Bearing trouble on the road.......

[Arne]

Bearings do not go bad like clicking a light switch. They go bad over time...

I repack the bearings every year or two and check seals. When I travel, at the first stop after driving for a hundred miles or so, I check to see if the hubs are running cool, or just luke warm (and not hot to the touch).

I carry replacement bearings, grease and tools needed to change the bearings on the road.... but, I like to not have to do it on the road, so try to avoid it.

While your note might be helpful, most probably would be much better to do the right work at home to avoid having to do it on the road. With a lot less hassle.

[Arne]

You reminded me of a point I pondered a few times while building the tear... what could go wrong on the trailer while traveling?

Well, I could burn out a light bulb, I guess..... but the thing that kept popping back into my brain was wheel bearings...aside from some catastrophe, bearings were all I could really think of... a tear is really pretty simple, once built... so, that's when I started paying more attention to them...

just anecdotal stuff... I used my utility trailer to carry a boat, and backed it into the water a couple of times.. last year, I removed the hubs and found one bearing pitted... I cleaned all the bearings and repacked them, including the pitted bearing... it has been in use ever since.... now, the pits were minor, and there was plenty of good bearing material left... also, it is rated for 2,500# and rarely carries more than 500 or 600.. but, I carry spares for that one as well...