Hubs/Bearings
the tires on most modern bass rigs spin on maintenance-
free hubs, a true revolution in trailer design. dexter, manu-
facturer of the hub system known as the vault “hybrid
lubrication system,” has perfected a design that uses a pres-
surized hybrid fluid, featuring properties of both grease and
oil, depending on hub temperature. the vault never leaks,
has a five-year warranty and requires no maintenance.
for those with rigs not featuring maintenance-free hubs, it’s
important to routinely grease the wheel bearings. the process
sounds more difficult than it is: 1. Remove the bearing cap. 2.
fit a standard grease gun directly onto the fitting. 3. pump until
the hub is firm, the outer-most bearing moves (due to grease
being introduced around it) or the grease seeps out from
around that bearing. if grease leaks from behind the hub, it’s
usually a sign of a bad inner seal that should be replaced.
hubs/bearings
Brakes
the brake components on today’s bass rigs have also
undergone significant improvements in recent years, with disc
brakes now standard across the board. drum brakes, once
used on many trailers, require adjustment about every 500
miles to ensure the brake pads are riding correctly. disc
brakes feature calipers with a free-floating piston pushing on
the pad, so no adjustment is necessary for the life of the pads.
in some cases, this piston can freeze up – most notably in
saltwater environments – if it’s not built of top-quality mate-
rials. the highest quality trailers, like those built by Ranger,
feature all-aluminum caliper bodies and pistons to eliminate
the possibility of corrosion. if your assembly is any other
metal, it’s best to inspect it regularly.
Brake pads wear over time and can be expected to last
5,000 to 15,000 miles, depending on the manufacturer.
dexter’s ufp brand features pads that are nearly twice as
thick as many others, and they’re worth the extra dollars