Wheel Bearing Repacking question

[bravelion]

After how many miles should wheel bearings be repacked? What does that actually entail?

I am renting a trailer from a private owner who is in the business of renting various trailers he owns. I want to test how well my Jeep Grand Cherokee tows a crtain size/weight trailer (well below my max GVWR) before I buy a trailer. I will take it 2,200 miles round trip over 11 days.

This is my first time renting and dealing with private owners, and they all seem to have varying degrees of fear, rules, and requirements.

This owner says "I am ok with it going on that long of a haul, but we do charge for a wheel bearing re-packing for any trip over 500 miles, which is $55".

A couple of other trailers I am considering made no mention at all of this, knowing the same distance.

I'm NOT against paying the extra $55 fee, and just want to know if it's a BS fee or legit. This helps me form an opinion of who I'm doing business with as there are a lot of other strict rules.

When I buy a trailer and hit the road for months on end, will I need to repack the bearings every 500 miles?

[azdryheat]

My triple axle is 5 years old and I repacked once, mostly to inspect what was done at the factory. I haven't repacked car or truck bearings in over thirty years. When I had boat trailers, due to the water immersion, I repacked every year.

[2oldman]

pauldub wrote:
I had a travel trailer for 20 years and repacked the bearings once or twice. I towed it around 5,000 miles per year.

Once for me, 11 years ago.

[Ozlander]

pauldub wrote:
I had a travel trailer for 20 years and repacked the bearings once or twice. I towed it around 5,000 miles per year.

Yep. Me too.

[bravelion]

Thanks y'all.

[map40]

In the RV rental industry that is common as a way to compentase for extra wear and tear due to millage. It should not need repacking every 500 miles (and I would believe that it would me more of a liability than an advantage). He is getting some money based on the fact that you will be taking the trailer 2200 miles. The fun part would be if you pay and half way into the trip you loose a bearing due to lack of grease...
I would ask if the bearings will be packed before or after the trip. If after, no, I would not pay. If it was before, I would be OK, but I would check that was actually done before I leave.

[pauldub]

I had a travel trailer for 20 years and repacked the bearings once or twice. I towed it around 5,000 miles per year.

[Curly2001]

I think he is trying to get in your wallet. Bearing packs are usually good for the season and many more miles than that unless he has a bearing issue he is trying to have you pay for.
Curly