boatmate wheel caps holding water

[aromeo]

Anyone seen this one before? I have a 2002 ski nautique and a few years ago (Feb of 2022) purchased a brand new trailer from boatmate. Recently I noticed rust shooting all over my wheels and trailer.. Started to work with boatmate who asked for pictures and to remove the wheels and inspect the hubs. When I took the wheel off I found the problem... The center bearing/hub covers were leaking and holding water. Terrible design on a boat trailer and don't think this part is even necessary! Should be covered under warranty, but dexter has already denied saying I've had a long slow leak..Yeah NO sh*T! I believe this should be covered under the trailer/boatmate warranty but wanted everyone else's thoughts.

[aromeo]

To their credit, Boatmate took care of me and covered the replacement parts. They were also pretty responsive during this whole ordeal.

[Scooter G]

Good to hear Boatmate is back on their game.
So out of curiousity, what did they replace? Since I'm running a '22 trailer...

[MN Ryan]

I had a similar (albeit not that severe) issue with similar caps on mine. I drilled a few small holes around the base of each cap to help evacuate water.

[srock]

I would be shocked and highly doubt that Boatmate is back on their game. They have been awful for too long.

I just pulled off my rims and tires to replace my 6-year-old sneakers and found the exact same thing. I would not consider this a "leak" as there is an obvious space on the face of the beauty cap. This is a design flaw.

I greased the area as I figure out an alternative, but seeing this, I am going to remove and/or replace the caps with something that does not hold water. Or, maybe I will paint them black.

Let me know of any solutions.

[srock]

To their credit, Boatmate took care of me and covered the replacement parts. They were also pretty responsive during this whole ordeal.

What replacement parts were provided?

[Scooter G]

I would be shocked and highly doubt that Boatmate is back on their game. They have been awful for too long.

Too funny, hey, people can change, lol.

Not a leak thing for sure (those aren't sealed) like Srock mentioned, but maybe tight enough to hold water for way too long.
I like the drill a few holes idea. Out of sight, out of mind, until it starts spewing orange goo.
I'll have to take another look at mine, had a flat a few weeks ago and don't remember seeing anything out of sorts, definitely not like the pics illustrate.

[aromeo]

Yeah, I don't think the caps are even needed and personally don't think they look any better with/or without. I would recommend anyone who has those caps to simply remove them. Boatmate is sending me the bearings, caps, vault covers, vault hybrid grease, seals etc.. Just in case the water leaked into the actual bearing/and hub assembly. I haven't removed the hubs yet so don't know what kind of shape they are in. Though when I towed to the lake this past weekend, the hubs seem to operate normally, warm to the touch (not hot) no play and when jacked up appear to roll just fine. Won't know for sure until I open them up. Also I agree, definite design issue! Let's in water with no way to fully drain.

[srock]

Too funny, hey, people can change, lol.

Even more funny than "people can change, lol", are the 2 separate and new as of today threads commenting on the continued failings of BOATMATE. Spread all the love you want, but I'm wearing protection for a long time to come.

[Scooter G]

Boatmate is sending me the bearings, caps, vault covers, vault hybrid grease, seals etc.. Just in case the water leaked into the actual bearing/and hub assembly. I haven't removed the hubs yet so don't know what kind of shape they are in.

Highly doubt you have any internal water issues, but it sounds like you were treated fairly. I've never had to do an R&R on a Vault system, watched a few videos once upon a time, seems pretty straight forward. If you get to that point, it would be a good thread post to share.
I keep a temp gun in the jockey box of the truck, we run some pretty gnarly mountain passes. I like to know if there is anything I need to pay attention to on 3 axles at the bottom of some of the long down hill runs. Last week all rotors were in the 130 degree range after bumping the brakes on tight corners and steep declines, normal driving they run about 100 to 110 degrees, 90 to 95 outside ambient (for reference). I'm not sure you would catch failing bearings with this method, maybe if one axle was starting to run hotter than the others, I do know they get smokin' hot just before they unhinge.