Community Forums

kksalmon · 08-09-2018, 03:39 PM

My buddy says rotate tire and repack bearings every 3,ooo miles. His buddy says every 6,000 mile. Camping World says 12,000 or once a year. Who's right and what's the best/most econoimical way to get this done?
We have a 42' tandem wheel Cedar Creek 5th wheel if that makes any difference.
Thank You,
Kim

allenb12 · 08-09-2018, 03:42 PM

Dexter Axles recommends every 12,000 miles or once a year.

grindstone01 · 08-09-2018, 09:16 PM

I manually pack my fifth wheel bearings yearly which also works out to be 10k miles. From what I have seen, I could go 2 years on a grease job without any grease problems, but I almost always find brake or seal issues during the grease job. That alone makes the yearly schedule worth it. Most people don't bother rotating trailer tires since they will age out at 5 to 7 years before the thread wears out. Last year my truck had 2 blowouts with tires that were 6 and 6 1/2 years old which now convinced me that 7 years may be pushing it. It's best to learn how to grease your own bearings which also improves skill and confidence to changing a tire on the road, it's not that hard to do.

hd883chopper · 08-09-2018, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grindstone01

I manually pack my fifth wheel bearings yearly which also works out to be 10k miles. From what I have seen, I could go 2 years on a grease job without any grease problems, but I almost always find brake or seal issues during the grease job. That alone makes the yearly schedule worth it. Most people don't bother rotating trailer tires since they will age out at 5 to 7 years before the thread wears out. Last year my truck had 2 blowouts with tires that were 6 and 6 1/2 years old which now convinced me that 7 years may be pushing it. It's best to learn how to grease your own bearings which also improves skill and confidence to changing a tire on the road, it's not that hard to do.

Do you just repack in place or do you remove the bearing race clean and repack? Just curious.

allenb12 · 08-10-2018, 03:45 PM

I never remove the race. Just clean out all of the old grease. I do install a new seal.

hd883chopper · 08-10-2018, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by allenb12

I never remove the race. Just clean out all of the old grease. I do install a new seal.

Thanks for the tip!

grindstone01 · 08-10-2018, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hd883chopper

Do you just repack in place or do you remove the bearing race clean and repack? Just curious.

If the seal is good, I will leave it intact and grease the rear bearing in place by using 2 fingers and applying new grease.

AKFlyboy · 08-16-2018, 01:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hd883chopper

Do you just repack in place or do you remove the bearing race clean and repack? Just curious.

I haven't done mine yet on my fifth wheel, but from working on aircraft I can't imagine not removing the outer race to clean and repack.

charliez · 08-16-2018, 06:28 AM

I can't imagine not removing the outer race to clean and repack.

There is no need to. If you remove it, you will just set it aside and then put it back and do nothing to it. It's a metal ring and you cannot put grease in it. You actually risk damaging it by doing this, then you will have to replace your bearing.

One thing to note, it's not that easy in some areas finding the right seal. Once you do, make a note of the seal number or keep a box lid with the number put away for reference next time. Most auto places can only find seals by starting with the make and model of a car. Tractor Supply is a good source for trailer wheel seals.

weredoingit · 08-16-2018, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charliez

I can't imagine not removing the outer race to clean and repack.

There is no need to. If you remove it, you will just set it aside and then put it back and do nothing to it. It's a metal ring and you cannot put grease in it. You actually risk damaging it by doing this, then you will have to replace your bearing.

One thing to note, it's not that easy in some areas finding the right seal. Once you do, make a note of the seal number or keep a box lid with the number put away for reference next time. Most auto places can only find seals by starting with the make and model of a car. Tractor Supply is a good source for trailer wheel seals.

Correct about the race. Does nothing to remove it.
I bought insurance for a wheel bearing going out on the road. I bought a complete brake drum with new bearings, grease and new seal. It's all pre-greased and stored in a plastic bag. Now that I'm prepared I'm sure I'll never need it.

AKFlyboy · 08-16-2018, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charliez

I can't imagine not removing the outer race to clean and repack.

There is no need to. If you remove it, you will just set it aside and then put it back and do nothing to it. It's a metal ring and you cannot put grease in it. You actually risk damaging it by doing this, then you will have to replace your bearing.

One thing to note, it's not that easy in some areas finding the right seal. Once you do, make a note of the seal number or keep a box lid with the number put away for reference next time. Most auto places can only find seals by starting with the make and model of a car. Tractor Supply is a good source for trailer wheel seals.

This is why I shouldn't get on forums after a long shift, I confused my terms and I can't read for crap. The outer race is the cup pressed into the hub. So you're right. No need to remove. Just spray it down, wipe it off, check for defects, and smear a light coat of grease.

I was thinking of the inner race which is the cone, but I think you guys just call the cup a race and the cone a bearing.

hd883chopper · 08-17-2018, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charliez

I can't imagine not removing the outer race to clean and repack.

There is no need to. If you remove it, you will just set it aside and then put it back and do nothing to it. It's a metal ring and you cannot put grease in it. You actually risk damaging it by doing this, then you will have to replace your bearing.

One thing to note, it's not that easy in some areas finding the right seal. Once you do, make a note of the seal number or keep a box lid with the number put away for reference next time. Most auto places can only find seals by starting with the make and model of a car. Tractor Supply is a good source for trailer wheel seals.

Great info thank you!