Category: Grease

Wheel Bearings

How to Check and Add Grease to Trailer Wheel Bearings 

Zachery Rippin

A good day on the water begins with towing it to the ramp unless you keep your boat in a marina. That’s why it is essential to stay on top of your trailer maintenance. Among the trailer structures that must be on your consistent checklist are wheel bearings, more particularly, bearing grease. These wheel bearings are generally located inside the trailer axle hubs and let the wheels spin independently while traveling down the road. 

The spinning force generates friction as it travels and the friction produces heat. To prevent the bearings from overheating, they require being lubricated, which is done by filling the inside of the bushings, the part that contains the bearings with grease. Keeping the bearings lubricated and coated with fresh grease can assist you in getting on and off the ramp securely and without problems. 

Bearing Protectors 

Lubricating the bearings is very significant on any trailer, but there is the added challenge on a boat trailer of regularly submerging the wheels and hubs in the water while launching the boat. If the trailer is submerged, the hot bearings and hubs cool instantly. This prepares a vacuum that might suck water through the seals of the bearing. 

To avoid this problem, lots of boat trailers are equipped with bearing protectors. Particularly, a cylinder that is installed on the outside of the hub, and a bearing protector have an inside spring that maintains continuous pressure on the grease in the hub. The pressure aids prevent water from passing past the seal. 

One more great advantage of bearing protectors is that maintenance is negligible. Grease typically doesn’t need to be cleaned and repacked for more than a few years, although you will want to check the instructions of the manufacturer to ensure you’re repacking it frequently. However, it is necessary to check the fat level and top it up if necessary. 

How to Test and Top off Grease 

  • Eliminate the protective cap from the bearing.
  • Test the level of the grease by pressing the edge of the spring-loaded piston. The hub has enough grease whether you can rock or move the piston. Don’t add more. you will need to add more grease if the piston does not move.
  • Mount a grease gun with a hand pump to the grease fitting in the center of the piston. Pump grease until you watch the piston begin to move outward and then stay adding grease until the piston rocks about 1/8 inch once you press the rim.
  • Although not necessary, you can jack up the trailer so that you can rotate the tire independently and assist in distributing the grease before towing.
  • Wipe off excess grease before changing the cap on the bearing protector.

Take Care of Your Wheel Bearings 

Proper maintenance of cargo trailer accessories is essential for a smooth and safe towing experience. Ensuring wheel bearings are well-lubricated with fresh grease prevents overheating and reduces friction. Bearing protectors are particularly useful for boat trailers, as they help keep water out and minimize maintenance. Regularly checking and topping off grease levels is crucial to maintain optimal performance. Whether using oil bath buckets or sealed grease hubs, always follow the manufacturer’s maintenance guidelines. By prioritizing the care of your cargo trailer accessories, you ensure safe and trouble-free trips season after season.…

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How to Grease Your Trailer

How to Grease Your Trailer

Zachery Rippin

Every part of the trailer is important, from the Rockwell 12011-1 oil cap to the axle and bearings. Being a responsible trailer owner means knowing how to care for it and ensuring its maintenance is up to par. Poor maintenance leads to extensive problems and most are expensive, to say the least. Learning to grease a trailer is crucial and will make life easier for you too. So, how to grease a trailer, and should you rely on a mechanic for help?

Grease the Coupler and Hitch Routinely

When you’re towing a trailer, the hitch ball and coupler take most of the strain. These must be kept in the best condition possible. You should have a regular grease schedule for the hitch ball and coupler. After every tow, grease them thoroughly. It might also be wise to grease them every five-to-six thousand miles. Monthly and six-month servicing is useful to ensure everything is running as it should.

Grease the Jack and Pintle Semi-Regularly

The pintle doesn’t need to be greased every month, every six months should be sufficient. It’s the same with the jack system, a yearly servicing is all that’s required. These are far easier to manage since they’re a semi-regular maintenance issue. You could also maintain the Rockwell 12011-1 oil cap once every few months.

Greasing the Axles

Depending on the type of trailer axles you have, it could be fairly straightforward. If you have a grease zerk on the axle, you’ll need to grease them every six thousand miles (or around six months). It’s easy to do. You need to remove the plug from the axle and insert the grease gun in the zerk. Once there is sufficient grease inside, replace the cap and you’re good to go. Click here to read more about When Should I Perform a Differential Oil Change?

Should You Call a Mechanic to Grease the Trailer?

Greasing a trailer isn’t difficult but can present a challenge or two. It depends on your fitness, physical abilities, and what you feel confident doing. Some people just won’t grease the trailer because they don’t want to or just can’t. You don’t always need to call a mechanic to grease your trailer; however, if you aren’t confident, it’s best to let them handle it. On another note, if you are worried about under-greasing the various components, get a mechanic’s advice.

Simple Greasing Tips to Consider Using

Bearings are one of the most important elements of a trailer and if they aren’t lubricated sufficiently, things can go wrong. So, here are a few tips that could help you make greasing the bearings a lot easier.

  • Put a small amount of grease onto your hand and press the outer edge of the bearing into the grease.
  • Ease the grease into the bearing and rotate it to ensure it is sufficiently greased.
  • Don’t forget the grease on the surface of the bearing cup. Greasing the bearings can be simple with a little know-how.

Grease Well

Proper maintenance of cargo trailer accessories, including components like the Rockwell 12011-1 oil cap, axle, and bearings, is essential for reliable and safe trailer operation. Regularly greasing the hitch ball, coupler, pintle, and axles ensures smooth functionality and prevents costly repairs. Neglecting the upkeep of these cargo trailer accessories can lead to significant issues and expensive fixes. Whether you choose to perform these tasks yourself or seek a mechanic’s assistance, maintaining cargo trailer accessories is crucial for optimal performance and longevity. Prioritize maintenance to enjoy hassle-free towing and extend the life of your trailer.

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