Bearing Buddy...worth it?

[fortunate1]

Trying to figure out if it's hype or a good idea. Anyone who's put them on their trailer - I'd appreciate the input.



Just a 6. 5' x 16' tandem axle w/ brakes, flatbed, low rails, 7000# cap; kind of a heavy duty landscape/constr. trailer that can be used a car hauler.

 

[akshadow]

Trying to figure out if it's hype or a good idea. Anyone who's put them on their trailer - I'd appreciate the input.



Just a 6. 5' x 16' tandem axle w/ brakes, flatbed, low rails, 7000# cap; kind of a heavy duty landscape/constr. trailer that can be used a car hauler.

I have always used them on my boat trailers, and they are certainly worth it on these as you can go years without completely repacking the bearings. We do not pull our current trailer very far, only about 12 miles each way to launch into salt water. certainly nice to know there is a slight constant pressure to keep water out.

Not familiar with them on other uses.

 

[GAmes]

They are OK on axles without brakes, like most small boats. The problem is that when you pump new grease in the front the old grease has to go somewhere. The axle seal is the point of least resistance so out it goes. If you look at any boat trailer that has them the inside of the wheel will be coated with grease. If you have brakes the grease will likely end up inside the brake drum.

 

[R-N-R]

Bearing Buddy search

 

[PUMPERDUDE]

They are great for boat tailers. The even make a bearing buddy bra to cover it so the grease doesn't sling arround. Don't use em on a trailer with brakes as stated earlier.

 

[DSpencer]

I think mostly they work best on boat trailers that go in and out of water. The water cools warm bearings which tend to suck water back in. Good tip:let your trailer hubs cool before backing your boat into the water. I try and wait 15 minutes before I unload my boat.



I don't see bearing buddies on most other trailers so I assume they don't benefit from them like boat trailers.



My boat has oil bath bearings. They use 50 weight oil, no grease.

 

[Eric_77]

I have put them on our utilty trailer you do need to be very careful about how much you lube them. I did it mainly for ease of greasing.



I add just enough grease to move the spring at most, I try not to even add that much only about 4-5 pumps every 4-5000 miles, as it does not take much to foul the electric drum brake system on a trailer.

 

[fortunate1]

Thanks for the input. I like the idea of easier greasing, but a good point was made to be careful with the amount/spring load. Is there any sort of shield that will prevent greasing the brakes? I've got one axle with brakes and one without. This trailer shouldn't ever go into the salt water that surrounds me, unless we get another Hurricane Isabel. :{

 

[BTighe]

are those the grease caps with the little fitting on the front. if so, my interstate cargo trailer has them. i wasnt sure how to lube them so io kept pumping till i saw grease. everything still runs fine and no brake issues. trailer is only 5 months old but i pull it 4-5 days a week.

 

[Fishin Guide]

All of my trailers, my boat trailer included do NOT get bearing buddies. They have caused me way more problems than they have solved. I now use a greasable spindle. The dustcap has a rubber plug that once removed, allows greasing of a zerk inside the cup on the stub end. The spindle relief hole is inboard of the greas seal, directing the grease through the bearings back to the dust cap.



I service this every time I dunk my trailer (at least 4 times per week) and have only had condensation inside. The grease forced out is wiped up and the cap replaced. Fast, easy, effecient.



I do repack my bearing twice a year for peace of mind, and replace every two years. I put about 30K a year on my trailer.



The proble I had with bearing buddies was that by putting grease under pressure and holding that pressure, was next to impossible. You go down the road, heat the hub, and the grease/ air trys to expand. It pushes out a very small amount of grease. This allows the diaphram to rest against the outer edge of the BB. Dunk the trailer, cool hub, suck water. I was repacking bearings once a month, trying to get the milky mess out. This is all freshwater mind you.



And my brakes are always clean. Except for a little sand or the occasional gravel, they are never fouled.



Dave

 

[Mtngoat]

I learned the hard way.

I used them on my utility trailer I haul my Jeep around on. I did what the instructions said. After a while the brakes slowly went away. I pulled a wheel and the brakes were greasy. I pulled all four of the brakes, cleaned them up. Did not put the buddies back on. I plan on pulling the wheels every couple years and pack the bearings myself. It also allows me to eyeball the brakes and bearings.

Robin

 

[Fishin Guide]

I don't want to sound critical of maintenance reducing features. I love them where they work. It seems to me that a trailer that never sees dunking, should not have to have these things. Just keep this in mind. In the days prior to sealed hubs and such, would you have used them on the front of your car or truck?



I would hope that you wouldn't. There is only a couple of ways to do it right. Regrease by hand allowing inspection of all the bearings, races, hub and spindle or use a system designed to be greased from the outside. This would be similar to the type I have on my boat trailer. This in no way reduces or eliminates the need to pull those hubs off and inspect and or replace whatever needs to be.



These are part of a critical system, don't short change yourself.



Dave

 

[RustyJC]

Our 5th wheel came equipped with the Dexter "Nev-R-Lube" axles. The sealed bearings are supposed to be good for a minimum of 100,000 miles. We'll see, I guess.



Rusty