John Anderson Posted April 9 Report Share Posted April 9 Hello, I have a 20 foot Jayco travel trailer. How often should I get the wheel bearings repacked? I only tow the trailer about 2000 miles a year on camping trips. I'm told by the dealer that I need to do it every year but that gets expensive, I will do it if it's necessary, but I would like to find out if it's really necessary on annual basis, thanks, John Anderson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
agesilaus Posted April 9 Report Share Posted April 9 That's the normal interval, believe me you don't want to have one seize. Why is it expensive, a little axle grease is all it takes. Youtube will show you how to do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandsys Posted April 9 Report Share Posted April 9 We didn't do it on our first travel trailer. Limped into a small town on a Sunday evening when the garage owner just happened to be there. When he took everything apart, our wheel bearings looked like gun powder. That's one of those "don't do what we did" lessons. Quote Blog: http://sandcastle.sandsys.org/ Former Rigs: Liesure Travel van, Winnebago View 24H, Winnebago Journey 34Y, Sportsmobile Sprinter conversion van Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickeieio Posted April 10 Report Share Posted April 10 From your opening message, it would seem you're not comfortable doing this yourself. If that's correct, bite the bullet and have it done, or ask around to see if someone can help you through it. It's not difficult, but if done incorrectly, it can get very inconvenient when a bearing fails. Quote KW T-680, POPEMOBILE Newmar X-Aire, VATICAN Lots of old motorcycles, Moto Guzzi Griso and Spyder F3 currently in the front row Young enough to play in the dirt as a retired farmer. contact me at rickeieio1@comcast.net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk W Posted April 10 Report Share Posted April 10 It is very difficult to pin down what an action has prevented, and that is true for any preventive maintenance. With wheel bearing there are many variables that can either extend or shorten the useful life of the grease inside. Heat is the enemy of most lubricants but there are many other factors. The probability of needing to do so every year is more of a guess than a fact. This is one of the choices that is much like the age that tires need to be replaced or your transmission serviced. None of those recommended times mean that something bad will happen immediately after that time, but only that it is pretty safe to say that bad things will not happen if the recommendation is adhered to. Quote Good travelin !...............KirkFull-time 11+ years...... Now seasonal travelers.Kirk & Pam's Great RV Adventure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lappir Posted April 10 Report Share Posted April 10 13 hours ago, rickeieio said: From your opening message, it would seem you're not comfortable doing this yourself. If that's correct, bite the bullet and have it done, or ask around to see if someone can help you through it. It's not difficult, but if done incorrectly, it can get very inconvenient when a bearing fails. I think the key is to either do it yourself at least once or have it done by a trusted professional and let them tell you how often they think it should be done after they have preformed the task. I found my brand new trailer with not enough oil in my oil bath bearings after my first trip. My mechanic said it shouldn't be an issue when he topped them off and that was 10 years ago. I did have to replace one inside seal since then, but don't remember if that was one of the lowest ones or not. With the quality of many of the builds coming out in various examples, I think it's prudent to inspect even the wheel bearings very soon after getting a new vehicle, trailer or what ever you have on wheels. Rod Quote White 2000/2010Volvo VNL 770 with 7' Drom box with opposing doors, JOST slider hitch. 600 HP Cummins Signature 18 Speed three pedal auto shift. 1999 Isuzu VehiCross retired to a sticks and bricks garage. Brought out of storage the summer of 2022 2022 Jeep Wrangler Sport S Two door hard top. 2007 Honda GL 1800 2013 Space Craft Mfg S420 Custom built Toyhauler The Gold Volvo is still running and being emptied in July. