Emergency Spares?

[hwitten]

As it gets closer to trailer pick up time (2 weeks hopefully) I'm pondering what to get for spare parts while at the manufacturer.

Only thing that comes to mind is bearings but since trailering is a new adventure me I thought I'd ask.
I don't mean items that one can run into town, however small, for but rather items that even a big town might not have.
Is there anything besides tires, wheels and bearings that can't be hay-wired or duck-taped for a limp home?

I certainly expect to be carrying less than in my previous RV ('76 GMC MH). In addition to bearings I used to carry spare alternator, starter and much more.
Never was stuck at the side of the road or in some small town waiting on parts though

I sure hope I'm going to like this new adventure. In many ways I expect fewer hassles since the drive train component is new enough to still be under warranty
With reference to the drive-train component, finished upgrading my 4-pin wiring to 7-pin using #10 wire directly connected to battery via circuit breakers of course.
All joints soldered in the hope of getting max juice to charge trailer battery while underway.

The adventure continues...

Heinz

[les45]

I posted some related info in the Trailers and Chassis Secrets section not too long ago that might help answer your question:

viewtopic.php?f=35&t=54715

My suggestions go beyond spare parts to cover tools and security stuff that you might need for a trip.

[George Taylor]

Not sure what the consensus will be, but I have always put bearing buddies on my trailers and hand never had any problems. Well at least non that the lost tier caused ( get some extra lug nuts!).

[JuneBug]

Not sure what the consensus will be, but I have always put bearing buddies on my trailers and hand never had any problems. Well at least non that the lost tier caused ( get some extra lug nuts!).

What the heck is a "Bearing Buddy"?

[eamarquardt]

Not sure what the consensus will be, but I have always put bearing buddies on my trailers and hand never had any problems. Well at least non that the lost tier caused ( get some extra lug nuts!).

What the heck is a "Bearing Buddy"?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGv7UOtZjSY

[les45]

Not sure what the consensus will be, but I have always put bearing buddies on my trailers and hand never had any problems. Well at least non that the lost tier caused ( get some extra lug nuts!).

What the heck is a "Bearing Buddy"?

There are a lot of misconceptions about bearing buddies. Their primary use is for boat trailers in keeping water from being sucked into your bearings when you back the wheels and hubs under water. They are not meant to take the place of regular inspections and re-packing of the bearings. In fact, they can be a problem when people mistakenly pump too much grease into the zerk fitting and blow out their inner seal. I have never used a bearing buddy on my "dry" trailers and have never had a problem as long as I clean and re-pack periodically. When I do re-pack, I do not fill the entire hub cavity with grease. I only grease liberally on both sides of the bearings and the bearings themselves leaving the center cavity empty. My bearing end cap has a zerk fitting similar to a bearing buddy but I never use it.

[eamarquardt]

Not sure what the consensus will be, but I have always put bearing buddies on my trailers and hand never had any problems. Well at least non that the lost tier caused ( get some extra lug nuts!).

What the heck is a "Bearing Buddy"?

There are a lot of misconceptions about bearing buddies. Their primary use is for boat trailers in keeping water from being sucked into your bearings when you back the wheels and hubs under water. They are not meant to take the place of regular inspections and re-packing of the bearings. In fact, they can be a problem when people mistakenly pump too much grease into the zerk fitting and blow out their inner seal. I have never used a bearing buddy on my "dry" trailers and have never had a problem as long as I clean and re-pack periodically. When I do re-pack, I do not fill the entire hub cavity with grease. I only grease liberally on both sides of the bearings and the bearings themselves leaving the center cavity empty. My bearing end cap has a zerk fitting similar to a bearing buddy but I never use it.

Actually filling the entire cavity and bearing with grease may cause them to overheat and fail. Les's approach is the correct approach to packing bearings.

Cheers,

Gus

'

[George Taylor]

Thanks for the info. Never hear about the overheating thing. I guess I have been lucky. I do check them (put my hand up to the hub area) every once in a while. Always scared one will die one a trip. I did start using them on my boat trailers years ago.

