Black rubber trailer rollers

[spoonfed-1]

I have an old EZ loader roller trailer for my small 16 ft aluminum boat. Question I have is what to use for lubrication between the rubber rollers and shafts. Something that will last awhile and not eat at the rubber rollers. Ideally something I can get in there without pulling each roller and shaft apart as this will be done in a parking lot after I dump the boat in at a launch ramp.

Thanks for any ideas.

Edited February 18 by spoonfed-1

[J.D.]

Available at your local home center

Danco 0.5 oz Silicone Faucet Grease

• Resistant to most harsh chemicals

• Retains its consistency in temperatures from -40° to 400° F

• Odorless scent makes this product easy to work with during application

• Container size: 0.5 oz

• Does not contain petroleum

• Contains high raw silicone content making it better for a long term lubricant

• 95% Silicone and safe for nitrite/rubber o-rings

• Water resilient and oxidation resistant

• Used to lubricate faucets and help stems to turn smoothly

[spoonfed-1]

Thanks for the reply. Am I to assume you have used this before and how did you get it into the rollers without taking them apart? As I said this will be done in a parking lot after I drop the boat in the lake.

[sherman brown]

6 hours ago, spoonfed-1 said:

I have an old EZ loader roller trailer for my small 16 ft aluminum boat. Question I have is what to use for lubrication between the rubber rollers and shafts. Something that will last awhile and not eat at the rubber rollers. Ideally something I can get in there without pulling each roller and shaft apart as this will be done in a parking lot after I dump the boat in at a launch ramp.

Thanks for any ideas.

I have never lubricated the rollers on the roller trailers I have owned. but that doesn't mean they shouldn't have been. the 1st thing you should do is go to factory websites that make roller trailers and message a few of them asking your question. I have always bought used boats and trailers. if I found any of the rollers were excessively worn I went to etrailer.com and checked on eBay and Amazon to find what I wanted at the best price. in all my searches E-Trailer was where I bought mine. after replacing the ones that were maybe 25 years old and worn I never looked back.

 

if the MFG doesn't have an answer for you then there may not be a good answer.

[J.D.]

did a quick search.... you can get a spray...

WD-40 Specialist Silicone Lubricant with SMART STRAW SPRAYS 2 WAYS, 11 OZ

• WD-40 300014 Specialist Water Resistant Silicone Lubricant Spray 11 OZ (Pack of 1)
• Made in the USA
• Silicone lubricant provides a protective, waterproof and low-friction coating to multiple surfaces
• Our quick-drying formula cures into a clear, stain-resistant hard film that protects your surfaces from the elements
• Safe to use on metal, rubber, vinyl, and plastic without a messy residue. 50-state VOC Compliant

https://www.amazon.com/WD-40-Specialist-Resistant-Lubricant-STRAW-SPRAYS/dp/B00631GSSI/ref=sr_1_3?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.qpo1EXxXEAs08loPbiZflJv3JuiGHpFusf8wO-xrneczs6mFw9OC4sSCDU_IuYbDAK8BGr-QehqTTp-5fnDOL5swNIfaF0WH0WXr5BLFiGvO3iQUYejLBLuvXgNYuJOrdt6uD7lz2yduehA1nBRlPUN2Tiv_YKavor3HP6NxYYl-4CCBhNIa4gw50mMedjbSI4yjPxk1Eiq9idX0CtJbe162g2EWDOK-KI1aa_bdMb8.V-2VEES0I-2BBTe4W7aSeBjjBgUnpyjPuqRqAXg_flQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=spray+silicone+grease&qid=1708359961&sr=8-3

[J.D.]

this would work too...

WD-40 Specialist 10-oz Gel Lube, No-drip Formula with Smart Straw Spray

• Lubricates 15X longer than the competition (2)

• Protects against rust and surface corrosion up to 6X longer than the competition (3)

• Get unbeatable, long-lasting protection with this thick gel formula, resist water and displace moisture with self-healing protection, it prevents rust for up to 1-year and is 50-state VOC compliant

• Safe on multiple surfaces including metal, plastic and rubber, use it when repairing your car, on walls, on your garage door, or on hinges, once applied it can withstand temperature ranges from minus 100°F to 500°F

• Offers long-lasting lubrication without the mess. It won't run and is ideal for vertical surfaces and moving parts like chains, cables, rollers, gears, and bearings

https://www.lowes.com/pd/WD-40-Specialist-Spray-and-Stay-Gel-Lubricant-10-oz-No-Drip-Formula-with-Smart-Straw/999989768

[bulletbob]

 I always used plain old  white spray grease, and it worked fine, and never ruined the rollers the way  "the book" says they will.. I like white grease, I  personally don't feel it does anything bad to the hard rubber rollers, but if you want to go by the book, use any grease that does not contain petroleum.. that would include silicone grease, or white grease that states it has no petroleum base oils..

