I have a 2011 KZ Sportsmen Classic 16BH and those entry level TT (even the new 2015 models) doesn't come with EZ-LUBE axle or similar axle...I want to add Bearing Buddies grease system on the axle and I'm wondering if it's a good product? Is it a reliable way to grease and maintain bearing?http://www.bearingbuddy.com/Thank you!

As I understand it, Bearing Buddies are primarily used on boat trailers to keep the cold water from getting into the warm bearings....nothing to accomplish on a TT.

Bearing Buddies will work just fine on your TT. Same basic principle as the EZ Lube hubs with the added advantage of the spring loaded piston to keep a positive pressure on the bearing grease. I had them on my boat trailers and now have them on my landscape, cargo, and TT.

Marauderer wrote:Bearing Buddies will work just fine on your TT. Same basic principle as the EZ Lube hubs with the added advantage of the spring loaded piston to keep a positive pressure on the bearing grease. I had them on my boat trailers and now have them on my landscape, cargo, and TT.The only problem, without special spindles, Bearing Buddies will NOT lube the rear bearings. They are two specific products designed for two different uses and are not interchangeable.

Dog Folks wrote:Marauderer wrote:Bearing Buddies will work just fine on your TT. Same basic principle as the EZ Lube hubs with the added advantage of the spring loaded piston to keep a positive pressure on the bearing grease. I had them on my boat trailers and now have them on my landscape, cargo, and TT.The only problem, without special spindles, Bearing Buddies will NOT lube the rear bearings. They are two specific products designed for two different uses and are not interchangeable.X 2 or 3.Bearing Buddies are for boat trailers. EZ lube for TTs. Both fine products FOR THEIR INTENDED USE.Bearing buddies can be used on a TT, but there is zero benefit. You would need to pull the drums and put a special double lip seal in to keep the pressurized grease from leaking onto the brakes.Pressurizing the grease cavity is what Bearing buddies are designed for. So that when the BOAT trailer is dunked into the cold lake that the hot bearings don't create a vacuum and suck water into the bearings.

You are fine with what you have. The products mentioned are nothing more than a sales gimmick. You need to inspect the brakes regularly and the bearings can be serviced at that time.

Bearing Buddy? | Good Sam Community

12 Replies

aluminum_flyer
Explorer
May 24, 2014
I just did my bearings the other day. I have the EZ-Lube axles on my 2011 KZ RV Coyote Lite CL164. Let me tell you that even with me only put 3-4 pumps of grease in them last year to tide me over forced grease out from the rear grease seal. The best advice is to learn bearing repacks and DIY. Forget the EZ-Lube or bearing buddies. My grease barely seeped out but further or excessive greasing could have contaminated the brake linings. Grease is not the only issues with them, you have to look at the races, bearings, seal (replace) and the looseness after they stretch/wear a bit. Those issues will cause uneven tire wear, wobble, uneven loading, etc.

The repack only took me about 30 minutes per side, a new grease seal, new cotter pin and grease. Yes, it is messy but use clean rags or paper towels and gloves. Change them often and you'll do it in no time. Best of luck.
LarryJM
Explorer II
May 24, 2014
Marauderer wrote:
Not looking to start an argument but, I disagree and I speak from experience of installing and using Bearing Buddies or clones like them for thousands of miles and years of use.

Then you have just been lucky, since as mentioned they are two COMPLETELY DIFFERENT concepts and work COMPLETELY DIFFERENTLY. BBs are basically for single bearning non brake wheels subjected to submersion and what you have is a two bearing wheel hub with brakes not intended to be submerged in water.

I don't like the EZ-lubes due to the excessive grease needed and the waste of all that grease inside the hub that is lost when doing routine brake service.

Larry
Ole_Man_Dan
Explorer
May 24, 2014
Huntindog wrote:
Dog Folks wrote:
Marauderer wrote:
Bearing Buddies will work just fine on your TT. Same basic principle as the EZ Lube hubs with the added advantage of the spring loaded piston to keep a positive pressure on the bearing grease. I had them on my boat trailers and now have them on my landscape, cargo, and TT.

