Extra Bearing Set

[DaMScampers]

I once heard the great advice of traveling with an extra bearing set. It makes sense. You can do the maintenance near anywhere, but finding the parts could prove tricky. I've been looking for the perfect container for two packed bearings, a dust cover, a cotter pin, and extra geese. I think I've found it!

[Carol H]

An old yogurt container works as well.

[Bryan L.]

Where do the geese go?

[DaMScampers]

Geese! Ha!

[DaMScampers]

Darn thumbs. Darn auto correct.

[Night Sailor]

Iike the idea of having a spare tire and wheel all mounted on a packed hub, ready to go. Weld a mouth with a spindle and if you need a new spindle that can be cut off and welded to your axle. I can think of two times that would have been nice to have.

[Dan Meyer]

I once had to use a rod saw in a hacksaw frame to cut a wheel bearing race from an axle. It was not easy, and if I was in the same position today I would call a tow truck.

I guess the point is if your bearings go bad and overheat, you might have more work than meets the eye. It is probably best to buy the replacement parts from the shop doing the repair, but if they are not available I'm sure most shops would be thrilled if you have the parts.

-- Dan Meyer

[David B.]

Originally Posted by Carol H

An old yogurt container works as well.

I've been using a couple of plastic zip-seal sand-witch bags doubled up, to hold greased bearings, seal, & cotter pin for years.
Dave & Paula

[Jared J]

Originally Posted by Dan Meyer

I once had to use a rod saw in a hacksaw frame to cut a wheel bearing race from an axle. It was not easy, and if I was in the same position today I would call a tow truck.

I guess the point is if your bearings go bad and overheat, you might have more work than meets the eye. It is probably best to buy the replacement parts from the shop doing the repair, but if they are not available I'm sure most shops would be thrilled if you have the parts.

-- Dan Meyer

I changed mine at a truck stop due to a hot hub when I filled gas. (I check tire pressures and hub temps at every fillip).

Due to carrying spare bearings, I was back on the road in 15 minutes or so. The dust seal had failed and the grease was contaminated.

[honda03842]

We carry few spares as we travel but do carry wheel bearings, a fan belt and brake pads.

When we drove across Labrador we stopped in one campground and this older man (my age) said to us that his son owned the campground and had gone into town to get a trailer axle. He was building a trailer for his dad in the back yard. I went out to see this.

This was in Labrador City, Labrador/Newfoundland, maybe 7,000 people in Labrador City and greater Labrador City yet you could buy all the stuff to build your own trailer.

It may be that if you're not carrying a spare set of bearings you should at least know what size you need.

We had our first opportunity to use our AAA road side service in Canada this week. I had rotated the tires and left the key in the ignition after re-pressurizing the rotated tires. (Labrador City is literally many 100s of miles from any true commercial center though they do have a Walmarts and a Tim Hortons.)

That night as we were heading out to a concert, I couldn't find my keys and remembered that I had left them in the car in the ON state. The battery was dead so we called Canadian AAA and they appeared within 10 minutes and we were on our way.

We do have temperature sensors on our trailer tires (and the Honda's rear tires). I'm not sure if enough heat would be conducted from a bearing failure to activate the sensor because it hasn't happened yet. When we stop we always touch our trailer hubs (and Honda hubs). I do know a brake failure will heat up the sensors quickly and be detected by the tire monitoring system.

The more 'out' you get the more likely you are to find self sufficient people who can help you with a problem. Last year out in the middle of 'farm country' Florida we found a welder to fix our broken frame, a great job at a fair price.

Safe travels,

Norm

[Timber Wolf]

Originally Posted by Bryan L.

Where do the geese go?

They squawk some when you are packing them in the bearings and you generally get feathers everywhere but if it was a nice plump bird they actually don’t work too bad at lubricating things. And if your bearings do get hot it smells just like Grandma’s kitchen at Christmas! Hmmm, maybe pack the other side with Pumpkin pie filling?