[spoonfed-1]

3 hours ago, J.D. said:

this would work too...

WD-40 Specialist 10-oz Gel Lube, No-drip Formula with Smart Straw Spray

• Lubricates 15X longer than the competition (2)

• Protects against rust and surface corrosion up to 6X longer than the competition (3)

• Get unbeatable, long-lasting protection with this thick gel formula, resist water and displace moisture with self-healing protection, it prevents rust for up to 1-year and is 50-state VOC compliant

• Safe on multiple surfaces including metal, plastic and rubber, use it when repairing your car, on walls, on your garage door, or on hinges, once applied it can withstand temperature ranges from minus 100°F to 500°F

• Offers long-lasting lubrication without the mess. It won't run and is ideal for vertical surfaces and moving parts like chains, cables, rollers, gears, and bearings

https://www.lowes.com/pd/WD-40-Specialist-Spray-and-Stay-Gel-Lubricant-10-oz-No-Drip-Formula-with-Smart-Straw/999989768

 

2 hours ago, bulletbob said:

 I always used plain old  white spray grease, and it worked fine, and never ruined the rollers the way  "the book" says they will.. I like white grease, I  personally don't feel it does anything bad to the hard rubber rollers, but if you want to go by the book, use any grease that does not contain petroleum.. that would include silicone grease, or white grease that states it has no petroleum base oils..

Thanks guys. I use white grease on a lot of stuff. Because of the limited time I have in the parking lot I will give the wd-40 specialist spray a shot that J.D. posted and see what happens. If I have to do it a few times a season thats OK. Otherwise I'll bite the bullet, jack the boat up off the trailer and take everything apart.

Any other ideas are welcome.

[spoonfed-1]

On 2/19/2024 at 11:29 AM, J.D. said:

did a quick search.... you can get a spray...

WD-40 Specialist Silicone Lubricant with SMART STRAW SPRAYS 2 WAYS, 11 OZ

• WD-40 300014 Specialist Water Resistant Silicone Lubricant Spray 11 OZ (Pack of 1)
• Made in the USA
• Silicone lubricant provides a protective, waterproof and low-friction coating to multiple surfaces
• Our quick-drying formula cures into a clear, stain-resistant hard film that protects your surfaces from the elements
• Safe to use on metal, rubber, vinyl, and plastic without a messy residue. 50-state VOC Compliant

https://www.amazon.com/WD-40-Specialist-Resistant-Lubricant-STRAW-SPRAYS/dp/B00631GSSI/ref=sr_1_3?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.qpo1EXxXEAs08loPbiZflJv3JuiGHpFusf8wO-xrneczs6mFw9OC4sSCDU_IuYbDAK8BGr-QehqTTp-5fnDOL5swNIfaF0WH0WXr5BLFiGvO3iQUYejLBLuvXgNYuJOrdt6uD7lz2yduehA1nBRlPUN2Tiv_YKavor3HP6NxYYl-4CCBhNIa4gw50mMedjbSI4yjPxk1Eiq9idX0CtJbe162g2EWDOK-KI1aa_bdMb8.V-2VEES0I-2BBTe4W7aSeBjjBgUnpyjPuqRqAXg_flQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=spray+silicone+grease&qid=1708359961&sr=8-3

I've never been a fan of wd-40 but I sprayed this stuff on my garage door rollers and tracks and so far it's awesome. We will have to wait and see how long it lasts but I'm hoping to get the little boat in the water this week so I'll give it a shot. At my age with a bad back that boat required more energy than it should to get the boat off the trailer into the water so I'm hoping it works. Will report back after the application and I launch the the boat again.

[LongLine]

I just replaced a keel roller, but it had a metal tube insert.  Used marine axle grease on installation.  1st one lasted over 37 yrs with not add' greasing.

