Trip ended the day it started

[wfmdfm]

I started my trip Massachusetts to Florida yesterday but I was back home last evening. At my second gas stop as I was standing filling up I looked down at the driver side trailer wheel and its damaged and covered with grease. i am thinking I must have hit a frozen snow bank at some point after my last stop and damaged the hub. The wheel cap and bearing hub were both missing. The bearing was fried and damaged the spindle. All the bearing were checked and lubed in the fall anticipating this spring trip. 3 weeks lead time to get a new axle and ship it to the RV dealer doing the work. Had I not needed gas this could have been big trouble. So I cleaned out my stuff packed it all in the truck and headed back home. Our plan in Florida was to watch my daughters collage softball week long tournament. Last night we were scurrying to make plane reservations, book a place to stay and get car rental. YUK !!

[ryand]

That stinks. I had a similar experience and know the feeling. Good thing you caught it.....it likely would have resulted in damage to your rig and possibly others.

[DreiHunde]

That sux! But the great thing is everyone is safe!

[donanddona]

Mine smoked a bit more. I did emery cloth the spindle, pressed new races in the hub packed bearings and were still chugging along. Makes good Campfire stories.

[donanddona]

Just another picture(s) thought. When pumping grease in the EZlube axels and you find unhealthy grease the bearings will require, removal, cleaned and inspection of bearings hub, and races, both inner and outer. Repacking and new seals.


Last is a good healthy looking bearing. This can easily be seen by removing the center cap (Phillips screw) of the wheel and then removing the dust cover (slip-joint pliers). Just look and decide.

[awellis3]

Originally Posted by wfmdfm

All the bearings were checked and lubed in the fall anticipating this spring trip.

I'd make damn sure the tech who worked on that trailer properly checked and installed those bearings. Some mechanics don't know how (or don't bother) to properly set the preload on tapered wheel bearings. It requires a torque wrench usually set to 50 foot pounds to seat the bearings.
Now before all you DIYers out there call BS, "you just crank 'er down hand tight with a 12" wrench" remember, I'm talking about folks who charge other people to do this job. Working on someone else's wheels and putting their lives in your hands is a whole 'nother thing. What if the OP or a family member had been injured or killed and the subsequent investigation found the improperly installed bearings were at fault? You want to be the guy with the grease on his fingers? So ...
1) Tighten castellated nut to 50 foot-lbs. while rotating wheel
2) Back off nut, do not move wheel
3) Retighten nut finger tight, do not move wheel
4) Back off nut to first spot to bend tang or insert cotter pin
5) The nut should be free to move, retained only by bent tang or cotter
pin.
If not done properly, bearings will expand, overheat, melt grease, seize, score spindle and finally disintegrate.

[RLHAMILTON]

Sorry to hear about the problem, but could have been worse. Have a safe trip.

[j free]

I did not have this problem but I had my 3rd axel fall off while driving on the freeway. It was on my older Ragen toy hauler and the axels were being held on by 1/8 plate and the welds all broke. The only thing keeping the axel from being in traffic was the shocks stayed attached. Thanks Monro. When this happened it caused exes strain on the king pin busting welds on it. It took 6 months to get my rig back because nobody wonted to admit blame. Finally my insurance paid to repair and replaced all three axels with an upgraded suspension and had the king pin replaced. I traded it in as soon as I got it back for my forest river 5er.

[grayfox]

Originally Posted by donanddona

Mine smoked a bit more. I did emery cloth the spindle, pressed new races in the hub packed bearings and were still chugging along. Makes good Campfire stories.

Looks just like mine did about five years ago. I did the exact same thing myself in terms of repair. hAD THE NEW PARTS IN ABOUT THREE DAYS ... brake drum,shoes and all the rest. It worked out well.

