I am quite curious about these hub/bearing failures. I've owned many boats and many trailers (many over 30 years old). I used to pull the wheels on the older units and hand pack them, or just grease the newer units once (maybe twice) a year ( usually in the spring). I pull several thousand miles a season, and the boat is rarely out of the water for more than a week at a time. Am very curious, if the issue is blowing out the rear seal by greasing the bearings too much or when completely cold. Checked my new dexter manual (stated as recommended by spindle and hub manufacturer), super lube( they say as needed- have no idea what that means), and the tracker manual ( keep the wheel bearings proper lubricated at all times - guess someone is supposed to sit on the fender and continually grease them - they also recommend carry spare races bearings and seals- wow great faith in a product ( having said that I used to travel the back country a lot and did that as standard practice anyway). I called white star , the indicated once or twice a season (except for sea water use - more ofter). The folks at tie down were non- committed ( a direct result of our sue happy culture). Curious minds prevail, so I completely disassembled and reassembled; based upon the design, in my opinion, it would be difficult to over grease the Tie Down Super lubes unless the grease and bearings were cold and stiff, which I suppose is why the manuals tell you to do so and spin the wheels while greasing the bearings. I say this because the design will push grease out the front seal, as long as the rear seal holds. I am not a fan of aftermarket parts ( even many electronic chips will not perform to specs). So am guessing that some of the problem may be out of tolerance parts.. Am very curious as to what you and you mechanics are finding as the causes of failures? Feel free to bash me, I typically learn more from my beatings and scars, than from eating ice cream.
