Thread: Squeaky wheels

If the noise is present when being pulled forward I'd be checking the bearings (I would anyway as it sounds like it may need some love)

If the noise is when turning it (putting sideways force on the wheels) I'd look for possibly cracked wheels.

It could also be the springs moving.

Best option is have someone rag the trailer whilst you walk beside it and listen carefully to see if you can locate the source o the noise.

"Squeaking" will generally be the suspension rather than wheel bearings. Buggered bearings will tend to "rumble", but they have to be pretty bad to even get that. While the trailer is on the ground, grab the top of each tyre with both hands and rock the wheel back and forth. If you can feel a slight movement and/or a little 'clunk', then you need to check the bearings. If they haven't been dismantled and checked in a couple of years, then probably a good time to do it soon. Most trailers don't travel very far, so don't require greasing every year, unlike a Caravan/Camper or a tradie trailer that gets used daily.

Thanks for the suggestions.

The trailer had a buggered bearing once before - I put it in for a "service" by the local manufacturer that included new bearings, about a week later after doing some work on dirt roads I was told by the person using it that it was making some "funny noises". I noticed grease coming out from around the plastic hub cap, and when I took it off I found the grease cap had popped off of the hub and the grease had begun to empty and grit from the dirt road had got in. When I took it back for the manufacturer to fix they gave some story that the grease caps "should" have been replaced with new ones, even though none of the 4 had been. Needless to say I haven't taken it back there since (I won't mention the previous job when they installed lashing points in the corners, grinding through the wiring insulation when they cut through the floor, causing endless, confusing electrical problems as the exposed wires randomly touched).

Since then I get a bit worried when I hear a squeak...