On the road wheel bearing repair.

[Cabinfever97]

I have always carried an extra set of bearings for any trailer I'm taking on a longer trip. I have no problem removing the hub assembly and replacing races, bearings, and seal, even if I ever needed to do so on the road. Yesterday I changed my bearing repair plan. I purchased a complete hub assembly that is greased and ready to install. If I ever need to use it, I will then rebuild the removed hub at home on the bench. My thoughts for doing this; quicker, cleaner, and if raining or snowing not trying to stay dry while changing parts on the road. Yes, a hub cost more than just bearings but no different than a spare tire and wheel assembly.

 

[Oaklevel]

I see that you joined in 2013 how many times have you had to change wheel bearings on the road???

I have been pulling trailers all over since around 1984 and the last for the past 20 years own 6 different trailers.(3 singles the other 3 are dual axle.) Never needed to change bearings on the road.............. My oldest trailer I changed wheel bearings in 1984 they are still in it............ It goes all over the east coast and been to Chicago...........

My questions is why? Maintenance is key......................

Lot of extra stuff to carry .........................................

But if it makes you feel comfortable do it.

 

[BarabooBob]

I clean and pack my bearings before leaving on a trip and have never had a problem with them during the trip. i have been pulling trailers for over 50 years. I do carry a set of greased bearings/seals but have never had to use them myself.

 

[Sunseeker16]

I carry a complete set of bearings, seals and cotter pin but I can see the benefit of carrying a complete hub. Quicker repair when you are in a bad spot. I just choose the bearing and seal route for space and weight reduction. They fit in a small plastic container and take up little space. Nothing wrong with carrying an entire spar hub.

 

[Cabinfever97]

I see that you joined in 2013 how many times have you had to change wheel bearings on the road???

I have been pulling trailers all over since around 1984 and the last for the past 20 years own 6 different trailers.(3 singles the other 3 are dual axle.) Never needed to change bearings on the road.............. My oldest trailer I changed wheel bearings in 1984 they are still in it............ It goes all over the east coast and been to Chicago...........

My questions is why? Maintenance is key......................

Lot of extra stuff to carry .........................................

But if it makes you feel comfortable do it.

Never a failure while traveling with the camper, but in 20 years 2 failures on my work trailer, I'm a landscaper. I bought a replacement hub for that trailer as well even though it doesn't travel far. Much quicker swapping the hub. Then I can rebuild the other at my convenience, like a rain day.

 

[NMWildcat]

I used to carry all kinds of spare parts. I either never used them, or if I did need to use them, they had been rattling around so long in the RV that they were suspect. Besides, when I have needed parts on the road (rarely), I have always been able to find them fairly close.

I now carry no large parts and very few smaller ones (mainly plumbing). Much happier and more storage space

 

[escape pod 47]

I also carry a full hub, but so far no issues. I clean, inpect and repack every year ot so and am now considering not carrying the full hub because of the additional weight

 

[DJ252]

Prevention, is worth many pounds and idle dollars.

I'd be warned of them anyway, because our TPMS has internal sensors but among other things on a walkaround that happens at each stop, I check hub temps.

 

[ejl923]

i replaced my hubs, and therfore had two extra in OK shape. Inspected bearings, put in a new seal and sits in a sealed plastic bag. I place it in the front corner of my bed and forget about it. will probably never use it, but ive said that before by going overboard and have been saved with other things.

For me, its not taking room or getting in the way, so why not. I would rather bring that than just bearings. That said, yes i would be carrying bearings and seals if i didnt replace hubs.

 

[JimM2109S]

I play the odds on the camper having a bearing failure on the road. It is highly unlikely if regular maintenance is performed.

That is not the case for boat trailers, especially if used in salt water. For my boat trailer, I carry a full hub, greased and sealed in plastic along with lug nuts. Note that I do grease the bearings every summer. I've seen far too many boats on trailers on the side of the road due to hub and/or tire issues.

 

[rich.p]

When I had a boat trailer, I put Bearing Buddies on it and carried a small grease gun in my truck box. After I pulled it out of the water each time, I'd shoot up the Bearing Buddies to expel all of the water that might have intruded. Never had a bearing failure.

 

[Highway Pilot]

I'm trying to find out which Timken bearings to use on a 2015 Apex 215RBK. it has the 3500lb axles.

Does anyone use Timkens for these axles? Or what do you guys recommend. We have a 10,000 mile trip coming up & Dexter is no help. Thanks

 

[Bob K4TAX]

I've pulled wheels and inspected bearings many many times. I check for rough spots on the races with magnification. . Never found any. I've cleaned bearings and repacked them. All have worked well over several thousand miles. I do always replace grease seals when I pull wheels and bearings. I do think this is important.

