Tire speed

I carry a set of bearings. I swear that is why they don't fail.

4x4van wrote:

mat60 wrote:
I really don't want to pee anyone off but I have had many trailers in my life such as Dump, Cargo, Landscaping, Car and Snowmobile and any that had small tires and bearings would run hotter and you had better pack them with grease often or you will be on the side of the road. Seen it many times.

Agreed. For many years, I hauled my ATCs on a small trailer with 8" wheels/tires. At 65mph, those little tires were really spinning! +/- 3x faster (RPM) than the tires on my MH. As a result, even though I regularly maintained them, I also blew the bearings out several times over the years that I used the combo. To the point where I actually carried a spare set of bearings/races with me on every trip so that I could do the repair on the road if needed. How many of you carry a spare set of bearings/races for your trailer with full-size tires (14" or 15")?

Yup, above is experience talking! I've towed trailers of all sizes, most of my life, motorcycle, snowmobile, cargo, utility, and RVs. Learned to service them myself, when just a kid that needed to tow race bikes on weekends. BTW, it was a learning experience, backing a 5'x 6' small cycle trailer, with short tongue, using my car.

I'm still towing a small trailer with motorcycles, behind my big trailer.:C



Jerry

mat60 wrote:
I really don't want to pee anyone off but I have had many trailers in my life such as Dump, Cargo, Landscaping, Car and Snowmobile and any that had small tires and bearings would run hotter and you had better pack them with grease often or you will be on the side of the road. Seen it many times.

Agreed. For many years, I hauled my ATCs on a small trailer with 8" wheels/tires. At 65mph, those little tires were really spinning! +/- 3x faster (RPM) than the tires on my MH. As a result, even though I regularly maintained them, I also blew the bearings out several times over the years that I used the combo. To the point where I actually carried a spare set of bearings/races with me on every trip so that I could do the repair on the road if needed. How many of you carry a spare set of bearings/races for your trailer with full-size tires (14" or 15")?

I really don't want to pee anyone off but I have had many trailers in my life such as Dump, Cargo, Landscaping, Car and Snowmobile and any that had small tires and bearings would run hotter and you had better pack them with grease often or you will be on the side of the road. Seen it many times.

SaltiDawg wrote:

time2roll wrote:
Why would they run hotter? Weight is lower. Lubricant limits are the same. They are designed and built for the purpose.

Although I generally agree 12 months 12k miles seems a bit excessive.

I think you've made clear that this is your opinion. MFL also makes a good case for a differing opinion.

LOL, all forum members are entitled to opinions, but in the end, it is experience that matters. Some will go on forever, look at their post count, because they've nothing better to do. If anyone learned anything from my actual experience, that's fine, if not, that's okay too!

Jerry

time2roll wrote:
I would like to see a service manual for one of those trailers sporting 8" to 12" tires that go out on the highway.

Actually, it would be (more) meaningful to have the same manual that you cited address the subject.

I'll leave this now... hoped to learn.

I would like to see a service manual for one of those trailers sporting 8" to 12" tires that go out on the highway.

time2roll wrote:
Why would they run hotter? Weight is lower. Lubricant limits are the same. They are designed and built for the purpose.

Although I generally agree 12 months 12k miles seems a bit excessive.

I think you've made clear that this is your opinion. MFL also makes a good case for a differing opinion.

Why would they run hotter? Weight is lower. Lubricant limits are the same. They are designed and built for the purpose.

Although I generally agree 12 months 12k miles seems a bit excessive.

time2roll wrote:

SaltiDawg wrote:
"What are bearing service intervals determined by? Time?"

So, no one knows?

Dexter service intervals pg 84

Manufacturers will tell you every year/12K miles, as a CYA time/mileage. After checking/packing your own bearings, you can determine from experience, what works best for you. Once your RV bearings are packed/reinstalled properly, they can go a long while. Brakes need to be adjusted more often, and when doing this, is a good time to check for proper bearing play. It is the small bearings, in small trailers, that turn much faster, run warmer, that need to be checked/packed more often.

Jerry