Trailer Bearing Re-Pack

I never rest easy until I SEE what is inside the hubs. Just my opinion.

Check the play in the tire by jacking it up and rocking tires back/forth. If there is play the open them up and inspect/replace or just repack. If no play the just spin the tire while pumping in grease through the ez lubes. Pump grease in slowly.

Don't open them unless there's play or you're bored.

I use a red grease just cause I can tell how hot the hubs are running by if it's still red or has turned purplish in color. Certainly not a requirement. It's just how I do it.

MFL wrote:

SweetLou wrote:
Bearing buddies came with it, however I never trust those things

Are they really Bearing buddies, or are they EZ-lube axles? Big difference, I doubt you have BBs on a cargo trailer.

Jerry

I think you are right. I think they are EZ Lube. Either way, nothing like getting your hands dirty to verify. Expensive when you don't.

SweetLou wrote:
Bearing buddies came with it, however I never trust those things

Are they really Bearing buddies, or are they EZ-lube axles? Big difference, I doubt you have BBs on a cargo trailer.

Jerry

I would pull the hub caps to see if the outer bearing is well greased. At 3K miles on a new trailer, the brakes should be adjusted. I have seen new trailers with very little grease on the bearings, and a few that were properly greased. If EZ-lube hubs, just pull the rubber cap, and you will see how much grease is on outer bearing. I know you can't see inner bearing without pulling hub completely, but if factory did a good job on outer, should be good on inner too.

If bearings are greased well from new, you should be good for 12K miles, at that point, or year of ownership, I'd pull hubs, check/service/repack, and then not worry about it for a couple years, unless towing really high miles.

Jerry

Bearing buddies came with it, however I never trust those things

I would suggest installing a set of Bearing Buddies. Fill with grease and check occasionally.

Lynnmor wrote:
I would never put a trailer in service till I serviced the hubs and brakes. There is too much poor assembly work done and there is no way of knowing what was done before purchase.

Here is Dexter's information, all brands are similar.

Service

Information

I picked this trailer up at the factory. Hard to check bearings there so I went on trust and put a load in it of 1000 lbs for 750 miles. Towed fine with no warm wheels so I returned home 1500 miles with a heavier load of 1800 lbs. No issues so now I want to at least check them and get on a program. I agree with you on dealers and how they overlook stuff. This is a high end Wells Cargo trailer and a lot of details missed.

I would never put a trailer in service till I serviced the hubs and brakes. There is too much poor assembly work done and there is no way of knowing what was done before purchase.

Here is Dexter's information, all brands are similar.

Service

Information