My 2 cents on wheel bearings

[Alaskabound]

I have dealt with wheel bearings on boat trailers, travel trailers, 5th wheels, etc. for 41 years. They have been the most problematic item I have dealt with. Even with Bearing Buddies, I always had the bearings inspected & repacked every year & still had leakage, grease on brake pads, and one complete breakdown in the middle of Wyoming one year.

I may be jinxing myself by saying this, but I believe my current system is the best system I have had. The Heritage trailer that carries my Cobalt has a sealed oil system called “the Vault”. Zero maintenance until 10 years. The dealer said this was an upgrade when he ordered the trailer but he had had great success (zero leaks or breakdowns). I’ll be 80 by then so bearings will probably be the least of my problems!

I’m mentioning this because if you are getting a new boat or trailer and have an option on this, it may be worth adding this on. I only have 2 years experience with these but so far they have been great. Supposedly the grease solidifies when put in water, then when trailing, heats up & gets like oil. Sorry for the long post. Hope this helps someone.

Dub

[Big Block Power]

Yes very true and a great set up. I also wish mine had that set up.

[thunder550]

Keeping water out is the important part IMO. Grease is grease. If you keep the water out you let the grease do it's job. Vault may be a "better mousetrap" for keeping water out....but the important part is keeping water out.

[JTinMO]

Good to hear. My new to us trailer has the vault hubs as well. I'm in the category of nervous as I like to do it all myself so I know everything is good to go. I want so bad to tear into these 8 year old bearings, but should not need to. They have very little mileage on them prior to us owning it. I guess i wait to do anything on them until there is a sign of an issue.

[Alaskabound]

T550, I totally agree. The hope is by being sealed, there will be no water intrusion. Water is the killer.

Jtin, since you are 8 years in, keep us informed on how yours do. It sounds like a simple system but things don’t always work as advertised, of course.

Dub

[thunder550]

That's crazy that it's 10 years maintenance free. I hope they work out. I've been inside my bearings about 10 times in the last year, really puts things in perspective

[Ytmsn]

That's crazy that it's 10 years maintenance free. I hope they work out. I've been inside my bearings about 10 times in the last year, really puts things in perspective

See, that's what I respect about you Thunder. 10 times in the last year? I haven't been into my wheel bearings on any trailer I own 10 times in my life. And I have 6 trailers counting my two boat trailers.

[Alaskabound]

Here is the sticker about the hubs

[thunder550]

See, that's what I respect about you Thunder. 10 times in the last year? I haven't been into my wheel bearings on any trailer I own 10 times in my life. And I have 6 trailers counting my two boat trailers.

That's what happens when you can't keep water out of the hubs. 3 of the 4 have been good for awhile, 4th has been a bear. Replaced the 4th hub a couple weeks ago, it FINALLY stayed dry the last two trips to the lake. Persistence....or insanity. Fine line.

[thunder550]

Here is the sticker about the hubs

Nice!

[shrfdeputy]

Does anyone have any further info on these? I've been frustrated with bearings grenading on the highway two too many times. I contacted my trailer manufacturer (McClain) today because they put the Vault hubs on all their new boats. I had never heard of them. After doing some research it sounds like an awesome product. I asked what it would take to switch my trailer to these, and it requires new torsion axles. Parts with shipping is about $1,600, but a local trailer dealership will install them for me for $270. That's a lot of money, but if it keeps me from changing a hub out on the side of a two-lane highway in the dark again and lets me tow worry free then I'm thinking it is worth it.

[Big Block Power]

They are nice but really grease your bearings properly and you won't have any issues. I'm doing mine this year as I have a big road trip planed.

[shrfdeputy]

They are nice but really grease your bearings properly and you won't have any issues. I'm dying mine this year as I have a big road trip planed.

I grease them religiously and have had them repacked twice in 3 years. They just always seem to get water in them.

[Big Block Power]

They are nice but really grease your bearings properly and you won't have any issues. I'm dying mine this year as I have a big road trip planed.

I grease them religiously and have had them repacked twice in 3 years. They just always seem to get water in them.

So does your bearing princess do that too!?

Honestly then your seal is not sealing tight on your axle. I would put the seal on the axle to see how tight it is.

[shrfdeputy]

They are nice but really grease your bearings properly and you won't have any issues. I'm dying mine this year as I have a big road trip planed.

I grease them religiously and have had them repacked twice in 3 years. They just always seem to get water in them.

So does your bearing princess do that too!?

Honestly then your seal is not sealing tight on your axle. I would put the seal on the axle to see how tight it is.

Lol. She actually did help me change one of them on the side of the road. It was not any fun at all. I think it leaks past the dust covers and then it just can’t get out. I try to keep it completely full of grease without putting in too much, but this trailer has been a bear. I’ve had numerous other trailers and never fought it like this, but I also didn’t have k my other trailers in the water.