Greasing bearings question

Amazing the bad info being passed around.

I'd like to know why trailers are still equipped with 19th century bearings.. what's wrong with sealed bearings of the type fitted to cars and trucks ??

According to the Al-Ko maintenance manual that is loaded on their website, all axles from 500# to 7000# need to be disassembled and inspected every 12,000 miles or 12 months (Whichever comes first). This includes removing and inspecting the brakes and bearings and repacking the bearings. See page 11 of the attachment for a summary.

Also, right after discussion how to use the Ultra-lube in the manual, it states the following: "Hubs and components should also be disassembled yearly and inspected for worn or otherwise damaged parts."

Al-Ko Maintenance Document

For those of you who think you don't need to do this PM because you don't put very many miles on are deluding yourself. Grease breaks down with age and exposure to the environment.

For those who think you can just inject a dollop of grease every few years, I'll try not to snicker when I see you limping down the road with a frozen bearing.

OldSmokey wrote:
I'd like to know why trailers are still equipped with 19th century bearings.. what's wrong with sealed bearings of the type fitted to cars and trucks ??

Dexter has Never-Lube bearings. But it must cost an extra dollar.

TucsonJim wrote:
Also, right after discussion how to use the Ultra-lube in the manual, it states the following: "Hubs and components should also be disassembled yearly and inspected for worn or otherwise damaged parts."

Makes the zerk redundant unless you regularly submerge the axle when launching your boat or RV.

OldSmokey wrote:
I'd like to know why trailers are still equipped with 19th century bearings.. what's wrong with sealed bearings of the type fitted to cars and trucks ??

You mean like the ones on my 2013 explorer that had to be replaced at 45k miles (3 1/2 years old) and cost $150 each. The old school bearings are the much better way to go. There are even after market companies that offer kits to convert 4WD truck unit bearings over to the old school serviceable bearings. It is a much better bearing provided you have good quality bearings to start with.

time2roll wrote:

TucsonJim wrote:
Also, right after discussion how to use the Ultra-lube in the manual, it states the following: "Hubs and components should also be disassembled yearly and inspected for worn or otherwise damaged parts."

Makes the zerk redundant unless you regularly submerge the axle when launching your boat or RV.

Yep, those types of axles are used as a marketing tool to say " hey, it is so much easier to maintain our trailer" when in reality you still have to physically see the bearing to say it's good. Just like the oil life monitor in cars/trucks.

fun w son wrote:
I was surprised that it took about a tube per wheel

The grease cavity can't hold that much grease. If you fit that much grease in each wheel hub, then I can almost bet that the rear seal blew out and spewed grease in the brake drum.

dodge guy wrote:
You should Always! pack them by hand. when using a grease gun to grease them you cannot inspect the bearings for any sign of failure. and it is very easy to over grease them and have the grease blow out all over the brakes.

DITTO!

Read my thread here:

Upgrades to my trailer - 8.5x20 Haulmark

falconbrother wrote:
I asked the mechanic that gave us the walk around about greasing the wheel bearings.... He told me to just pretty much ignore them for ten years.

That's a recipe for disaster.