My TT has Dexter EZ Lube bearings/axles. The video on their web site show that the bearings can be "re-packed" without removing the wheels/seals/bearings in the traditional manner. However, some folks seem to think this a dangerous practice risking blowing out a seal. I have repacked many bearings over the years but, if I don't need to remove the wheels, just spin them as I pump grease in, this seems like the way to go, that is, follow the manufacturer's recommendations. http://www.dexteraxle.com/resources/videos/e-z-lube-systemWhy should I or should I not deviate from the manufacturer's design maintenance recommendations?

You may do better by searching this site. I'm just curious, in 14 years you haven't seen it mentioned on here?

If it's time to repack, it's also time to clean and inspect both the bearings and the brakes.

I have 'em, don't use 'em. It's a good concept but doesn't work and isn't needed. Repack the old-fashioned way when you feel the need. My trailer was two years old when I repacked the bearings. They had plenty of grease on them and I have never used the EZ Lube feature. The other thing is you can blow grease past the inner bearing seal and get it on your brakes. EZ Lube also fills the hub with unnecessary grease. The only time that might be needed is on a boat trailer to displace water entry.Frankly, I think trailer bearings get way too much unneeded attention. When did anyone last do the bearings on their truck?The only thing I would suggest, if one has the mechanical ability, is to do an initial inspection of the bearings, ensure they've got plenty of grease and that the bearing nut is tightened properly. Put it back together and forget about it. If a bearing is bad it's going to fail regardless of the grease. Once you're satisfied that all is well, you shouldn't have to mess with your bearings again (or at least for several years).

Not! Nope, never, not a chance... You should periodically remove drum - then inspect brakes, then remove old grease and inspect bearings and then repack by hand using new seals. If you don't, how are you going to know what the condition the bearings, seals and brakes are in? Besides, the EZ lube feature just does not work well. Sometimes the bearings weren't lubed correctly lubed or seals correctly installed at the manufacturer and sometimes dealers add grease via the EZ Lube grease zerk on new trailers and cause problems. The photo below is courtesy anothr forum member and shows what the cheap Chinese bearings can look like. The owner of a local frame & axle shop has one just like it on display on his counter. Two out of 3 new TTs we've owned had leaking seals and bearing problems from new and both had grease on the brakes. The second time I discovered there was a problem was at the end of the 2nd season (on current TT) after finding that one bearing was running much warmer than the others. Also found leaking seals and grease on the brake shoes. Although it still had life left on the factory warranty, I ended up installing new US-made Timken bearings and hand packing. The dealer already messed it up once and decided it's better to take care of it myself. EZ Lube is just another sales gimmick like "outdoor showers" and "bumper sewer hose storage" features.

I had them on my last trailer which I had for seven years. Once a year I would jack each wheel and pump the grease in until the old grease showed up coming out. As I was doing it I would turn the wheel. About four years after I had the trailer I had them professionally done and the mechanic said they were in perfect condition, and then I continued to use the fittings until I sold the trailer. For what it is worth, that trailer made a 15,000 mile round trip to Alaska and back in one year, and in the other years, it probably accrued 3,000 miles each year.Jack L

Dexter EZ Lubes, use or not? | Good Sam Community

Kavoom
Explorer
May 19, 2018
BB_TX wrote:
Age old dispute on here. Some use them and love them. Others feel just the opposite. I use them and never a problem. Just make sure you understand the system and do it correctly if you do.

LOL BFH, I hadn't heard that in 35 years. For those not in the know, big fornication hammer.
myredracer
Explorer II
May 16, 2018
The thing I find funny about storing sewer hoses in the bumper is that the bumper is there anyway and the TT manufacturers make it sound like it's some kinda fancy upgrade that adds a lot of value. I installed a Valterra hose carrier under the frame in a more convenient location and use the bumper for storing extra hose only for the rare time we need extra length. Storing a wet hose in the bumpers can end up rusting right through it. There isn't a spec of paint or coating inside ours. I wish they made them a tad larger so you don't have to cram them inside and sometimes have them get stuck.

falconbrother wrote:
Fordlover wrote:
myredracer wrote:

...EZ Lube is just another sales gimmick like "outdoor showers" and "bumper sewer hose storage" features.

Wow, I must be doing things all kinds of wrong. I've used the EZ lube feature (once) on my 11 year old trailer, but have put a ton of use on our outdoor shower. And the sewer hose lives in the bumper.

LOL.. On our first TT we never even considered putting the hose anywhere but the bumper. Did that for years. When we bought the 2017 model the service guy that gave us the walk around insisted that we not store hose in the bumper, so we don't..but, don't know why we don't.
Huntindog
Explorer
May 16, 2018
falconbrother wrote:
Fordlover wrote:
myredracer wrote:

...EZ Lube is just another sales gimmick like "outdoor showers" and "bumper sewer hose storage" features.

Wow, I must be doing things all kinds of wrong. I've used the EZ lube feature (once) on my 11 year old trailer, but have put a ton of use on our outdoor shower. And the sewer hose lives in the bumper.

LOL.. On our first TT we never even considered putting the hose anywhere but the bumper. Did that for years. When we bought the 2017 model the service guy that gave us the walk around insisted that we not store hose in the bumper, so we don't..but, don't know why we don't.
Like a lot of things, there is some basis of fact to it.
In areas where rust is a problem, the bumper rusts a lot more that say Arizona (where I live) That rust ends up wearing tiny holes in the sewer hose. This is usually discovered when dumping, and the ,,,,,, er fluid makes its way thru the hose.