I have never found a bearing running with defective, hard, or no grease. All this makes me wonder how many thousand miles can I go with no bearing or wheel maintenance. I seem to think too much emphasis is placed on wheel bearing maintenance.

Now, if this were a boat trailer that gets dunked.........totally a different story. But an RV on dry land, ????? of course to err on the side of caution is good. But again, is all this really necessary? I'm beginning to think not.

As to brand of bearings, if yours aren't damaged, I'd run them, regardless of brand. I'm not sure any brand is better or worse than any other. For those who don't want to get their hands dirty, sorry about that. Proper grease packing is the key to longevity. I'm old fashion, I hand pack, then I know it is properly greased.

Bob

 

[pgandw]

I've pulled wheels and inspected bearings many many times. I check for rough spots on the races with magnification. . Never found any. I've cleaned bearings and repacked them. All have worked well over several thousand miles. I do always replace grease seals when I pull wheels and bearings. I do think this is important.

I have never found a bearing running with defective, hard, or no grease. All this makes me wonder how many thousand miles can I go with no bearing or wheel maintenance. I seem to think too much emphasis is placed on wheel bearing maintenance.

Now, if this were a boat trailer that gets dunked.........totally a different story. But an RV on dry land, ????? of course to err on the side of caution is good. But again, is all this really necessary? I'm beginning to think not.

As to brand of bearings, if yours aren't damaged, I'd run them, regardless of brand. I'm not sure any brand is better or worse than any other. For those who don't want to get their hands dirty, sorry about that. Proper grease packing is the key to longevity. I'm old fashion, I hand pack, then I know it is properly greased.

Bob

Bob

Totally agree with your points, especially about hand packing and replacing seals. I have gone to tire replacement intervals (6 years) on my various trailers - except boat trailers. However, if there are any wheel issues - brakes, overheat, tires blown, etc., I'll do a bearing repack while the tire is off the trailer, or the brakes need replacement/work.

I had a 1960 MGA with bad front bearings on the left front wheel. But the thing still ran just fine. When I finally pulled the wheel, the rollers in the bearings were no longer round. Putting new bearings in made the front end vibrate a lot less, but it had rolled many miles on non-round bearings. I would bet when unsealed bearings were the norm, that very few vehicles had their bearings repacked annually as specified. I did it because I was too stupid to know better.

Fred W
2019 Flagstaff T21TBHW A-frame - bearings repacked twice - when the trailer was 6 months old to check what manufacturer had done, and last year when OEM tires were replaced.

 

[klutchdust]

I'm trying to find out which Timken bearings to use on a 2015 Apex 215RBK. it has the 3500lb axles.

Does anyone use Timkens for these axles? Or what do you guys recommend. We have a 10,000 mile trip coming up & Dexter is no help. Thanks

Have you tried ETrailer.com. If anyone ,I think they would give you some good direction

 

[TitanMike]

In my case I have only had to replace a trailer wheel bearing on the road once. Way back in the early 70's. That was on a friend's trailer i was towing and he had never had the hubs off in the years he'd owned it.

Mine get serviced at regular intervals with wheels jacked up and checked for smooth turning and free-play before any lengthy trip.

 

[escape pod 47]

I have no problem removing the hub assembly and replacing races, bearings, and seal, even if I ever needed to do so on the road.

I'm curious, how do you replace the races on the road?

 

[tomupnorth]

...Mine get serviced at regular intervals with wheels jacked up and checked for smooth turning and free-play before any lengthy trip.

Do you service yourself?

I have zero experience but this thread inspired me to watch the below, and between tools and towels and grease and parts I'm not even sure I want to do this in my garage much less on-the-road.

Never knew how the pros expelled old bearing grease, for one of many things in there I didn't know.

 

[Bob K4TAX]

I'm curious, how do you replace the races on the road?

I carry a spare set of bearings, a spare set of races, a spare grease seal and a long punch. I drive the old ones out, insert the new ones and tap them in using a block of wood. I make sure the races are coated with grease, make sure the new bearings are loaded with grease. Insert the inside bearing followed by the grease seal, tapped in with the block of wood. Put the hub back on the spindle, insert the outer bearing, washer, castle nut, and tighten very snug while rotating the hub. Put the cotter key in and then the hub grease cover.

It is much easier if one moves their work to the tailgate of the truck where one can stand in a comfortable position, have their toolbox handy, and required illumination.

Yep, I do my own maintenance.

Bob

 

[D W]

I'd rather do wheel bearing maintenance in my driveway than on the side of the road. Up here, we average about < 5000 miles during our 3 month camping season. I repack every other year with Aeroshell MDS grease. The grease is impervious to water and climate stable in temps of -50°F to 145°F. Off years you can
shake and spin the wheels to check bearings. A brake that grabs is a sign of a blown seal.