Trailer wheel bearings...

[ALL_IN]

I posted this in the Open Water Forum, but I wanted to get some feed back from my Bass Forum too. I have been talking to my fishing buddies and other people and I have got 10,000 different responses and ideas... so I thought I would throw it out there to see what you do...

So as the summer is fast approaching I have a couple questions to ask the other FM'ers out there... Topic Wheel Bearings on the boat.

1. How often do you do a full repacking on your bearings?

2. Have you ever bought the pre-greased hubs and replaced your bearings that way?

3. How often do you grease through the certs, on the bearing buddy, between repacking?

I bought a boat two years ago and I am thinking that I would like to do a full repack job on the bearings so I know that they are ready to go, and I have different options like bringing them in to a place to have them done, doing it myself, or buying the pre-greased hubs and doing it that way. I have not done it before so I know there is going to be a learning curve to the project but I feel it can be done. I usually watch my bearings and give them a couple pumps with the grease gun through the certs on the bearing buddies, but I wanted to get a feel for what others are doing out there.

Thanks

ALL-IN

[mwal]

My new Stratos trailer has a sealed system called The Vault. Supposedly no Maintenance for 5 years. Previous trailer had bearing buddys. They do not replace the need to repack every year.

Mwal

[ALL_IN]

The Vault.

Mwal

Where do you get "The Vault"?? I have not been able to find them on the web

[mwal]

Stratos installs them at the Factory.

Mwal

[Bass Whacker]

If I were you I would replace the bearings if your going to go through the work of repacking. And if you want to spend a bit more money i would go with an oiled bearing. Ive had them for 3 years now and they are great I just pop the cap each year to drain the old oil and refill and your done.

[Deitz Dittrich]

I know basscat does not have zerts/bearing buddies.. and I was told to repack every 3 years by them.

[EBass]

I repack each spring and replace/repack every other year. To me the rear seal is vital as I had one go out which sent hot dirty grease all over then ceased up the berings and made a nice groove in the axel all while I had no idea until I got to the boat ramp and smelled something burning when I was unstraping da boat. And I have a lil 14' jon boat that doesn't weigh much. But I do fish a lot.

I had to get a new axel, bearings, hubs, seals, etc..

Better to be safe than sorry. I replace the rear seals each year after this fiasco. Speaking of I need to get that done tomorrow.

[TurnUpTheFishing]

I repack every fall. My train of thought is if their is any water I dont want it sitting all winter. I keep an eye on them through out summer and grease as needed.

[thatoneguy]

Novice question: how do I know exactly which size parts I need to do this? My trailer has 13" wheels and the five bolt pattern, what else do I need to know to make sure I'm getting the right size parts (or hub assembly if I go that route)?