The only problem, without special spindles, Bearing Buddies will NOT lube the rear bearings.

They are two specific products designed for two different uses and are not interchangeable.
X 2 or 3.
Bearing Buddies are for boat trailers. EZ lube for TTs. Both fine products FOR THEIR INTENDED USE.
Bearing buddies can be used on a TT, but there is zero benefit. You would need to pull the drums and put a special double lip seal in to keep the pressurized grease from leaking onto the brakes.
Pressurizing the grease cavity is what Bearing buddies are designed for. So that when the BOAT trailer is dunked into the cold lake that the hot bearings don't create a vacuum and suck water into the bearings.

Bearing Buddy is not the right answer for a camper. The rear bearings can sink your 'Land Ship'. Bearing Buddy doesn't cover but one set of bearings...
Save your money and just have your bearings re-greased, or better yet learn how to do the job yourself. I had a buddy show me, then assist and finally watch me grease the bearings.
You get your hands greasy, but it's cheaper than the Camping World type prices...
B_O__Plenty
Explorer II
May 24, 2014
Bearing buddies have a spring behind a disc that puts constant pressure on the grease and forces it into the bearings. That said it also puts pressure on the grease seal and will leak out the back and onto the brakes. I would never use them on anything with brakes. Just do the normal bearing repack every 2-3 years. You will be fine.

B.O.
vlopddap
Explorer
May 24, 2014
One more point is the Bearing Buddy only cost a few dollars a set (like 20$ a pair). So maybe I don't have nothing to loose to try it... I just wanted to be sure it will not cause unwanted side effects!
path1
Explorer
May 24, 2014
I thought they would be good and they did work for awhile. But found that I overheated the grease when stopped in traffic jam and grease leaked out then made a mess. That was in late 80's.

Then somebody said they have improved them since then, so???

But I wouldn't put them on again. Gives a good chance to look at everything when your packing bearings (hockey pucks, brakes etc)

Just me, you might like them???
Marauderer
Explorer
May 23, 2014
Not looking to start an argument but, I disagree and I speak from experience of installing and using Bearing Buddies or clones like them for thousands of miles and years of use.
Lynnmor
Explorer
May 23, 2014
You are fine with what you have. The products mentioned are nothing more than a sales gimmick. You need to inspect the brakes regularly and the bearings can be serviced at that time.
Huntindog
Explorer
May 23, 2014
Dog Folks wrote:
Marauderer wrote:
Bearing Buddies will work just fine on your TT. Same basic principle as the EZ Lube hubs with the added advantage of the spring loaded piston to keep a positive pressure on the bearing grease. I had them on my boat trailers and now have them on my landscape, cargo, and TT.

The only problem, without special spindles, Bearing Buddies will NOT lube the rear bearings.

They are two specific products designed for two different uses and are not interchangeable.
X 2 or 3.
Bearing Buddies are for boat trailers. EZ lube for TTs. Both fine products FOR THEIR INTENDED USE.
Bearing buddies can be used on a TT, but there is zero benefit. You would need to pull the drums and put a special double lip seal in to keep the pressurized grease from leaking onto the brakes.
Pressurizing the grease cavity is what Bearing buddies are designed for. So that when the BOAT trailer is dunked into the cold lake that the hot bearings don't create a vacuum and suck water into the bearings.
Dog_Folks
Explorer
May 23, 2014
Marauderer wrote:
Bearing Buddies will work just fine on your TT. Same basic principle as the EZ Lube hubs with the added advantage of the spring loaded piston to keep a positive pressure on the bearing grease. I had them on my boat trailers and now have them on my landscape, cargo, and TT.

The only problem, without special spindles, Bearing Buddies will NOT lube the rear bearings.

They are two specific products designed for two different uses and are not interchangeable.

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Bearing Buddy?

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