New trailer wheel bearings???

[Rusty C.]

I noticed today on my way home from a local lake that I smelled somthing that smelled like burning metal. I noticed on my dual axle boat trailer that the back axle, the one with brakes, had some smoke coming out of the grease fitting. A few minutes later, the other side popped out the grease plug housing and grease plopped out. The wheel cap that houses the grease fitting from where I saw the smoke was extremely hot to the touch. What does this mean? Bad bearing/s?

 

[Mike Page]

If it is a "new" trailer, I would definitly take it back to the dealer

 

[Cris Ratzlaff]

Check to see that the brakes are not rubbing.... I had that happen to me one time, the brakes on all four wheels were rubbing and when I got to the ramp the grease was just running....:angry:

 

[Rusty C.]

They are not new. I was asking if it sounded like I needed new bearings.

 

[Dan J.]

Yes. Any time you heat the spindle(s) to that degree you should pull them and visually inspect axles, bearings, races, and seals and replace as needed. If it were me, I would just replace them and make sure to incorporate checking/pumping grease into your spindle zercs regularly before towing. Good luck!