This article is the start of a multi-part series brought to you by Grant RV Service & Repair. These posts will focus on major RV components and their proper maintenance from the ground up, literally. Don’t worry, this isn’t an article for technicians or uber do-it-yourselfers. At a minimum, you’ll know what to look for, which is half the battle. And if you’re ever unsure, call Grant RV Service & Repair to help sort these things out.
RV trailer bearings are an essential component of any recreational vehicle. Proper inspection and maintenance help ensure the safety and longevity of your RV trailer. We'll cover the basics of RV trailer bearing inspection and maintenance, including how to identify when bearings need to be replaced and what should be maintained and when. (Check out the video clip at the end for a truck that should have read this article before hitting the highway.)
If you’re not familiar, all trailer's wheels require these bearings to support the weight of the trailer as it travels down the road allowing the wheels to rotate smoothly.
To ensure that your RV trailer bearings are in good working order, it's important to regularly inspect them and plan to repack the bearings every 7,500 miles. Some common indications that bearings may need to be replaced include excessive heat, noise, grease on the wheel, or wobbling when the trailer is in motion.
If you do notice any of these issues, it's important to replace the bearings as soon as possible. Failing to do so can lead to further damage to the trailer and potentially even an accident. When replacing bearings, it's important to use high-quality components designed to withstand the load and conditions.
It's also important to properly lubricate the bearings to keep them in good working order. This can typically be done by removing the bearings from the hub and properly applying high-quality, high-heat bearing grease. It's important to use grease specifically designed for bearings, as other types of grease may break down. Not only will the bearings suffer damage, but often brake rotors and pads will become coated in a thin layer of grease and fail when braking.
As the adage goes, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Proper inspection and maintenance of RV trailer bearings is essential for ensuring the safety and longevity of your recreational vehicle. Another great saying worthy of repeating, “if something is worth doing, it’s worth doing it right.” On major components, we strongly encourage the use of high-quality parts and learning how to do it right.
While you can try to figure out wheel bearing maintenance by watching videos on your phone, your time is valuable and limited. Call Grant RV Service & Repair before you hit the road this spring and let them inspect all your major systems starting from the ground up. By regularly inspecting the bearings and keeping them properly maintained, you can help ensure that your trailer is ready to hit the road.
Grant RV Service & Repair is an authorized ARMIS RV Guardian dealer and installer serving South-Central Texas located East of San Antonio off IH-10 in Seguin, Texas. Call (830)243-8010 or email grantrv@yahoo.com.