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray,IN Posted April 11 Report Share Posted April 11 The Dexter Axle recommendation to repack and inspect wheel bearing annually or at 12,000 miles is a preventative measure to make sure slightly damaged bearings are caught before having an expensive failure that might also ruin the spindle, cause an accident or complete loss of a wheel. I lost a wheel from a flat-bed trailer while hauling a tractor due to neglecting that recommendation. the job is not difficult, just messy-bit that's why vinyl mechanics gloves are sold. Quote 2000 Winnebago Ultimate Freedom USQ40JD, ISC 8.3 Cummins 350, Spartan MM Chassis. USA IN 1SG retired;Good Sam Life member,FMCA ." And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country. John F. Kennedy 20 Jan 1961 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobsallyh Posted April 11 Report Share Posted April 11 (edited) Another good idea is to carry a spare bearing assembly including races, already grease packed in a zip lock bag and then in a box. Even if you feel you can't do it yourself, it can bail you out with road service. Twenty years full timing, weekenders prior, it got me out of a pickle, two times, it was caused by an overheated brake. Just make sure you get the correct bearings. Edited April 11 by bobsallyh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lappir Posted April 12 Report Share Posted April 12 Two years ago at the HDT Rally we had to do some bearing work. Luckily there were folks prepared with new bearings, others with the proper tools and a Muffler Shop was found to press out and reinstall the races and to the surprise to most of us they packed the bearings at the same time. Not sure what the cost was, but I think we were happy to miss part of the mess. Even then we all got a bit of grease on our hands and clothing. Marks of honor in my book. Rod Quote White 2000/2010Volvo VNL 770 with 7' Drom box with opposing doors, JOST slider hitch. 600 HP Cummins Signature 18 Speed three pedal auto shift. 1999 Isuzu VehiCross retired to a sticks and bricks garage. Brought out of storage the summer of 2022 2022 Jeep Wrangler Sport S Two door hard top. 2007 Honda GL 1800 2013 Space Craft Mfg S420 Custom built Toyhauler The Gold Volvo is still running and being emptied in July. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven@146 Posted April 28 Report Share Posted April 28 (edited) Just my thoughts. Yes check and repack the bearings just after purchase. As someone said you don't know how or if they did it correctly during manufacture. Yes generally they say once per year as a standard. But since you only put 2000 miles on the rig, if the bearings were done correctly with a quality grease, you could probably go a couple years between greasing and inspection. However, grease setting in non rotating bearings can get hard and dry out reducing the lubrication of the bearings when they do start rotating. Then to if you travel in very hot parts of the country, the bearings and grease will get a work out. As someone said you don't want to destroy a hub/spindle because of a seized or overheated bearing, then you will have to change the whole axle. I do ours every year, inspect/repack the bearings and replace the grease seal, and don't forget to inspect the brakes shoes, magnets and drums. Or pads, calipers, spindles in the case of disc brakes. We travel 5000-10,000 miles per year. I use Lucas Oil Red-N-Tacky grease and pack by hand, I don't use the EZ-lube hubs. I don't trust anyone else to do it. A too tight or too loose hub nut will destroy the bearings also. It's not hard to do, really no special tools, easy to learn how. It takes a little labor taking the tires off and pulling the drums/spindles but it's worth every minute. Edited May 3 by Steven@146 Quote Steve & Tami Cass, Fulltime Somewhere 2018 Ram 3500 DRW / 2019 Grand Design Solitude 3350RL S-Class. Texas Class A Drivers License Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenandjon Posted May 3 Report Share Posted May 3 I usually do it every year but its been 3 years and 6,000 miles. I plan on packing them this weekend. We are headed on 3,000-mile 3-week trip soon. Quote Farmer, Trucker, Equipment operator, Mechanic Quando omni flunkus moritati-When all else fails, play dead I'm a man, but I can change, if I have to, I guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D&J Posted May 3 Report Share Posted May 3 On 4/9/2024 at 4:30 PM, John Anderson said: Hello, I have a 20 foot Jayco travel trailer. How often should I get the wheel bearings repacked? I only tow the trailer about 2000 miles a year on camping trips. I'm told by the dealer that I need to do it every year but that gets expensive, I will do it if it's necessary, but I would like to find out if it's really necessary on annual basis, thanks, John Anderson If you use a good quality grease the bearings don't have to be pack every year and if you can I would learn to do them myself. If you use a extra tacky grease it stays