New trailer wheel bearings

[ifd22]

Just purchased a 2016 shadow cruiser 280qbs. We plan on taking several small trips (under a hundred miles) this spring. We are then taking a 1900 mile round trip to Disney world this summer.
I normally repack my wheel bearings every two years, however this is my first new trailer.
Question is, how well does the factory normally grease the bearings on new travel trailers? Should I be good this first year, or with a long trip planned this year would I be better off re-packing them myself before we take the long trip?

[westend]

I'm going to guess here but a large majority of trailer axles are being furnished by Lippert or Dexter. Both would have about the same assembly techniques and there isn't much wasted with grease or accurate bearing torque values.

If I bought a new trailer off a dealer lot or even at the factory, the hubs would be pulled, bearings and brakes serviced, and the whole reassembled with attention to detail. It would be worth it to me to know that the bearings were lubricated and set correctly, the brake parts all aligned and any lubing done to facilitate good brake operation. It's something that only takes a couple hours and can then be peace of mind for many miles.

[tragusa3]

Our last trailer was new. We had a bearing failure in the middle of nowhere in Arizona. At that point, the trailer had about 3k miles on it. It cost nearly $400 to have it repaired roadside (single axle, I was stranded). We got the other side repacked when we got to the next town. I watched the mechanic pull it apart...it was BONE dry.

My current trailer has about 2k miles on it now, and I keep putting it off...I guess I have to learn the really, really hard way. 🙂 We leave for a 6k mile trip in June. Best believe they will all be repacked before then.

[Lynnmor]

Chuck_thehammer wrote:


nothing about wheel bearings... just asking employees if piece work was normal at this place of business..
showed many doing assembly.. floors, walls, cabinets... etc. slap and staple..

The complete axle assemblies are delivered to the RV builder ready to install. The spring bolts are all that the builder installs. It doesn't much matter the brand or price, you all get the same grease, quality of components and assembly skills.

Now, from what I have been told, the axle companies are rather crude operations as well.

[Chuck_thehammer]

captnjack wrote:

Chuck_thehammer wrote:

captnjack wrote:

Chuck_thehammer wrote:
remove/inspect/service/reassemble. check brakes while there...

the assemblers are paid by the piece. Speed is everything...

always inspect before a LONG TRIP. your insurance . even NEW.. or because of NEW.

why do you think Cars/light trucks no longer use taper roller bearing in front wheels. assembly time.

What makes you think they're paid by the piece vs paid by the hour? Just curious. Do you have inside info?

I guess you missed the PBS show on the RV industry... and the Amish employees.. a few years ago..

Yes, I did miss it.

Did it say wheel bearings are assembled by Amish who are paid by the piece?

nothing about wheel bearings... just asking employees if piece work was normal at this place of business..
showed many doing assembly.. floors, walls, cabinets... etc. slap and staple..

[ifd22]

Campfire Time wrote:

ifd22 wrote:
and yes I know the EZ lube axles are worthless. Thanks.

Nope, not worthless. Just misunderstood and misused. Follow Dexter's instructions and they are fine. They don't replace a good inspection every couple of years (and neither does Dexter suggest skipping inspections) but they do work as advertised.

Worthless, may of been the wrong wording. I'm sure they can work as advertised. I just don't trust them or should I say the grease seal. Actually having my hands and eyes involved with packing the grease on the bearings, and knowing I haven't forced any grease past the seal onto my brakes just makes me feel better. Probably why 99% of the time I do all of my home and auto repairs myself.

[captnjack]

Chuck_thehammer wrote:

captnjack wrote:

Chuck_thehammer wrote:
remove/inspect/service/reassemble. check brakes while there...

the assemblers are paid by the piece. Speed is everything...

always inspect before a LONG TRIP. your insurance . even NEW.. or because of NEW.

why do you think Cars/light trucks no longer use taper roller bearing in front wheels. assembly time.

What makes you think they're paid by the piece vs paid by the hour? Just curious. Do you have inside info?

I guess you missed the PBS show on the RV industry... and the Amish employees.. a few years ago..

Yes, I did miss it.

Did it say wheel bearings are assembled by Amish who are paid by the piece?

[Chuck_thehammer]

captnjack wrote:

Chuck_thehammer wrote:
remove/inspect/service/reassemble. check brakes while there...

the assemblers are paid by the piece. Speed is everything...

always inspect before a LONG TRIP. your insurance . even NEW.. or because of NEW.

why do you think Cars/light trucks no longer use taper roller bearing in front wheels. assembly time.

What makes you think they're paid by the piece vs paid by the hour? Just curious. Do you have inside info?

I guess you missed the PBS show on the RV industry... and the Amish employees.. a few years ago..

[wrenchbender]

To be safer than sorry,pull a wheel and inspect.A good repack will last 20k or better

[Boon_Docker]

ifd22 wrote:
.......and yes I know the EZ lube axles are worthless. Thanks.

I have been using my worthless EZ-Lube for years with no problems. If you use them correctly then you won't ever have a problem.

[Campfire_Time]

ifd22 wrote:
and yes I know the EZ lube axles are worthless. Thanks.

Nope, not worthless. Just misunderstood and misused. Follow Dexter's instructions and they are fine. They don't replace a good inspection every couple of years (and neither does Dexter suggest skipping inspections) but they do work as advertised.

[jmckelvy]

You have received good feedback re the grease.

Another thing to make absolutely sure of is that both sides (ESPECIALLY the driver side) have the cotter pins installed to keep the castle nut from rotating. I narrowly avoided a disaster on a previous Fifth wheel because the factory did not install a pin on the driver side. Castle nut came completely off, wheel was smoking before I was flagged down.

[coolbreeze01]

ifd22 wrote:
Thanks for the reply's. You pretty much confirmed my feelings. I'll be sure to repack the bearings this spring, and yes I know the EZ lube axles are worthless. Thanks.

Good call on the hand pack. Had mine done and all 4 seem to run cooler by touch.

[captnjack]

Chuck_thehammer wrote:
remove/inspect/service/reassemble. check brakes while there...

the assemblers are paid by the piece. Speed is everything...

always inspect before a LONG TRIP. your insurance . even NEW.. or because of NEW.

why do you think Cars/light trucks no longer use taper roller bearing in front wheels. assembly time.

What makes you think they're paid by the piece vs paid by the hour? Just curious. Do you have inside info?

[hvac]

You guys make me feel guilty. Ordered a custom built Livin Lite 21 RBS in March of 2104, delivered in May, with Dexter torsion suspension, all 4 are independent. So far it has about 18k miles, never checked the bearings. Thinking was every 2 years was ok and justified it was under full warranty, maybe this is a higher end axle and grease is a good investment for them??