Conference wahoo::fishing

    First, you might find a hitch that extends a few more inches rather
    than extending the trailer and ruining its towing :balance:.
    
    But if you are tripping that far, drop over and borrow my grease
    gun. Every so often you should reload the buddies. Mine have a fitting.
    You just might find a few more fittings to hit as well.
    

    Don last summer when up grading from a 14' aluminum to a 16' aluminum
    I did what you are trying to do. It is very IMPORTANT that you 
    support the weight of the tramson on the bunks. If you do not do
    this the motor weight will cause damage to your rivets and the end
    result will be leaks! This was pointed out to me at several marinas.
    I also added 2 more rollers so that the keel (sp) had additional
    support. To make new Bunks I purchased 2 8' pressure treated 2x4's
    and marine glued some shag run to them, It took a couple of times
    loading the boat to get the adjustments right but aftwer that no
    problems. If you have any questions please feel free to
    send me mail or give me a call at dtn 225-4927    good luck Mike
    poor illustration follows!
    
                
                
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    Don, Before I bought my buddies I did a little reserch and found
    that some (not all) people had problems with the plastic buddies
    falling off. So I spent the $12 or what ever it is for the metal
    ones and havent had a problem yet. I am not sure if you need another
    set for spares but someone else might know better. 
    
    Rich

    I've talked with a friend from Greene's Marine and have solved my
    extension problem.  By law, a trailer cannot be extended more than
    2 feet.  And they have a galvenized 2' bolt-on extension for $30
    (for my trailer).  So, that's what I'm going to go with...
              
    Don Mac

    DON,
    
     I WENT THRU A SET OF WHEEL BEARINGS COMMING HOME FROM A LONG
    TRIP! I HAD NEW BEARINGS DONE AND PUT SOME METAL BEARING BUDDIES
    ON, GREASE EM TWICE A YEAR AND HAVE NEVER HAD ANOTHER PROBLEM! THEY
    ARE WORTH EVERY CENT. I THINK I PAID ABOUT $12.00! BEST MOVE I
    EVER MADE ON MY TRAILER AND I TRAILER ALOT!
    
    
    						TOM

    re: bearings
    
    Thanks for the inputs.  I did pickup some buddies, along with a
    grease gun and a spare set of bearings.  Before we leave for FLA
    I'll repack the bearings and install the buddies.  Not to mention,
    install the extension, the guide-ons, the new lights, rewire
    the trailer, rewire the boat, install the modified deck, with new 
    trolling motor, etc, etc....  busy busy...                       
                                               
    Don Mac                                           

    Don, Sounds like a labor of Love...stop complaining!

How well I know, huh Don?

I enjoyed every minute of customizing my boat.

-Joe-

    Yea, I have to admit that I do enjoy working on the boat.  But 
    working outside in the winter can be rather miserable.  And looking 
    at the time frame that I have, it's possible that the weather will be 
    less than cooperative.  But just thinking of the souther Florida
    weather (the news this morning showed the 80s) should help warm
    me up!
           
    Don Mac          

    
    
    to break up the drive, you need to make some stops......
    
    I hope those stops include some fishin.  ie: Westpoint, st cooper
    etc.
    
    What's you driving plan?  Give us all the vicarious thrills.
    
    TBDW (FLYIN)
    
    

    	I went to the trouble of acquiring a separate grease gun and
    loading it with "bearing grease" which I obtained in bulk rather
    than cartridge. I use this gun excluively for my trailer bearings.
    I only did this because all the cartrige stuff was called "all purpose"
    grease and I wanted to insure that I was using the right stuff. Well 
    my can of grease is empty now and I really don't want to go through 
    the hassle of bulk loading anymore. (Anyone ever try that? What
    a mess!) 
    	I guess what I am looking for is someone out there to tell me
    that the have been using the general purpose stuff for years and it 
    works great. That will give me the confidence to use it and get
    out of the bulk business.
            
    Thanks,
    Paul

    Paul,
    
      I am in much the same delema. I need to repack my bearings this
    spring and have be waffling as to what type of grease to use. It
    looks like the factory grease was white (Lithium?) grease. Once
    I made the mistake of pumping some black (moyabian SP?) grease into
    the bearing buddy and what a mess it has been, the two greases did
    not mix and the black stuff has been leaking out ever since. Fortunatly
    I only did this on 1 of 4 wheels. I asked the place that services
    my I/O what kind of grease they use and all they said was "green".
    Unless I can find a better reason not to, I will just use the black
    grease when I repack them this spring since this is what I have in
    both a cartrige and a tub.
    
    Anyone have some better info?
    
    Bruce

    Paul,
    
    There is a cartridge grease made specifically for boat wheel bearings.
    It's called Aqualube, it is indeed green and is designed for the
    many dunkings in the lake that your trailer will make and it also
    for the heat of trailering long distances.  I've used it for the
    past several years on my Ranger trailer and never a problem.  Most
    boat dealers have it in my area so you might want to check around.
    
    Ron

    Bruce, Ron,
    	Thanks for the info. I'll stop at a local boat dealer to get
    some of the green stuff.
    
    Paul

    I also use Aqua Lube with my Ranger Trail, but it is red.

    Keith

    	I stopped at my local boat store and picked up some OMC Marine
    Bearing Grease. It is that dark brown, almost black color of Lithium
    types. I'm satisfied that it is formulated for boat trailer bearings
    so I guess my problem has been solved.
    
    Thanks,
    Paul

    I ordered some Aqualube and they sent me the 14.5 oz tubes.  If
    anyone wants any at $3.75, let me know.

    keith

Keith...I'll take one.  I've moved and am now by pole 2C7.

Joe

    keith I'll take one also. bring it at the bass club meeting saturday
    
    ray