in the bearing were it belongs. If you have someone else do it ask what kind of grease they use and if need be supply your own. Quote Denny & Jami SKP#90175 Most Timing with Mac our Scottie, RIP Jasper our Westie 2013 F350 SC DRW 6.2 V8 4.30 Gears 2003 HH Premier 35FKTG Home Base Nebraska Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickeieio Posted May 3 Report Share Posted May 3 55 minutes ago, D&J said: use a good quality grease Absolutely correct. The old time grease would separate into oil and clay, (clay based grease), and the oil goes away, leaving the hard clay. Modern moly grease usually doesn't do that. That said, use wheel bearing grease, NOT regular grease gun grease, as that will liquify when the bearings get warm. Been there, had the bearing failure. Quote KW T-680, POPEMOBILE Newmar X-Aire, VATICAN Lots of old motorcycles, Moto Guzzi Griso and Spyder F3 currently in the front row Young enough to play in the dirt as a retired farmer. contact me at rickeieio1@comcast.net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray,IN Posted May 5 Report Share Posted May 5 On 5/3/2024 at 9:52 AM, D&J said: If you use a good quality grease the bearings don't have to be pack every year and if you can I would learn to do them myself. If you use a extra tacky grease it stays in the bearing were it belongs. If you have someone else do it ask what kind of grease they use and if need be supply your own. However trailer bearing should be inspected annually for defects. Well, unless you're the kind that waits for a bearing failure first. And todays wheel bearing grease will settle out over time. I've seen it with one of my farm wagons that sat in a shed for 3 years. I removed the dust caps to see if they had any grease showing and oil ran out of the dust cap. Regardless of advertising all #2 non synthetic grease must meet the same specs. Quote 2000 Winnebago Ultimate Freedom USQ40JD, ISC 8.3 Cummins 350, Spartan MM Chassis. USA IN 1SG retired;Good Sam Life member,FMCA ." And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country. John F. Kennedy 20 Jan 1961 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danfreda1 Posted May 5 Report Share Posted May 5 We have over 40000 miles on our trailer in almost 3 1/2 years. I check the bearings for play at most campsite stops and check temps. I repacked 1 wheel to check the grease a year and a half ago and it looked like new grease. It’s a triple axle and a little over 28000 lbs. I might repack them in the fall just to do it and the site will make it easy to do it. I definitely do not do it every year just because the service people say to. How often did you repack the bearings in the old rear wheel drive cars? Usually when the brake pads wore out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D&J Posted May 5 Report Share Posted May 5 8 hours ago, Danfreda1 said: We have over 40000 miles on our trailer in almost 3 1/2 years. I check the bearings for play at most campsite stops and check temps. I repacked 1 wheel to check the grease a year and a half ago and it looked like new grease. It’s a triple axle and a little over 28000 lbs. I might repack them in the fall just to do it and the site will make it easy to do it. I definitely do not do it every year just because the service people say to. How often did you repack the bearings in the old rear wheel drive cars? Usually when the brake pads wore out. I have a 2WD truck and the front bearings have to be serviced, Ford recommends every 30K miles but after starting to use extra tacky grease I'm doing it every 50K, I just did them at 30K and which I would have taken a picture of them because they definitely didn't need it. I don't pack our present trailer because they are Nev-R-Lube and the only grease they have is what's packed into the bearings cage at the factory, I check end play every year but that's all. I've run trailers my whole life both for work and play and always repacked them from new and 3 or 4 years after that depending on how much they are used. Get the bearing cage full and your good to go. Denny Quote Denny & Jami SKP#90175 Most Timing with Mac our Scottie, RIP Jasper our Westie 2013 F350 SC DRW 6.2 V8 4.30 Gears 2003 HH Premier 35FKTG Home Base Nebraska Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Anderson Posted May 6 Author Report Share Posted May 6 Hi all, John here, thanks for all your comments. I went ahead and had my wheel bearings repacked at the dealer where I bought it. I'd rather not spend the money, but it sounds like the peace of mind is worth it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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