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ifd22's avatar
ifd22
Explorer
Jan 18, 2016

New trailer wheel bearings

Just purchased a 2016 shadow cruiser 280qbs. We plan on taking several small trips (under a hundred miles) this spring. We are then taking a 1900 mile round trip to Disney world this summer.
I normally repack my wheel bearings every two years, however this is my first new trailer.
Question is, how well does the factory normally grease the bearings on new travel trailers? Should I be good this first year, or with a long trip planned this year would I be better off re-packing them myself before we take the long trip?
  • Many new TT s use EZ lube hubs. Your owners manual should give you the factory recommended interval and procedures.
  • my opinion about rv bearings is this, if building a rv is not rocket science then what makes you think the bearings are packed correctly. every new TT I have ever bought got the bearings and tires inspected. even the tires when new from the factory are only good for a little over dry weight capabilities, , I always go the extra mile and get over sized and over weight carrying tires for a new TT.
  • Our first trailer had the wheel bearing repacked about 2000 miles. Dealership called me and said that they found a wheel bearing that was blued, and one other one that was missing a roller from the factory. Talking to them they supposed to have greased the bearings when the trailer came in. The new trailer we got I had them repack the bearings right away so that I knew that the bearings were right. Have had them greased every 2 years after that. Not a problem since that first time.
  • Did you inspect hub during PDI? If not I would make sure everything was OK and not being over greased by transporter, maybe so much grease it gets into brakes. Also good time to get familiar with what you have and pick up spare bearing just in case. That's what I would do with a new trailer with what I know now about TT.

    But our first trailer, that we had many years and I never knew about checking bearings or brakes little alone date codes on tires. And no problems.

    Your choice.

    Congrats on new trailer.
  • It has been my experience on many new trailers, including my FW in sig, that very little grease is packed in at the factory. At the very least I would pull one hub for a look see.

    Jerry