Wheel bearing advice

phillyg wrote:
I'm in the every two year crowd and we're not full-timing, but it gives you an opportunity to check the brakes. This year, I found one brake magnet wire severed, and I hadn't noticed any reduction in stopping power. I'm reconsidering every year now.

Thats the beauty of disc brakes, no worries about magnets ,adjustments etc. I would highly advice anyone to go disc on a fifth wheel. There is no comparison to drum brakes , will never own another fifth wheel without them.

MFL wrote:

My opinion...bearing service is either done way too often, or just completely ignored, until there is a failure. I do the bearings very soon after purchase, when new, and right away if trailer is purchased used.

Once I have inspected the bearings, and packed them well, with quality grease, they are good for 4-5 years, in my use. The seals should be replaced any time they are removed obviously.

This is my exact methodology - do them good when the trailer is new or new to me so I know it's done well and they can go a while. I don't put on a ton of miles so I have no problem going 4 or 5 years but do check temps while traveling. I've heard it's much more miles dependent than time so if I were lucky enough to be putting on 10-15K/year I'd probably repack/inspect every year or two.

MFL wrote:
This thread should generate some activity, due to the many opinions on the subject, and the CYA recommendation of the manufacturers.

My opinion...bearing service is either done way too often, or just completely ignored, until there is a failure. I do the bearings very soon after purchase, when new, and right away if trailer is purchased used.

Once I have inspected the bearings, and packed them well, with quality grease, they are good for 4-5 years, in my use. The seals should be replaced any time they are removed obviously.

I have used the zerks also, and no issue with the seals leaking grease onto the brakes. Follow the manufacturers recommendation on the proper procedure for zerk use. A tip...I tow the trailer to warm the bearings/existing grease first, before using the grease gun, that I lay in the sun to warm/soften the grease. I add enough grease, to see fresh coming out the front bearing.

Jerry

Same here , but I do not use the zerks at all. I purchased my last fifth wheel from a friend ,and he full times, the bearings were packed less then 2 years ago, its been towed from Texas to Utah, and two other trips since last spring. when purchased . . I will do what I always do, check the temperature on them when I stop on trips. I know how my friend does things, so no worries there. Otherwise they would have been serviced as soon as I could have . 4-5 years is my normal maintenance on bearings.

Not scientific at all but I use NMDriver’s touch the center cap at every stop method.

I'm in the every two year crowd and we're not full-timing, but it gives you an opportunity to check the brakes. This year, I found one brake magnet wire severed, and I hadn't noticed any reduction in stopping power. I'm reconsidering every year now.

MFL wrote:
This thread should generate some activity, due to the many opinions on the subject, and the CYA recommendation of the manufacturers.

My opinion...bearing service is either done way too often, or just completely ignored, until there is a failure. I do the bearings very soon after purchase, when new, and right away if trailer is purchased used.

Once I have inspected the bearings, and packed them well, with quality grease, they are good for 4-5 years, in my use. The seals should be replaced any time they are removed obviously.

I have used the zerks also, and no issue with the seals leaking grease onto the brakes. Follow the manufacturers recommendation on the proper procedure for zerk use. A tip...I tow the trailer to warm the bearings/existing grease first, before using the grease gun, that I lay in the sun to warm/soften the grease. I add enough grease, to see fresh coming out the front bearing.

Jerry

IMO this is exactly the right way to do it. Unless you have lots of spare time, and enjoy getting your hands dirty, follow Jerry's advice and you'll be golden.

X2 do it right the first time, they,ll go years .don,t hurt to pop a cap and look .

As MFL stated bearings are checked way too often. I have lived on a farm all my life and we never pulled bearings on our tractors and they travel in the dirt. I never have pulled bearings on any of my vehicles.
When I purchase a new fiver I pull the bearings, clean, repack and inspect the brakes. Then I may go 7 years before doing it again. In my previous fiver I checked the bearings twice in 15 years and the second time was a waste of my time.
This is just my thoughts on it.

ACZL wrote:
I give mine 3-4 shots of grease every year

Then you never greased the outer bearings. I consider the EZ-Lube thing a gimmick that might contaminate the brakes.

I never use the grease fitting and hand pack every year, PA state inspection requires pulling one hub per axle anyway.

Info

You have been on here for many years, not much more can be written on the subject.

This thread should generate some activity, due to the many opinions on the subject, and the CYA recommendation of the manufacturers.

My opinion...bearing service is either done way too often, or just completely ignored, until there is a failure. I do the bearings very soon after purchase, when new, and right away if trailer is purchased used.

Once I have inspected the bearings, and packed them well, with quality grease, they are good for 4-5 years, in my use. The seals should be replaced any time they are removed obviously.

I have used the zerks also, and no issue with the seals leaking grease onto the brakes. Follow the manufacturers recommendation on the proper procedure for zerk use. A tip...I tow the trailer to warm the bearings/existing grease first, before using the grease gun, that I lay in the sun to warm/soften the grease. I add enough grease, to see fresh coming out the front bearing.

Jerry