Speeds with a trailer

Eldon (WA)

Well-known Member
I have been following a local hotshot on his utube channel lately. He runs Big Tex 14k trailers and tells his drivers to try to stay under 70mph since they are greased bearings. I never thought about it before, last trip I ran 75mph most of the way since the Duramax runs so smooth at that speed. Seems all the truck bearings are greased and I have never heard that speed wore them out faster. Thoughts?
 
I run 75 or 80 out on the freeway all the time my
speed sensor In the rear axle was making the
speedometer read off last time and I was running 85
and didn?t know it until I noticed the fuel mileage for
the trip was 10 mpg instead of 12.5 / 13 . I?ve never
had a wheel bearing issue
 
You can't find anything that says anything like that. The only thing they say is that you get better fuel mileage with bearings run in oil
less drag than greased bearing..
 
I would think the speed rating of the trailer tire would be a bigger issue if hub maintenance has been kept up.
My trailer is a grease hub, I know I?m paranoid, but I keep a cheap laser thermometer in the truck and shoot the hubs every
Time I stop. I just do it as I do my quick walk around strap/chain check.
 
JoeM have you every found a hub hot? Not disagreeing but just wondering.

I pulled an All crop 66 one time and kept a check on the hubs. It had brass bushing. They got fairly warm but ok.
 
not on mine, I'm pretty religious on maintenance on mine, but I have on a friends that was heading to the same show I was.
Not foolproof by any means, but will show bearings with issues or dragging brakes with just a quick walk around. There's not a set temp, you're just hunting one a lot higher than the others.
 
Like already said I would be worried about the tires more than the hubs.

But really what difference does it make when the speed limit in Wa state is 60.


a254699.jpg
 
(quoted from post at 19:55:23 01/23/18) Like already said I would be worried about the tires more than the hubs.

But really what difference does it make when the speed limit in Wa state is 60.


<img src="http://photos.yesterdaystractors.com/gallery/uptest/a254699.jpg">

Most of my trip was thru Montana and South Dakota, I am a mile inside WA.....besides, I believe those speeds are for semis.
 
I "might" hit 70 when pulling on the interstate in light traffic, but I much prefer to keep my speed at 65 or below. Much of that depends on what other traffic is doing. If I fear a sudden stop, I'll go a bit slower. Have been known to slow down to 55 just to let more radical drivers get a bigger lead ahead.

And, when loaded, I always feel each hub by hand at each stop!
 

Obviously no one knows it then. The left lane thing is posted all over by signs, as far as the speed limits, the signs only say '75 MPH' and under that will be a sign that says 'Trrucks 65'....no mention of trailers on those signs. I have had guys pass me many times towing trailers doing 80 in MT and SD.I rarely drove over 67 with my Dodge as that was the 'sweet spot'. The Duramax seems to be a little higher. Thanks for all your digging, but it still does not answer the question of whether there is a speed limit for grease type bearings on a trailer....
 
I wouldn't worry about bearings as much as I would tires. Most !4,000lb. trailer tires are rated at 65 MPH MAX with two brands rated 80 MPH.
 
Reading between the lines, the boss wants drivers to stay below 70 MPH and wheel bearing is the excuse he's using to do that. The boss is probably trying to reduce accidents caused by his drivers and the resulting lawsuits against his business.
 
I travel I81 thru West Virginia right much and the posted speed limit sign just says 70MPH same in Virginia.And I've pulled greased bearing trailers for years at 70-75 MPH with no
problems.Makes no sense to me having different vehicles running different speeds on the same road.
 
You need to look up the laws for towing a trailer state by state and you will find the speed limit. Just because it's not posted doesn't mean that there isn't a speed limit.
 
The wheel bearing speed limit is a crock. If it were a reality the whole trailer towing crowd would certainly know that simply because it would have to be posted on any new trailer.
 
They keep talking about bearing and it's not the bearing it's the tires. All trailer tires that go on this size trailer are rated at 65 MPH max. Except for Taskmaster which is 81 MPH and Lionshead which is rated at 71 MPH.
 
Just curious. I'm thinking that the
vast majority of front axles on cars
and trucks are greased bearings. Why
the difference. Same technology and
application. Why would it be unsafe
for a trailer to go 70mph but not a
car using the same technology.?
 
This debate comes up from time to time. Its just like the what oil to use, or what kind of ballast is best debates. Everyone has an opinion, most are backed up by some sound reasoning. But you hit the nail on the head, the truck front axle bearings are greased and in many cases carry more weight than the trailer. Even at real high speeds wheel bearings turn at significantly slower speeds than many sealed bearings that have a lot less grease in them. If you keep your bearings greased properly you won't have issues.
 
