How to tell if your wheel bearings are bad.

If I had any question about the bearings I would replace them in my driveway. I've had to replace bearings in truck stops (on borrowed trailers) and I would much rather do it at home.

Play it safe and tear it down once, replace all bearings and races and be through with it. :)

If the bearing had spun on the spindle there would be deep marks. It's not uncommon to get brown ugly grease on the spindle under the bearing, but that doesn't mean they spun.

I run replaced the bearings/races/seals/grease at all 4 corners this summer and saw some nasty grease on the spindle but there was zero evidence of a bearing spinning on the spindle.

It's still a good idea to start fresh. The OEM bearings are almost always cheap Chinese bearings, and they look like it compared to a nice Timken. If you plan to keep the trailer a while put in good bearings and check them annually.

On a side note, what are you using for wheels/tires? That toy hauler must be putting you over 6,400 on the rear axle, especially with an extra 600lbs of diesel in the bed.

Too much grease will cause heating. Only fill the bearings 1/3 with grease.

The bearings having spun on the spindle would concern me.

I would be concerned that the present bearings are a little large in diameter and thus the spinning.

Don't use the old ones to get new ones. Make sure you get the right ones. The axle maker or the RV maker can help.

Yes, replace all bearings, races, and seals.