How often do you repack your trailer wheel bearings?

Fred from MO · Apr 22, 2013

Funny story, or (stupid story however you look at it?). I have a little dinky trailer that was once a 12 foot flatbottom boat trailer in the 70's that was converted to a 3-motocycle trailer in the 80's, then I converted it to a 10 x 7 foot flat bed trailer in the 90's (are you following me on this one LOL!) So anyway in the late 90's I replaced the wheel bearings and races and repacked everything. The trailer sat and was only used for odd jobs here and there. I recently started using the trailer more often for long 4 or 5 hour trips down the highway and I had this eerie feeling in the back of my head that I ought to repack those things the next chance I got. So when I did the bearings were shot on the one side of the trailer and fell out. Luckily it was just after a major trip and they fell out in my driveway. The hub design stinks from a maintenance standpoint. The hub cap is an odd 2.32 inch cover. The bearings are 1-1/4 bot on the inboard side and the outboardside of the hub and to get to the inboard bearing you have to pull the oil seal usually destroying it. Costs is $11 for each of the seals. They dont make bearing buddies for this size that I can find, and Im not sure that those things are that great anyway??? So Im curious of all the trailer guru's on here if you can give a guy some advice on how often you repack your trailer bearings?

Super Trucker · Apr 22, 2013

Just went thru the same thing on a trailer I just got. Went to pull the wheel off to do the shackles and it fell off. I usually do them every other year depending on usage.

IaGary · Apr 22, 2013

Drill and tap the hub for a grease zerk between the bearings and you will have better than a bearing buddie.

I put zerks on most of mine that don"t have them from the factory.

You have remove the seal on most all hubs to get the inner bearing out.

Gary

Russ from MN · Apr 22, 2013

Speed X tire size X miles driven X load? Ever in the water? Way too many variables! Front wheel drive cars have sealed units in the back that last a long long time! Over greasing can cause premature bearing failure also. I have too many trailers to repack yearly, and they all get used some, but not many miles. I lift them occasionally so I can spin them and listen and feel. Our boat trailer gets used the most and it has the zerk in the center of the spindle, grease comes out between the bearings, I take pretty good care of it as we have to back it deep in the water.

Mike (WA) · Apr 22, 2013

Since it was originally a boat trailer, I'll bet it has little-bitty wheels- that have to turn much faster than "normal" size wheels to cover the same distance, so lots more heat and wear. Once in awhile, I'd jack up one side at a time and spin the wheel, and try to wiggle it back and forth, to see if it feels like its still operating smoothly and not loose. Might want to repack once a year, to be safe (ever notice how many boat trailers are sitting by the side of the road with a hub off?).

MSS3020 · Apr 22, 2013

WHen they need it.. lol..In 2012 I repacked and/or replaced wheel bearings in.. trailer, bailer, mow/cond, skidloader. Trailer had not been done for quit some time. Also did a brake job. BUT..I use it the most in the summer hauling hay to and from so not a huge deal. Mow/cond-baler travel about 60 miles round trip on gravel every year so figured what the heck and on those I had to replace not just clean and grease...WHen doing all those I bought the little toy that you put the bearing into and inject the grease into the bearing. WOrked very well and the palm of my hands thanked me..

jon f mn · Apr 22, 2013

Greasing bearings has more to do with how it's used than time. I used to service mu contractor customer trailers every spring and always greased the bearings but rarely found a problem. Trailers that sit, especially boat trailers, the bearings get rusty from no use. That is why you see so many boat trailers sittin along the road in spring. If you just go move the trailer every few weeks you won't have as much trouble.

Greg K · Apr 22, 2013

When you use the trailer and stop to get gas or load it up reach down and feel the bub to see if it is warm. This may me an indicator(maybe too late) that the bearings need attention. This has to be done after having been driven a few miles to give em time to warm up.

I just borrow trailers so I don"t have to pack the bearings !

Greg K · Apr 22, 2013

Sorry, feel the HUB not the bub.

