Kestas
Staff member
Properly maintained bearings should last a long time. I would expect water ingress and corrosion to be the biggest concern. That, and maybe improper preload during service.
Trailer bearings: preemptive replacement?
- Thread starter Elkins45
- Start date
On my 8 year old 10k pound equipment trailer, I grease the hub each spring (bearing buddy style) and that's it. I've been told that as long as the grease is clean inside and the hubs don't have play in them, don't pull them apart. So far so good.
After 8 years the seals are probably cracking.
I used to pull my dirtbike around on a 4x8 cargo trailer, went all over the Southeast and one cross-country trip without a single failure. I repacked the bearings annually and always had spare bearings with me though. Never needed them…karmic prophylaxis.
One could pull their trailer for say a 30 min trip and then use a IR thermometer to check the temp on the hubs.
On new boat trailers they have hubs that push the grease from the inside of the hub to the outside.
And there is an upgrade hub that is even fancier.
My boat trailer is only used to move my boat from the marina to a shop when repair is needed. It never goes into the water. Not too worried about the bearings.
On new boat trailers they have hubs that push the grease from the inside of the hub to the outside.
And there is an upgrade hub that is even fancier.
My boat trailer is only used to move my boat from the marina to a shop when repair is needed. It never goes into the water. Not too worried about the bearings.
Trailer bearings scare the heck out of me. I have seen so many boats in my lifetime on the side of the road with a wheel missing from the trailer.
For myself, I was finally boating in a fresh water lake for over a dozen years, not as much concern, however now I am back to salt water, same trailer. I actually trusted the bearings enough for an 80MPH trip to our new home over 200 miles away.
Stupid I know because I boat the boat used and never checked the bearings.
Now in salt water, I am more concerned. Needed a repair last year, told the place to replace the bearing seals and bearings. I hope they did it, I trust no one but I didnt feel like doing it myself. I was planning on just buying new hubs with bearings installed and doing it that way but never did.
For myself, I was finally boating in a fresh water lake for over a dozen years, not as much concern, however now I am back to salt water, same trailer. I actually trusted the bearings enough for an 80MPH trip to our new home over 200 miles away.
Stupid I know because I boat the boat used and never checked the bearings.
Now in salt water, I am more concerned. Needed a repair last year, told the place to replace the bearing seals and bearings. I hope they did it, I trust no one but I didnt feel like doing it myself. I was planning on just buying new hubs with bearings installed and doing it that way but never did.
GON
$175 Site Donor 2026
Fully concur, there is a definite risk to "farm.out" wheel bearing grease preventative maintenance. One could end up in worse shape, then not have the maintenance done.
Sadly, I am to the point I trust nobody hired to do that type of maintenance. It is very easy to not fully pack a bearing with grease, yet no way to know as a consumer,. And the results of a poorly packed wheel bearing can be catastrophic.
Seems like a combination of neglect, water ingress, mixing incompatible greases, stupidity.
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Yeah I do them at work. So I have ezlub spindles at home. Giver a few pumps each spring, make sure it doesn't come out around the seal.
Used trailer purchase then pull and inspect. New trailer with lube system, keep'em greased. Small tires, like 8 and 10 in. rims they spin way faster than larger tires so maintenance is very important.
Don't forget checking air pressures.
I've got 5 trailers, never lost a bearing roadside yet in 40 years. Tires, yes but not anymore in years since I started balancing them all, big or small.
Don't forget checking air pressures.
I've got 5 trailers, never lost a bearing roadside yet in 40 years. Tires, yes but not anymore in years since I started balancing them all, big or small.
Yeah my last used trailer purchase also turned into a surprise axle purchase too.
In my previous trailer that was 10+ years old I found a bearing seal and sleeve kit. The area on the axle where the seal seals against can get worn or rusted/pitted. The sleeve is SS and goes over the axle so the seal touches the SS sleeve not the steel of the axle.
Elkins45
Site Donor 2026
My boat trailer has Dexters. I jack it up and get it spinning when I pump in the grease so it gets distributed around the bearing as it goes in.
