3 replies to this topic

[FJHIII]

I have the 2011 210 SP and it came with the Karavan trailer w/ brakes.

To my surprise, the trailer did not include Bearing Buddies and the Calipers are very prone to severe rusting.

I strongly urge you to install Bearing Buddies and upgrade the Calipers.

After 6 months of use, my trailer started having some problems. It started with some grease oozing out of one tire. The tire was extremely hot. I had the bearing packed, but it appears that the real issue was the water getting in the cap that comes with the Sea Doo trailer. Basically, this trailer is not meant to go into the water!

Shortly after the bearing issue, I had more grease oozing out of the same wheel. It ended up that the brake (I am calling it the Caliper) was rusted in the closed position, meaning that I was driving with the brake on the trailer! It appears that the Caliper is made from a material that is very prone to rusting, I believe it is called, "Cast". I was advised to use the Aluminium Calipers in hope that they stand up to the Salt Water more.

I know that I use my boat a lot and it is all in Salt Water, but I am disappointed that low quality products were used for my trailer. I think this is a safety issue and I urge everyone to take a minute to check their trailers before towing.

[kseroski70]

I would contact Karavan directly with your problems.

[FJHIII]

I would contact Karavan directly with your problems.

These are not problems. These are dumb oversights by Sea Doo. Sea Doo bought the trailer from Karavan with cheap parts to keep the costs down. I would have rather paid the extra money up front or at least be told that the bearings are not suppose to get wet. After all, this is a boat trailer and it is going to get wet.

Why would Sea Doo sell us a trailer with these parts in the first place? I think the answer is money.

This thread is very serious, it involves the safety of our families and the other cars that are on the roads when we are towing.

[biffdotorg]

Maybe I am reading this wrong, but don't 90% of saltwater users go with Galvanized trailers? these Galvanized trailers also have upgraded braking and bearing components designed for salt water.

I would be more dissapointed with a dealer who did not try to upsell you to one, let alone inform you of the differences.

I don't think this would be as big of an issue in fresh water. The karavan I have under my SeaDoo has bearing protectors and shows no signs of rusty brakes. It is almost 10 years old and has seen nothing but fresh water.

This is just a guess. Wait till you see the inside of a painted trailer that has been in salt water a number of times. You will be amazed that the boxed metal has not rusted from the inside out!!!

Good luck!