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ZuBrew View Drop Down
podders Helping podders - pHp
podders Helping podders - pHp
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Location: Macedon, NY
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Direct Link To This Post Topic: Bearing Service 2015 178
    Posted: 05 Apr 2018 at 1:04pm
Originally posted by techntrek

I will just add a link to this thread.

I looked at Dexter's service manual, and on page 85 it says to repack the bearings every 12 months or 12,000 miles.  I believe axles that are subject to submersion (boat trailers) are supposed to be repacked more often but I didn't see that in the manual and I've never owned a boat.  Personally I stick more to the mileage recommendation.  If we have several summers full of local weekend trips I'll go 2-3 years.  If I'm about to go on a 7000 mile trip, they get it before we leave.  I'm sure Dexter's recommendation is more CYA, like my Generac generator's recommendation to change the oil and filter every year.  Oil oxidizes and does need to be replaced every year, but with only 20-30 hours of run time annually I see no need to change the filter then.  Cars on a 5000 mile schedule get over 100 hours of run time between oil changes.

Axle bearings on a car or truck are factory sealed, trailer axle bearings aren't - but obviously we have the technology so I don't see why they don't (other than the obvious - price wars between manufacturers, make them as cheap as possible).  I would pay a little more for a camper if they advertised that the bearings never needed maintenance.  But, this is again like my big generator.  Auto manufacturers perfected paint jobs by the early 90's.  In most cases.  Yet my genset after only a few years started getting rust spots.  Make 'em cheap, make 'em cheap.

Here is an updated link for the Service manual
2017 Chevy Silverado 1500 4X4
2018 R-Pod 189
2013 Yamaha FJR 1300A
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mccvii View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Jul 2018 at 11:50am
I know this is an old thread but I figure I'd pop in.  I am one of those folks who has not performed any axle maintenance but then my pod travels, on average, 300 miles a year.  I'm not planning to dive into the job myself but I will observe the activity to see just how much damage has resulted from my negligence.  I'll try to snap some photos if there is anything unusual or any damage.
2013 178
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GlueGuy View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Jul 2018 at 12:41pm
It's kind of curious that these days automobiles (and trucks) come with permanently lubricated bearings. Yet RVs have this 1 year/10K mile thing that was common in the 60s & 70s.

I'm not offering any explanation. Just observing and wondering.
bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
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