Trailer Bearings

 

            Let's face it: When you tow a trailer behind your vehicle, all you really want to do is get your payload from one location to another with minimal effort. You don't want the trailer to rock and rattle any more than is necessary, and you sure don't want it to slow you down. Luckily, you have a friend in this endeavor: trailer bearings.

 

            You can't see these towing components without dismantling your trailer's wheel assembly, but bearings are in there doing you a world of good. They help to provide a smooth towing ride and prevent friction from slowing you down and unnecessarily wearing out your trailer's parts. Without them, heavy loads could grind wheel movement down to a standstill.

 

             ­But bearings require regular maintenance, such as greasing, to keep them rolling. With enough wear and tear, you may even have to replace them. If you own a trailer or plan to use one soon, it pays to recognize how bearings work and how to keep them in good repair.

 

              Read the next page to learn just what goes on inside that wheel assembly and what exactly those bearings are doing.

 

              Repack your RV trailer bearings once each year. If you drive your RV seasonally, perform this maintenance before using the RV. If you drive year round, choose any month to repack the bearings. In addition, periodically feel the wheels of your RV trailer after driving it. If the wheels are unusually hot, it may be a sign that they are experiencing heavy friction, and that the bearings may need immediate replacement or lubrication.

 

            To access the bearings, remove the wheel from your trailer. Use jacks to lift the trailer an inch off the ground. Unlike a car, which can be lifted with a single jack, a trailer should be lifted with two for better stability due to its heavier weight. Unscrew the lug nuts and pull the wheel off the hub.

 

            On the end of the hub is a dust cap that can be pried off. Once you have removed the dust cap. you'll see a small pin called a cotter pin. Remove this, and then the hub itself. The wheel bearings are inside the hub.

 

            Clean the bearings using a small brush and brake cleaner. After the bearings have dried, inspect them for damage. Looks for discolored sections and dents. If you can find any damage on the bearings, they must be replaced. Even minor damage can cause the bearings to malfunction, which will lead to major wheel problems if they are reinstalled. Purchase new bearings at any vehicle supplies store.

 

           The bearings must be greased, regardless of whether you have purchased new ones or are continuing to use old, undamaged ones. Rub grease through the bearings, covering them completely. Apply a heavy amount of grease. Use a brand of grease designed for wheel bearings; such a grease can stand the high temperatures caused by friction.

 

            Once the bearings are greased, place them back inside the hub and put the hub back on to the trailer's axle. Reassemble the rest of the wheel, making sure everything is tightly in place. Check the wheels for excess heat the next few times you drive to ensure that the bearings were sufficiently greased. If you feel more heat than usual, take out the bearings again and apply more grease.