Bowti
Wisconsin
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Joined: 03/13/2013
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While servicing my trailer bearings I got to wondering why our cars and trucks don't have the same maintenance schedule. There is no difference in design or quality so why the big difference in mileage or time? Components are designed to carry a a specific weight. When is the last time you serviced your car bearings, never? Boat trailers I can understand because of possible water intrusion.
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Lynnmor
Red Lion
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Joined: 07/16/2011
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Bowti wrote:While servicing my trailer bearings I got to wondering why our cars and trucks don't have the same maintenance schedule. There is no difference in design or quality so why the big difference in mileage or time? Components are designed to carry a a specific weight. When is the last time you serviced your car bearings, never? Boat trailers I can understand because of possible water intrusion.
The design of some trailer spindles is faulty and the cheap Chinese wheel bearings are of very poor quality. My 41 year old van has the original USA made bearings that get serviced when the brakes are replaced. My trailer had wasted bearings after the first long trip.
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K Charles
Connecticut
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Joined: 03/06/2010
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If you used your TT as often as your car, maintenance wouldn't be so often.
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Dusty R
Charlotte Michigan 48813
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Joined: 04/05/2003
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I have a 20' flat bed trailer with tandem 3500 axels. I put spring load bearing caps that are used on boat trailers on it.
Dusty
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2112
Texas
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Joined: 07/16/2011
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Most modern vehicles have sealed bearings that can't be packed or serviced. You just replace them when they go bad.
2011 Ford F-150 EcoBoost SuperCab Max Tow, 2084# Payload, 11,300# Tow,
Timbrens, PullRite SuperGlide 2700 15K
2013 KZ Durango 2857
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Durb
NW
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Joined: 01/15/2016
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Dexter does make a sealed bearing cartridge for some of their axles. Nev-R-Lube bearings don't need any maintenance during their lifetime. Mine are 12 years old, function like new, and have never been touched. They are not an aftermarket add. The axle has to be specified with the bearings.
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1320Fastback
Vista, Ca
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Joined: 12/04/2016
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I've done the rears on the full floating axle when I was changing the shoes a few years ago. Never looked at the fronts in all the years I've had the truck.
1992 D250 Cummins 5psd
2005 Forest River T26 Toy Hauler
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Bowti
Wisconsin
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Durb wrote:Dexter does make a sealed bearing cartridge for some of their axles. Nev-R-Lube bearings don't need any maintenance during their lifetime. Mine are 12 years old, function like new, and have never been touched. They are not an aftermarket add. The axle has to be specified with the bearings.
I was not aware of this option from Dexter. Do they give you a mileage life, as to when they need to be replaced?.
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kellem
Shenandoah valley,VA
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Joined: 05/07/2007
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I don't believe a properly Torqued bearing that has been greased requires that much attention.
Most trailers come with zerk fittings to maintain the bearings.
During the greasing process simply Jack the tire and spin then check for any side to side play by grabbing the tire at opposite ends.
Our last trailer was 10yrs old when we sold it and never required a bearing to be pulled.
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mbopp
Henrietta, NY, USA
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The older cars had serviceable wheel bearings same as a trailer. I used to repack mine at 30K intervals.
2017 Grand Design Imagine 2650RK
2019 F250 XLT Supercab
Just DW & me......
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