We have yet another thread on generator selection for AC use going on now. There are people from British Columbia making recommendations to a guy in Texas as to what he should get.

The two climates are totally different.

Ya gotta read between all the useless stuff to pick out what will apply to your situation.
falconbrother
Explorer II
May 16, 2018
Fordlover wrote:
myredracer wrote:

...EZ Lube is just another sales gimmick like "outdoor showers" and "bumper sewer hose storage" features.

Wow, I must be doing things all kinds of wrong. I've used the EZ lube feature (once) on my 11 year old trailer, but have put a ton of use on our outdoor shower. And the sewer hose lives in the bumper.

LOL.. On our first TT we never even considered putting the hose anywhere but the bumper. Did that for years. When we bought the 2017 model the service guy that gave us the walk around insisted that we not store hose in the bumper, so we don't..but, don't know why we don't.
Fordlover
Explorer
May 16, 2018
myredracer wrote:

...EZ Lube is just another sales gimmick like "outdoor showers" and "bumper sewer hose storage" features.

Wow, I must be doing things all kinds of wrong. I've used the EZ lube feature (once) on my 11 year old trailer, but have put a ton of use on our outdoor shower. And the sewer hose lives in the bumper.
Ralph_Cramden
Explorer II
May 16, 2018
Lynnmor wrote:
I guess that issues found by some, documented with photos and measurements, are to be dismissed out of hand. A forum could be a real help if the experience of all were given some respect. When someone reports an issue with a cheap product, he may actually have some useful information and childish remarks doesn't change that fact.

Lynnmor wrote:
Nothing like stirring the pot and trolling!

Baby diesels are being produced for the fuel mileage crowd to brag about, and real diesels for towing are still being produced.

You said it.
Lynnmor
Explorer
May 15, 2018
I guess that issues found by some, documented with photos and measurements, are to be dismissed out of hand. A forum could be a real help if the experience of all were given some respect. When someone reports an issue with a cheap product, he may actually have some useful information and childish remarks doesn't change that fact.
Ralph_Cramden
Explorer II
May 15, 2018
Lynnmor wrote:
Ralph Cramden wrote:
When I think back to the days of the daily driver with front drum brakes and roller bearings, I wonder why people were not obsessed with greasing bearings every 200 miles, especially on something they drove 12K, 20K, or 30K miles or more per year and depended on to get to work or take momma to the hospital if she was ready to pop one out. But with a trailer for some reason, greaseobearingphobia seems to be the norm, at least on RV or camping related boards. More power to you if you want to self develop OCD over bearings, I'd rather go fishing and drink cheap beer. The cheaper the better.

I'd rather be a responsible adult and recognize a problem and correct it. I still have a 39 year old van with the original made in USA bearings that I repacked three times. I also have a travel trailer that the cheap junk Chinese bearings failed in one season. My suggestion is to not give advice if you cannot or will not properly explore the issue.

Hmmmmm, still running the OEM bearings on our 2017 Rockwood, about 6000 miles in the last 3 seasons. I pulled them when new, cleaned all the OEM grease out and repacked with Lucas Red N Tacky, then used EZ lube twice since.

The previous 2013 Keystone we had for 4 years now resides in Atlanta GA, I talk with the buyer online on another board quite often, still the same OEM bearings. I used the EZ lube, he uses the EZ lube.

Prior to that had a 2011 Aerolite, same deal used the EZ lube. I'd guess over 12K in 3 seasons.

A small fleet of equipment trailers (7) out on jobsites as I type. All have the OEM bearings and I have no clue where they were made, nor do I care. Most of those trailers have EZ lube. And for kickers all are running whatever Chinese brand ST tires they came with, or whatever the local tire guy had in stock when we needed new ones.

I believe I have properly explored the issue....which is a non issue except on an RV related forum.
Lynnmor
Explorer
May 15, 2018
Ralph Cramden wrote:
When I think back to the days of the daily driver with front drum brakes and roller bearings, I wonder why people were not obsessed with greasing bearings every 200 miles, especially on something they drove 12K, 20K, or 30K miles or more per year and depended on to get to work or take momma to the hospital if she was ready to pop one out. But with a trailer for some reason, greaseobearingphobia seems to be the norm, at least on RV or camping related boards. More power to you if you want to self develop OCD over bearings, I'd rather go fishing and drink cheap beer. The cheaper the better.

I'd rather be a responsible adult and recognize a problem and correct it. I still have a 39 year old van with the original made in USA bearings that I repacked three times. I also have a travel trailer that the cheap junk Chinese bearings failed in one season. My suggestion is to not give advice if you cannot or will not properly explore the issue.
Ralph_Cramden
Explorer II
May 15, 2018
When I think back to the days of the daily driver with front drum brakes and roller bearings, I wonder why people were not obsessed with greasing bearings every 200 miles, especially on something they drove 12K, 20K, or 30K miles or more per year and depended on to get to work or take momma to the hospital if she was ready to pop one out. But with a trailer for some reason, greaseobearingphobia seems to be the norm, at least on RV or camping related boards. More power to you if you want to self develop OCD over bearings, I'd rather go fishing and drink cheap beer. The cheaper the better.

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