Camping Camper

Question:

Instead of soaking said nuts, take a Butane Soldering Torch and open it up to full power, and careful play the flame around the nuts one at a time and using a standard lug wrench with trailer wheels on the ground break nut free. Please note do not go crazy and get the nuts glowing cherry red. Hot, but not cherry red. Stephen E. Sauls Chamblee, Georgia 1997 Dodge Ram 2500 Extended Cab Cummins Powered 1998 Coachmen Ranger Slide-In Camper.

Response:

When you do finally get the lug nuts off,before putting back on, put a little bearing grease on the threads of the lug nuts. This will prevent this problem in the future,just a little bearing grease to coat the threads.

It’s mind overmatter,if you don’t mind,it dos’nt matter”

Response:

God man, don’t you have a heart? You’re making my skin crawl! — Eric From the Grand Canyon State. Instead of soaking said nuts, take a Butane Soldering Torch and open it up to full power, and careful play the flame around the nuts one at a time and get the nuts glowing cherry red. Hot, but not cherry red.

Response:

The best bet is to get someone you know show you how. But if that is not possible, take the trailer to the RV dealer and have them do it. It will cost you, but it will (most likely) get done right. Tell them that you want to look over the shoulder of the mechanic to see how it is done. Ask lots of questions and take notes. Or take a video camera and tape the process with all the questions and answers on the tape. I’ve just recently become aware that the bearings need some attention on my pop-up. However, I’m completely CLUELESS as to where they are, how they work, and what I should do to them. I followed a link from Pete’s Camping Page to a site on how to repack them, but the site assumes you have *some* knowledge of what you’re doing. Can anyone tell me exactly (I do mean exactly) what to do and how to do it, with the understanding that I know *absolutely* nothing about the whole process? My unit is 5 years old, and I know that nothing has been done to the wheels in that time, except for changing tires, which is a long story. I’d really like to know how to do this, since I just bought dh a wave runner, and I understand that the tires on that trailer will probably need to have this done more often than the pop-up, since it goes in the water. Any and all help greatly appreciated. Carol =) From MA, currently in GA

– On my retirement adventure from the rolling hills of the Southern Tier in New York State…..

Response:

Hi Ken, thanks for the reply. So you think the bearing buddies caused that problem huh? I had never thought of that. Oh well, I guess its back to the annual repacking huh? — Eric From the Grand Canyon State. Hi Eric, Bearing buddies are great for boat trailers. The positive pressure they provide inside of the bearing seals or bearing area prevent water intrusion. I have a set on my 24 ft. trailer with brakes. I believe the small amount of pressure in conjunction with the heat of traveling causes the bearing seals to wear out prematurely. Grease got onto my brake surfaces. I went back to the old faithful wheel caps!!! Good luck!! Ken I got a question about bearings. Years ago I had a fishing boat, and when I bought it the dealer installed something called “bearing buddies” on it. Anyway instead of repacking your bearings, you just hooked a grease gun up to this deal and it greased your bearings. The thing seemed to work pretty good and I was wondering if they make something like this for a pop-up?

Response:

