Greasing wheel bearings on 5th wheel's EZ Lube Axles

[MT flyfisher]

We have Dexter's EZ Lube Axles on our 2008 Kountry Aire, and I want to have the wheel bearings properly greased and maintained. With our prior travel trailers, and with my car hauler and boat trailers, I normally have the bearings repacked and seals replaced every year.

I had originally planned to have Newmar's service guys do this when we were at the factory for some warranty work last October, but when they told me it would cost $1,000 (!!!!) for them to do it, I decided to have it done elsewhere later.

According to Dexter, all you have to do is to pump grease into the zerk fitting on the end of the axle, and it isn't necessay to remove the bearings to repack them.

"The E-Z Lube system allows grease to flow with ease to both the outer and inner bearings for a complete repack. Axles equipped with this system can be periodically lubricated without removing the hubs from the axle. This features consists of axle spindles that have been specially drilled and assembled with grease fittings in their ends. When grease is pumped into the fitting, it is channeled to the inner bearing, then flows to the outer bearing, and eventually back out the grease cap hole. The E-Z Lube end cap allows for easy access, extra protection, and virtually no mess. The protection and maintenance features of Dexter's E-Z Lube system make it ideal for towable axles that get immersed in water. Regular inspection is still recommended."

I know some people aren't entirely comfortable with doing this, and still manually remove and repack the bearings anyway.

What do you guys do, or recommend? I sure don't want to spend $1,000 every time I have this done!

John

[jasult]

You are good as Dexter outlined.
I dont have the Dexter easylube but I do have BEARING BUDDY's on my 5th wheel as well as on some other trailers I own. Even with Bearing Buddy's and no center hole, the grease will find it's way to inner bearings as the grease warms up and spins along the spindle as wheels rotate on road. I still jack up the axle and adjust brakes, shake the tire and wheel and spin it to make sure it is good. Dont spend 1000 dollars on yours.

If my trailer sat for 2 years and never drove, I would inspect inside before a long trip
I also keep infered thermometer and check temps of the bearing hubs and tires on long trips. Any wheel that is running different temp then others needs closer inspection.

["007"]

Here is some good information from Dexter's with blown up pictures of the system and maintenance info.

Added in 5th wheel thread for future reference first post by Dennis. If anyother info needs to be added let me know.