Travel trailer axle brakes and bearings longevity?

[dragr1]

How long should the brakes and bearings last on dexter 5200 pound 6 lug axles? My travel trailer weighs about 10,700 loaded with about 9,200 on the axles. I have tracked my towing miles and it has 12,015 miles on it since new in December of 2012. I have never had an issue with either. I have always greased the bearings yearly. Just wondering if I have some maintenance over due on brakes or bearings. I’d rather do that at home than find out the hard way on the side of the road.

[Lynnmor]

My Timkens are made in USA, perhaps some of their production is offshore but they still might use some semblance of quality control unlike some manufacturers of cheap Chinese bearings.

[Dave_H_M]

Careful now. I don't think you can just belly up to the counter and buy Timkens and think they were US made.

aren't they out sourcing some out to China?

[Labman7]

Well over 50,000 miles on original bearings in 5 years.. Pull them off and check every other year, in between use the grease fitting on the hub per dexter axle manual. I did replace the brakes last year, only because a puppy chewed the wires off flush to the backing plate! The original brakes had some life left on the shoes, but the magnets were about shot (groves and uneven). It was cheaper and easier to replace the whole assembly as Farmboy666 mentioned. I do carry a extra set of bearings and seals with me, habit left over from boat trailer experiences years ago.

[Lynnmor]

OK, now we know that the bearings and probably the brakes were never serviced well. Bearings can last the life of a trailer or begin to fail immediately if they were made poorly. I have had cheap Chinese bearings that were defective and could have failed at any time. My advice is to replace cheap bearings with a brand such as Timken, then forget about the grease fitting and service the bearings when you do your annual brake inspection.

I would not replace brakes that have plenty of lining remaining and magnets that are not excessively worn. Grease soaked linings should be replaced. Look at the armature where the magnets ride and use that to make a judgment whether the drums or magnets should be resurfaced or replaced. Know that few can resurface armatures properly.

[dragr1]

Greased bearings from external fitting only. I know that doesn’t really properly lubricate them all the way but of course it’s easy.

[Boon_Docker]

If the bearing/spindle cavity was full of grease originally then a few shots is sufficient. The grease that is already in there has not went anywhere or disappeared.

[Lynnmor]

Explain how you greased the bearings yearly. If you just pump in a few shots in a grease fitting, that is not proper lubrication for the outer bearing.

[Big_Katuna]

Personally I would do it. New bearings and replace brakes.

[Farmboy666]

If they are the original bearing they are probably Chinese. I would replace with some Timkens bearings and you will be good for years. I wouldn't mess with brakes shoes if needed, You can get new brakes in a kit to just bolt on, left and right self adjusting from etrailer for about $80.00. 4 bolts and 2 wires and your done.

[kellertx5er]

Too many variables to predict the life of the brakes. Only visual inspection will tell when replacement is needed.

It would be a good idea to manually adjust the brakes each year to compensate for lining wear. Also advised to inspect and re-pack bearings every year or two.