[eamarquardt]

Thanks for the info. Never hear about the overheating thing. I guess I have been lucky. I do check them (put my hand up to the hub area) every once in a while. Always scared one will die one a trip. I did start using them on my boat trailers years ago.

http://www.belray.com/bearing-failure-d ... ubrication

http://www.machinerylubrication.com/Rea ... rgreasing-

http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/ma ... on-254607/

Cheers,

Gus

[Wolffarmer]

I see no reason to carry spare bearings unless you have a super dupper rare bearing. That would be very rare and you probably should think about proper greasing. Even a small town bearing shop will have most any bearing we should need or can get in a short time. Also are you prepared to properly change a bearing and the race on the side of the road? I can do it and have done it many times with farm equipment. You will need a good 16 oz ball peen hammer and a good punch, lots of towels for cleaning up, and a few more, and a few more and some grease, any modern multipurpose will work. Also if the bearing goes you will probably also ruin the grease seal, thrust washer and the nut. So if you are not able to change the bearing on the side of the road and need help any way you are just tossing money away lugging a bearing ( and container of messy grease ) around for 20 years. If they are greased properly they will last 100-200,000 miles.

People get so weirded out about the bearings. How often do you worry about the wheel bearings of your tow vehicle. Right, never. Bearing buddies are a waste of money on a non boat trailer. They will happily sell them to you, they don't care. Ever seen a car with a bearing buddie? Nether have I. Bearing buddies will push grease out the seal and perhaps onto your brakes. Have you ever driving something with grease/oil on the brake shoes? Strange things happen and it is not what you think.

Rant on wheel bearings over. For now.

Most likely to fail items. If your road lights are not LEDs a light bulb for the stop/turn and a bulb for the side markers. If you have LEDs why bother? A fuse if used. Electrical tape. A spare locking pin for the ball coupler, they get lost. Really there is not many spares you need for the trailer it self. I suppose you could pickup a spare door if you wish. Or counter top but really it just is not worth it.

Ok. I think I have been channeling another forum member.

Randy

[Roo Dog]

Randy,

Pretty much agree. We carry a very small toolbox.Bit of tape, bit of wire.
I walk around the rig most times we stop, feel the bearings occasionally but do little else.
There was a time I carried heaps but it became less and less over the years.
All the major inspection work is done before I leave.

Take it easy.

RD

[hwitten]

Thanks all.

Sounds like I can crank down my spares list a bit. That's what I was hoping.
Can't quite go cold turkey though so I will get a spare bearing kit and hopefully it'll just sit on a shelf in the garage for years to come.

Heinz

[rowerwet]

tire iron that fits the trailer nuts and a jack that works for the trailer sitting on the hub, you don't want to find out you don't have one after you loose a wheel/pop a tire.
I have bearing buddies, the $18 for them is peace of mind, and I still check the hubs and tires each stop. I just think of it as vacation insurance.

[nevadatear]

I see no reason to carry spare bearings unless you have a super dupper rare bearing. That would be very rare and you probably should think about proper greasing. Even a small town bearing shop will have most any bearing we should need or can get in a short time. Also are you prepared to properly change a bearing and the race on the side of the road? I can do it and have done it many times with farm equipment. You will need a good 16 oz ball peen hammer and a good punch, lots of towels for cleaning up, and a few more, and a few more and some grease, any modern multipurpose will work. Also if the bearing goes you will probably also ruin the grease seal, thrust washer and the nut. So if you are not able to change the bearing on the side of the road and need help any way you are just tossing money away lugging a bearing ( and container of messy grease ) around for 20 years. If they are greased properly they will last 100-200,000 miles.

People get so weirded out about the bearings. How often do you worry about the wheel bearings of your tow vehicle. Right, never. Bearing buddies are a waste of money on a non boat trailer. They will happily sell them to you, they don't care. Ever seen a car with a bearing buddie? Nether have I. Bearing buddies will push grease out the seal and perhaps onto your brakes. Have you ever driving something with grease/oil on the brake shoes? Strange things happen and it is not what you think.

Rant on wheel bearings over. For now.

Most likely to fail items. If your road lights are not LEDs a light bulb for the stop/turn and a bulb for the side markers. If you have LEDs why bother? A fuse if used. Electrical tape. A spare locking pin for the ball coupler, they get lost. Really there is not many spares you need for the trailer it self. I suppose you could pickup a spare door if you wish. Or counter top but really it just is not worth it.

Ok. I think I have been channeling another forum member.

Randy

[+1 including the channeling part! Thanks for the morning chuckle.

[George Taylor]

Thanks for the bearing info links. Electrical tape makes great band aids in a pinch...great if younger cracked fingers in the winter too.