Trailer bearings how often?
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 549
Likes: 0
From: Kansas City, KS
Trailer bearings how often?
I just purchased a small 4x6 utility trailer with 8" tires, the wife is happy since we don't have to drive the truck as often. The first thing I did was check the bearings which was a good thing. I had to replace everything. I used good syn moly grease when I repacked everything. How often should I repack the bearings? Every year is what i'm thinking. Growing up though we never repacked any bearings and those 2 or 3 trailers are still on the road.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta GA
> How often should I repack the bearings?
I do once a month since I use my trailer once or twice a week. I figure my labor and grease are cheap. Call me paranoid, I check them before any long trip even if I know they do not need it because I have seen enough trailers crippled beside the highway with a blown hub.
The trailer with the Ford 9" axle I do not plan on checking as much
I do once a month since I use my trailer once or twice a week. I figure my labor and grease are cheap. Call me paranoid, I check them before any long trip even if I know they do not need it because I have seen enough trailers crippled beside the highway with a blown hub.
The trailer with the Ford 9" axle I do not plan on checking as much
Jäger
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,491
Likes: 5
From: Northern Arizona
Those 8" tires spin mighty fast on the highway! It really depends on how often you use the trailer and how much load is on it. I greased the bearings on my 3,000 pound pop-up trailer every year since I took it on trips every month, usually a 400 mile round trip. High speeds, heavy loads and hot weather take their toll on the grease and bearings.
I believe it's easier to grease the bearings often rather than siezing a bearing on the axle and cleaning up the resultant mess.
I believe it's easier to grease the bearings often rather than siezing a bearing on the axle and cleaning up the resultant mess.
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 549
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From: Kansas City, KS
I don't know how often I'll use it. Probably 150 miles a week to the farm and back. It won't be in water unless it's floods around here. I may have to do it in the spring and fall.. not difficult but it sure is messy.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 3,955
Likes: 50
From: Mesa
Once a yr is a good idea. I agree that the 8" tires are really spinning at hwy speeds. I would swap to 12" if you could afford it and have the room. http://www.etrailerpart.com/12wheel.htm
Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 228
Likes: 2
From: Memphis TN
whats the best grease to use,I always seem to find that my bearing greese
turns to a liquid form and vertually becomes usless
turns to a liquid form and vertually becomes usless
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,308
Likes: 250
From: Hartford, WI
I use synthetic grease. Also would clean them out yearly, depending on use. Bearing buddies are a good thing to have.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 24,724
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From: Blue Hill Township
We always clean and pack our bearings every year in our pop up. They look great everytime we do it, but a little grease and time is cheap insurance against a bearing siezing up heading down the interstate.
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 14,904
Likes: 76
From: Wayland, MI
It is definitely going to depend on how much you tow it. Another idea is to check into an oil bath set up. I bought a snowmobile trailer (Floe) that has them on it, they are rated for 40K miles for service intervals. This system is great, first tow with it I kept stopping at the rest areas to see if they got hot of course they didn't. You should be able to go to any trailer repair facility to get a price on a kit, they make them for bigger axles for RV use also.
Toyman
Toyman
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 549
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From: Kansas City, KS
Oil bath? First time I heard of it. This trailer isn't worth if I had a rv it might be. I'm working with this:
so 12's won't work.. I think. I have the larger 8's though. Anybody know what the specs of that axle? I'm guessing 2500lbs, seems sturdier than the harbor frieght trailers, the tongue is welded to the axle.
so 12's won't work.. I think. I have the larger 8's though. Anybody know what the specs of that axle? I'm guessing 2500lbs, seems sturdier than the harbor frieght trailers, the tongue is welded to the axle.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,353
Likes: 1
From: Nothern Indiana
I'm quessing it don't matter that thing is welded right to the frame. The tires will be the weakest link. Check the side of the tire it will tell you the load and what pressure is at max.Pack the bearings good with syn greese and check it next year or longer if you don't pull it that much.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta GA
If that was my trailer I would spend the $150 and put a complete axle set with springs on it from Northern Tools. That has to be one rough riding trailer. Or pull a complete axle and springs from the junk yard.
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 14,904
Likes: 76
From: Wayland, MI
The oil bath kit does not change anything but the inner seal and the cap at the outside of the hub. The kit is about $30 on the internet. I've been thinking about changing my gooseneck trailer over to this set up.
Do a search on the internet.
Toyman
Do a search on the internet.
Toyman