Trailer Wheel Bearing Issue

63corvette · 07-13-2017, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Teuton

Possibly too tight?? Makes heat and fails?

Not to tight.
The other 5 would also fail if that were true.
I check them regularly for heat and the last failure came within a few miles less than 5 from a rest stop where I checked for a hot bearing.

Right now it has its second new replaced hub on it.

I just can not find a reason for the same one and only one to fail.
That is why I asked the question on here.
There is a lot of experience on this forum.

Thanks
Rick

MR DERBY CITY · 07-13-2017, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 63corvette

Not to tight.
The other 5 would also fail if that were true.
I check them regularly for heat and the last failure came within a few miles less than 5 from a rest stop where I checked for a hot bearing.

Right now it has its second new replaced hub on it.

I just can not find a reason for the same one and only one to fail.
That is why I asked the question on here.
There is a lot of experience on this forum.

Thanks
Rick

You know the problem.....CHINA.....you will be fine with the new bearings and a new hub....

voltdr · 07-13-2017, 07:44 PM

Rick,
I installed a TPMS on my trailer a few years ago. Highly recommend them. Mine monitors pressure and has a temp sensor that monitors the temp around the wheel. These just screw onto the valve stems. I have noticed that the right side of my trailer seems to build more heat (not too hot) that I see by the fact that the tire pressures on the right side are approx 3# higher that the left. With that being said, I think mine is an issue with how my trailer is loaded. My dragster and related items favor the right side of my trailer. Not sure, but something like this may be part of your issue. Maybe the attitude of the trailer as it goes down the highway could be a problem. Does the trail tilt slightly downward in the front causing more weight to be put on that axle? The roads we travel on are not flat, maybe adding to your issues. This seems to be more of an issue with triple-axle trailers. It would be interesting if we could scale our trailers like we do our race cars. That would definitely tell something.
Dan

63corvette · 07-13-2017, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by voltdr

Rick,
I installed a TPMS on my trailer a few years ago. Highly recommend them. Mine monitors pressure and has a temp sensor that monitors the temp around the wheel. These just screw onto the valve stems. I have noticed that the right side of my trailer seems to build more heat (not too hot) that I see by the fact that the tire pressures on the right side are approx 3# higher that the left. With that being said, I think mine is an issue with how my trailer is loaded. My dragster and related items favor the right side of my trailer. Not sure, but something like this may be part of your issue. Maybe the attitude of the trailer as it goes down the highway could be a problem. Does the trail tilt slightly downward in the front causing more weight to be put on that axle? The roads we travel on are not flat, maybe adding to your issues. This seems to be more of an issue with triple-axle trailers. It would be interesting if we could scale our trailers like we do our race cars. That would definitely tell something.
Dan

Loading is an interesting thought. When towing the front of the trailer is about an inch or a little more taller in the front than the rear on level ground.
The trailer has a five foot lower and upper cabinet on the road side and is loaded with tools etc. I then pull a golf cart alongside the cabinet all the way to the front.
I would think the golf cart weight would offset the tool box however, the tools may outweigh the cart.
I will try to redistribute some of the weight along with the new USA made bearings.

I appreciate all the comments some of which I had not considered.
Thanks again,
Rick Cates

Mike Pearson · 07-13-2017, 09:03 PM

The axle is out of alignment and putting pressure on that bearing or the tire has a weird wear pattern putting pressure on the bearing.

voltdr · 07-13-2017, 11:07 PM

I would think if the axle was out of alignment it would happen on both sides of the axle not just one side.

Bobby DiDomenico · 07-16-2017, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by voltdr

I would think if the axle was out of alignment it would happen on both sides of the axle not just one side.

Could the axle be bent slightly? Someone mentioned load distribution. With a few minutes at a truck scale could you get left/right and axle load numbers?

63corvette · 07-14-2017, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Pearson

The axle is out of alignment and putting pressure on that bearing or the tire has a weird wear pattern putting pressure on the bearing.

