Trailer hubs don't always get hot before they fail. I lost the bearings on one wheel and when I pulled over the hub was cool but bearings and hub were shot. Now I also check for a loose hub as well as heat. I simply grab the top of the tire with both hands and push back and forth checking for play. Excessive wear will cause the hub to become loose and fail.
These Tech Tips are great. Do you have a video planned or already done that shows how to check the alignment, axles and/or spindles? I hear a lot about tire alignment and axles bent, but not really understanding what that looks like or how to diagnosis it.
I use a small trailer for a race bike. I lift it and do the bearing several times a year. Its not difficult, just messy. The big trailers are the same. Just remember to work safe and bring an extra set.... just in case!
And some rigs are equipped with the Dexter Nev-R-Lube bearing. A sealed cartridge type that cannot be re-greased just inspect play and R&R as indicated. Like mine. No matter a very important topic and shooting temps, yup me too. Gary
Todd- First, love the channel. I 100% wish I could take the time to attend the full certification class in TX. Second- You mention the zero fittings for emergency use. I know “bearing buddies” just push a little grease into the hub cavity. But what about Dexter EZ-Lube Axles? They have channels that push the grease through the bearings. If you use a colored grease you can actually pump enough grease into them to push the old grease out, and you’ll see the difference in color. Thoughts?
I would not use the eze lube as a way of maintaning my bearings. The reason is and I can't speak for everyone is you may end up overwelming the inner grease seal before seeing enough grease has come out the front. This causes the brakes shoes to get coated in grease and ruins them. The other issue is it is really important to inspect your bearings. Using the eze lube system just keeps you from actually performing that very important chore. Running down the road and having a bearing failure can be a disaster.
@@rujlaky8600 I put more faith in the EZ lube than you have stated. Dexter points out that you should rotate the wheel and not use air powered grease gun to avoid damaging the seal. Slow and easy and I have not had a problem. Dexter warrantees their axle for 2 years. I had my last rig for 6 and had no problems. If maintained properly how many bearings have you seen fail? I would think you would have a higher risk of damaging them reinstalling them all the time or torqueing them incorrectly
I may only put a couple thousand miles on a year. Are you suggesting I perform brake checks twice a year and bearings once a year even if I don't hit 12k miles?
I didn't do the dirty and lost a bearing 5 weeks ago and now I am waiting on a axle from Dexter. As a full timer I am ashamed I didn't repack the bearing and now we are looking at close to 2 months before we can get an axle. What a mess and being homeless is no fun.
Well as of 6/22/2021 Dexter has made our axle and its shipped to our location RV will be repaired. While its been down we bought a new toilet,got 8 new lithium batteries along with a addition of two new solar panel replacing two older panels. If we could have we would have replaced our residential with a new 12 volt DC frig./freezer but there all on back order, imagine that. Our axle went down May 4th and we are scheduled to be back on the road July 2nd if all goes as planned at repair facility. July 2nd its a special day too. Rush will be 66. Really Enjoy Todd's two minute Tips. God Bless you all at the NRVTA.
Can I ask why they use such crappy bearings? I know there. are better bearings than these. What about a sealed bearing? What type of bearing do you have in your truck. I have never had to do anything with my truck bearings and it weighs almost as much as my camper and more when it is loaded.
Most bearings today including many well-known older brands are made in China and are crap. The sealed bearings from there are the worst, usually having little grease in them. There's not much you can do except keeping them packed annually, and replacing them every couple years.
You seem to have geared this video to full time RVers. What about weekend warriors who might only put on a thousand miles or less in a season? How often should we check? What about Dexter EZ lube axles. The way I understand that does the same thing as packing the bearings.
Most manufacturers say every 12,000 miles or once a year. Check with your manufacturer and make sure you’re playing it safe. The good news is you’re asking questions and taking steps to make sure you’re safe. 👏 👏 👏
He didn't really comment on the EZ Lube. To me it is like a bearing packer built into the axle and probably does a better job than squishing a bearing on your palm. Very easy process . I only did my last one every other year due to low mileage and it lasted 6 years no problem. Here is a video on how to maintain them. ua-cam.com/video/XT0RKDGgDm8/v-deo.html
Okay check my bearings and redo them once a year every year 12,000 mi well I'm lucky if I put 3,000 mi on my trailer in a year Do I have to do it every year now I go ahead and do mine every year anyways but I know somebody's got that question out there And remember don't just reach down and grab your hubs with your hand because if you got a bad bearing you just lost skin not kidding.
Want to earn money on the road? Visit www.NRVTA.com to learn how to get the credentials to start your own mobile tech or inspector business.
I don't know what I like better the 2 minute tech tip or the bloopers after. Keep going I love your channel
The Force is strong with this one!
Trailer hubs don't always get hot before they fail. I lost the bearings on one wheel and when I pulled over the hub was cool but bearings and hub were shot. Now I also check for a loose hub as well as heat. I simply grab the top of the tire with both hands and push back and forth checking for play. Excessive wear will cause the hub to become loose and fail.
