What should getting wheel bearings packed cost?

[dpgllg]

I have a 2017 Grand Design 27RL 5th wheel. I contacted a local service center to inquire about getting my wheel bearings packed. I was quoted $490 for this service.

I had another place that has since closed that used to take care of my old 5th wheel and I never had to pay anything close to that. Now that he has retired I am forced to find another place to deal with.

What should I expect to pay for this service?

Thanks!

Dave

[okhmbldr1]

Call a mobile mechanic who works on cars. If he can repack the front bearings on a truck or van, he can pack the bearings on your trailer. Order the seals online and have them waiting for him when he comes.

[Cummins12V98]

Dtank wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:

fj12ryder wrote:
"Insist on quality US Made seals or the above can happen!!!"

Or could happen regardless.

Anything can happen! Start out right and you will be far ahead!!!

People had Oil bath systems removed from DRV's because they leaked, YEP cheap Chinese Seals. I did the opposite, I changed to Oil bath on mine at $25 per seal. I used QUALITY National True Oil Bath seals and QUALITY "O" rings on my caps. Trip from NW WA to SoCal and back not a sign of a leak, 2,600 miles.

Doesn't help the OP, he's disabled...:S

(Your) "changeover" will skyrocket the cost -he's already worried about- when done at a shop.

.

I was NOT replying to the op. Notice I was responding to someone else?

You have been smacking yourself on the forehead for too long.

[Gdetrailer]

dpgllg wrote:

Dusty R wrote:
When was the last time you had the wheel bearings on your tow vehicle repacked?

OP Here,

I Purchased this 5th Wheel brand new in 2017. I have had it inspected in 2018 and 2019 and everything was okay each time with bearings seals and brakes.

We have made two trips to Myrtle Beach and one to Disney and about 5 trips local to us in SW PA.

I'm just trying to make sure I stop anything from happening that I can prevent.

I am disabled or I would take this on myself. I just thought that $490 was high for this service.

Dave

Typically the axle manufacturers RECOMMEND, not REQUIRE service every 12,000 miles or once a yr.. Generally not a big issue if you do not have done yearly if your miles are lower.. I do like to check mine before taking for inspection, this way I am not surprised and the mechanic cannot pad the bill..

Your local Inspection station should be pulling one drum on each side of the trailer every yr to inspect the brakes. They will alternate the next year.. IF you have a fairly good Mechanic, they will point out that you need service on the grease or bearings.

If you have been taking to a RV dealer to have inspection done, you do not need to have a RV dealer inspect it. Many dealers SEND it out anyways then pad the bill..

Call around to some of the local PA State inspection stations and ASK if they can inspect and/or service RV trailers bearings and brakes.

The sticker they use for RVs is actually the same that is used for motorcycles and as long as they have required area (they must have a certain amount of pavement in front of the garage or a garage large enough to pull the trailer in) to inspect trailers they often will.

[Dtank]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

fj12ryder wrote:
"Insist on quality US Made seals or the above can happen!!!"

Or could happen regardless.

Anything can happen! Start out right and you will be far ahead!!!

People had Oil bath systems removed from DRV's because they leaked, YEP cheap Chinese Seals. I did the opposite, I changed to Oil bath on mine at $25 per seal. I used QUALITY National True Oil Bath seals and QUALITY "O" rings on my caps. Trip from NW WA to SoCal and back not a sign of a leak, 2,600 miles.

Doesn't help the OP, he's disabled...:S

(Your) "changeover" will skyrocket the cost -he's already worried about- when done at a shop.

.

[Cummins12V98]

fj12ryder wrote:
"Insist on quality US Made seals or the above can happen!!!"

Or could happen regardless.

Anything can happen! Start out right and you will be far ahead!!!

People had Oil bath systems removed from DRV's because they leaked, YEP cheap Chinese Seals. I did the opposite, I changed to Oil bath on mine at $25 per seal. I used QUALITY National True Oil Bath seals and QUALITY "O" rings on my caps. Trip from NW WA to SoCal and back not a sign of a leak, 2,600 miles.

[fj12ryder]

dpgllg wrote:

Dusty R wrote:
When was the last time you had the wheel bearings on your tow vehicle repacked?

OP Here,

I Purchased this 5th Wheel brand new in 2017. I have had it inspected in 2018 and 2019 and everything was okay each time with bearings seals and brakes.

We have made two trips to Myrtle Beach and one to Disney and about 5 trips local to us in SW PA.

I'm just trying to make sure I stop anything from happening that I can prevent.

I am disabled or I would take this on myself. I just thought that $490 was high for this service.

Dave

Personally, and JMO, you don't need to repack the bearings. They've been done enough that you should be good for several years and thousands of miles. Having it done every year is a waste of resources and money. But of course, it's your call.

[fj12ryder]

"Insist on quality US Made seals or the above can happen!!!"

Or could happen regardless.

[dpgllg]

Dusty R wrote:
When was the last time you had the wheel bearings on your tow vehicle repacked?

OP Here,

I Purchased this 5th Wheel brand new in 2017. I have had it inspected in 2018 and 2019 and everything was okay each time with bearings seals and brakes.

We have made two trips to Myrtle Beach and one to Disney and about 5 trips local to us in SW PA.

I'm just trying to make sure I stop anything from happening that I can prevent.

I am disabled or I would take this on myself. I just thought that $490 was high for this service.

Dave

[Cummins12V98]

Insist on quality US Made seals or the above can happen!!!

[bucky]

If you can't do it yourself do NOT go by price alone. Vet the shop online before you even call them.
It's worth the money to have it done right by a qualified tech, not some minimum wage guy just starting out. Or you end up with this



This is what I found as I was checking over our new to us 5er a month ago. All 4 wheels had this mess inside the drums and 2 of the magnets were hanging by the wires. Don't be that guy.

[southernsky]

Just had it done at local camping world. $300.00

[TurnThePage]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

CarnationSailor wrote:
Just got it done at Les Schwab. Cost $170 per axle plus tax. This included new bearing seals which typically are replaced when bearings are packed. They also inspected/adjusted the brakes and greased the suspension wet bolts for free.

It used to cost about $100 per axle plus tax, but a couple of years ago they discovered they were charging way below the competition (which I verified) and raised their rates a bunch.

I don't like the price increase, but they seem to do a good job.

I truly wish you the best of luck with LS.

Just got mine done at Les Schwab too. Second time they've done 'em on this trailer.

[Cummins12V98]

CarnationSailor wrote:
Just got it done at Les Schwab. Cost $170 per axle plus tax. This included new bearing seals which typically are replaced when bearings are packed. They also inspected/adjusted the brakes and greased the suspension wet bolts for free.

It used to cost about $100 per axle plus tax, but a couple of years ago they discovered they were charging way below the competition (which I verified) and raised their rates a bunch.

I don't like the price increase, but they seem to do a good job.

I truly wish you the best of luck with LS.

[Lynnmor]

fj12ryder wrote:

CarnationSailor wrote:

Dusty R wrote:
When was the last time you had the wheel bearings on your tow vehicle repacked?

Who are you asking?

I believe it's a rhetorical question.

No, he doesn't understand that there are still vehicles on this planet that have bearings that are much the same as those on trailers, albeit with quality components. My old van still gets it bearings cleaned and packed when the brakes are serviced.