Here’s the Rub: Which Hub Lube is Best for Your Hauler?

Trailer bearing maintenance has recently gotten more complicated, with the introduction of hybrid lubrication products to the market. Which is best for keeping your hauler running smoothly? Let’s take a look at the evolution, performance, and maintenance needs of today’s trailer bearing lubrication options… 

Which Hub’s for You? Advantages & Disadvantages of Trailer Hub Systems

●        Grease-filled Hubs
The Low-Down: The old standby for hub lubrication, grease-filled hubs are commonly found on boat trailers.
Advantages: Thick and viscous, grease stays where you put it, requiring only periodic renewing.
Disadvantages: Grease-filled hubs don’t allow for the inspection of grease quantity and quality without disassembly.
Maintenance Needs: Grease-filled hubs require removing, repacking, and reassembling each 3,000-4,000 miles (or annually if your trailer sees minimal use), as bearing wear-and-tear is set into motion upon contact with moisture. Because of this, hub additions called bearing protectors (such as Bearing Buddy) are often incorporated to aid in the prevention of water intrusion and corrosion, holding a small reservoir of grease within the hub that is released under pressure/submersion to prevent water intruding.

●        Oil-filled Hubs
The Low-Down: Most commonly found on trailers hauling tournament fishing boats, as well as those that frequently travel long distances, oil-filled hubs provide less resistance, and thus greater efficiency while towing.
Advantages: Oil-filled hubs have a longer service and maintenance interval, allowing up to 40,000 miles between oil changes. They also allow you to easily monitor the condition of bearings, oil quality, and whether the hubs are filled or lacking via clear plastic caps on the ends of each hub.
Disadvantages: The plastic caps are weak, and if you clip another trailer or the dock while parking or loading/unloading, your trip is over. Once the oil leaks out of the hub, bearings will cease functioning pretty fast – especially on highways. Oil-filled hubs are also more prone to moisture penetration, as hubs are typically only filled halfway. Because of this, frequent rotation – via trailer use or manually spinning trailer wheels every few weeks – is necessary to prevent corrosion to bearings above the fill line.

●        Hybrid Hubs
The Low-Down: Hybrid hubs provide the best of both forms of lubrication: Grease and oil.
Advantages: Promising years of maintenance-free operation, hybrid systems (such as The Vault) offer a pressurized, oil-filled hub with a unique lube combination that thins out to the viscosity of oil at operating temperatures, yet maintains the viscosity of grease at normal temperatures. No maintenance is advised for 5 years, and hybrid products typically come with a 10-year warranty.
Disadvantages: Obviously, hybrid hubs require a specific type of lubricant, which is more costly. In addition, to safeguard the warranty of most brands, you are wise to have ANY bearing service or adjustment completed at a licensed, trusted shop.

Considering a Switch?
The pros at Ainsworth Trailer Repair have experience with all types of bearing lubrication systems and accessories. To learn more about which lube may be best for you hauler, or to schedule a fast, affordable swap, contact us and schedule a free estimate today.
This post was originally published at http://www.trailerrepairdenver.com/heres-rub-hub-lube-best-hauler/

Sure Signs You Need Trailer Brake Service

Feel like you’re starring in the latest rendition of Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride? Chances are, it’s long past time for trailer brake service. Water, heavy loads, pothole-ridden roads, and steep hills take their toll on brake system components, making timely brake maintenance and repair essential to the safety and longevity of your trusty trailer.

How Can You Tell it’s Time for Service?

●       Brakes won’t release after a sudden stop.
This issue is common on boat trailers whose drum brakes are not routinely flushed following use/submersion, as well as on trailers that aren’t used very often. It indicates a mechanical or hydraulic problem preventing fluid from traveling back to the reservoir. Investigation will be necessary to determine whether clogs affecting your brakes, or the master cylinder or surge actuator slide assembly has malfunctioned.

●       Brakes work on some wheels, but not on others.
If you’ve been neglecting your bearings in addition to your brakes, a grease leak may be affecting your braking system. Worn drums and rotors also commonly cause this issue, as will misadjusted brake linings, air in the lines, blocked/kinked lines, or a frozen wheel cylinder/disc caliper.

●       Brakes operate in reverse. (When you don’t want them to.)
A common issue on surge brake systems and a major annoyance for boaters, this issue can be combatted with the help of manufacturer recommended brake assemblies that safely workaround the issue. This includes ‘free backing’ assemblies that allow brakes to disengage in reverse only, as well as electric solenoid valve additions, wired to and activated by reverse lights, which allow brake fluid to bypass back to the reservoir when in reverse.

●       Brakes don’t work at all.
If your brakes have gone on sabbatical, you may be low (or empty) on brake fluid. Never a fun (or safe) scenario, this is not the time to dump in more fluid and get back on the road. If there’s no fluid in the reservoir, you have a leak, which must be found to prevent recurrences. If the reservoir is empty, a master cylinder and wheel cylinder replacement is also highly recommended to prevent the corrosion and breakdown of your entire brake system and steel lines. If fluid is not the issue, your drum brakes may be out of adjustment, wheel cylinder(s) frozen, brake lines clogged, or master cylinder shot.

There’s a Reason Commercial Truck Drivers Must Check Their Rigs Daily
Even seemingly small problems with brakes can lead to serious safety issues and costly, potentially deadly accidents down the road. This is why brake service is recommended for all trailers every XXXX miles or XXX time period. When was the last time you had your trailer serviced?

Head off problems at the pass, keeping yourself and other roadway travelers safe. Schedule a free maintenance or repair estimate and ensure the safety of your trailer with the help of the trusted professionals at Ainsworth Trailer Repair today.
This post was originally published at http://www.trailerrepairdenver.com/sure-signs-need-trailer-brake-service/