Wheel bearings on a motor vehicle are way better than the wheel bearings made for a trailer.

That being said, just imagine the bearing speed on a little trailer with 12" rims or less on some. They must be screaming feat.


Remember too, every U-Haul trailer is labeled "45mph max" even in reverse so you can read it in the rearview mirror! LOL.
 
He's talking 14,000lb. Trailer. The bearings on a 14,000lb trailer would as good if not better than bearing in the front end of a 1/2 ton
pickup. One axle on a trailer is rated at 7,000lbs. and the total weight of most 1/2 tons is less than 5,500 lbs. so your not carrying much
over maybe 3,000lbs on front axle of truck at the most. You uhaul puts that on their trailers because most people have never pulled a trailer
and don't know what their doing. I have pulled several uhaul trailers and they are the worst tracking trailers I have ever pulled.
 
It would stand to reason trailer axel bearing should be as good as any other greased bearing on the front end of a car or truck.
But on the other hand I am sure most of us have seen way more trailers broken down on the side of the road with bearing problems than they have seen cars or trucks.
So maybe trailers do need reduced speeds.

Buy why???????????
The number one reason would be tire size on some trailers.
Smaller trailers with their smaller tires spin at much greater speeds.
Another would be boat trailers that get water intrusion in the bearing area.

But lets limit the discussion to just equipment trailers in the 14k range.
For this size trailer you would think it would have at least 15 inch tires and regular sized bearings.
So why so many problems??
I attribute it to lack of maintenance; and not being used daily.
Overloading is also a contributing factor on trailers of this size.
If that be actual overloading; or shock overloading from a not so up to date suspension.

But personally I would think condensation pitting of the bearing from not being used daily as the number one factor for bearing failure on trailers of this size. This and higher speeds are murder on bearings.

But like I said below.
Most tires on trailers of this size have a speed rating of 65 mph
Every road (as far as I have read) in the U.S.A. has a speed limit of 65 mph on trailers of this size or at least use to be that way.
So if you are not worried about going 80 mph pulling a 65 mph tire down a road with a 65 mph speed limit; then what is the point of worrying if the bearings are rated at 65 mph.
 
You are correct in that the most common reason for failure is from rusted bearings from sitting. Around here the most bearing failures are boat trailers in the spring and snowmobile trailers in the fall. Both sit for months without moving alowing the bearings to rust. Then the first time out they go out. My best advice for trailer bearings is to not over grease them, by that I mean not filling the hub with grease, and moving them a little every few weeks to keep the bearings from rusting.
 

From what I have seen and heard, it seems the "bearing buddies" are part of the problem with many greased tailer bearings. Guys push way too much grease in not knowing that it is coming out the back and distorting the seal. Then it gets run in rain or slush and water comes in.
 
showcrop
That is why I use Vortex Hubs.
It has a grease fitting like bearing buddy but is made to push the old grease out the front bearing rather than past the seal on the back side.
They also seal tightly to prevent water intrusion; and when used with Premium grade Lucas Oil Marine grease are guaranteed for 100k miles.
 
Well your alright till you get caught or have an accident . That's when the lawyers come down on you like a hammer.
 
(quoted from post at 12:27:01 01/28/18) He's talking 14,000lb. Trailer. The bearings on a 14,000lb trailer would as good if not better than bearing in the front end of a 1/2 ton
pickup. One axle on a trailer is rated at 7,000lbs. and the total weight of most 1/2 tons is less than 5,500 lbs. so your not carrying much
over maybe 3,000lbs on front axle of truck at the most.

Sounds like a good argument for the trailer bearings.
Except for the fact that most pickups now-a-days can go over 100,000 miles with the OEM wheel bearings.

How many miles do you get on the [u:ce12298084]average[/u:ce12298084] 14k trailer wheel bearing?
Even when religously maintained the trailer bearings will not last as long.
 
They certainly will. I had several
contractors run them that long. One
contractor bought a skid loader trailer
from me. When he picked it up it was with a
new pickup. Several years later he traded
that truck off and the trailer had never
been unhooked except to service the truck.
The truck had 170k on it. The trailer had
the brakes and suspension rebuilt several
times, but the only new bearings were when
the hubs were replaced because they were
worn out of spec for brakes.
 
(quoted from post at 19:45:24 01/28/18)
(quoted from post at 12:27:01 01/28/18) He's talking 14,000lb. Trailer. The bearings on a 14,000lb trailer would as good if not better than bearing in the front end of a 1/2 ton
pickup. One axle on a trailer is rated at 7,000lbs. and the total weight of most 1/2 tons is less than 5,500 lbs. so your not carrying much
over maybe 3,000lbs on front axle of truck at the most.

