Oil Bath Bearings

[bsmeaton]

Had the boat trailer serviced at the shop the other day and noticed that the oil bath bearings are getting to be pretty popular. I noticed a display at the RV show and see they are used on all types of trailers including 5ers, TTs, and boats.

The inner seal is a double lip on the spindle, and the outer cap is a see through plastic that shows the level of the oil. The oil just bathes the bearings like a gearcase.

Pretty cool http://www.tiedown.com/pdf/a751.pdf

The only problem I can see is long term storage, especially with any moisture involved.

[Fire5er]

Do they make them for our rigs with the 8 lugs? I only saw 4 & 5 lugs.

[bsmeaton]

There were 8 lug at the RV show, but I don't know what brand they were. In fact, I believe one of the 5er companies is using them on the three axle rigs.

[SlickWillie]

I've known some fellas down here that haven't had very good luck with those on boat trailers. Seems they end up full of salt water. Some have changed the hubs back to the conventional grease packed ones, and I know at least one that just packed those oil bath hubs. From what I recall, some of the boat trailer manufacturers have quit using them. They might work well on an RV though. I don't back mine down in the water too often.

[HughM]

We had oil bath bearing on the front axle of a M/H. On outer edge was a plastic (?) cover that you could check the level of the oil. After a lot of miles the level never changed.
They are a lot better that greased bearing that you have to repack each year or 12,000 miles.
I wish that I had the oil bath bearing OR Nev-R-Lube axles on the rest of my Rv's that I'll buy.
I have Nev-r-Lube now and love the service.
Hugh