SKF Trailer bearings

[Snagglefoot]

I had a look at the selection of trailer bearing rebuild kits at Canadian Tire. They carry SKF. Amazingly, the display had bearings made in China, Mexico and Brazil, depending on the size. None from the USA. Not trying to start a China banging thread, but just find it amazing that would source them from so many countries. Enjoy.

 

[SatinSilver]

As long as they’re not counterfeit would be my main concern. SKF will verify they are genuine by going to their site or google SKF Authenticate.

 

[tig1]

Also the grease you use is probably the most important thing in long bearing life. I use M1 grease and my bearings last indefinitely. Even after highway speeds the hubs on my utility trl remain cool.

 

[edyvw]

SKF is not a US company and EU is the largest foreign investor in Mexico, so not surprising.

 

[Hootbro]

SKF is one of the brands I do not worry about country of origin so long as they are genuine.

 

[Kestas]

SKF is a Swedish company with manufacturing facilities all over the globe.

Some of the Brazilian product is made from Japanese steel forged in Korea. Country of origin is nebulous at best.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Also the grease you use is probably the most important thing in long bearing life. I use M1 grease and my bearings last indefinitely. Even after highway speeds the hubs on my utility trl remain cool.

My car trailer with 1981 axles still has all four 1981 sets of wheel bearings in it! I even took out the original 1981 wheel bearings from the idler hubs and put them in the drums I got online. Just gotta keep them maintained.

 

[Donald]

How many issues do people have with trailer bearings in regular trailers (not boat). Unless commercial use, most people are not using their trailer that many times or hours in a year?

 

[ls1mike]

How many issues do people have with trailer bearings in regular trailers (not boat). Unless commercial use, most people are not using their trailer that many times or hours in a year?

More than you think. There were 3 other ones on the same road that day. I camp often and it is pretty common. Axles for travels trailers are not great.
This happened to mine 2 weeks ago. Bearings were professionally packed back in NOV. I usually do them myself.
I camp about 15 times a season.

Fixed it on the side of the road. Got to the camp ground, checked it and it made it 400 miles home. Picking up my new axle today.
I don't go over 65 and pack them every couple of years. Most travel trailers are under axled or right at their limit. It happened on this axle before. I weighed it. 3420 on the rear axle (pictured) 3480 on the front. 3500lbs Dexter axles. Have been towing a trailer for 12 years.

 

[K-Man]

Have been towing a trailer for 12 years.

Hmm, that would seem to be the problem. Poor trailer never gets a break until the bearings go.

Seriously, you might try Red Line CV-2 grease next time. If it were mine (and not a boat trailer), that's what I would use.

 

[DWS507]

Any body know if dexter axles from the factory have synethic grease in the hubs?

 

[ls1mike]

Hmm, that would seem to be the problem. Poor trailer never gets a break until the bearings go.

Seriously, you might try Red Line CV-2 grease next time. If it were mine (and not a boat trailer), that's what I would use.

Lol. Yeah 12 years is awhile.
I run the Lucas red and tacky. They get checked and packed every few years. Most of the guys I camp with have lost a bearing at least once.

 

[ls1mike]

Any body know if dexter axles from the factory have synethic grease in the hubs?

This new one came with Lucas red and tacky on it. I asked

 

[K-Man]

Lucas has a good reputation too. Red Line's is a red, tacky grease with moly added. Either one is good.

 

[DWS507]

Lucas has a good reputation too. Red Line's is a red, tacky grease with moly added. Either one is good.

Thanks for the reply,Are they synethic?I might have to buy a new grease gun.

 

[Rand]

I use M1 grease

I had no performance problems with M1 grease and this is probably its best application.

however it was extremely messy and leaky when using on tractor or even storing the grease gun in my A/C basement.

 

[UNC200]

SKF is a Swedish company with manufacturing facilities all over the globe.

Some of the Brazilian product is made from Japanese steel forged in Korea. Country of origin is nebulous at best.

i’m not a metallurgist, but how do you forge japanese steel in korea?

 

[K-Man]

Thanks for the reply,Are they synethic?I might have to buy a new grease gun.

Red Line is synthetic. Lucas is a lithium complex grease.

You might have to get Red Line online. Lots of places carry Lucas.

Amsoil has synthetic greases too, but they apparently aren't red.

Better to spend a little more and get something better like the above. I've noticed lots of places such as Harbor Freight carry cheap greases, but when you look at the recommended applications on the package, disc-brake wheel bearings are excluded. That's a big exclusion and makes me not want to use that grease anywhere.

 

[Kestas]

i’m not a metallurgist, but how do you forge japanese steel in korea?

The same way Americans forge product using Chinese steel.
Steelmakers don't forge product. Forgers don't create steel.... Typically.

 

[UNC200]

The same way Americans forge product using Chinese steel.
Steelmakers don't forge product. Forgers don't create steel.... Typically.

really? i see a lot of imported crankshafts that are cast or forged in china and then undergo final machining here, but i always thought that the casting or forging of the crank was ”creating” the steel. i guess not. maybe forging or casting implies processes that are performed on raw steel?