I have looked at the axle pretty close and can find nothing.
The tire has no unusual wear pattern and looks no different than the other tires.
I may try to move the tire to another axle or move it to the spare.
The tires are almost 3 years old and will be changed out over the winter.
I always balance the tires so that should not be an issue either.
I have checked and looked and I am still at a loss to figure it out.
Same bearing twice now, it just makes no sense to me.
The loading on the road side with the tool cabinet and a generator has been the only thing I had not considered.
The trailer does have about 1500 lbs in tongue weight so the front axle is probably loaded heavier than the other two.
I hope the China bearing change to the USA made makes the difference.
Thanks for every ones suggestions.
I appreciate the help.
Rick Cates

Rich Biebel · 07-14-2017, 03:36 PM

The tire would show some sort of abnormal wear if the axle was out of alignment. If the tire is wearing the tread fairly even and not featheredged across the tread it's good. Trailer loading definitely might be a factor. More weight on one wheel is possible....

The type and quality of grease made a huge difference for me years ago on a trailer I had. It was eating bearings and only had 3500lb axles on a 22' box trailer. It would routinely trash a bearing and I was not towing long distances. It got to the point that every trip I made to the track I jacked the trailer up with car unloaded to feel the bearings. I carried complete new sets with seals.

I started using synthetic waterproof grease and never had a failure again.
That was a fairly new product at the time and was far better than the usual stuff.

My present trailer has Nev-r-lube sealed bearing cartridges......I've replaced them once for no other reason than I felt better with new. I kept the old ones for spares......

Blown tires and burned up bearings on the road makes for a rough trip.....been there....

07-13-2017, 07:44 PM	#3
voltdr Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 706 Likes: 77 Liked 100 Times in 51 Posts	Re: Trailer Wheel Bearing Issue Rick, I installed a TPMS on my trailer a few years ago. Highly recommend them. Mine monitors pressure and has a temp sensor that monitors the temp around the wheel. These just screw onto the valve stems. I have noticed that the right side of my trailer seems to build more heat (not too hot) that I see by the fact that the tire pressures on the right side are approx 3# higher that the left. With that being said, I think mine is an issue with how my trailer is loaded. My dragster and related items favor the right side of my trailer. Not sure, but something like this may be part of your issue. Maybe the attitude of the trailer as it goes down the highway could be a problem. Does the trail tilt slightly downward in the front causing more weight to be put on that axle? The roads we travel on are not flat, maybe adding to your issues. This seems to be more of an issue with triple-axle trailers. It would be interesting if we could scale our trailers like we do our race cars. That would definitely tell something. Dan

07-13-2017, 09:03 PM	#5
Mike Pearson VIP Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,444 Likes: 613 Liked 1,916 Times in 574 Posts	Re: Trailer Wheel Bearing Issue The axle is out of alignment and putting pressure on that bearing or the tire has a weird wear pattern putting pressure on the bearing. __________________ Mike Pearson 2485 SS

07-13-2017, 11:07 PM	#6
voltdr Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 706 Likes: 77 Liked 100 Times in 51 Posts	Re: Trailer Wheel Bearing Issue I would think if the axle was out of alignment it would happen on both sides of the axle not just one side.

07-14-2017, 03:36 PM	#9
Rich Biebel VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Northern New Jersey suburbs Posts: 2,314 Likes: 25 Liked 544 Times in 213 Posts	Re: Trailer Wheel Bearing Issue The tire would show some sort of abnormal wear if the axle was out of alignment. If the tire is wearing the tread fairly even and not featheredged across the tread it's good. Trailer loading definitely might be a factor. More weight on one wheel is possible.... The type and quality of grease made a huge difference for me years ago on a trailer I had. It was eating bearings and only had 3500lb axles on a 22' box trailer. It would routinely trash a bearing and I was not towing long distances. It got to the point that every trip I made to the track I jacked the trailer up with car unloaded to feel the bearings. I carried complete new sets with seals. I started using synthetic waterproof grease and never had a failure again. That was a fairly new product at the time and was far better than the usual stuff. My present trailer has Nev-r-lube sealed bearing cartridges......I've replaced them once for no other reason than I felt better with new. I kept the old ones for spares...... Blown tires and burned up bearings on the road makes for a rough trip.....been there.... __________________ Rich Biebel S/C 1479 Stock 147R Last edited by Rich Biebel; 07-14-2017 at 03:39 PM.