Wheel Bearing follow up

Well: Dave HM, I just took my 2 giant steps forward.....
Vulcaneer: I do check the hubs at every stop. I even have a 25 dollar Harbor Freight non-contact infrared thermometer that I up graded too in lou of my hand. Although I still do the "touch it" just to make sure.
MTPockets1: The sunny side on the wheels on my rig also increases the tire temp & pressure according to my TST system. Also if you brake hard entering a rest area or any pull off, the hubs do heat up also.
Michelle.S: Ahhhh - "the way back machine", back to the "Piston Head" days of the 60's. Remember now those muscle cars had the front wheel hub assembly as you say, and had front drum brakes as well unless you could afford a corvette. The brakes didn't last long & didn't stop all that well either. I remember changing a lot of brake shoes but not a lot of re-packing or changing bearings.

True about the older cars, but they didn't carry as much weight as today's trailer's; however, each axle's bearings should be engineered for the weight they carry. It is peace of mind for me to know the grease is good.

OK, another note:
Everyone get into the "Way Back Machine" to the days before Front Wheel drive. Remember those older cars, front wheel hubs were assembled almost exactly the same as trailer hubs, spindle, inner and outer bearing, large flat washer, jam nut, and cotter key.
Did you pull those wheels every year or 12000 miles and repack, or was it done during a brake job??? Depending our your usage it could be years and thousands of miles.
Now I will admit that there wasn't as much weight on them, but the spindles and bearings were smaller.
Just some more to think about.

colliehauler wrote:
If you trade trailers often this should not be a problem. I've seen people sitting on the side of the road with bearing failure. That's not my idea of a (fun) vacation. I have bought a used trailer that was 7 years old that the bearings were almost dry.

Good point. When I have a new trailer, the first thing I do is remove the wheels and visually look at the bearings. So I make sure the bearings have good adequate lube from the factory. This gives me a baseline to proceed from.

Incidentally, I have never found a bearing in a new trailer, that was not adequately greased. But I keep checking anyway. When I stop checking, I know Murphy's 1st law will occur.

Whiskey River wrote:
OK, so here is a recap of my question "how often do you grease your wheel bearings".
A total of 15 responses:
6 responses were non-responsive, ie "do what your comfortable with", "preventive maintenance" etc, etc,.
3 responses said every 2 years.
2 responses said every year.
1 response said every 2 to 3 years.
1 response said every 5 years.
1 response said every 10 years on a 16' flat bed.
1 response said "If it ain't broke, don't fix it"!!!

I have been doing every 2 or 3 years, depending on mileage, but I think I am going to start following Vulcaneer's lead: If it ain't broke, don't fix it"....

If you trade trailers often this should not be a problem. I've seen people sitting on the side of the road with bearing failure. That's not my idea of a (fun) vacation. I have bought a used trailer that was 7 years old that the bearings were almost dry.

Vulcaneer wrote:

Whiskey River wrote:
I have been doing every 2 or 3 years, depending on mileage, but I think I am going to start following Vulcaneer's lead: If it ain't broke, don't fix it"....

If you're gunna do that, I might offer some guidance. Keep watch on how they are performing. After towing for a few miles, check the hub temperature. If any ONE hub feels a little warmer than the others, re-pack all bearings, at your earliest convenience. I prefer to re-pack by hand. If any hub reaches a temperature that feels "HOT". Get off the road and Inspect the bearing immediately and re-pack if bearing checks out ok. Then repack all the others as soon as possible.

This is sound advice, but be aware that sun on the wheels will make them feel hotter. I check mine like that, but the sunny side is always warmer than the shady side. My hubs are usually cool to the touch, even after several hours; except sun will warm them.

Whiskey River wrote:
I have been doing every 2 or 3 years, depending on mileage, but I think I am going to start following Vulcaneer's lead: If it ain't broke, don't fix it"....

If you're gunna do that, I might offer some guidance. Keep watch on how they are performing. After towing for a few miles, check the hub temperature. If any ONE hub feels a little warmer than the others, re-pack all bearings, at your earliest convenience. I prefer to re-pack by hand. If any hub reaches a temperature that feels "HOT". Get off the road and Inspect the bearing immediately and re-pack if bearing checks out ok. Then repack all the others as soon as possible.

Well WhiskyRiver, I think you made the right choice. Take two giant steps forward. :W

I have never pulled a wheel bearing to feel it and grease it since i been towing RV's down the road. Has been a few. As I foggily recall I bought the first beat up one in 1980.

And I am not a lucky dude either. :R

So my final answer is still the same. Whenever it turns your crank.

happy camping.

Put me in the every other year category.

OK, so here is a recap of my question "how often do you grease your wheel bearings".
A total of 15 responses:
6 responses were non-responsive, ie "do what your comfortable with", "preventive maintenance" etc, etc,.
3 responses said every 2 years.
2 responses said every year.
1 response said every 2 to 3 years.
1 response said every 5 years.
1 response said every 10 years on a 16' flat bed.
1 response said "If it ain't broke, don't fix it"!!!

I have been doing every 2 or 3 years, depending on mileage, but I think I am going to start following Vulcaneer's lead: If it ain't broke, don't fix it"....