[Crockett]

Originally Posted by awellis3

I'd make damn sure the tech who worked on that trailer properly checked and installed those bearings. Some mechanics don't know how (or don't bother) to properly set the preload on tapered wheel bearings. It requires a torque wrench usually set to 50 foot pounds to seat the bearings.
Now before all you DIYers out there call BS, "you just crank 'er down hand tight with a 12" wrench" remember, I'm talking about folks who charge other people to do this job. Working on someone else's wheels and putting their lives in your hands is a whole 'nother thing. What if the OP or a family member had been injured or killed and the subsequent investigation found the improperly installed bearings were at fault? You want to be the guy with the grease on his fingers? So ...
1) Tighten castellated nut to 50 foot-lbs. while rotating wheel
2) Back off nut, do not move wheel
3) Retighten nut finger tight, do not move wheel
4) Back off nut to first spot to bend tang or insert cotter pin
5) The nut should be free to move, retained only by bent tang or cotter
pin.
If not done properly, bearings will expand, overheat, melt grease, seize, score spindle and finally disintegrate.

Thank You!! The dexter vid shows this but so many online vids don't. Simply advising to back off a 1/4 or 1/3 turn is WRONG!

[SilverbackMel]

Now YOU ARD MY KIND OF FAMILY!!
I have had motorcycles,horses,boats 17 ft to 28 ft cruiser, scooters, travel trailer, 2 fifth wheels and a bunch of other stuff!

These thangs break!! Horses get sick!

More important, hope you made the games and had a memory making GOOD time.

NOTHING keeps us from our grandkids! Last yr we left our rv in FL and drove 800 miles round trip for a birthday. They LOVE our rv and we have a blast with them. We have the same bond with our adult kids as well. We supported them in everything they tried. They don't forget!!

Hope the wheel is repaired by now and all back in order 😃

Safe travels and have FUN!

[B and B]

Originally Posted by awellis3

I'd make damn sure the tech who worked on that trailer properly checked and installed those bearings. Some mechanics don't know how (or don't bother) to properly set the preload on tapered wheel bearings. It requires a torque wrench usually set to 50 foot pounds to seat the bearings.
Now before all you DIYers out there call BS, "you just crank 'er down hand tight with a 12" wrench" remember, I'm talking about folks who charge other people to do this job. Working on someone else's wheels and putting their lives in your hands is a whole 'nother thing. What if the OP or a family member had been injured or killed and the subsequent investigation found the improperly installed bearings were at fault? You want to be the guy with the grease on his fingers? So ...
1) Tighten castellated nut to 50 foot-lbs. while rotating wheel
2) Back off nut, do not move wheel
3) Retighten nut finger tight, do not move wheel
4) Back off nut to first spot to bend tang or insert cotter pin
5) The nut should be free to move, retained only by bent tang or cotter
pin.
If not done properly, bearings will expand, overheat, melt grease, seize, score spindle and finally disintegrate.

This should be pinned, very good DIY instructions. Thank you.

[youroo]

Your NOT alone! Youroo!!

[SilverbackMel]

Tnx for the detailed insight. While I never will do this myself, knowledge is power.
I will print this and file it in my RV so I can ensure service techs do what they
should know.

[comfun1]

I'm wondering if a TPMS would pick up an abnormality in the temperature before a catastrophic failure occurs.

[SilverbackMel]

Yes, you set the parameters for alarms. Many people will testify to the value of a system. Differences of opinion are mostly personal needs preferences.
Get one if you do not have one!!

[AquaMan]

Originally Posted by comfun1

I'm wondering if a TPMS would pick up an abnormality in the temperature before a catastrophic failure occurs.

I've often wondered this myself. The temp sensors on my tpms are sensitive, as my truck exhaust will raise temps on right side of trailer, but not sure if bearing hear would be recognized before failure. If I remember correctly, when Herks bearing failed he had no notification from his tpms.


Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by comfun1

I'm wondering if a TPMS would pick up an abnormality in the temperature before a catastrophic failure occurs.

They will alert you of gradual changes in temperature/pressure, but in case of a blowout, no they will not alert you in time to prevent the blowout, they will just tell you of a loss of air. If a tire throws a tread but maintains pressure, you will not be alerted.

[dcheatwood]

Bummer.