Why No Sealed Wheel Bearings on Boat Trailers?

[KChookem]

If cars and pickups have sealed wheel bearings that are virtually maintence free, why are they not available for boat trailers?

Cost is likely a factor, but I would pay pretty good money for the peace of mind of not having to replace them along side the highway.

Dunking hot bearings in cold water might be another factor, but it seems like the 15-20 minutes of boat preparation prior to launch would cool the bearing down a bunch.

Anyone know good reasons why they are not available?

[riverhawk]

The water pressure is pushing on the weak side of the seal.

[KChookem]

The water pressure is pushing on the weak side of the seal.

We'd seal that baby up so there was no external pressure. The whole wheel bearing setup, including seals, bearings and races would be totally isolated from outside elements.

[Ironhead]

Auto and boat trailers same setup. Lip seal points out when you are using grease and points in if you are using oil.

[Hayseed]

Get away from greased bearings and go with oil bath. Ever notice that's what semi-trucks run? They only go a million miles or so.

[fishkisser]

Get away from greased bearings and go with oil bath. Ever notice that's what semi-trucks run? They only go a million miles or so.

Ever see a semi truck back his trailer into water and completely submerge his axles repeatedly going from warm to cold temperature changes ...
I can guarantee you he would not go a million miles under such conditions ...
I will stick with greased hubs , less to go wrong and they will still get you home if the cap falls off ...:twocents:

[Soulakala]

Ever see a semi truck back his trailer into water and completely submerge his axles repeatedly going from warm to cold temperature changes ...
I can guarantee you he would not go a million miles under such conditions ...
I will stick with greased hubs , less to go wrong and they will still get you home if the cap falls off ...:twocents:
I run Liqua-Lube oil bath bearings on my double axle trailer with no problems. I do a regular look through the clear outer cap to check the oil level. I did have one problem this year when one of my brakes locked up and overheated the hub. I replaced the bearings and seal and put the hub cover back on with the original silicone O-ring and gasket - wrong. I started to leak no matter what I did it leaked. I called the company and was told the O-ring is a one time deal, that it takes a set and cannot be used again if taken off. A replacement set of O-rings and gaskets for all four wheels came to 12 bucks. This winter all the wheels come off for some brake TLC. I'm sold on these hubs and would not go back to grease.

[baitsauce]

Ever see a semi truck back his trailer into water and completely submerge his axles repeatedly going from warm to cold temperature changes ...
I can guarantee you he would not go a million miles under such conditions ...
I will stick with greased hubs , less to go wrong and they will still get you home if the cap falls off ...:twocents:

I run Liqua-Lube oil bath bearings on my double axle trailer with no problems. I do a regular look through the clear outer cap to check the oil level.


Both have their positives and negatives, and here's two good reasons above, but whatever you run, oil-bath or grease, the bearings need plenty of lubrication. In my opinion one does not have any compelling advantage over the other. At least not enough to make the switch.

Boat trailers are notoriously hard on wheel bearings. Especially those that go into the salt. It's just the nature of the beast. Make it a habit of checking them everytime you stop and you won't be sorry.

[ET]

If cars and pickups have sealed wheel bearings that are virtually maintence free, why are they not available for boat trailers?

Cost is likely a factor, but I would pay pretty good money for the peace of mind of not having to replace them along side the highway.

Dunking hot bearings in cold water might be another factor, but it seems like the 15-20 minutes of boat preparation prior to launch would cool the bearing down a bunch.

Anyone know good reasons why they are not available?


I've wondered the same thing for a long time. I've had a couple cars now with over 150,000 miles and no bearing work. It is hard for me to believe a couple dunks in water and they would be toast after only a year or two....and maybe 1,000 miles.

There is definitely room for improvement.

[KChookem]

I remember the days when auto's got wheel bearing repacks similar to that we do on our boat trailers now. But techonology changed that.

If I do not have to repack the bearing on my auto, why can't I have the same system on my boat trailers? Sounds like oil bath hubs have some similarity, but not quite the same.

States that use salt on their roads have auto's that rust out like those on our Coast. Having spent a full winter in the Chicago area, which uses lots of salt, it seems to me that the salty road spray at 60 mph would also have a penetrating effect into every crack and crevice. Yet I'm not aware that auto's on the Coast, or in those states with salted roads, have issues with sealed wheel bearings.

If I knew the technology behind sealed wheel bearings I might comprehend why it would not work on boat trailers, but cursory reasearch has not given me anything.

I understand the vacuum dynamic of a highway-hot hub being submerged into 55 degree water, but at some point in time the hub & bearings cool down, and that time seems to be about the time it takes most of us to prep and wait for launch. Or maybe not?

[Time Off]

Just found out that Siglers Marine is ordering their EZ Loader trailers with oil bath hubs. They must think they are better than grease.

[fishingls]

I have had an EZ loader trailer since early 2006 with oil bath hubs. They work great.

