Bearing Maintenance Tips from "Good Sam Club".
Wheel Bearings Maintenance and Care
The most important trailer maintenance item has to be wheel bearings. They are the # 1 source of
breakdown on the highway. However, it is amazing that bearings are the most over-looked maintenance item when planning a trip. Many people mistakenly think that since they don't use their RV much, the bearings should be o.k. Unfortunately this is not the case as bearing grease can break down and bearings can rust and pit from lack of use.
When checking your wheel bearing, it is also a good time to inspect the entire suspension system since the wheels are off. This inspection should include:
- Looking for damage and excess wear on the hub assembly, lug studs and nuts, brake pads, magnets, springs, and adjusters.
- Checking axle welds and spring mounts on the frame, shackles and bolts, springs and equalizers.
- Adjusting the brakes, for maximum stopping power.
- Lubricating all moving parts of the brakes and suspension.
Wheel bearings should be cleaned and inspected then re-packed or replaced
Every Year. Most RV's and travel trailers use "Dexter" axles under them. Dexter places a soft metal tag wrapped around the tube with the axel information and load capacity this will help locate the proper bearings and seals. Check your owners Packet for information on your axels.
Care and maintenance for wheels and
tires is a lot like bearings, the more they are used the less likely you are to have trouble with them. The following are the most common problems with wheels and
tires:
- Improper inflation: The proper tire pressures should be listed on a sticker, usually next to the Mfg VIN # tag on the left front of the trailer. This information should be checked before every trip along with tire pressure.
- Direct Sunlight: Whenever possible, keep your tires out of direct sun-light, with a tire cover, or in the shade. There are also many tire products that have UV protection and are available in most stores.
- Tire Wear: Another common tire problem is poor tread wear. If you have a tire, or multiple tires that have no tread in the middle, but plenty of tread on the side, then those tires have been running with the air pressure too high. Similarly, if you have tread damage on both edges but good tread in the middle, those tires have been running with the pressure too low. If you have tread damage on either the inside or outside of the tire, but no damage to the other edge of the tire, this shows you the tire has been riding at an angle, and you have a suspension problem that needs to be looked into right away.
It is important to note, that whenever you inspect your tire sidewalls and you find them cracked, crazed, or if you see any deformations to the smooth surface, you are in imminent danger of a tire blow out. These tires should be replaced before your next trip.
By taking precautions, performing maintenance and having the proper
road side assistance you can make sure your next trip is issue free. Don't have a road service provider? As a Good Sam Member you can take advantage of
Good Sam RV Emergency Road Service today. The average RV roadside assistance call can cost up to $300. Why not make it our problem?
If you are not sure what the level of roadside assistance you have or if you don't have any at all, you may find yourself paying much more than you expected. Don't wait until you experience a RV roadside breakdown to discover you don't have proper coverage a few dollars could have provided. Enjoy the peace of mind that goes with knowing that you did everything you could to make your trips un-eventful!
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