Trailer wheel bearing questions

[bobby b.]

Two of my small boat trailers (16 ft john boat and duck hunting layout boat) have wheel bearings with bearing buddies.  My  big boat has a oil/lub filled reservoir that apparent never or rarely needs service. 

My question is about the two smaller trailers.  Years ago before the bearing buddies (yea, I'm that old), I would pack the bearings every few years, put in new seals, etc. but have not done that on these trailers in 10 plus years and have had no bearing issues but always felt the bearing housing for heat after driving some distance.

So the question -

Do you ever inspect and repack bearings with those having the bearing buddies?

I'm going to do some traveling for duck hunting this fall and a bearing failure would be a BIG problem where I 'm going.

Thanks

Bobby

[Smalls21]

i would tear down the wheel hubs and at least inspect the bearings.

if nothing else you will have peace of mind

[dblades]

I think Basscat recommends checking them every 5-6 years for wear if they haven't leaked. They think more problems are caused tearing by down good units than lack of attention. 

[fishinwrench]

I can honestly say that I see no reduction in bearing failure since the introduction of Bearing Buddy's.   

The killer is the rear hub seal. Once it goes then water gets in and grease goes out.  Bearing Buddy's do not have enough spring tension to push grease through the outer bearing and into the hub, they only keep water from coming in from the outer side.  

The best, and really the only thing, you can do is to have so much grease in the hub and in the hub caps that there is no room for very much water.  If you do that then there is really no need for Bearing Buddy's.

[MOPanfisher]

I took my boat on a fairly long haul (for me) last year.  I simply just went ahead a pulled the wheels, and replaced the bearings, repacked etc.  Was a little different that it used to be years ago, until I found that dang little keeper thing under the castyle nut and hitter in the grease.  Couldn't tell.it from the outside but the rear seal on one was leaking.  I kind of lime getting greasy on simply mechanical fixes, even it it does lead to some cussing at times.  Good quality grease, properly packed bearings and don't destroy the new seals putting hem in and you shul be able to remove that worry for the fall duck adventures.

[gurumalone]

i just had to put one on weds nite,19.5 bass boat trailer,the bearing were really hot and throwing grease on wheel,if u pull the wheel and race holder,you should see correct number of bearing assembly,mine was 60 bucks at oreillys,i highly recommend checking them,my whole wheel was ready to come off,i got lucky

[Smalls21]

or you can pull a hub off and take to redneck trailer, they can match it up and order new hubs already assembled, then you just have to slap them back on. not that much more money going that route either, way less time consuming, also less profanities expelled

[bobby b.]

4 hours ago, fishinwrench said:

I can honestly say that I see no reduction in bearing failure since the introduction of Bearing Buddy's.   

The killer is the rear hub seal. Once it goes then water gets in and grease goes out.  Bearing Buddy's do not have enough spring tension to push grease through the outer bearing and into the hub, they only keep water from coming in from the outer side.  

The best, and really the only thing, you can do is to have so much grease in the hub and in the hub caps that there is no room for very much water.  If you do that then there is really no need for Bearing Buddy's.

OK guys thanks for the input but I want to clarify one thing.

Wrench,

First I believe in "if it ain't broke, don't fix it"  and as I said the bearing housing does not get hot after use so could I assume all is well - THAT SAID I DON'T WANT TO BREAK DOWN THIS WINTER SO DO YOU THINK I SHOULD REPACK THE BEARING AND PUT IN NEW SEALS?  

PS - The trailer in question was bought used and probably never worked on - I put the bearing buddies on when I got it about 10 years ago. - also I'm pretty lazy regarding these kinda of things.

 

[motoman]

3 hours ago, bobby b. said:

OK guys thanks for the input but I want to clarify one thing.

Wrench,

First I believe in "if it ain't broke, don't fix it"  and as I said the bearing housing does not get hot after use so could I assume all is well - THAT SAID I DON'T WANT TO BREAK DOWN THIS WINTER SO DO YOU THINK I SHOULD REPACK THE BEARING AND PUT IN NEW SEALS?  

PS - The trailer in question was bought used and probably never worked on - I put the bearing buddies on when I got it about 10 years ago. - also I'm pretty lazy regarding these kinda of things.

 

I was in a similar position a few years back when I bought my new to me boat. Bearings never got hot on long trips; I always put a pump or 2 of grease in for safe measure.(until blue ring kinda floated in the center; per the instructions) But, decided to tear them down to inspect; just to be safe. It was a colossal waste of time. Seals were fine; no grease being slung; never got hot; play in the wheel was fine (I don't recall the specifics I looked up at the moment; but, everything was fine. While I was in there; I just replaced rear seals.........but in hindsight; it wasn't necessary.

[fishinwrench]

Sure wouldn't hurt.  Nothing will ruin your day worse than wheel bearing failure.