EZ Loader trailer from hell

[fishinlady97140]

We have an EZ Loader that came with a 2000 SeaSwirl that we probably use more than the average boat owner, and don't hesitate to use it in salt water. The manual for the trailer says NOT to grease it, but we hadn't read the manual, so it had some added grease. June, 2001, a wheel fell off (just over the 1-year warrantee..go figure) due to the bearing (and the other 3 too) being rusted out -- they simply disintegrated. We replaced all 4, along with the shoes that were ruined. EZ Loader representative said, oh, yes, you should grease them, but it's over a year old, so we won't do anything.

January of this year, we took the trailer for a checkup on bearings -- guess what! They were all rusted and had to be replaced. We've since found out EZ Loader doesn't make this style trailer wheel any longer -- (wonder why?) but they are not willing to do ANYTHING about it -- modify it, trade it..nada! They've offered both times (after the repairs were already done, of course) to give us the parts, but won't give us the parts in anticipation of this happening again. I, personally, think this is really pi** poor customer service. I would encourage anyone contemplating buying one of their trailers to make sure what they are getting, and make sure they are prepared to pay the cost of owning defective equipment. I'm in the process of trying to find out of we can (out of pocket) have the trailer wheels modified to have bearing buddies...cuz this is NOT acceptable maintenance to have to replace bearings every 6 months! Anyone have any ideas?

[Tacklebuster]

Youch :shocked: My suggestion is to get the wheels modified to the bearing buddies and keep her greased up. I have heard of one other couple that had the exact same problem as you. Call those rat -------- up frequently and give them an ear ful. Secondly, the internet is a powerful tool. I would do my part in spreading the word to potential customers on how your purchase turned out :wink: Sorry to hear of your predicament.

[Pitch Pocket]

Being an ex-mechanic (VW busses, Ghias and Bugs) I respect the need for metal surfaces to have grease and lots of it. Wheel bearings require regular maintentance to survive the submersion in salt water. Bearing buddies are a must and the salt and/or water has to be purged on a regular basis with more grease. You can't apply too much.

[Nanook]

Hate to add to your grief, but get rid of it. It won't get any better. Put a good trailer under it and save your self further expense and grief in the long run. I was loaned an EZ Loader (oxymoron)once while my trailer was being built. :sick: :sick: :sick:

[ 02-06-2002, 07:21 PM: Message edited by: ****** ]

[invader]

my experences with ez load trailers and salt water = RUST and bad bearings and a broken frame behind the axel. since i got my new trailer, i only have gone in the salt a few times and launched at john day river which is only some salt water, but even then i rinse the trailer and fire up the motor to flush ALL salt water from them!!.. so far so good 7 years and counting!!john

[invader]

[ 02-06-2002, 08:46 PM: Message edited by: invader ]

[FM2]

Good advice from ******, where is the graphic of the EZ "Exploder" trailer though! :shocked: :shocked:

Definately look at a new trailer if your budget will allow it, your boat is worth more than trying to repair the old "exploder". I know of many folks with bad experiences with this trailer but there are probably others that have had no problems.

My $.02

[TundraIII]

Hey Fishinlady! Got an ez loader trailer with my
boat too. Torsion bar type axle, no leaf spring type. Wheel fell off just outside of Garibaldi last year. Got to spend the night with my young son on the side of the road :mad: . Discovered bearings were lubed with standard axle grease not the marine type. Bearings fried and totally screwed up the spindle. This was a new trailer with very few miles or salt water launches. I installed buddy bearings (40 bucks) super easy to install but now that the spindle is damaged the inside bearing seal wont form a tight fit and I have to carry a grease gun with me every time I head out. I love my boat but am really unhappy with this trailer. Cant afford a new one right now
but as soon as I can this one is "kickin pebbles down the road"! Does anyone have any idea how I get this type of torsion axle fixed? Where is EZ loader made or located? Who do I call?

[TideRunner]

Regardless of brand, when you get a new trailer, pump up the bearing buddies. All the factories (I've dealt with E-Z, Shorelander, Triton, Zeimann), put very little grease on to start with. The first 20 minute drive will make or break the bearings life.

[Sam I Am]

I have a 2001 EZ Loader under my new Lund and have not experienced any problems with it. A traveling grease gun with marine grease is a must. When you make a rest stop on your way to your next fishing destination, check your hubs for excessive heat. Before a trip, grab the top of each trailer tire with two hands ( like a steering wheel) and give it a little push / pull. If there is excessive wobble the bearings just might need to be tightened down. On the other hand they may need replacing. I had many friends with other brand name trailers that has had problems. You are not alone. One was told that he over packed his bearing buddies that caused failure. Too much over-packing can blow seals. The bearing buddies are your best bet , a few pumps to each bearing only. Grease is an inexpensive preventative. Good luck!

[FEAR NO FISH!]

This sounds like a trailer I used to
have. Mine used to be a Queen or Pawn,
no, a PIECE OF CRAPOLA king trailer. I
would advise you to head to Lewiston,
Idaho and get the best trailer made,
Tricker Trailers. Say Hi to Pete for me.
It is definetly worth the road trip! :grin:

[Bait O' Eggs]

I have a 1996 EZ Loader and have had no problems. It has been dipped in the salt hundreds of times. I have the torsion axle rather than springs.

I pump up the bearing buddies (came with the trailer) at least every other trip. I check the hub for heat after every long trip.

If it wasnt for the bias ply tire that blew up along the road, I would have had no problems with it. Now I have a pair of radials on it and couldnt be happier.

Sorry to hear about your problems.

[Empire]

Does anyone know where the grease goes? I have bearing buddies with the Zerk fittings, grease goes in, but I never see any come out? It seems to me that if there was some kind of vent on the other side of the bearings I could force fresh grease over the bearings, while pushing the old grease out??? :whazzup:

[fishinlady97140]

Sam...I think the key is yours is a 2001...ours is a 2000 and I think that was the last year they made this type trailer.

Thanks everyone, for your input..I think that $40 for bearing buddies is the way to go...and in the the long run, we'll be looking for a trailer with rollers, rather than bunks - since we've also had to replace 3 of the 4 on this dog-of-a-trailer.

[ssteelheadsteve]

Having been a full time guide for the last 26 years I have owned a few trailers.My current E-Z Loader is by far the BEST trailer I have every owned.
Bering advice : Complete tear down,inspect and repack every 30 launches or every 90 days.Add grease just before each launch.If you launch once in salt don't expect your bearings or brakes to last more than a year.

[TheRogue]

Don't limit the regular maintenance to just EZ-loader trailers!! My Alumaweld Intruder came sitting on a top-of-the-line Rogue Trailer, diamond plate, all welded, etc. Blew the passenger side wheel almost all the way off, the second trip out. Guess what?? Absolutely NO GREASE in either wheel!!!! I was one of the first, the dealer said they ended up recalling a large bunch of the trailers, and many had no grease in them at all. At least they fixed me up good, and polished the spindle, removing the scratches and burrs from the exploding bearing set.

K

[DK]

empire, there is a dead space between inner and outter bearings in the hub, which needs to be filled befor grease will even see the inside bearings i to have an e-zloader that see's lots of salt water, every year i check my bearings pull them out clean out the old grease pack the bearings by hand first install then slide the hub back on befor installing the outter bearings fill the space between inner and outter do not over pack install outter bearings and nut with cotter pin tap on buddy bearing and grease till spring with the black plate doesn't quite reach the expansion hole on the side of the buddy bearing, have done this for 13 years and have never had a problem, dk