EX Lube bearings on new to me trailer, how often to physically check bearings?

[driz]

I am intimately well-versed on the horrors of the old style hubs and bearing buddies, etc. having owned a 1990 for many years. We just picked up another boat last fall and it has a 2013 venture easy lubes I don’t have any experience with these things other than how they operate with new pushing the old out. My other one I have to pop the caps and look to see if there’s any moisture or discolored grease and then rip the thing off and get nasty every year. What are you doing with these things just spending them and feeling for any of the obvious as well as looking at the Quality / color of the grease coming out , water drops ect?
So what’s the recommended procedure with these beasts? I was thinking about just jacking up each wheel pop the rubber , rolling it pumping out the old and in the new and just doing that every year until I notice something in the bearings actions like a hitch or drag. any advice appreciated thanks.

 

[badrano]

I have easy lubes as well. I'm a little OCD when it comes to the bearings so I actually pull everything apart each year to inspect the bearings and put fresh grease in at that point. In my opinion, if you don't check every year, you won't see the warning signs and something will fail at the most inconvenient time.
As far a periodic lubing during the year, I've just put a few pumps of lube in every so many trips.

 

[airshot]

Depending on how much my boat gets used, at least every other year the hub gets opened and inspected. About once a month, I slip a jack under the axle and spin the wheel assembly to feel for any drag or rough spots and add a shot of grease. When I detect an issue, it gets addressed quickly, don't let a small issue become a problem. What ever lube you use, keep using the same, it can be risky mixing different lubes.

 

[Scott06]

I am intimately well-versed on the horrors of the old style hubs and bearing buddies, etc. having owned a 1990 for many years. We just picked up another boat last fall and it has a 2013 venture easy lubes I don’t have any experience with these things other than how they operate with new pushing the old out. My other one I have to pop the caps and look to see if there’s any moisture or discolored grease and then rip the thing off and get nasty every year. What are you doing with these things just spending them and feeling for any of the obvious as well as looking at the Quality / color of the grease coming out , water drops ect?
So what’s the recommended procedure with these beasts? I was thinking about just jacking up each wheel pop the rubber , rolling it pumping out the old and in the new and just doing that every year until I notice something in the bearings actions like a hitch or drag. any advice appreciated thanks.

I think what you outline makes sense and is what I would do. I think these are really nicely set up so you can pump out old water contaminated grease with fresh new grease. Would pump until fresh grease comes out.

How much or how far do you tow?

 

[JimS123]

I view these as being similar to Bearing Buddies. In the past I used to jack them up, squirt a few squirts, rotate and then it was good for another year. After about 10 years I read about all the horrors, so I pulled everything and repacked. Didn't need a thing. I was mad that I wasted the time.

My 2 current Karavans have ezlubes. Right at the onset I called Karavan with the serial numbers and asked for the exact type of grease they used. Interestingly, they were different for the 2 units, which were 2 years apart. I noted the brand and part number and bought a supply of each. I don't mix different brands. When the supply runs out I'll re-supply.

When I pack in the Fall, I get no water out and it takes little effort to bring out all the dirty grease. I don't intend to ever pack them again. My only caveat is that i'm in fresh water. If I was in salt I might do things differently.

Just my opinion.

 

[cyclops222]

I have not replaced the wheel bearing grease in 20 ?? years. A occasional check shows clean grease. Trailer is a 1990.

 

[stevedan]

I have not replaced the wheel bearing grease in 20 ?? years. A occasional check shows clean grease. Trailer is a 1990.

well having been dealing with trailers the past 6 month and learning more than I wanted to know about wheel bearing, I can truly say you are running on luck.. I have Vault Wheel hubs and still inspect annually, ,and they are the only true submersible wheel hub on the market!

 

[stevedan]

I have easy lubes as well. I'm a little OCD when it comes to the bearings so I actually pull everything apart each year to inspect the bearings and put fresh grease in at that point. In my opinion, if you don't check every year, you won't see the warning signs and something will fail at the most inconvenient time.
As far a periodic lubing during the year, I've just put a few pumps of lube in every so many trips.

was in a deep conversation with Dexter Axle Engineer this weekend 7/5/24. He advised to inspect every wheel bearing each year, regardless of the situation. He advised the only true submersible wheel hub is Dexter Vault Wheel hubs and I even inspect them 1 time per year, but OEM say is can go 5 years without inspection. (Nothing is forever), not when dunking under water. With Conventional wheel hubs, remove rear seal, remove bearing, "inspect race" repack bearing, replace seal (Double lip preferred) and I also put red (high temp) permatex around seal, for added security. Repack front bearing, install washer and castle nut, (preload new bearings), do not spin wheel hub when preloading bearing. Back off until finger tight, the tighten with your fingers until you reach a carter pin slot. Install dust cap using PVC cap to knock on with.