It’s necessary to ensure the proper maintenance is given to a Dexter axle hub cap and it’s the same with trailer bearings. Unfortunately, bearings are continuously forgotten about. Your forgetfulness can cause a lot of problems, including costing a fortune to fix. Being stranded at the side of a road for hours isn’t ideal for anyone and it’s more likely to happen if you don’t properly grease your trailer’s bearings. So, how will you know how often to grease a trailer’s bearings?
A Rule of Thumb
Typically, it’s thought trailer bearings should be greased once every ten thousand miles. This is a general rule that most people adhere to. It is, however, important to understand that this might not be necessary in every case. For example, you have a trailer that’s used once every few months. You shouldn’t need to grease the bearings often; in fact, once a year might be sufficient. This, of course, depends on how often the trailer is used and its duration on the road. Many factors determine how often you should grease a trailer’s bearings.
Consider your Speed
Despite what you might think, speed determines how often the bearings must be greased. Running at a higher speed on the open road adds pressure to the wheels. It will then target the bearings and their protection. You’ll have to grease them more frequently by operating at a high speed. On the other hand, if your speeds are slightly lower and aren’t running on the highways, the bearing grease should hold up longer. It is a fine line between grease protection and running speeds. The more speed you use, the more strain is put on the bearings.
Heat Plays a Role in Greasing
On any hot day, your engine can exceed the heat barrier the grease sits at offering protection. Grease begins to lose viscosity at hot temperatures, and it can happen at any given time.
Remember, engines get extremely hot and on a warm day, they can go above and beyond what an engine can handle. Protection for the bearings is necessary and will require regreasing at this point. It’s the same with a Dexter axle hub cap; when there is a problem, it’s time to repair the problem. Click here to read more about How to Lubricate Dexter EZ Lube Axles.
Act When You Have a Missing Bearing Cap
There are times when greasing the bearings is more necessary than others. For instance, if you have a missing bearing cap, you need to act fast. The bearing will become grimy, and water is likely to get in too (if it rains). These conditions can play havoc with the bearings and cause major problems, to say the least. So, you need to replace the missing bearing cap and regrease it also.
Old Grease Should Be Changed
A lot of people wait until they reach ten thousand miles before they change the grease. This, however, isn’t always smart. It can take several years to clock up those miles, especially if you don’t use the trailer often. For example, you use the trailer in June and July and let it sit at home for another eight months. Instead of waiting until you’ve hit ten thousand miles, you should change and regrease the bearings before taking the trailer back out.
Maintain Your Bearings to Keep Them in Good Running Order
In conclusion, proper maintenance of enclosed trailer accessories, such as the Dexter axle hub cap and trailer bearings, is essential to ensure smooth operation and prevent costly repairs. While a general rule of thumb suggests greasing trailer bearings every ten thousand miles, factors like usage frequency, speed, and temperature can influence the frequency of greasing.
Regular inspection of bearings, timely replacement of missing bearing caps, and changing old grease before reaching the ten thousand-mile mark are crucial steps to maintain optimal performance and longevity. By caring for trailer bearings as diligently as a Dexter axle hub cap, you can avoid unexpected breakdowns and extend the lifespan of your trailer accessories, ensuring safe and efficient trailer operation.