Camper Trailer bearings

Don't know about your theory - but we had a wheel bearing fail on our first major trip - to the Alice - all around and back down the Oodnadatta - got to Whycheproof in vic - pulled in for coffee - next stop Bendigo - coming back from shop saw black stuff all over wheel - 3pm Friday afternoon (we seem to have a fascination for 3pm Friday disasters - thats when we broke the rear window on our last trip as well) - anyway luckily the local dealer - terrific lot of blokes at Prestige I think it was helped John fix it as supplied a new bearing for us - had done some damage to the axle but managed to get home and had it fixed under warranty very quickly. But just goes to show - use it - don't use it - who knows????
jules

In theory you are correct, but it does depend on a few things....

Maintanence is critical, most problems ive come acrooss were caused by using incorrect grease. Mind you, using the best grease around doesnt mean its bullet proof either, 1 river crossing is enough to contaminate the grease esp if the seals are worn.

Poorly adjusted wheel bearings play a part too. too tight or too loose will speed up bearing wear which also damages the grease.

All the above could be a cause for bearings to collapse. If trailer is sitting idle for months on end, its possible for the grease to harden to the point where it becomes solid, so as soon as u drive off, its like having a stone in ur shoe, you dont get that smooth rotation and can cause the bearings to roll out of round.

What i do with my trailer is sit it on stands for long periods and whenever i go in garage i spin wheels a few times as i pass by the wheels. It also helps to have those grease caps fitted, helps keep water out when full.
Ange

I have a policy on wheel bearings.

I replace them regularly or prior to a major use of the trailer.

The camper gets new bearings and grease before every major trip or every two years whichever comes first. My trailer gets used at least one short trip (200 - 600km) and one long,but not major, (Broken Hill to Sydney) trip every year.

The box trailer which does the tip run and picking up building materials etc... It gets new wheel bearings regularly. It was first registered in 1975 and is on it's third set. It will get the 4th set in 2015, for it's 40th birthday, whether it needs them or not. They do get regular adjustment but that is all.

My thinking is this. The box trailer never leaves town and rarely carries a heavy load. If it does spit out a bearing I'll unhook it, go get the replacements and fit them at the side of the road.

The camper on the other hand gets some high-speed stuff, some ruff stuff and is used in remote areas where a bearing failure could be expensive, seriously inconvenient and quite possibly dangerous. I don't want a failure on that 'cause it will have a detrimental impact on the most important thing in life.....holidays

I hope my camper never sits for six months without being used, that would be the tragedy to end all tragedies

Duncs

Like them or not, this is what I use on the boat trailer
as well as the off road rig, think they are great

Cheers

Many thanks everyone.
I think I should do 3 things.
1. Go on more trips.
2. Put the trailer on stands when home.
3. Get the bearings checked/replaced prior to a major trip.