how long or how many miles do bearings last?

Some of that depends on how much you use the trailer. 5 or 6 weekend trips a year? Inspect and grease yearly. 20k a year? Every 4 or 5 years will work. Keep tabs on them. When you stop, touch the hub. It should be cool to the touch. Letting one sit for long periods allows the grease to seperate, therefore losing its lubrication ability.

The only thing that destroys bearings is water and dirt. Sitting long periods with moisture getting to them can shorten life. Repack your wheel bearings at least every three years on a non boat trailer. Bearing buddies are a joke on anything but a boat trailer and I have doubts about that too.

Two recent discussions on bearings:

#1

#2

Bill

TucsonJim wrote:
The reason they look "brand new" is that you are cleaning and repacking them. As long as you maintain them, there is no reason to expect them to wear out.

X2!

the taper/roller design of wheel bearing... same used in cars and trucks since the 1950'z most can go 200,000 miles with proper cleaning and new grease.. and inspection of rollers and races....

heat/dirt/water are the biggest problems.. replace seals and dust covers when the GREASE said to... Read the Grease... NO JOKE.

I have boats they get wet every week some times more , I service my bearings yearly and the one trailer is 23yrs old same bearings . but I have replaced seals.

Keep up the good maintenance and you are good for a million miles, probably more.

I go with 2 years or 10,000 miles guidelines (boat trailers are a different breed) and it works for me. Years ago had a 19 ft trailer that I used several times a year for 20 years and never did the bearing and had no trouble. Put new tires on it one time.
Flaguy

The reason they look "brand new" is that you are cleaning and repacking them. As long as you maintain them, there is no reason to expect them to wear out.

Here is a quote from the e-Trailer website:

"With or without bearing buddies, we recommend repacking grease once a year. This not only provides fresh grease each year, but it is the perfect time to examine races and bearings. Check for discoloration from heat on the races. If you find dark spots or rings on the races, you should replace races and bearings. Also, run your fingernail along the race and if it snags, it is time to replace race and bearings. There is no need to replace bearings or races until you see cracks, heat marks, nicks, or any other sign of wear."

BTW, if you ever replace the bearings, it's vital that you replace the races too.

Jim

Yes. When I was a VW mechanic, I owned a VW bus and did my own maintenance. I sold the bus after 20 yrs. and 200,000 mi. It had the original wheel bearings.

Teach