Forum Discussion

Luminajd's avatar
Luminajd
Explorer
Apr 16, 2016

Install new tires/grease bearings by self?

Our camper is a 2012, we bought in 2013, and have never greased bearings (whoops!!). We tow about 500 miles each summer.
Questions:
From reading on here, it sounds like it is time for new tires (judging by how long tires typically last)
We would like to do this as cheaply yet safely as possible. It is possible to buy new tires online and install in the driveway, but do they need to be balanced or anything like that?
How about bearings, husband says he doesn't want to, but this forum makes it sound pretty easy...
Is it reasonable to install new tires and grease bearings all from home? I haven't even called a tire place or dealer because I am scared to hear how much they would charge for tire installation and packing bearings.
Thoughts?
Thanks!

26 Replies

  • mbopp wrote:
    It's not that difficult to do the bearings yourself. Grease seals can be bought locally or from eTrailer. It is a bit messy though.
    Unless you have access to a tire machine it's much, much easier to pay a shop to have the tires mounted and new valve stems installed. And I used to work in a tire shop.

    I only use metal stems:)
  • Sprink-Fitter wrote:

    You must not trust anyone if you think only you can do it right?

    I'll bet his DW and/or family hopes they never need surgery. :)
  • Lynnmor wrote:


    I buy tires online and have a local garage mount them. I balance them myself because the drums aren't balanced so I do them as an assembly.

    I would never put a trailer in service till after servicing the hubs. I do all my own work, it's the only way that the job will be done right. You can watch YouTube videos to learn how, but some of those folks are slobs.


    You must not trust anyone if you think only you can do it right?
  • Luminajd wrote:
    Our camper is a 2012, we bought in 2013, and have never greased bearings (whoops!!). We tow about 500 miles each summer.
    Questions:
    From reading on here, it sounds like it is time for new tires (judging by how long tires typically last)
    We would like to do this as cheaply yet safely as possible. It is possible to buy new tires online and install in the driveway, but do they need to be balanced or anything like that?
    How about bearings, husband says he doesn't want to, but this forum makes it sound pretty easy...
    Is it reasonable to install new tires and grease bearings all from home? I haven't even called a tire place or dealer because I am scared to hear how much they would charge for tire installation and packing bearings.
    Thoughts?
    Thanks!


    I buy tires online and have a local garage mount them. I balance them myself because the drums aren't balanced so I do them as an assembly.

    I would never put a trailer in service till after servicing the hubs. I do all my own work, it's the only way that the job will be done right. You can watch YouTube videos to learn how, but some of those folks are slobs.
  • Thanks for the reply!
    No, no access to a tire machine
    What's the better route-
    Buy tires online, take to local shop to have installed
    But tires online, take to dealer to have installed
    Have either of the above order and install for me
    I have googled my tire size and I can get 4 Maxxis for just under $400
  • It's not that difficult to do the bearings yourself. Grease seals can be bought locally or from eTrailer. It is a bit messy though.
    Unless you have access to a tire machine it's much, much easier to pay a shop to have the tires mounted and new valve stems installed. And I used to work in a tire shop.