What's the fascination with trailer bearings?
So I've seen many, many posts over the years about checking hubs with IR guns for excessive heat. I've even seen posts where people check their hubs every stop. :E My question is why? I have never ...
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cmcdar wrote:That is a tough call. I will say that everyone should learn how to do this themselves. I think more failures are caused by repackings done incorrectly than from lack of maintainence. (and that includes a lot of shops) If done right, there is no reason that they cannot last as long as on a car. But.... Everyones usage is different. Some are just harder on things than others. Personally, I do mine at 2-4 years give or take.Huntindog wrote:itguy08 wrote:I have read both manuals extensively... They giv a "blanket" recommendation. Many of their axles end up in other than RVs. Agricultural trailers, boat trailers etc. But the recommendation is the same for all of them. Surely you would agree that a boat trailer that is submerged in fresh and or salt weather needs more frequent service than an RV??Turtle n Peeps wrote:
Specifically for those of you that pack your bearings every year, why don't you pack your bearings on your TV every year? (For those that don't have cartridge type bearings)
Take a look at the links I posted. Both Dexter Axle and Lippert (probably account for 90%+ of RV axles) have a service schedule of 12mo/12k for the wheel bearings.
I don't know of any automaker that has any bearing interval in their service manual. Most have went to sealed bearings anyway and you replace that whole assembly when it starts howling.
It is apparent that they set the service interval low, so that all users will service the bearings frequently... If they had different recommendations for different types of service, then there would be confusion on the part of the user.
It really makes no sense that a TT bearing needs service much more often than an identical car bearing....
As for thae grease going bad from sitting.... What about the grease in the can in the garage? Or do you buy brand new grease for each repacking?
Years ago, grease wasn't nearly as good as it is today, so it could deteriorate over time... Not so much today.
OK, So the manufacturer is wrong.... how often do YOU recommend?
