Hub oil bath system

[F-16 Falcon]

Hello,
I?d appreciate experienced comments on the oil bath bearing system (good or bad) for boat trailer hubs. I'm re-storing an old bass tracker and will be rebuilding the trailer hubs one day in the future and I?m considering them. I will say that I too have never been stranded using the bearing buddy system but I?ll be the first to say I can't stand the darn greasy mess you have to deal.
My son just purchased a used 2006 triton boat and the trailer has an oil bath system on the hubs. I haven?t tried to figure out who makes it yet but I do know it?s not factory installed because the triton trailer has what appears to be an original sticker indicating the trailer came with bearing buddies. I will say the oil bath system worked great on the 350 mile road/fish trip we took.
Also, the link below describes another source of opinion and it sounds like the dude posting the results after 10,000 miles is having great success. To be honest I had heard of or seen a oil bath system on a boat trailer before son bought his boat.
Thanks!
http://www.mastercraft.com/teamtalk/archive/index.php/t-17466.html

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Hub oil bath system

The oil bath hub system has been around for many years in commercial use on tractors and trailers with very little to no problems, not sure how long it has been around on boat trailers but I suspect its been in use for many years and the only problem I know of is when it loses a seal and the oil drains out you will lose a hub fast. Commercial drivers do a daily walk around inspection of tires and hubs and at ever fuel stop. For boat use if a seal dose start leaking the water contamination is easy to see and then should be replaced.

When I got my new to me boat and trailer I made sure it had Dexter hubs. That's a grease system that flushes out the old grease with out having to pull a hub off. I do it once a year and it takes about 10 minutes per hub and 1/2 of a tube of grease and no mess at all. And thier is a after market hub system that allows and old style axle hub system to be up dated to the Dexter style. Grease hubs are simply more forgiving even if thier full of water.

This is the after market hubs

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200466888_200466888

Bearing Buddy's were great in thier day and are still better than a plain dust cap. But you still have to spend the time to pull the hubs yearly.

Hope this helps you out. Every hub system has its advantages and draw backs.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Hub oil bath system

Had the oilbath on my last trailer. Best one yet. The only failure with them is the see through cap on the end. After awhile the sun makes the plastic brittle and they crack. I imagine by now they have improved the system. On the hub there should be a screw that you loosen to drain and refill hub. If i remember right you use 90 weight gear oil.Never had a failure.
My guess that an enginer of some sort will come along and set you straight

 

[ricohman]

Re: Hub oil bath system

How often do you fellows change the oil?
My trailer has never been in the water yet but it does have about 1800 miles on it from the trip home.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Hub oil bath system

How often do you fellows change the oil?
My trailer has never been in the water yet but it does have about 1800 miles on it from the trip home.

Do you have the end caps you can see the oil and it also has a fill line on it?
I never changed mine unless it got some water in them. What will draw water in is putting your trailer in when the bearings are at traveling temp. I would let them cool down before dunking. The hot bearings will draw water in when cold water contact is made.

 

[ricohman]

Re: Hub oil bath system

Do you have the end caps you can see the oil and it also has a fill line on it?
I never changed mine unless it got some water in them. What will draw water in is putting your trailer in when the bearings are at traveling temp. I would let them cool down before dunking. The hot bearings will draw water in when cold water contact is made.

Oil level is fine so I will wait near the end of this season to change the oil. I haven`t even read the manual yet so I have no idea whats in there or how to even drain it. With smallish hubs like these it will be minimal vacuum from warm hubs and cold water. New seals will keep the water out.