[spoonfed-1]

So I launched the boat last week and sprayed the rollers up in the parking lot with the WD-40 specialist silicone. Launched again day before yesterday and that boat just slid off those rollers beautiful. Very little effort on my part and very little strain on my bad back. Huge difference and so far so good. Just a matter of seeing how long it lasts now.

[bulletbob]

 If its anything like most spray silicone, it won't last... Silicone is great short term, very slick, but just  does not hang in there very long... One or two launches and its gone, unless the stuff you used is different in some way.. easy way to  make it work for you is to  just keep it in the tow vehicle, close at hand, and every other trip or so, give the rollers a quick shot after the boat is launched...

[spoonfed-1]

1 hour ago, bulletbob said:

 If its anything like most spray silicone, it won't last... Silicone is great short term, very slick, but just  does not hang in there very long... One or two launches and its gone, unless the stuff you used is different in some way.. easy way to  make it work for you is to  just keep it in the tow vehicle, close at hand, and every other trip or so, give the rollers a quick shot after the boat is launched...

Well I'm guessing we will see how long it lasts as mentioned in my post. If I got to spray um 2 or 3 times a season thats Ok. 2 or 3 launches and I'm guessing I will look for something else. What do you think? Any better suggestions?

Edited March 17 by spoonfed-1

[stinger]

Try the spray white lithium grease. It should last longer.

[bulletbob]

 

13 hours ago, stinger said:

Try the spray white lithium grease. It should last longer.

 agreed, thats what I would do.. Silicone works, as you saw first hand, and if it holds up long enough thats great.. It never did for me, i was always reapplying it, but that was years ago, and your stuff might be a lot better. If not, get some spray white grease, apply it to the roller axles once a year or so, and it will work great.. I have been using it for decades on cheap rubber keel rollers, and it never hurt them..

[spoonfed-1]

On 3/17/2024 at 7:50 PM, bulletbob said:

 

 agreed, thats what I would do.. Silicone works, as you saw first hand, and if it holds up long enough thats great.. It never did for me, i was always reapplying it, but that was years ago, and your stuff might be a lot better. If not, get some spray white grease, apply it to the roller axles once a year or so, and it will work great.. I have been using it for decades on cheap rubber keel rollers, and it never hurt them..

White lithium grease is petroleum base. Not recommended for rubber or plastic as it will cause premature break down.

Edited March 20 by spoonfed-1

[bulletbob]

10 hours ago, spoonfed-1 said:

White lithium grease is petroleum base. Not recommended for rubber or plastic as it will cause premature break down.

 Thats the story, agreed, but in  practice, its a lot of nonsense.. Been using it for  5 decades on rubber/plastic  rollers.. never an issue.. Its lithium grease, not gasoline or diesel fuel... I find it all the time in mechanical  assemblies with rubber,plastic and nylon parts,  and after decades of contact, no break down...

[stinger]

10 hours ago, spoonfed-1 said:

White lithium grease is petroleum base. Not recommended for rubber or plastic as it will cause premature break down.

You don't grease the rubber rollers anyway. Just the roller axles.

Like Bulletbob I've been using white lith on my boat trailer since the 80's

[spoonfed-1]

2 hours ago, bulletbob said:

 Thats the story, agreed, but in  practice, its a lot of nonsense.. Been using it for  5 decades on rubber/plastic  rollers.. never an issue.. Its lithium grease, not gasoline or diesel fuel... I find it all the time in mechanical  assemblies with rubber,plastic and nylon parts,  and after decades of contact, no break down...

 

2 hours ago, stinger said:

You don't grease the rubber rollers anyway. Just the roller axles.

Like Bulletbob I've been using white lith on my boat trailer since the 80's

 

Thanks guys. If the WD silicone doesn't hold up I'll give it a shot.

[Iwantithm]

I’ve had a similar issue with my trailer, and I found that using a silicone-based lubricant works really well for this kind of thing. It won’t harm the rubber rollers, and it can be sprayed directly onto the shafts without needing to disassemble everything. I’ve used it in the past for boat trailers, and it lasts a good while, even in tough weather.

Another option to consider is HNBR (hydrogenated nitrile rubber) for any replacement parts or rollers if they ever need swapping out. It’s super durable, resistant to wear, and won’t eat away at the rubber.

 

Edited Tuesday at 07:31 AM by Iwantithm

[spoonfed-1]

Thanks. Do you remember what brand? I tried wd-40 silicone base and it worked but didn't last very long.