pop up trailer bearing question

[wayne h]

i know that this is a pop up camper but i need some ideas on what to do. i just bought this from a freind of a friend it has been sitting a few years and i am not sure how well the bearings are but i dont have time to play with it. it was 1 of them deals that u cant pass up but u dont wanna sit there and play with wheels because u dont want the person to change there mind hahaha. on that note i have to tow it 100 miles home should i bring some bearing buddys and slap them in and pump some grease in them or not even bother ??? there really is no weight to the camper since its a pop up they are pretty light but like i said it has been setting for a few years.but no flat tires

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: pop up trailer bearing question

Years ago I bought a small garden trailer, while towing it home I had to pass through a small mountainous section of highway - on the third corner the right hand trailer wheel/hub overtook me!! The inner bearing had siezed and snapped the axle.<br /><br />If it was me I'd do a strip down and regrease.<br />At the very least you should check for freeplay and noise, jack up the trailer and give the wheels a spin.<br /><br />Aldo

 

[jlinder]

Re: pop up trailer bearing question

Just my $ .02<br /><br />You say you don't have time to play with it, but I suspect you would really kick yourself if you have a real problem on the way home.<br /><br />You have a 4 hour round trip there, why not take an extra hour to jack it up, check it out, and grease it up?<br /><br />Go armed with whatever you think you might need. If cheap enough you might take some spare bearings.

 

[wayne h]

Re: pop up trailer bearing question

hummm ok good ides guys i will jack it up and check for play and noise i will also bring my buddy bearings and grease gun i dont know what bearings are in them so i will see what it all looks like when i take the caps off. if all looks and sounds good i will put on my buddys and shoot some grease in them

 

[kence]

Re: pop up trailer bearing question

Most likely they are standard one inch bearings. You could just replace or at least buy a complete set of bearings, races and seal for about $15.00. I have a small pop-up camper and what I do is carry a complete hub assembly which also is the same size as my small boat trailer. Complete hub assemblies are cheap insurance and in carrying the hub around now for 5 years, I have never had a bearing problem but you know the first time I don't have spare parts or the hub, I will be in the middle of no-where and break down.

 

[Formula1974]

Re: pop up trailer bearing question

I can understand not doing it it his driveway if you think he may have regrets selling it. What I would do is drag it to a parking lot somewhere and work on it there.

 

[roscoe]

Re: pop up trailer bearing question

Make an appointment at a garage and drive it in there when you leave the guys house. Have them replace the bearings and inspect the spindle, etc. Then it is done, you know they are good for any upcoming trips, you don't have to worry about having the right tools or parts to do it on the road, and your hands stay clean. All for the price of an hours labor and the parts of course.

 

[DJ]

Re: pop up trailer bearing question

I would be more concerned about the tires than the bearings.<br /><br />Jacking it up and spinning the wheel will tell you allot.<br /><br />Pumping some grease in definetely will not hurt.<br /><br />If you can find a place, pull the hubs and inspect.

 

[craze1cars]

Re: pop up trailer bearing question

Air the tires, hook it up and drag it home! <br />Then you can replace them at home where you have tools and time. 100 miles isn't too bad, just keep your speed low and check after the first 5 to 10 miles to make sure they aren't getting hot. If they are, just slow down a little more for safety's sake and drag the kicking screaming carcass the rest of the way, they're toast already.<br /><br />Do you feel lucky???!!!

 

[wayne h]

Re: pop up trailer bearing question

got her home today to problems threw some buddys on greased them and filled the tires.not that great of a deal but not too bad eather for the price i cant lose.