Oil lubricated trailer bearings, any good?

Hi Martyn, Don't forget that this is just a personal opinion based on my experiences.
I would not run oil bearings for the one reason of if the oil leaks out and you are to far away from anywhere to be repaired then they will definitely seize. Over the years I have changed most Interstate trucks and trailers from oil filled hubs to grease filled hubs for this exact reason. Grease is definitely more forgiving than oil.

Cheers worm

Durahubs. I have em on my tandem boat trailer and I like em. The genuine oil is very thick and sticky and even if it ran out I reckon there would be enough residue to not seize, besides with the sight glass you can check them every tiome you stop. One of mine leaks a bit from the back seal and I can see when it gets low. If water gets in (it hasn't) the oil will go emulsified white so you can fix it before there is any damage. With greased hubs you may not know until too late. They do stick out a bit but they are stuck in with locktite as well as being a tight friction fit.

Grease turns to oil under a load and keeps the bearing surfaces wet. Sets back to grease again and wont run out. Thats why they use grease in the first place. Simple and effective for relatively slow turning devices like hubs.

I removed my trailer bearing recently for the upcoming trip and I removed all the old blackened grease and re greased them. One looked tiniest bit sus so I put a new one on and the old one went into the spare hub I aquired. I am carrying the spare holden hub too in case I meet up with someone in trouble with same.

Owen

I have also been thinking about oil filled hubs for the CT.

Asked around a bit at work ( heavy transport industry) and one of the mechanics said 'If you get a crack in the sight glass and dust gets in, it goes right through the oil and consequently the bearings. With grease, any incoming dust will generally just stick on the outside surface of grease'.

Food for thought I think, as I intend to use my CT mainly off road.

Dave

Martyn
I’m a firm believer in oil filled hubs, being using them for years, mainly in boat trailers. But they can be expensive to set up properly. Forget the over the counter kits with sight glass, they are no better than greased hubs. Why a sight glass??? Do you have one on your gearbox or diff?? Built a boat trailer for my self in 1982 (I’m a Fitter Turner by trade). Used “Trojan” hubs and stubs ex Repco but could use any brand or type. Tossed the std seals away and fitted a std twin lip shaft oil seal (from any bearing supply Co), like you find in a gearbox. Then made up a 316 grade stainless ring and pressed it onto the seal area of the stub axle, the OD of this ring suited the ID of the new seal. Then stood the axle up on its end and fitted the hub with oil seal and inner bearing only. Then half filled the hub with 140EP diff oil, fitted the outer bearing and a NEW dust cap with silicone around it. Hate think how many K’s that trailer has done since 1982 (25 years) in and out of salt water all the time, I’ve never touched the hubs or bearings again, and we have a punitive 6 monthly inspection regimen in NZ. Did a 6 x 4 box trailer in 1987, same result. Done lots of trailer hubs for friends and family over the years, same result. In the process of bringing a Kimberly Karavan into NZ and the hubs will be the first job on it.
Regards. CliveG NZ.

Forumites,

Just like to say thanks for the input, I'll relay the information back to my mate, thanks.

I run durahubs on my bigger boat, and they are great, run cool as, dont use any oil, and can see instantly how much is in there, so can top up if needed.

The secret is very good lapping on the fit up, spend some time there and you have a system which will serve you well, and is transparent.

Even with bearing buddies, all they do is force grease out of other side, some are happy with this, but you have no idea what its like inside with out stripping.

My boat is heavy fuelled up, and I take great comfort in seeing that oil level and the cool to touch housing.

A1 product, anyone who bags, never installed it right.

Ron