re-packing greasing the bearings / axle

Happy Camper, since you really don't know the history of the wheel bearing and brake assemblies maintenance, I would definitely have them serviced by a reputable dealer at least once. Price seems a bit high to me. But then I service my own and don't really know what the going rates are.

A lot more to it than just popping the caps and adding grease:
Pulling the wheels, pulling the seals, removing, cleaning, inspecting, (replacing if necessary), and repacking the bearings, installing new grease seals, inspecting the brakes, cleaning or replacing worn parts if necessary and reassembling. Of course replacements parts will be additional cost.

how often do the axles actually fail ? Is this like my cheap 5x8 trailer, where I put 1000's of miles on over 8 years, and never had a single problem ?

why didn't my cheap 5x8 utility trailer fail ?


even with that said, I think I will watch a few youtube videos and see if I can do it myself, $300 seems steep if its really just " pop the cap off, few squirts of greese"

How do I even find out what kind of grease to buy ?

I agree with Old Guy. Let it sit, repack bearings more often (like yearly). Sitting is harder on bearings than moving it. Use it and repack every other year.

There is not a set answer here. Pop the caps and see how the grease looks. If it's all grey (metallic) and runny (compared to fresh grease) then it's time. Easy to check.
If the grease is still close to original color and not degraded then top it off with a few squirts and let er rip for 3 more years!
I disagree that sitting and not being used does any sort of real degradation to the bearings. Doesn't even make sense. That's like saying the grease goes bad in the bucket of tube after 2 years.
Just bought an 05 or 06 Sno machine trailer last year. Had like no miles on it. PO claimed 500 mi and I believe it.
Hubs/ bearings were never touched. Put a couple squirts of grease in each wheel to top them up and put maybe only 1500 mi on it since. No issues.
Never even took the hubs off my old sled trailer in close to 10 years and probably 15-20k miles, guessing. Just kept them greased.
RnR the hearings before heading to AK and re packed the hubs. Bearings were still fine and proceeded to put another 4-5kmi on it, loaded to the gills. No problems.

was just looking at a videos about bearings on TT's. he said if you let it sit like you are doing it is hard on the bearings and should have it done at least every two years. if traveling like many do, 12K miles is the limit. have them done, it is cheaper than the alternative.

When where the bearings packed last? If you don't know then its probably best to get them packed so you know there good to go and then if you continue to tow it just a few miles a year you will be good for a lot of years. There is really no way to tell if the bearings are bad until they cause major problems. I say spend the $300 for piece of mind instead of $3000 for new axles. They might have the original factory back job from 2003.