The only guy who will teach how to take care of your rig while you laugh your a** off!
These Tech Tips are great. Do you have a video planned or already done that shows how to check the alignment, axles and/or spindles? I hear a lot about tire alignment and axles bent, but not really understanding what that looks like or how to diagnosis it.
Loved the bloopers!! And the video. Lol
I use a small trailer for a race bike. I lift it and do the bearing several times a year. Its not difficult, just messy. The big trailers are the same. Just remember to work safe and bring an extra set.... just in case!
You guys have way too much fun. Lol 😂
And some rigs are equipped with the Dexter Nev-R-Lube bearing. A sealed cartridge type that cannot be re-greased just inspect play and R&R as indicated. Like mine. No matter a very important topic and shooting temps, yup me too. Gary
Todd- First, love the channel. I 100% wish I could take the time to attend the full certification class in TX.
Second- You mention the zero fittings for emergency use. I know “bearing buddies” just push a little grease into the hub cavity. But what about Dexter EZ-Lube Axles? They have channels that push the grease through the bearings. If you use a colored grease you can actually pump enough grease into them to push the old grease out, and you’ll see the difference in color. Thoughts?
I would not use the eze lube as a way of maintaning my bearings. The reason is and I can't speak for everyone is you may end up overwelming the inner grease seal before seeing enough grease has come out the front. This causes the brakes shoes to get coated in grease and ruins them. The other issue is it is really important to inspect your bearings. Using the eze lube system just keeps you from actually performing that very important chore. Running down the road and having a bearing failure can be a disaster.
@@rujlaky8600 I put more faith in the EZ lube than you have stated. Dexter points out that you should rotate the wheel and not use air powered grease gun to avoid damaging the seal. Slow and easy and I have not had a problem. Dexter warrantees their axle for 2 years. I had my last rig for 6 and had no problems. If maintained properly how many bearings have you seen fail? I would think you would have a higher risk of damaging them reinstalling them all the time or torqueing them incorrectly
Awesome tips!! Thank you for sharing them!
I may only put a couple thousand miles on a year. Are you suggesting I perform brake checks twice a year and bearings once a year even if I don't hit 12k miles?
Todd, can you recommend a specific brand of grease? Thanks.
I didn't do the dirty and lost a bearing 5 weeks ago and now I am waiting on a axle from Dexter. As a full timer I am ashamed I didn't repack the bearing and now we are looking at close to 2 months before we can get an axle. What a mess and being homeless is no fun.
We are sorry to hear that.
Well as of 6/22/2021 Dexter has made our axle and its shipped to our location RV will be repaired. While its been down we bought a new toilet,got 8 new lithium batteries along with a addition of two new solar panel replacing two older panels. If we could have we would have replaced our residential with a new 12 volt DC frig./freezer but there all on back order, imagine that. Our axle went down May 4th and we are scheduled to be back on the road July 2nd if all goes as planned at repair facility. July 2nd its a special day too. Rush will be 66. Really Enjoy Todd's two minute Tips. God Bless you all at the NRVTA.
Thanks for the tips and updates. Also I love the bloopers. 🤣🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣
We went for epic this time ;-)
That ending!!
We had some time to kill :-)
How do you figure out what type pads and does to use? Not like they carry them at autozone.
Hey Todd, how was Chad Florian as a student. You can be truthful here no one will tell.
Tony Here, Chad was an awesome student, like the rest of the class. All super people.
Can I ask why they use such crappy bearings? I know there. are better bearings than these. What about a sealed bearing? What type of bearing do you have in your truck. I have never had to do anything with my truck bearings and it weighs almost as much as my camper and more when it is loaded.
Most bearings today including many well-known older brands are made in China and are crap. The sealed bearings from there are the worst, usually having little grease in them. There's not much you can do except keeping them packed annually, and replacing them every couple years.
I blew out grease seals using the grease Zerg and spoiled my brake shoes. Don’t use it.
Me too. $750 to replace both axles and brakes
You seem to have geared this video to full time RVers. What about weekend warriors who might only put on a thousand miles or less in a season? How often should we check?
What about Dexter EZ lube axles. The way I understand that does the same thing as packing the bearings.
Most manufacturers say every 12,000 miles or once a year. Check with your manufacturer and make sure you’re playing it safe. The good news is you’re asking questions and taking steps to make sure you’re safe. 👏 👏 👏
He didn't really comment on the EZ Lube. To me it is like a bearing packer built into the axle and probably does a better job than squishing a bearing on your palm. Very easy process . I only did my last one every other year due to low mileage and it lasted 6 years no problem. Here is a video on how to maintain them. ua-cam.com/video/XT0RKDGgDm8/v-deo.html
Okay check my bearings and redo them once a year every year 12,000 mi well I'm lucky if I put 3,000 mi on my trailer in a year Do I have to do it every year now I go ahead and do mine every year anyways but I know somebody's got that question out there And remember don't just reach down and grab your hubs with your hand because if you got a bad bearing you just lost skin not kidding.
That's a good reminder. Honestly Check your bearings once a year. and maybe add some grease if it needs it.