Sounds like a good argument for the trailer bearings.
Except for the fact that most pickups now-a-days can go over 100,000 miles with the OEM wheel bearings.

How many miles do you get on the [u:2244b8adcc]average[/u:2244b8adcc] 14k trailer wheel bearing?
Even when religously maintained the trailer bearings will not last as long.

This hotshot guy claims he runs about 100k per year on a trailer. Bearings get greased and adjusted every 4 months, brakes, springs and hardware replaced once a year. I buy a new trailer every 5 years after they are depreciated out, seems to work for me as it costs me about $300 a year to own a nice trailer. Never have replaced a bearing and rarely buy a tire. I average around 10k miles per year, most of it local hauling.
 

I don't put a lot of miles on my trailers, couple thousand on the small 96 model and around 7 thousand on the 06 20K lb tandem dually.
I've replaced one bearing on the small trailer and none on the big trailer, they have been repacked a number of times.
I only run LT type tires on my trailers, to many of the ST brands are China bombs, blow out long before they wear out.

Here in Ky interstate speeds are 70 mph for cars and trucks, doesn't matter if their pulling a trailer or not.

Pulled semi trailers with both greased and oil filled hubs for 30 years, I've seen more bearing failures from oil filled where a leaking seal or hub cap had leaked all of the oil out.
 
(quoted from post at 22:45:24 01/28/18)
(quoted from post at 12:27:01 01/28/18) He's talking 14,000lb. Trailer. The bearings on a 14,000lb trailer would as good if not better than bearing in the front end of a 1/2 ton
pickup. One axle on a trailer is rated at 7,000lbs. and the total weight of most 1/2 tons is less than 5,500 lbs. so your not carrying much
over maybe 3,000lbs on front axle of truck at the most.

Sounds like a good argument for the trailer bearings.
Except for the fact that most pickups now-a-days can go over 100,000 miles with the OEM wheel bearings.

How many miles do you get on the [u:a1a80bb4a7]average[/u:a1a80bb4a7] 14k trailer wheel bearing?
Even when religously maintained the trailer bearings will not last as long.
It appears I was not clear with the intended meaning of my previous post..............................

How can anyone claim trailer wheel bearings, that have to be greased and adjusted several times a year are comparable quality to automotive wheel bearings?
A modern truck often never needs repacking or adjustment of the wheel bearings.
For the same amount of mileage.
 
Your missing one big point . The front bearings on the front of a pickup truck don't carry any where the weight of a trailer and take more
abuse. I have several friends that own their own repair shops and a lot of truck front wheel bearings never reach 100,000 miles.
 
Maybe different brands are better or worse
but no. 1234567 bearing can be used in
thousands of application's. I think people
who fill their hub plum full of grease and
don't tighten bearings enough have most of
the trouble. Also I was taught to always
use Molly grease same as was in the grease
gun.
 
(quoted from post at 22:03:42 01/31/18) Maybe different brands are better or worse
but no. 1234567 bearing can be used in
thousands of application's. I think people
who fill their hub plum full of grease and
don't tighten bearings enough have most of
the trouble. Also I was taught to always
use Molly grease same as was in the grease
gun.

That right there can be the cause of a big problem in selecting the right grease. While a moly grease is a high heat grease there are chassis lube greases that are not designed for the high heat generated by wheel bearings. So if someone is "always taught" by 2-3 people that don't know, they will most likely continue to do that instead of looking in the owner's manual or product guide themselves. When I am repacking a bearing I grab my tub of wheel bearing grease, But when I am lubing a wheel bearing that has a grease fitting on the cap, of course I use the grease gun with the chassis grease in it. I use moly grease myself, but in a lot of shops I assume that they use other grease.
 
Another subject producing plenty of opinion. My 14k trailer is regularly maintained bearings greased, tire pressure checked etc. During and after most long heavy hauls always touch all the hubs to see how much heat has built up. By no means afraid to haul over 70mph with tractor strapped on back, again it's all up to the individual.
 
If the tires are large enough for the job they should not get hot. I do know running in the south during the summer they will run hotter than farther north. AZ,NM,TX versus NE,IA,WY. That said tires getting hot are one of a few things to small,overloaded,under inflated. The 3 biggest tire problems. As for bearings I will still stand by my oil filled bearings and Stemco Seals. Stemco has a wear sleeve and installed properly will outlast any other seal on the road currently. I've used them all in 20 years as an O/O .
 

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