Who has the best trailer bearings

[old boat 54]

I had water intrusion in one wheel hub, and although bearings look ok, decided to change out for safety. There about 4 -5 years old anyway. Seems like all are made in China. I went to NAPA, and they had kit's with bearing, races, and hub
for about 35.00 but made in Mexico. The originals that came with the trailer look like china also.
Looking for source of descent bearing. Size is 1-1/16" on the spindle.
Appreciate any help.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Who has the best trailer bearings

I think New Departure was always Japanese manufactured. I would trust anything made there. Torrington, a good old American name is now made in Romania. You will have a difficult time finding any bearing at any price made in USA.

While Chinese do seem to have a problem with high grade steel in cheap products--their knives don't hold an edge-- I suppose that bearing steel, being hardened all the way, should last adequately.

 

[Fishing Dude too]

Re: Who has the best trailer bearings

See if you can find SKT bearings, trouble is most bearing names are now going with cheepest manufacturer, there is a high quality bearing name just can't think of it now have a list of their bearings at work in my toolbox. Can list in AM.

 

[ufm82]

Re: Who has the best trailer bearings

Timken. Best there is. Global HQ is here in Ohio.

 

[bigdee]

Re: Who has the best trailer bearings

I would not be too concerned. I worked in Engineering and we used maintenance management software to track all repairs and preventive maintenance on our industrial machinery and there was never any data collected that proved the Chinese bearings to be more prone to failure than their domestic equivalents. If you are concerned think twice before driving your auto or worse flying!!

 

[jimbo_jwc]

Re: Who has the best trailer bearings

Concure w/UFM82 Timkens made world wide to our specs although not all are made with steel made at Canton Steel Mills

 

[Fishing Dude too]

Re: Who has the best trailer bearings

Timkins bearings are no longer made in Ohio and their quality has taken a dive. The problem with most Chineeze bearings is the balls are not the high quality polish that makes a great bearing. Most people have little knowlage of bearings and thrust bearings are hard to install correctly, but hey make sure you use a feeler gauge to get the right tension on them.

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: Who has the best trailer bearings

Really? Feeler guage? What?

 

[ufm82]

Re: Who has the best trailer bearings

Yea, a feeler gauge. Grease 'em up, put 'em on the spindle and tighten them until they "feel" right. LOL Most people call them fingers.

 

['78 Crusader]

Re: Who has the best trailer bearings

SKF makes one heck of a bearing.

 

[bigdee]

Re: Who has the best trailer bearings

SKF makes one heck of a bearing.

SKF bearings are made in China too. There is no escaping it...sad but true. We are in a global economy and all manufactures that compete in today's market must meet ISO and GMP standards....so with that being the case I would not depend on one brand being superior over the other. I have collected data on bearing failures on industrial machinery and no one brand stood above the rest. It is also sad to say I have seen some USA plants become archaic while seeing highly superb technical industrial processes abroad......sad.

 

['78 Crusader]

Re: Who has the best trailer bearings

SKF bearings are made in China too. There is no escaping it...sad but true. We are in a global economy and all manufactures that compete in today's market must meet ISO and GMP standards....so with that being the case I would not depend on one brand being superior over the other. I have collected data on bearing failures on industrial machinery and no one brand stood above the rest. It is also sad to say I have seen some USA plants become archaic while seeing highly superb technical industrial processes abroad......sad.

Seriously? I wonder what my stepdad has been doing for the last 30 years at the SKF ball bearing plant in Flowery Branch Georgia???

 

[bigdee]

Re: Who has the best trailer bearings

Seriously? I wonder what my stepdad has been doing for the last 30 years at the SKF ball bearing plant in Flowery Branch Georgia???

I did not say ALL.....I live close to an INA bearing plant but their production is limited to only a few markets.....most of their manufacturing is overseas too.

 

[old boat 54]

Re: Who has the best trailer bearings

Hey Guys,
Thanks for all the feedback. I have checked out one at Napa store and I think the guy said SKT or SK?
and said made in mexico, but better then china.
For one wheel kit two bearings, two races one hub and one cotter pin, 36.00.
A little high. Dont mind paying for quality, but dont know if it was.
First off, I have no use for hub or cotter pin, my axle does not use them.
I have dexter torsion EZ lube. Uses a special washer with taps to hold castle nut.
Hub has hole in it for easy acces to grease fitting. Then a rubber boot goes in hub.

So, I called timken, got knowledgable person, and he gave me a part number for my 1-1/16" spindle, and
said, you can find them at auto-zone, Here in Illinois. Had to go to two stores, but purchased " set #4"
That's how they were listed. They did not stock a "kit" for one wheel, but seperate bearing and race.
But you could order it. Made in USA.
He also told me they manufacture in Romanina, Poland and china for the markets there.
Still under Timpken specs. Some parts may be made else where , but the one I needed is made here.
Bearing grease seal, not made here.

Now, for the grease ........ Mystik #2 blue marine grease .... comments .....

 

[Black Snow Slide]

Re: Who has the best trailer bearings

Buy them from iboats.. They give us this forum.

 

[bigdee]

Re: Who has the best trailer bearings

Buy them from iboats.. They give us this forum.

A+++

 

[stevegrant1]

Re: Who has the best trailer bearings

I'll only use Timken bearings. And a bearing is only good if you grease it, so use the best waterproof grease out there: Krazy Grease.