My first six boat trailers all had grease hubs. I will never go back to grease hubs on a boat trailer.

Now if I could only have durable long life trailer tires, I would really be happy.

[sucker]

I love the idea of oil bath bearings but would not want to see sealed bearings. I had an e-z loader trailer with oil baths and i could tell at a glance if there was a problem; no need to pull apart and check the seals etc. I had a Ford front wheel drive vehicle with sealed bearings in the rear that failed at about 70,000 miles. Instead of going to the local auto part store and picking up new bearings and seals for $30 I had to order a new hub assem. from the dealer for $385 and wait nerly three weeks to get it. Properly maintained greased bearings and seals will outlast sealed bearings. Remember sealed bearing are the same bearings with the seals built in so they can't be replaced. If the seal wears out the grease comes out and the bearing melts down.

[bluehewes]

If you do any 4x4ing you'll be replacing wheel bearings.

I have a 2003 Ezloader and I have not had any issues with the bearings and I have a lot of miles on the trailer. The only thing I do to them is shoot a little grease in there and repack the once a year and they are still as good as new.

Simple to work on and parts are available just about anywhere. but if you neglect them, like anything else you'll be repairing them on the side of the freeway.

[Hunt'nFish]

I'm not sure I understand the need to FIX anything.
If you care for your hubs and bearing, they'll not fail on you. When you stop feel the hubs, all warm?...or is one warmer? Might want to go through them when you get home. When you bought the boat/trailer did you replace the seals and bearings?.... No?, might want to do that then.
Give them reasonable care and they'll take care for you.

At least if I do loose a seal, I can pump it full of grease and get back home.
What if you oil bath guys loose a seal? can you simply pump it full and get home?
What if it won't hold any oil? Hope you have extra parts.

Speaking of extra parts, if you don't already....... you should.
Murphy doesn't care WHO you are. :wink:
Hunt'nFish

[KChookem]

I'm not sure I understand the need to FIX anything.


I apologize to those who did not understand my original question, let me restate it ...

... Why isn't the wheel bearing technology used on late model cars and trucks available for axles on boat trailers? My car and light truck can be driven 100,000 miles without anyone touching the wheel bearings, so why won't that technology work on boat trailers?

I know about grease seals, races and bearings. I know to check my 'bearing buddies' when they are warmed up, and not to put too much grease in them. I know the bearings are replaced/repacked annually. I know to check the hubs temperatures before launching, and when I return home. I know to carry spare everything. I even know a little bit about oil bath hubs.

What I do NOT know is why the "old" wheel bearing technology is still used on boat trailers. There may be perfectly reasonable explanations, I just have not found them, yet.

Now somebody wants to say, "what's the big deal, just change them every year". For me, it is tedious and time-consuming, and usually on a pleasant day. But what the heck, I like latex paint instead of oil-based, I like cordless & cell phones, power lawn mowers, TV's without transitor tubes, automatic transmissions, battery powered tools, GPS, etc.

Thanks! I hope someone who understands the "sealed wheel bearing" technology can educate me.

[fishkisser]

Sealed bearings are ball bearing type and not tapered roller bearings ...
Ball bearings will not take much axial thrust (sideways) thus tapered rollers
are used to absorb the axial load ...
I don't think they make sealed tapered roller bearings ...:twocents:

[sucker]

I apologize to those who did not understand my original question, let me restate it ...

... Why isn't the wheel bearing technology used on late model cars and trucks available for axles on boat trailers? My car and light truck can be driven 100,000 miles without anyone touching the wheel bearings, so why won't that technology work on boat trailers?

I know about grease seals, races and bearings. I know to check my 'bearing buddies' when they are warmed up, and not to put too much grease in them. I know the bearings are replaced/repacked annually. I know to check the hubs temperatures before launching, and when I return home. I know to carry spare everything. I even know a little bit about oil bath hubs.

What I do NOT know is why the "old" wheel bearing technology is still used on boat trailers. There may be perfectly reasonable explanations, I just have not found them, yet.

Now somebody wants to say, "what's the big deal, just change them every year". For me, it is tedious and time-consuming, and usually on a pleasant day. But what the heck, I like latex paint instead of oil-based, I like cordless & cell phones, power lawn mowers, TV's without transitor tubes, automatic transmissions, battery powered tools, GPS, etc.

Thanks! I hope someone who understands the "sealed wheel bearing" technology can educate me.

Sealed bearings are not new technology they have been around for many years; like all mechanical things you use what is appropriate for the application. In trucks the rear wheel bearings are lubricated from the rear end housing; you will find the front bearings are tapered greased with standard seals. You will find the sealed ball bearing in light duty applications such as rears on front wheel drive passanger cars. Even on front wheel drive vehicle you will find standard tapered bearings with standard seals on the drive wheels. Sealed ball bearings are just not sutable for boat trailers.

