Oil bath bearings

[4LOJO]

First time having these on boat trailer. My biggest concern was getting water inside but after guessing 6 thousand miles I’m impressed knock on wood.
Been waiting for warmer weather but starting to wonder had to get get quarts light out for heat so it would flow better.Will say a lot cleaner job than grease.
Did get home one trip noticed oil on rim looked worse than it was turned out just needed a little tightening on sight cap didn’t need to add any oil
I do carry extra oil and and o rings and sight glass now. Good to have done ready to go.Should of took more pictures but didn’t think until was about done

 

[caverdan]

I've never seen these before. Is this an add on kit or a special axle that you have to buy.

 

[BartsPlace]

I'm a big fan of oil baths for bearings. Just top them off once a year and done. They came on a 2008 trailer I bought in 2010 - now they're 16 years old and I've had zero problems.

 

[4LOJO]

I've never seen these before. Is this an add on kit or a special axle that you have to buy.

I knew semi's used them but never had seen on a boat trailer either.

 

[4LOJO]

I'm a big fan of oil baths for bearings. Just top them off once a year and done. They came on a 2008 trailer I bought in 2010 - now they're 16 years old and I've had zero problems.

That's good to hear.

 

[Phillbo]

Just make sure to let your brakes cool before submersing.

 

[Havalina]

I have 30,000 miles on mine with no problems. I love them.

 

[4LOJO]

I've never seen these before. Is this an add on kit or a special axle that you have to buy.

I'm not sure but I think you can convert either way? I think everything is same guessing the seals are different?

 

[Dorado]

I'm not sure but I think you can convert either way? I think everything is same guessing the seals are different?

Ranger puts them on their trailers. They sell kits to convert like you guessed. Only issue I have heard of is if you do get a leak, the failures quick and spectacular…

 

[C B]

The image makes it look like the hubs are filled to the top,

 

[4LOJO]

The image makes it look like the hubs are filled to the top,

Not a good picture I go half way.

 

[upthecreek]

Ranger puts them on their trailers. They sell kits to convert like you guessed. Only issue I have heard of is if you do get a leak, the failures quick and spectacular…

And if they leak inside and it gets on the brakes they are ruined as well.

 

[Ryan]

I’ve also heard that they are somewhat vulnerable to road debris cracking them, causing failure. I had them on my last fishing boat, and the individual that works on my trailers highly recommended I go away from them and to traditional grease, so that is what I did.

 

[Rainbowbridge]

the failures quick and spectacular…

You bring up a good point.

With a bearing buddy some residual grease would stay on the bearings for a short time....

Do these typically fail from the rear seal?

 

[upthecreek]

I had Dexter axles on a horse trailer that were oil bath. Inner seals went out and soaked the brakes in gear oil. Ruined them and hellova mess.

 

[WyoRado]

I had them for 10 years on my Ranger trailer. After 8 years one developed a leak in the seal, a few failed attempts to correct, it finally went out. It's nice you can immediately see if you have water in the oil (turns colors and becomes milky). When they worked, they always ran cool. Draining and refilling was easier, once I resigned to it taking a couple days.
I switched over to sealed vortex hubs and have been very happy with them.

 

[Bill Sampson]

I'm a big fan of oil baths for bearings. Just top them off once a year and done. They came on a 2008 trailer I bought in 2010 - now they're 16 years old and I've had zero problems.

My next trailer will have them. Their reputation seems to be good

 

[Bill M]

I had them on my small boat trailer for 15 years then one started leaking from the rear seal. Replaced all seals and good for another 15?