Trailer Troubles

[jonthefireman]

Hey all, could use a little advise from the group regarding my trailer.  Long story short, it's old (13) and I don't expect it to perform like a new one.  However, since I bought the boat last fall I have literally rebuilt it from the ground up....new tires, new bunks, new bow stop, Fulton winch, completely changed all lights and wiring, tongue jack, rear ratchet straps, etc. 

Where I'm seeming to have hell is the wheel hubs.  Those were shot when I got it, so I replaced both rear rotor assemblies to include all braking system parts, flushed the surge actuator and new fluid.  I also repacked all the wheel bearings and installed new Bearing Buddies using Lucas red grease. 

Ok, longer story than I intended, but you get the picture it's pretty much "new to me".  We tow a minimum 30 miles, one way, to any of our nearby lakes.  I am constantly getting terrible wheel wheel brake dust, grease splatter, and my wife was following behind me on a trip a week ago and said she could smell the brakes from her Jeep.  I don't particularly like the surge brake system, but I'm constantly bleeding money on this boat/trailer and would like to slow down at some point!  I know "boat = break out another thousand". 

Are these systems just crappy, and this is the norm?  Instead of running Lucas red should I switch to an Amsoil or other grease?  Are there potentially better brake pads for these rotor assemblies, etc??  Any advice would be gladly accepted, TIA.

[oldjeep]

Grease splatter sounds like bad seals or damage seal surface - or excess pressurization due to hub overheating, which could be caused by dragging brakes.

The first thing I'd look at is why are your brake dragging. 

Assuming that you have checked that the actuator is moving freely and the shock inside it is OK, one of the most common reasons is that your hitch height is wrong.

As for grease - pick on.  I just use the generic Marine bearing grease you find at the parts store for trailers that have non vault hubs.