wheel bearings - R-pod Owners Forum

Welcome. According to some, you should repack your bearings after 5-7k miles. I have mine done each year at my local Camping World. After checking with my delivering dealer who wanted me to make all the payments on his boat, I checked with Camping World. Cost is about $150.US. Safe Travels.

Camper Bob and Camper Sue
Gracie the Wonder Dog (12 LB. Mini Dachshund)
2013 Rpod 171HRE(ORPod)
2016 Lance 1685
2015 Nissan Pathfinder

The "spring maintenance" discussion covered it pretty well IMO. I've repacked a lot of bearings in the last 30-40 years. It's not rocket science but, as mentioned, is indeed messy/gooey. Frequency? I try to pay attention to how much I use a given trailer. If I use a trailer for what seems like a lot of miles in a year, I'll repack the bearings. If not, I'll wait till next year. Note that "lot of miles" is totally subjective. I guess I don't make a science of it like I probably should. Never had a bearing failure, though (knock on wood). If I needed a mileage number, I'd probably use 10-12,000 mi.

As for the use of the bearing buddies and super-lube hubs, it's probably like most things: if it's done right, it works out ok. My fear is grease getting past the rear seals and getting on the brakes. I do use the bearing buddies on my boat trailer (no brakes).

One more thing on doing it yourself: When I started repacking bearings, we didn't have the nifty nitrile gloves like today. Those take a lot of the nastiness out of the job. Hooray for Harbor Freight!

Sorry this got lengthy .. Just trying to add one more data point.

John & Teri
Tundra 5.7L V8 / RP 180
E2 WDH / Integrated controller (POS) replaced by Tekonsha P3

I've done them on my F350 several times in it's currently 200,000+ mile life. Trailer bearings are a piece of cake compared to them- 4wd truck- all the locking hub stuff, calipers etc have to come off, plus huge seals that are around $15 apiece.

2014 179
Towed by a 2015 Ford Transit Diesel
Supervised by a German/Aussie mix and a Labradoodle!

I think that may be true on most front wheel drive cars.

Actually Dexter offers a sealed bearing unit for trailers that is supposed to last 100,000 miles guaranteed. Of course it costs more so I doubt few trailer manufacturers are spec'ing them.

http://dexteraxle.com/i/u/6149609/f/product_flyers/Nev-R-Lube.pdf

2014 179
Towed by a 2015 Ford Transit Diesel
Supervised by a German/Aussie mix and a Labradoodle!

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ilthyn Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 21 May 2013 Location: Alberta Online Status: Offline Posts: 63	Topic: wheel bearings Posted: 16 Sep 2014 at 5:26pm
	Anyone have any idea what mileage to expect after lubricating? One dealer offered to repack mine for $423....Yikes!!! I would rather do it myself, but not sure how. Manuals I've read are pretty vague. Suggestions?

Camper Bob Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 26 Sep 2011 Location: Portland Oregon Online Status: Offline Posts: 913	Posted: 16 Sep 2014 at 7:28pm
	Welcome. According to some, you should repack your bearings after 5-7k miles. I have mine done each year at my local Camping World. After checking with my delivering dealer who wanted me to make all the payments on his boat, I checked with Camping World. Cost is about $150.US. Safe Travels.
	Camper Bob and Camper Sue Gracie the Wonder Dog (12 LB. Mini Dachshund) 2013 Rpod 171HRE(ORPod) 2016 Lance 1685 2015 Nissan Pathfinder

shroomer Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 24 Aug 2013 Location: New Haven, CT Online Status: Offline Posts: 236	Posted: 16 Sep 2014 at 8:17pm
	We had a lively discussion on just this topic: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4323&KW=wheel+bearing&PID=41820&title=spring-maintenance#41820
	Larry and Debbie w/Rosie the mutt. Old: '13 177, '06 Silverado V6 New: '15 Whitehawk 20MRB '14 Silverado V8

Luv2Q Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 30 Aug 2014 Location: Central TX Online Status: Offline Posts: 309	Posted: 16 Sep 2014 at 10:55pm
	The "spring maintenance" discussion covered it pretty well IMO. I've repacked a lot of bearings in the last 30-40 years. It's not rocket science but, as mentioned, is indeed messy/gooey. Frequency? I try to pay attention to how much I use a given trailer. If I use a trailer for what seems like a lot of miles in a year, I'll repack the bearings. If not, I'll wait till next year. Note that "lot of miles" is totally subjective. I guess I don't make a science of it like I probably should. Never had a bearing failure, though (knock on wood). If I needed a mileage number, I'd probably use 10-12,000 mi. As for the use of the bearing buddies and super-lube hubs, it's probably like most things: if it's done right, it works out ok. My fear is grease getting past the rear seals and getting on the brakes. I do use the bearing buddies on my boat trailer (no brakes). One more thing on doing it yourself: When I started repacking bearings, we didn't have the nifty nitrile gloves like today. Those take a lot of the nastiness out of the job. Hooray for Harbor Freight! Sorry this got lengthy .. Just trying to add one more data point.
	John & Teri Tundra 5.7L V8 / RP 180 E2 WDH / Integrated controller (POS) replaced by Tekonsha P3

Craneman Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 12 May 2013 Location: Tokeland,wa Online Status: Offline Posts: 387	Posted: 17 Sep 2014 at 10:39am
	Just a little question I would like to thro in. When is the last time you repacked your car or truck front wheel bearings?????? Same type cup and cone. Even so I do the pod, and 2 boat trailers every year with new seals. M
	Jo and Gary, 2010-174,2011 F150 Jo and Gary 2010 174 2011 Ford 150

Budward Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 21 Apr 2014 Location: SC/NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 438	Posted: 17 Sep 2014 at 1:22pm
	I've done them on my F350 several times in it's currently 200,000+ mile life. Trailer bearings are a piece of cake compared to them- 4wd truck- all the locking hub stuff, calipers etc have to come off, plus huge seals that are around $15 apiece.
	2014 179 Towed by a 2015 Ford Transit Diesel Supervised by a German/Aussie mix and a Labradoodle!

techntrek Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9062	Posted: 17 Sep 2014 at 1:36pm
	I thought most on cars and trucks were now sealed?
	Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

Budward Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 21 Apr 2014 Location: SC/NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 438	Posted: 17 Sep 2014 at 2:13pm
	I think that may be true on most front wheel drive cars. Actually Dexter offers a sealed bearing unit for trailers that is supposed to last 100,000 miles guaranteed. Of course it costs more so I doubt few trailer manufacturers are spec'ing them. http://dexteraxle.com/i/u/6149609/f/product_flyers/Nev-R-Lube.pdf
	2014 179 Towed by a 2015 Ford Transit Diesel Supervised by a German/Aussie mix and a Labradoodle!