Bearings, bearings, bearings!

[jstaddwtr]

I remember sometime back there was a thread about bearings.  I thought I remember a long discussion and the idea that the bearings in most PU's were a standard size and could be purchased cheaper than from a dealer.  Is that true?   We have a 02'Coleman Utah CP.  

I have them packed regularly but I am always worried about their condition since we have a tendency to drive for hours without a break.  

So I apolgize if this is a repeat, since I know we have discussed it before but I would like to know about bearings.  How often should they be packed? When should they be changed?  

If you are taking a 6 or 7,000 mile trip should you stop somewhere and repack or change out new ones?  What about high speeds for long periods of time?  

I know we have some really knowledgable folks out there
; your expertise would be appreciated.  Thanks

[Tim5055]

IIRC, Dexter (the manufacturer of most pop up axle sets) recommends re-packing once a year or 12,000 which-ever comes first.

I am in the habit when towing of feeling both bearings with the back of my hand at every stop, be to for gas or any other reason.  If they are warm/hot but you are able to touch them I don't consider it a problem.  If they are too hot to touch you need to find out why.  Also, question a difference in temperature from side to side (i.e. one side hot and one side warm)

On the first trip out last year when towing for about 3 hours I stopped for gas.  One side was warm, but the other was hot - but not so hot that I couldn't touch it.  It just so happens that I had the bearing repacked just before this trip and had them checked.  It seems the mechanic slightly overtightened tho "hot" side.

After a few trips you will begin to get a feel for the temperatures.

The other habit I have (changing the subject a little) is checking the lug nuts every morning before towing.  I keep a torque wrench and socket the size of the lug nuts in the hatch on the back side of the refrigerator.  It only takes a minute to verify that all of them are tightened to specs.

[tlhdoc]

I agree with everything Tim said, except I keep my socket and torque wrench in the back of the TV.  I discovered that my one brake wasn't working when one side was cold on a routine check.

[AustinBoston]

I thought I remember a long discussion and the idea that the bearings in most PU's were a standard size and could be purchased cheaper than from a dealer.  Is that true?

I've never replaced the bearings (annual re-pack has kept them in great shape), but to do it right, you need to replace the seals.  For our Bayside, I've always been able to get the Dexter seals from a local parts store.

Austin

[chasd60]

Repack every two years works good for me (or 6000 miles). The horror stories come from improper or incomplete repacks of bearings. Grease does lose a degree of viscosity over time but if you typically travel less than 3000 miles per season, a less viscos grease will work fine for several years if packed properly.
I just drove 3200 miles round trip with my new hybrid at 12-14 hour intervals, we were fine.
 
When was the last time you "repacked" (not greased the fittings) your bearings in your tow vehicle? I realize this is much less harsh than the camper but......
 
Just my 2 cents worth.............3 years experience of vibration/heat analysis of bearings in a paper mill to predict failure intervals.

[garym053]

I have the bearings checked and replaced if scored and repacked at the beginning of every camping season. I'm sure as Chasd60 said, it's overkill, as I tow much less than 3,000 miles per season, however I'd rather repack and replace on MY schedule rather than lose a bearing while traveling!

[jstaddwtr]

Tim, Tracy,

Thanks for the tip about feeling for warm/hot.  I have never done that, just worried.  Of course, worrying does nothing to help the situation.  I also think the idea of checking torque and carrying the wrench on the back side of the refrigerator is an excellant idea!!!!!!

Austin

I thought I remembered one of your earlier posts sometime back talking abouot purchase of the seals from a parts store.  I jsut could not find the thread.  Thanks!

chasd60

Thanks for your tip on viscosity.  We have driven much more than 3000 each season we have had "Hermes" our PU.  (My kids are into Greek and Roman mythology in a big way!)  AND I agree that thinking about repacking in the TV is also really important.  It is so true that we can tend to focus on the PU and then the TV develops a preventable problem.

garymo53

I have been resorting to repacking after any big trip.  Last summer when we went to the Grand Canyon, we never stopped driving until we hit Arizona.  (Meaning more than for meals of potty breaks and fuel, that is)On the way home, we drove straight through from Dodge City.  We had just had "Hermes" repacked before the trip and took him in after the trip.  The bearings were blue and had to be replaced.    That is what started our concern.  

Our first trip this year was to the Keys.  Again we drove without stopping until we arrived and did the same on the return.  So my natural inclination before our Memorial day trip to Virginia Beach was to get them checked and packed again.  That is what brought me to post the question.    

I too would rather be over cautious then have a bearing problem on the road. I even wondered if I should be carrying extra bearings and seals as part of my tool kit?

I also thought this discussion would help some of the new folks to the board.  Before we bought "Hermes" we read everything we could on the board in preparation for our PU adoption, but as our friend Birol is probably finding out, reading and having your own PU in the family is a different kettle of fish!  The latter is definitely more fun!

Thanks everyonel!

[Gone-Camping]

While I often advocate repacking them every year, and have done so when towing a lot, I am on the same boat as Chas60 right now. I just don't log in enough miles to justify it being done more often than that. Most of my camping is done locally, which means very short tows. Two or three times per year I might haul it 100 miles or so way, and so far have I taken it further than that two times. It's fair to say that I've probably towed the trailer less than 1200 miles last year, 1500 on the very outside.

[jstaddwtr]

How much does speed have to do with wear?  Continuous speed...?

[bearbait]

edited for content

[afp]

Another thing on repacking bearings is to write down the bearing part number along with the seal or have the local RV shop do it if they are repacking them for you. If the need for replacing bearings arise it's not necessary to depend on the RV dealer or Dexter Axle.  Bearings such as SKF, Timken, FAG, MB Manufacturing and Fafnir to name a few all have extensive websites to match the part number. What I mean if you are using a Timken then use a Timken as the replacement. There are several companies that act as a distributor for various bearings makers so checking the Yellow Pages under "bearings" or "power transmission" should yield a local firm (Bearings, Inc is such a company). Cross referencing of bearings is possible, again the ditributor will have this information. As for seals those should be available as well from the manufacturer. If you are looking for seals a campany called "CR Seals" (Chicago Rawhide) offers a very extensive line of seals.

Excellent of keeping an extra set in the tool box if needed.

As for price I believe somewhere between $5 to $10 per bearing.

[jstaddwtr]

afp

Really good point!  Thanks!   I know bearings are not thought about alot unless you have a problem......