How Often to Pack Wheel Bearings

I have done mine about every two years. My OFF-ROAD POPUP camper gets used the most and I do the walk around everytime we stop while enroute checking for over heated brakes and bearings... Both my fifth wheel and OFF-ROAD POPUP trailers where purchased in 2008.

Good reminder for doing my OFF-ROAD Camper before we get started again big time this season...

Roy Ken

C-Bears wrote:
Actually 10,000 miles a year is some pretty good towing. There are years we don't hit that as full timers.

I am not sure what you are pulling or the weight, but to be extra safe you could grease/pack every year, even though you would probably be okay doing it closer to every 20,000 miles.

x2

Its all about the miles. I have been using my Truck Camper for the past couple of years. My bearings on the 5th wheel were changed about 5k miles ago. I will not hesitate to use the 5th wheel without repacking the bearings. I think the 20k rule is good.

In some respects it's a game of odds. My career of 40 yrs was in the bearing business so I know about bearings and proper lubrication. Your mechanic is right based on the way most all owners maintain their wheels. In between trips your rig will be stationary. The lubrication of your bearings is the oil in the grease. Think of grease like a sponge; grease is a sponge, wheel bearing grease is a lithium base, a carrier that holds the oil in place. Sitting for long periods, some of the oil will separate from the grease and when the wheels actually turn after that long period of being idle, there is a microscopic scar that can be made on the bearing raceway. That scar is like a defect on a blacktop road. Once it starts it grows faster as traffic runs over the scar and soon there is a pothole; or bearing failure. Rotating the wheels in storage will help prevent these scars from starting, as will taking the load off the wheels. As stated earlier, most will not do this so the best alternative is to repack annually. There are other factors, such as moisture due to changes in temperature and humidity that can affect corrosion rate. Temperature changes during storage can cause moisture to build and as that oil leaves the bearing surface they can start to rust. Again, microscopic in nature but can occur and cause premature wear and eventual failure.

Actually 10,000 miles a year is some pretty good towing. There are years we don't hit that as full timers.

I am not sure what you are pulling or the weight, but to be extra safe you could grease/pack every year, even though you would probably be okay doing it closer to every 20,000 miles.