Fred from MO · Apr 22, 2013

Yep its got the itty bitty wheels on it. Your right.

dpendzic · Apr 22, 2013

I just repacked my equipment trailer after 8 years and all was good--but it only sees 1200 miles per year.
My converted boat trailer sees about 2000 miles per year and haven't repacked in 4 years.
Why you see boat trailers along the highway is because of immersion in water--salt water being the worse.
Be sure to use the correct grease.

Mike (WA) · Apr 22, 2013

Or you could be like the guy who used to borrow my trailer twice a year- once to go get his father-in-law's tractor (60 mile round trip), and once to take it back in the fall. He'd repack the bearings, or paint it, or put on a new plug, or fix the wiring, or something, every time. I was sad when his FIL passed away- primarily because he inherited the tractor, so he no longer needed my trailer.

Mike M · Apr 22, 2013

Sure easy to not do them enough. Thats why I got oil bath ones on the equipment trailer when we bought it.

OliverGuy · Apr 22, 2013

My work trailers get a hard 3000-5000 miles each year. I'm a little neurotic, I pull them all apart and inspect the brakes, wiring, clean the plug, check the breakaway battery and switch and regrease every winter. I really hate break downs "in season".

wilamayb · Apr 22, 2013

Not only does the water take a toll on them but those boat trailers use tires that are tiny for some strange reason which means that make a ton more revs per mile than a full sized one....

Paul from MI · Apr 22, 2013

My trailer gets less than 1,000 miles a year and has 15" tires. I pack about every 10 years, no problems and probably could go twice as long.

JayinNY · Apr 22, 2013

Never once in 15 years, my trailer has the zerk fitting on the end cap. I think there called bearing buddy, I just pump them full of grease every spring, never had a bearing go bad yet!

dpendzic · Apr 22, 2013

the tires are small diameter so that you need less depth of water to launch or haul the boat.

fixerupper · Apr 22, 2013

It was mentioned that over greasing can cause bearing failure. A little while ago I read the reason for this. The bearing company that composed the article claimed too much grease creates friction. Friction makes heat and heat is not a bearing's friend. Anybody else heard about this? Jim

Dalex · Apr 22, 2013

I want to hear how over greasing hurts a bearing. I just left a 45 year career in truck and tractor repair , I wasn't aware of it ....

dhermesc · Apr 23, 2013

The only problem with that idea is that grease gun grease is usually a lot lighter than wheel bearing grease. The other issue is that the seal on the back side has to be blown to let the old grease out.

Rick Kr · Apr 23, 2013

My 1993 Dutchmen travel trailer recommends every 6,000 miles to repack. They look great when I pull them apart, repack and go. I make it about 3 years between packings.

My 1999 15K GVW equipment trailer has bearing buddies on it from the factory. I grease them every spring, never a single problem. Bearings are still tight. From 1999 to 2005 it had a Kubota L48 Backhoe on it every day. Since then it has my 10K lb tractor/tree spade on it.

My dad would repack the bearings on the boat trailer anytime the axle went under water. He is a little particular!

Rick

Russ from MN · Apr 23, 2013

If there is too much grease in a bearing the rolling members tend to slide when they are out of the load zone, and sliding causes heat. Most trailer wheels are large enough nowadays that it is not a problem. all of my trailers are 14"+ and they turn relatively slow, so, no problems. new sealed bearings are only about half full of grease and that should last the normal life of the bearing.

51hunter · Apr 23, 2013

Well with 5 trailers 1 30 ft airstream every 5000 mi Small 15 ft camper bearing buddies but dont over grease to blow out the rear seal, 2 flatbeds for hauling wood every 2 yrs ( approx 1-2k miles) small jet ski trailer converted into a 4X8 ft box trailer bearing buddies. To keep the heat problem away from 8 in or 12 in tires fill them with nitrogen. It dissipates the heat. Old drag strip racers trick. Though I hear nitrogen is getting pricey cause its now the "in thing" with new cars.
I spun a bearing on my airstream and welded the inner race to the spindle. 6 hrs in 95 deg heat and I chiseled it off. Wont do that again. Ant sign of marbling or wear on the bearings and I replace everything,races and all. And use a good grease if its going in water a good silicone grease is great.

Hope this helps

How often do you repack your trailer wheel bearings?

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