Repacking wheel bearings on travel trailer

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MTCE Schedule at:

http://www.dexteraxle.com/i/u/6149609/f/600-8K_Service_Manual/Maintenance_Schedule.pdf

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scaleman wrote:
We just purchased our first tandem travel trailer last May (2013).
How often should I repack the wheel bearings? We probably have pulled the trailer about 800 miles so far. Thanks

Hi,

Your first repack can be a very important one. It is very common that there is very little grease in the bearings when the camper is brand new. I myself would not go more than 1 year on the 1st repack. Once you do them yourself, then start deciding on the frequency so you know what you are starting with.

I do not know if you have seen this sticky on the towing forum, it may help give you some pointers and help on the heat readings every one is talking about.
Annual Brake Inspection and Axle Re - Lube (Pic's)

It is common on a brake adjust to get one wheel to be braking harder then the other 3. That one needs 1 or 2 clicks less. Crawl under, pull the plug, tweak the adjuster, put the plug back in and test for heat again. The key is to sort out brake heat from bearing heat. The sticky helps on how to sort out the two.

Hope this helps and good luck

John

Every spring the brakes and wheel bearings get checked. If we've only done a season's worth of local camping - 100 miles each way or so - they get repacked every other year. If long trips, every year. It's a messy job and DH hates it, but not nearly as bad as he'd hate to have a major issue. BTW, we always carry 1 complete set of wheel bearings and the supplies he would need to install them..if you have a problem, you can bet it'll be on a Sunday afternoon and there won't be any place open. DH figures he likely will never need it, but would rather have it handy.

We don't have a tester/thermometer/whatever to check the temp, but every stop,
DH puts his hand on all of them to make sure. Think he's going to get on of those thingys to really know.

jmtandem wrote:

When you clean them for pitting inspection do not use gasoline, use kero instead.

Why?

Because it can kill you if it catches on fire. One spark, even static electricity, can set off the fumes and kill you in a just a few seconds. It isn't worth the risk.

powderman426 wrote:
Every two years has always worked for me. I think more important is to chck hub temps after a long haul using a IR temp gun.

What temps are you looking for?

When you clean them for pitting inspection do not use gasoline, use kero instead.

Why?

If done correctly there's no reason they can't go 40,000+ miles - just like their automotive counterparts.
The brakes still need inspection and adjustment every year though.

At work all the small trailers 6 or 8 ton would go about 25 - 30,000 miles before we checked the brakes and we would pack the bearings then. That was a few times a year, if you don't use the TT much I would check them every year or two.

We just purchased our first tandem travel trailer last May (2013).
How often should I repack the wheel bearings? We probably have pulled the trailer about 800 miles so far. Thanks

If you purchased new there should be a manual with it that discusses this issue. If you have Dexter axles they recommend once a year except for their Never lube bearings. I think for those that tow annual low mileages probably every two years. As indicated previously, get an IR temp gauge and check every time you stop. If one temp is substantially hotter than the other three, you have a problem developing. It could be a brake dragging or a bearing getting hot.

I carry a spare bearing set, races, seal, grease, rags and the tools to change it.