I tow a Jayco 322 FKS 34 ft long, about 9k lbs packed.

It has three MORE/RYDE XFactor crossover member installed to give better strength to the frame.

I also added the Mor/Ryde heavy duty shackles to the springs.
MOR/ryde Running Gear

This time it was about 5 miles from the nearest dirt road. Luckily, I could still drive on the front axle in 2WD, and was able to get the trailer to the location. I took a slightly different route home.

 

Like you, I was reluctant to give up my auto hubs. They never failed but I was never sure if they would work when I needed them. I like the auto idea but I also like KISS (keep it simple stupid, not the band ).

Many of us run our trucks forever. The unit bearing design, while relatively easy to replace was designed for speed of assembly, not for maximum durability. The unit bearings themselves are very close together. This has more chance of failure than bearings that are spaced further apart. While on a stock truck this might not be a concern, but when you add larger tires and wheels, especially when you alter the wheel back spacing, this has a dramatic effect on the loading of the bearing system. I think most of us will agree that when these trucks were built, maximum durability wasn't a huge consideration. In the end, it's always about money.

I'm assuming you'll be using a wider than stock wheel if you go to 315's. With the loads you carry and how you use your truck, unit bearing longevity might easily be effected. I talk to the guys at my local tire shop all the time. They tell me that changing to larger than stock tires and wheels means they'll get ball joint and unit bearing work in the future.

Our Free-Spin kit also changes out the 30 spline outer axle shaft for a 1.5" 35 spline alloy shaft. Few of these trucks are used as hard core off road vehicles but they are very heavy and are capapble of carrying very heavy loads. For this type of use you need a HD axle shaft.

The X is a unique rig. There is nothing else like it. They are a couple of lighter duty players but nothing close to what we can do with our X's. Like many here, I just don't know what I can ever use to replace it. I don't want a PU dang it! To that end, many of us modify them and plan to keep them forever. The Free-Spin kit (and the ball joints too) is a kit that will increase the durability of our trucks and cost far less to maintain.

 

With the price of the free spin kit it is really not that far out there. If you look at it this way you see what I mean.

Your unit bearings are shot, and usually take out your stub shafts if you do not get at them right away so more than 3/4 of the time they need replacing. If you are in there the ball jnts are a good thing to check and if needing replacement most do them at the same time.
Bearing units. $260-$300 each.
Ball joints. $200 for kit
Seals. $150-$200
Stub shafts. $

 

bump.

Bion, what's the latest?

 

I'm in the process of getting a few prices from different suppliers and will be pulling the trigger on the free spin kit soon. I will let ya know how it goes.

 

My truck is a 2006 f350 dul two wheel drive I have had to replace the front wheel bearing at 35,000 and 75,000 this semes to my to much