Spare Axle Bearings for Travel Trailer?

[Buffalo]

Do any of you guys carry a spare set of axle bearings for your travel trailers?



Today, I was packing my bearings & happened to think about what I'd do if I ruined a set while on a trip. A spare set might come in handy in a circumstance like that. Have any of you burned up a set while on a trip? Do you need to replace the races, also? If you re-pack your bearings annually, is that enough preventative maintainance?



If you carry bearings & races, how do you replace the races? How do you get them out? Can you do that on the side of the road?



I can get a set of inner & outer bearings for about $16. 00+ tax. Wonder if it's worth the investment?



Thanks for your suggestions & opinions.



Joe F. (Buffalo)

 

[Larry Willard]

I am carrying a spare set, although I have never had a problem... . yet. I have these only because they gave me a complete assy from backing plate out because the brakes fell apart inside the drum when it was new. I aslo always have spare seals and grease. I always repack mine at least annually and think that is normally sufficent. To replace the race I use a brass bar and drive them out,if the new one is tight, cool it in the freezer a little. Anytime you stop do a quick walk around and feel the hubs for any significant difference in them, that was how I found the original problem.

Larry

 

[NIsaacs]

Usually if you loose a wheel bearing, you loose a spindle and or hub. If you are lucky you might catch it in time and only suffer a wheel bearing loss. In that case, yes you can change them on the road. You will need a good drift punch and hammer to get the races out. Also some wheel bearing grease. Annual packing is more than necessary, however it depends on milage, grease type and if you have traveled in water. I personally do not carry spares and have not needed them.





"NICK"

 

[ata]

I always have a set of bearings and a seal and grease with me. I look at this way if I have them I won't need them. (I hope) Anyhow there not that hard to change along side the road with a hammer and a punch. But you have to check the hubs often while traveling. If a hub is hotter then the rest it could be the brakes or a bearing you just about have to jack the axle up and shake the wheel and if it has a lot of play you better take it apart and look. Most people don't check there hubs and when they see smoke it's to late the spindle will be toast.

 

[NIsaacs]

Fancy wheel covers or hub caps look nice but will almost ensure a wheel bearing failure at some point. Ya can't check the hubs for heat. Also, a slightly loose bearing will run a long time if lubricated, a tight bearing will fail.





"NICK"

 

[RBrunson]

ata, will your bearings fit my trailer?? Since we are traveling togeather, if I need a bearing I'll borrow yours. :-laf

 

[PSchwering]

I always keep a set of bearings, Seal, & Grease with me. A Nifty trick is to Take your new bearings, Clean them, then Stick Them in the Tub of Wheel Bearing Grease. They Will Always be clean, they will never rust, & are pregreased. Just makes changing them a little easier. P.

 

[ata]

Ron, I don't think the bearings I have would hold your SPARE up on that CONDO you pull.

 

[GerryDrake]

Bearings

I carry a set (actually two) of bearings and races, grease, as insurance against needing them. If you drive the races out a BRASS rod is much safer. I carry an infrared thermometer in the cab and routinely check both tire and hub temperatures on the truck and the trailer at rest stops. More than about 15° or 20° between hubs in a similar location or tires in a similar location would cause me to look further...

 

[keimmmo]

I carry TWO sets of bearings and seals... and I HAVE had to use a set along the side of the road! I also carry a spare leaf spring. I have lost count of how many times I have had to change a spring along the side of the road!!! I tend to overload my trailer and run a lot of rough Mexican roads, so my trailer takes far more abuse than most.



If all you ever do with your trailer is go to the lake a few miles away on weekends, just pack the bearings once in a while and don't worry. But, I would recommend to anyone taking a long trip to carry spare bearings and maybe even a spring!



Steve Keim

 

[TowPro]

When I needed to replace a bearing in my old Terry I bought a complete spare set. I had them already packed and in a plastic ziplock bag with some extra grease. Never needed them though. Its like of like carrying an unbrella when they forecast rain; if you got it, it ain't going to rain!



Now my new Titanium has some kind of "life time greased" bearing. I need to look into then and see what Maintaince really can be done on them.

 

[PToombs]

My in-laws lost a bearing on their TT a couple years ago enroute to Canada to a dog show. My FIL had spares, he filed on the spindle for a day and a half and MIL went to show dogs. :{ They made it back ok.

 

[GaryCarter]

Would you believe 2 sets of bearings, the last set of brake shoes removed and saved as emergency spares, and a complete set for one axle of the whole brake assy (backing plate and all) and hubs/drums?

Never needed them, and hope I never do. But I'm prepared.



Gary