My 5th wheel has Dexter axles that use bearings L68149 and LM67010. I noticed these bearings are available with the cones as Timken Set17 and Set6.These are made in USA and when purchased as a set are a fraction of the price when bearings and cones are purchase individually. What's the deal?? Are these sets inferior to the individual components?

No, for some reason Timken sets are just a good value in many applications. Often cheaper than import junk. They are also the best.

SidecarFlip wrote:All I run is Timken or SKF.I rebuild lots of gear boxes every year small to 6,000lb +. Always Timken or SKS. If you want it to last use the best.

I know they are the best! Everyone knows! The question is why are the sets so much less expensive. I keep thinking there is no such thing as a free lunch.................

I think the answer is volume. They've been making many of the common sizes for countless years - 60+ in some cases. The equipment is ancient and paid for many times over. Plus, they continue to supply more of the bearings to industry than probably anyone else. I have seen the same thing with vintage car bearings. Timkens are cheaper than off-brands in almost every case.

Timken bearing sets | Good Sam Community

ford_truck_guy
Nomad
Sep 14, 2019
My last 2 sets of Timkens were BOTH "MADE IN THE USA " .. Stamped on the bearing, and marked on the box
furballs
Explorer
Sep 14, 2019
I picked up a set of wheel bearings for my TT last week at a store that sells bearings, seals and a few tools. The name of the place has "Bearings" in it. It has been there for 40 years that I know of. When I told the counter guy that I drive out there to get Timken bearings because they are made in the USA, he said "not anymore." He said they are now made in China. I wish mine had said made in USA. On the other hand, if they had said USA I would wonder how long they had been in the pipeline or sitting on a shelf. Hmmm.
NEWS4US
Explorer
Sep 14, 2019
Most Timken Bearings for trailers are made in the Timken Bucyrus, Ohio plant. Yes some are now made in China and India. I used to work for them and prefer to install only Timken bearings in my fifthwheel.
Lynnmor
Explorer
Sep 14, 2019
furballs wrote:
On the other hand, if they had said USA I would wonder how long they had been in the pipeline or sitting on a shelf. Hmmm.

The longer, the better, steel doesn't age out and bearings produced years ago have a better chance of being correct.

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