Since buying our Wayfarer Cariad and its trailer last February, we had towed it at least 1,000 miles with no problems. I had checked and greased the wheel bearings and all appeared OK.

On arriving at the mid October Derwentwater DCA rally after the long motorway drive from mid-Wales I found one of the wheels was loose on its axle. In fact, after jacking up the trailer, I pulled the wheel and hub off the axle! This left the castle nut and inner bearing on the axle with no evidence of damage or corrosion. I was now looking and feeling rather pale realising just how close we had been to the disaster of losing a wheel on a busy road. Several people kindly offered to help, but even Chris the boatyard owner could not explain how a perfect bearing had collapsed.

We decided to enjoy the weekend sailing rather than chase around after bearings. Chris generously let me leave Cariad and trailer in the boat park while I examined the hubs at home. After cleaning off the excess grease all was revealed! The bearings had been put on the hub THE WRONG WAY ROUND. The wheel had been held on to the trailer for over 1,000 miles only by the tightness of the outer bearing in the hub. The hubs are standard Mini, but I assume that other types can also be assembled incorrectly. Without close inspection it isn’t easy to check. If you are in any doubt — check your bearings.