BOB trailer skewers SUCK!
 

Just thought I'd vent a little. I am currently on my second skewer. I sent my first one into the company after I noticed it was bent after less than 500 miles. Now I'm on my second and it is bent as well. I have less than the max weight in my trailer too.
Anyone else have problems with this? At 30 bucks a pop, if this continues, using the trailer will not be affordable during my tour!

Otherwise the trailer works like a dream. A little rattling from the tire fender was recently fixed by putting some electrical tape on both sides of the washer of the fastening screw.

Peace

Dave

Ummm. Get a different skewer.

Well, please elaborate if you know what you are talking about. Otherwise, when you have a BOB trailer, you need a special skewer that extends outward on both sides to hold the trailer. These cost about 25-30 bucks a piece.

Dave

Ive only used my BOB a few times, but one of the times it had 50 LBS and I beat the crap out of it on a 2000 foot desent. I noticed that the skewer has an ever so slight bend to it. I have access to a mill and lathe so I might try to make a replacement. I plan on useing the BOB on my single speed, so I'll probably start by making those special ends so my axle bolts can go trough them.

Yeah, i know, welcome to the fabelous world of BOB.
Not only the skewers suck, but the stock bearings from the wheel are crappy as well.
I had to replace my skewer and bearings after 1000 km...
But hey, the design is good :rolleyes:

while we're on the subject of BOB trailer skewers...

does anyone know if it's easy to get a skewer long enough for a 9-speed?

i assume that it is, but i have had mine a while and i have 2 skewers for my old bikes, but i bought a new bike this year and the old skewers are not long enough...

i assume BOB makes a longer one now. I'm currently in Europe and i'm trying to find a dealer -- there's a bike trailer shop in town that should have it but they're open short hours so i haven't been able to get by and have been too lazy to phone...

i haven't had any trouble with my skewers and i've done some sick single trails.... although 2 weeks ago on a 900m super-steep singletrack descent i lost one of the pins -- i temporarily fixed it with the metal tab from a loaf of bread and a piece of webbing... anyone had this problem of pins coming out? or know of anything to help kep them it --- taping or tying makes it hard to hoock and unhoock --- i guess some kind of zip-tie might work...

After reading these post about "Bob" I wonder is there another trailer one can get that doesn't have these problems?

I really don't like panniers, and was excited to see the trailer, but to have to keep openning my wallet after each tour to repair the thing gives me mucho pause!

Annie:fun:

Exactly what is the problem with a bent skewer? You're rolling on your axle, not your skewer. Sure, the skewer is going to bend; the ends of it are pulling a trailer! It makes absolutely no mechanical difference if the skewer is bowed. As long as it fits through the axle, you're golden. You may as well complain that your shoelaces never stay straight.

Unbelievable.

Hey, it's dead thread resurrection week, and noone told me! Anyway, re: the skewer, it could be a problem, but I'm not certain. The reason why, is because unlike a normal skewer, the Bob skewer is a load bearing piece. I had two skewers, one bent, one was fine. The real issue is if metal fatigue is occuring when it gets bent. Then it could be a Very Bad Thing.

Holy thread revival batman!

But as long as the trailer dropouts are in the bobbins it's bearing weight. They're not broken until the trailer can't attach. Look at the size of the skewer shaft, just how much of a beating do you realistically think you can give it before it's going to tweak slightly? It's still not failed until the metal fatigues enough that it can't support the trailer - ie: breaks.

-R

Can’t say that I have heard of the BoB skewers failing, does anyone have any proof? Also, what ever happened to Dwagenheim?

I own a BOB trailer. I just can't imagine how the skewer can bend if it is under tension and properly secured in the dropouts.

This thread is 6 years old. Regardless of the age of the thread, the answer is the same, BOB has not had any problems with skewers bending, and if your's did bend it would be a warranty item, even on an old BOB.

I have bent one of my BOB skewers, but it still works. I'll make sure to take an extra skewers on my tour, along with a few extra retaining pins, all 4 have broken in less then a year.

P.S. Dave, if your still around, say Hi. I see you were last in the Banff area, where are you now? :D

My skewer is bent also,but I pull a lot of weight,The retainer pins broke so I replaced them with Stainless retaining pins from "BigBox" Home Improvement, and I'm jus gonna get a sturdier wheel. I love my BoB and figure that I will change out a few things on my bike and not think about it,so why not upgrade the "Weak" points on the trailer too. With a Good wheel, and Tire,Sturdy Pins and Cables. (I replaced those cheap rubber retaining pin holders with some nice 2mm braided cable,drilled out the rivets and installed cable holders) This BoB will now will take a pounding that any Aluminum framed rig could not
.

Do you have the part number and/or name of the "retainer pin"???

While bicycling in Australia a couple of years ago I lost one of the pins and bought a box of cotter (split) pins to use in case I lost/broke my spare retainer pin. I did not want to pay BOB's price for spring wire nor did I want to wait in the Outback for the pins to come by airmail from the USA. Now that I am driving into the USA soon I could easily get some - if I knew the name of the part at "Home Improvement" (if that is the actual name of the store..

I have been using Nashbar Trailers for ??? years now,,??? miles ,,dicked up a hitch pin on a rock once, but I carry a spare, LOVE the Nashbar Trailer, it has a cute little fender too, I never had a BOB, but I looked and all things considered, got to go with the Nashbar, 1/2 the weight, half the price, Hauled tent, sleeping bag and camping gear(2 gals drink) a month a go, been hauling hardware junk, I am Church Maint guy and use it weekly(10 mile round trip), Hitch looks hokie, but it works.

http://shop.speedsails.co.uk/items/RClip.jpg

"BigBox"....Home Depot,Sutherlands,Lowe's,Big Chain Stores,Their Everywhere

Picture..
 

A picture is worth a thousand words. Thanks :-)

Also available at most decent hardware stores, both mom and pop and Ace, True Value.

I am interested in a trailer instead of panniers. Nashbar has a trailer on sale right now for just under 100bucks. Has anyone used this trailer and if so what are your impressions? Wardie