[Fish-N-Machine]

Ever see a semi truck back his trailer into water and completely submerge his axles repeatedly going from warm to cold temperature changes ...
I can guarantee you he would not go a million miles under such conditions ...
I will stick with greased hubs , less to go wrong and they will still get you home if the cap falls off ...:twocents:

If your bearings are getting hot enough that quenching them in the water is going to harm them, they are already toast. Anytime I have any doubt about a wheel bearing, on a vehicle or trailer, I just feel the hub to see if its hot after a drive on the freeway. The only time I have ever felt one that was hot was after it was already toast.

[fishkisser]

Hey FNM ...
Not to say you are wrong about an already hot bearing being toast ...
But in my post that you are commenting on ...
When did the word warm suddenly pertain to something being hot ? ...
Just trying to figure out where you are going with this as I was commenting on
oil bath hubs at that time ...
Later ...FK:twocents:

[porscheguy]

If cars and pickups have sealed wheel bearings that are virtually maintence free, why are they not available for boat trailers?

Cost is likely a factor, but I would pay pretty good money for the peace of mind of not having to replace them along side the highway.

Dunking hot bearings in cold water might be another factor, but it seems like the 15-20 minutes of boat preparation prior to launch would cool the bearing down a bunch.

Anyone know good reasons why they are not available?

I pretty sure autos and trailers are the same. If your inner hub seal was leaking or gone the grease would run out onto your brakes and wheels. Most guys use bearing buddies to make sure the grease will cover the bearing compleatly. Bearings warm up in use, this is normal. As they warm the air inside the hub expanes, the bearing buddy is spring loaded and allows for this expansion. Some hub seals are double lipped sealing in both directions and some more expensive seals are two piece with the sealing surface intergrated in the seal. Both of these types of seals are not something you see on a trailer but you can buy them to fit your application at most bearing houses. Most axles have a thin stainless sleeve called a seal wiper. This wiper provides a sealing surface. Modern bearing lube doesn't flow like the hi fiber grease of the 60s and bearings last longer then they did back in the old days. All bearings still need to be checked for runout and preload. Boat trailer bearings wear faster because trailers have smaller wheels and guys drive to fast for the wheel size. This overheating could cause the water in a hub with a bad seal to dry out faster so maybe it's a wash. :meme:

[Chrome Bumper]

Pack the hub full of grease and there is no room for air.

[Fish-N-Machine]

Hey FNM ...
Not to say you are wrong about an already hot bearing being toast ...
But in my post that you are commenting on ...
When did the word warm suddenly pertain to something being hot ? ...
Just trying to figure out where you are going with this as I was commenting on
oil bath hubs at that time ...
Later ...FK:twocents:

In your post you say that semi wheel bearings(oil bath) wouldn't last if they were subjected to temperature changes that are caused by backing a trailer into the water. I disagree. The "warm to cold" temperature changes that you speak of, are not great enough to compromise the life of a bearing. Cooling a bearing off isnt going to hurt it. Bearings don't get hot enough that "quenching" them is going to do any damage, unless the bearing is at an abnormally high temperature, that would only be caused by an already failing bearing.

[fishkisser]

In your post you say that semi wheel bearings(oil bath) wouldn't last if they were subjected to temperature changes that are caused by backing a trailer into the water. I disagree. The "warm to cold" temperature changes that you speak of, are not great enough to compromise the life of a bearing. Cooling a bearing off isnt going to hurt it. Bearings don't get hot enough that "quenching" them is going to do any damage, unless the bearing is at an abnormally high temperature, that would only be caused by an already failing bearing.

Sounds like we just otta agree to disagree ...:D
Later ...

[MattPark]

The argument Ive heard is about a warm bearing being dunked in the water, contracting, and pulling water into the hub. Whether or not that's the primary cause, water does get into them, and water isn't much of a lubricant.

Bearings do get warm under use, but brakes add heat to the hub as well.

[lost_sailor]

It has something to do with my trailer being 50 years old.

[Keta]

If your bearings are getting hot enough that quenching them in the water is going to harm them, they are already toast. Anytime I have any doubt about a wheel bearing, on a vehicle or trailer, I just feel the hub to see if its hot after a drive on the freeway. The only time I have ever felt one that was hot was after it was already toast.


The problem is not over from excessive heat and quenching, it's contraction drawing in water past the seal that causes the damage. Bearing Buddies eliminate this problem if kept filled.

[Fishnchips]

I doubt that you can get a 400 series stainless bearing (which most are) to fail by quenching it in cold water when it's hot. The cast iron hub and spindle will fail in this manner long before the bearing will. (IMO)

Like stated before, get some bearing buddies or similar product. Pump them with good synthetic grease or marine grease and just remember to glance at them from time to time to see that the spring is not fully relaxed.
It's a good practice to replace the seals before installing bearing buddies because they keep the grease under positive pressure all the time. Obviously a bad seal will just make a mess inside your wheel and maybe on the side of your pretty boat.