.

Things learned..
1. Used pipe wrench with rag on cover for protection to remove, putting back on with same way.
2. Tiny fill-hole screws were VERY soft. BE CAREFUL.
3. Would drive trailer around for a few miles to heat up fluid---took quite a while for cold fluid to drip out.
4. Far messier than I expected....lots of rags!

Easier the second time I think..

Tom

[Old MAn River]

:clap:full synthetic gear lube (Royal Purple):smash::twocents:

[Gundog]

I have the oil bath hubs on my boat trailer. I have a mechanics background in my younger days. I look at these hubs like the diff oil in my truck I would think that oil would be good for at least 100000 miles unless you see contamination (water) or oil becoming discolored.

The oil in the hubs is not like the oil in a combustion engine that gets contaminated through the combustion of the engine. I am not trying to convince you not to change your oil but for me I just don't see the need unless I see some discoloration.
Mike

[Coastalfisherman]

I have had the same oil in my hubs for over a year and a half. No problems with water or anything else in there yet. I have no plans to change the oil until I see some kind of contamination.

[hot wire]

I kinda agree about changing yearly. That does seem a bit excessive.

My goal was to get in there and get some pure synthetic working for the bearings! I had indeed noticed that I had seen some cloudiness when I drove long distances and immediately launched the boat. Especially this springer season. When I would park the trailer I always looked at the bearing cover (mine is clear) and would see possible cloud of moisture. So I wanted to get that fluid out!

Also, I have changed my trailering habits too. I try to give my trailer time to cool off before I put the boat in...

[No Bail]

Remember to put some never seize on that little hex nut.