On 5/28/2021 8:51 AM, David Grah via montgomery_boats wrote:

We found I did not check the tightness of the lug nuts on our trailer yesterday and managed to destroy a wheel, the studs on the hub, probably the bearings, and maybe the axle on the drivers side before we stopped to figure out what "that noise" was. The trailer is unusable because of the damage so the boat on the trailer sits in Lida, Nevada until I can make a repair or, more likely, get the trailer on a trailer, bring it home, and do the work here. I think the Trail-Rite trailer is original to the 1986 Montgomery 15. I am almost certain the inside bearings were destroyed in the carnage and the axle was damaged where the inside seal rides. I admit to having almost no experience working on trailers but think it may make sense for me to plan on replacing the whole axle and hubs assembly, assuming I can get an appropriate quality axle / hub set. Although the first project is to get the boat home, any insights and advice on how to evaluate the damage to the trailer and go about getting parts for it would be greatly appreciated!

David GrahMontgomery 15Bishop California

Hi David, Years ago I was in Clearwater, Florida riding around the local area on my bicycle. In those days (BM - before Montgomery 15) I had a Bolger MICRO, which was a great boat, but, ..... stepping a free standing mast had become a problem.  I had to hold the mast at about an 80 degree angle to get it into the front compartment and into the mast step. Ergo, I needed a solution for that problem. In my bicycle travels, I discovered a derelict ComPac16 sitting on a rusted out trailer.  I stopped and had a look. The ComPac16 had an aluminum deck-stepped mast with shrouds and a forestay. It whispered to me; "I'm the solution to your mast-stepping problems"  so I inquired among the neighbors; got the owners name phone number; called him and made a ridiculous offer, that was instantly accepted. So, a day later, I became the owner of the derelict ComPac16 and the rotted trailer. My first problem was to repair / rebuild the trailer so that I could get the ComPac16 from Clearwater, FL back to Glastonbury, CT where I could do a boat overhaul. Knowing nothing about trailers, my first job was get knowledge. I finally found, and can only highly recommend a_*"GLEN-L MARINE"   Glen-L.com, tel. 562-630-6258 published book on TRAILERS. *_ This gives you detailed information about trailer construction; suspension systems; bearings; wiring; State Trailer Laws; proper trailer balance and trailer tongue weight ....   I found it to be the Trailer Bible, answering all my questions; telling me what to do; and why to do it this way. Now, equipped with knowledge, I bought a hack saw; bottle jack; scrounged some concrete blocks, jacked up the trailer, and then cut off all the rusty  (and immovable) bolts. I removed the whole axle; took off the badly rusted wheels; and the springs; and removed all the wiring. Then using the YELLOW PAGES of the Telephone Directory (remember Yellow Pages - the Internet of its time?) I located a Trailer Supply Shop. There I was able to buy a new axle with bearings; new springs; new bolts and nuts; a trailer electrical wiring harness; a trailer jack .... and go to work. Reassembly was the easy part. Our trip from Florida to Connecticut was completed without a problem. I gave the ComPac16a total overhaul. When we drove to Lake Champlain for sailing trials, and sailing the ComPac for a week, I quickly discovered that I'd bought in haste:  and now repented at leisure ...! The ComPac was a miserable excuse for a sail boat.  Sail to windward...?   You want me to do that?  Sorry, I only do broad reaches. So, I unloaded it as fast as I could. That's when I became a Montgomery 15 owner. Get the Glen-L Trailer book and a major part of your problems will be solved. Ciao, Connie

I ask because I am not sure... lug nuts usually wheel and studs. Or bearings could take out the hub and spindle. But it sounds like you have a right proper mess. Hub, bearings etc, in your spot, I might go etrailer. Better info for ordering, but you would need spindles sizes etc. If you do need a simple axle and then probably a wheel. How about any trailer place that does service. (Not camper) or maybe northern tool? Should be able to have an axle in a day or two. Dont forget new shackles. Is the boat in a secure location. Get a flatbed to move into a fenced storage. Buys you time. Just trying to help you get your head around it. Mike

On May 28, 2021, at 9:51 AM, David Grah via montgomery_boats <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> wrote:

We found I did not check the tightness of the lug nuts on our trailer yesterday and managed to destroy a wheel, the studs on the hub, probably the bearings, and maybe the axle on the drivers side before we stopped to figure out what "that noise" was. The trailer is unusable because of the damage so the boat on the trailer sits in Lida, Nevada until I can make a repair or, more likely, get the trailer on a trailer, bring it home, and do the work here. I think the Trail-Rite trailer is original to the 1986 Montgomery 15. I am almost certain the inside bearings were destroyed in the carnage and the axle was damaged where the inside seal rides. I admit to having almost no experience working on trailers but think it may make sense for me to plan on replacing the whole axle and hubs assembly, assuming I can get an appropriate quality axle / hub set. Although the first project is to get the boat home, any insights and advice on how to evaluate the damage to the trailer and go about getting parts for it would be greatly appreciated!

David GrahMontgomery 15Bishop California

On 5/28/2021 8:51 AM, David Grah via montgomery_boats wrote:

We found I did not check the tightness of the lug nuts on our trailer yesterday and managed to destroy a wheel, the studs on the hub, probably the bearings, and maybe the axle on the drivers side before we stopped to figure out what "that noise" was. The trailer is unusable because of the damage so the boat on the trailer sits in Lida, Nevada until I can make a repair or, more likely, get the trailer on a trailer, bring it home, and do the work here. I think the Trail-Rite trailer is original to the 1986 Montgomery 15. I am almost certain the inside bearings were destroyed in the carnage and the axle was damaged where the inside seal rides. I admit to having almost no experience working on trailers but think it may make sense for me to plan on replacing the whole axle and hubs assembly, assuming I can get an appropriate quality axle / hub set. Although the first project is to get the boat home, any insights and advice on how to evaluate the damage to the trailer and go about getting parts for it would be greatly appreciated!

David GrahMontgomery 15Bishop California

Hi David, Chapter 2 in Trailerology: I had a trailer  tool box in my car's hatch whenever we traveled. It contained:     -  A grease gun for my Bearing Buddies.  A can of wheel bearing grease.  A small oil can for the trailer ball connector, and for the trailer tongue jack.  (prevent corrosion)     - A set of wheel bearings; inner bearing and outer bearing; as well as my home-made tools to putting them back in place if I ever had to do the job at the side of the road     -  A 12 inch square of plywood.  The thicker the better.  You need this so that your bottle jack base doesn't sink into soft ground.     -  A bottle jack     -  Lug wrench with extension if your lug bolts are rusty (I grease mine to make sure I don't have to call for King Kong to undo the lugs)     -  A hammer if you need some persuasion when installing the bearings     -  A cheap volt / ohm meter to check trailer light wiring continuity / bulb filaments     -  Enough wrenches or sockets to fit every nut on the trailer.  (my boat tool box had pliers and screwdrivers)  Spare bearing cotter pins.     -  A warning triangle     -  A cheap led flashlight or a flashing warning light.   Remember, MURPHY will always pick the worst time to do his mischief.  These things happen only at night; when it's raining;         and you are far from help  Your intent should be to  "defeat the  bastard". Ciao, Connie