Runner
Elite Member
- Joined
- May 12, 2007
- Messages
- 2,985
- Location
- Missouri
- Tractor
- 2024 Cub Cadet Ultima ZTXS5 54, 2007 John Deere 2520, 1989 John Deere 185, 1960 Panzer T70B
Hi all. I'm preparing to buy my first real utility trailer to haul my tractor, cars, etc. on. What I'm looking at right now is a (new) PJ, 20+5, deckover with (2) 7K axles, brakes on both axles. A couple of questions:
First, this thing has the "oil bath" hubs. I'm wondering if there is any downside to these hubs. I've read that they aren't good for trailers that sit a lot like this one probably will (presumably because the oil runs away from the bearings and leaves them exposed?). I also question what happens when the seals start to wear: with regular hubs, the grease will tend to stay in there even if the seals are a little worn, but I'm wondering if all the oil will just run out of the oil bath hubs as soon as the seals wear, i.e., maintenance problems?
Second, I will be towing with a 2004 F350. I have a brake controller (Tekonsha Prodigy), but have not installed it yet because I don't currently have any trailers with electric brakes (currently have two boat trailers, one with surge brakes, and small utility with no brakes).
My question is, what happens if I try to tow this trailer back from the dealer without a brake controller? I know the truck can stop it, but I'm wondering if I plug the 7-pin trailer plug into the standard Ford receptacle without a brake controller hooked up (so that I have lights), will it have an adverse effect on the trailer brake system or not (other than the brakes not working)?
I plan on hooking up the controller soon, but would like to be able to take my time on the install and adjustment, rather than rushing around with it if I decided to buy the trailer now.
The other option is to just hook up the brake controller, put in the fuse as necessary and lay the unit on the floor of the truck, but I'm not sure they are meant to work unless solidly mounted.
Thanks in advance for any guidance you may have on these topics.
First, this thing has the "oil bath" hubs. I'm wondering if there is any downside to these hubs. I've read that they aren't good for trailers that sit a lot like this one probably will (presumably because the oil runs away from the bearings and leaves them exposed?). I also question what happens when the seals start to wear: with regular hubs, the grease will tend to stay in there even if the seals are a little worn, but I'm wondering if all the oil will just run out of the oil bath hubs as soon as the seals wear, i.e., maintenance problems?
Second, I will be towing with a 2004 F350. I have a brake controller (Tekonsha Prodigy), but have not installed it yet because I don't currently have any trailers with electric brakes (currently have two boat trailers, one with surge brakes, and small utility with no brakes).
My question is, what happens if I try to tow this trailer back from the dealer without a brake controller? I know the truck can stop it, but I'm wondering if I plug the 7-pin trailer plug into the standard Ford receptacle without a brake controller hooked up (so that I have lights), will it have an adverse effect on the trailer brake system or not (other than the brakes not working)?
I plan on hooking up the controller soon, but would like to be able to take my time on the install and adjustment, rather than rushing around with it if I decided to buy the trailer now.
The other option is to just hook up the brake controller, put in the fuse as necessary and lay the unit on the floor of the truck, but I'm not sure they are meant to work unless solidly mounted.
Thanks in advance for any guidance you may have on these topics.