Bearings!

[Silverfox]

Another trailer question, I'm afraid and it is with regards to bearings.... sorry.

I have an SBS trailer with sealed bearings. They claim,

"4.3 Wheel bearing
The wheel bearing is a double-row inclined ball
bearing. It has the following advantages over normal
bearings:
• No adjustment necessary.
• Easy to maintain (lubricated for life and sealed).
• Protected against dirt ingress (sealed unit).
• Less sensitive to seizure than a taper roller
bearing
• All trailers from 2007 onwards are fitted with
waterproof bearings."

Are they really lubricated for life and are they really waterproof?

If this is the case, do they ever need to be changed?

[Pikey Dave]

I probably have the same trailer. They are AlKo bearings. I used to change my conventional indispension bearings religiously every year. I change the AlKo ones every 2 years & tbh they are in good nick when I change them. Cheaper aftermarket bearings are available but they are cr4p. They seem to work, but sealed for life is how long??

[Silverfox]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

I probably have the same trailer. They are AlKo bearings. I used to change my conventional indispension bearings religiously every year. I change the AlKo ones every 2 years & tbh they are in good nick when I change them. Cheaper aftermarket bearings are available but they are cr4p. They seem to work, but sealed for life is how long??

Life means life - doesn't it!! Cheers Dave, good news I guess.

[Peter_C]

I would recommend buying a spare and carrying it with you. When end of life happens, it is usually at an inconvenient time.

[kwil]

I probably have the same trailer and bearings as mine is a 2007 SBS trailer. When ever I work on the brakes I check the bearings for play and they are upto now ok and look like new, but as has been said if you get a failure it will be at an inconvenient time and place. Replacing bearings at the road side will be impossible so I carry a complete replacement hub just incase, as changing the hub will only take a few minutes longer than changing a wheel.

Keith

[RIK]

Ive got a snipe trailer with sealed bearings,They only lasted a year,I think the life depends on how many times you launch the boat and mileage. it would be nice to now if there is a way of extending the life of the bearings

[jyasaki]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

They seem to work, but sealed for life is how long??

By definition, until they fail.

jky

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by jyasaki

By definition, until they fail.

jky

exactly