Trailer bearings....

[dennis461]

I do not think the type of grease matters much; if brackish water is inside. I now simply consider my bearings disposable, thus keep two spares and all necessary tools with tow rig.

I tend to open mine up when trailer returns to home base, let water drain out if any is in there. Leave the cap off to allow drying out until a few warm sunny days have passed. Then stuff more grease in on top of old, and re-install bearing caps. My towing is 20 miles to nearest ramp, expressway speeds.

[Capt. Debbie]

And don't forget an appropriate jack to the trailer. Most totally forget about that part until too late.

Originally Posted by dennis461

I do not think the type of grease matters much; if brackish water is inside. I now simply consider my bearings disposable, thus keep two spares and all necessary tools with tow rig.

I tend to open mine up when trailer returns to home base, let water drain out if any is in there. Leave the cap off to allow drying out until a few warm sunny days have passed. Then stuff more grease in on top of old, and re-install bearing caps. My towing is 20 miles to nearest ramp, expressway speeds.

[Duffman]

Originally Posted by dennis461

I do not think the type of grease matters much; if brackish water is inside. I now simply consider my bearings disposable, thus keep two spares and all necessary tools with tow rig.

I tend to open mine up when trailer returns to home base, let water drain out if any is in there. Leave the cap off to allow drying out until a few warm sunny days have passed. Then stuff more grease in on top of old, and re-install bearing caps. My towing is 20 miles to nearest ramp, expressway speeds.

I have to disagree. I've seen guys use any grease they had lying around as opposed to synthetic or water resistant grease. The standard auto grade stuff turns to a white milky mess when it contacts water. Syn stuff seems to hold up better when exposed to the same conditions.

Going with the #4 R&T. Maybe pull a hub off mid season and see how its holding up....stay tuned...

[bulletbob]

Salt water will destroy ANY bearings even Timkens.. I got so sick of replacing bearings, races, hubs, springs and axles on my boat trailers many years ago that I decided to do something about it.

I have 3 boats on 3 different trailers, from 14 to 18 feet and the bearings are all decades old, with no issues ever.. I know its not possible on all trailer boats, but many boat trailer combos can be set up to launch and retrieve without sinking the hubs or axles.. I never wet a hub these days and since I set my trailers up that way years ago, have never replaced a bearing, and can go a several years without even checking them.

Its not that hard to do really, if the boat isn't that big, or can be let down into the water with a power winch... for a lot of small boaters, its well worth checking it out.... bob