Trailer Wheel Bearing Lubrication

Spot on Joe! I've been using Bearing Buddys for 30+ yrs, but only since owning my C-Dory have I learned the proper way to refill and check the bearings. I would check them cold at home before leaving, seems thay 'always' needed grease, so I gave each a squirt or two to raise the plate a touch. It would blow that grease out of the inner seal and onto the wheel while traveling to the marina (depending on how far). I went through tubes of grease in a couple of years. Later I found out this method (most likely) destroyed at least 1 of the 4 seals on my last boat, new owner had a bearing failure shortly after taking possession.

Now I only check at rest stops or immediately upon arriving at the marina when they are warm. They rarely require grease, but I always top them off if at the bottom or close to bottom. Seems to work so far (...finding some wood...found it).

The Posi-lube system sounds interesting. And I'd think that repacking the bearings would absolutely be eliminated if the grease is renewed regularly. Does the Posi-lube mfr recommend repacking regularly?
 
Steve,
I don't know if repacking is required, but I like to check the condition of the bearing surfaces, and the repacking assures that they are good, and that there is fresh, non contaminated grease on the bearings.
 
So what type/brand of jack should a person have for roadside repairs. As I understand it the jack from the tow vehicle likely won't work on the trailer. I do know that my tire iron from my truck won't fit the lugs for the trailer so I need to find something that will.

Also, does anyone know of a good tutorial for how to repack bearings and such?
 
I carry a 4 way old fashioned lug wrench--but I also carry a 24" torque wrench and a cheater bar, with 1/2" socket set in the truck. I carry a 9 ton bottle jack and a 4 ton, four wheel floor jack. The floor jack can fit under the low axel. With lighter trailers I have carried sissor jacks--and for a 22 that is more than enough--probably OK for a CD 25--but may be marginal for the TC or C ranger. Also be sure to have wheel chocks for the trailer.

Wheel bearing packing is covered in some of the RV forums for example:
http://www.rverscorner.com/articles/bearing1.html
Champion trailers has some good information on trailer bearings and brakes:
http://www.championtrailers.com/techsup.html
http://www.highlinertrailers.com/Maintenance.asp

Principles are removing all of the old grease, cleaning the bearings, and inspection of the bearing and axel. Putting the sets of bearings back in properly after grease if put all around the bearings, and axel spindle, then preloading the bearing with the nut. The Posi-lube system gets around the packing a bit--by putting the new grease in the center, and displacing the older grease to the outside-elimating any air pockets--and this helps avoid problems which might come with an inadequate packing job or rarely with Buddy Bearings.
 
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