If you’ve never done it before and have no clue how to go about it, I’d recommend you have someone do it for you and watch the process. It’s not difficult but you need to have the correct type of grease, most likely new grease seals, and need to tighten the bearings down just right (not too tight, not too loose) or you’ll do some serious damage to the spindles. Once you see it done it’s a no brainer. Any mechanically inclined individual that does his / her own car repairs can show you how, since cars have wheel bearings too text! I’ve just recently become aware that the bearings need some attention on my pop-up. However, I’m completely CLUELESS as to where they are, how they work, and what I should do to them. I followed a link from Pete’s Camping Page to a site on how to repack them, but the site assumes you have *some* knowledge of what you’re doing. Can anyone tell me exactly (I do mean exactly) what to do and how to do it, with the understanding that I know *absolutely* nothing about the whole process? My unit is 5 years old, and I know that nothing has been done to the wheels in that time, except for changing tires, which is a long story. I’d really like to know how to do this, since I just bought dh a wave runner, and I understand that the tires on that trailer will probably need to have this done more often than the pop-up, since it goes in the water. Any and all help greatly appreciated. Carol =) From MA, currently in GA I’ve just recently become aware that the bearings need some attention on my pop-up. However, I’m completely CLUELESS as to where they are, how they work, and what I should do to them. I followed a link from Pete’s Camping Page to a site on how to repack them, but the site assumes you have *some* knowledge of what you’re doing. Can anyone tell me exactly (I do mean exactly) what to do and how to do it, with the understanding that I know *absolutely* nothing about the whole process? My unit is 5 years old, and I know that nothing has been done to the wheels in that time, except for changing tires, which is a long story. I’d really like to know how to do this, since I just bought dh a wave runner, and I understand that the tires on that trailer will probably need to have this done more often than the pop-up, since it goes in the water. Any and all help greatly appreciated. Carol =) From MA, currently in GA

Response:

I’ve just recently become aware that the bearings need some attention on my pop-up. However, I’m completely CLUELESS as to where they are, how they work, and what I should do to them. I followed a link from Pete’s Camping Page to a site on how to repack them, but the site assumes you have *some* knowledge of what you’re doing. Can anyone tell me exactly (I do mean exactly) what to do and how to do it, with the understanding that I know *absolutely* nothing about the whole process? My unit is 5 years old, and I know that nothing has been done to the wheels in that time, except for changing tires, which is a long story. I’d really like to know how to do this, since I just bought dh a wave runner, and I understand that the tires on that trailer will probably need to have this done more often than the pop-up, since it goes in the water. Any and all help greatly appreciated. Carol =) From MA, currently in GA

Response:

Hi Eric, Bearing buddies are great for boat trailers. The positive pressure they provide inside of the bearing seals or bearing area prevent water intrusion. I have a set on my 24 ft. trailer with brakes. I believe the small amount of pressure in conjunction with the heat of traveling causes the bearing seals to wear out prematurely. Grease got onto my brake surfaces. I went back to the old faithful wheel caps!!! Good luck!! Ken I got a question about bearings. Years ago I had a fishing boat, and when I bought it the dealer installed something called “bearing buddies” on it. Anyway instead of repacking your bearings, you just hooked a grease gun up to this deal and it greased your bearings. The thing seemed to work pretty good and I was wondering if they make something like this for a pop-up?

Response:

WD-40 works good to loosen up rusted nuts but you are better off using oil made specifically for that purpose.Look on the can and make sure that it says penetrating oil.Liquid Wrench makes a product like this completely different than the regular Liquid Wrench and I’m sure many other company’s have similar products. 1) getting the lugs off – I have tried a wrench and “cheater” bar

Response:

For general info on packing bearings, take a look at the two sections on bearings at… http://www.championtrailers.com/techsup.html#article index Do not reuse the old bearing grease seals. Get new ones. When I tried re-using the old seals, half of them leaked and I had a hell of a time cleaning the grease off the brakes. No leaks in the 5 years since I started using new seals each year. As far as removing the wheel lugs, they come off by turning counter-clockwise. They are probably put on with an impact wrench and/or the threads are rusted. Try a liberal soaking with ‘liquid wrench’. You could also try tapping each lug bolt lightly with a hammer to break it loose. After removing the lug nuts, be sure to put some anti-sieze compound on the threads and torque it to specs (90 ft-lbs on mine). Re-check the torque after 25 and 50 miles because they will loosen up. I bought a great used pop-up and I am in the process of making sure it’s first use does not have any surprises. I have tried every thing to get the wheel lugs off. I want to repack the bearings. Does any one have any tips on: 1) getting the lugs off – I have tried a wrench and “cheater” bar 2) repacking wheel bearings in general Thanks,

– On my retirement adventure from the rolling hills of the Southern Tier in New York State…..

Response:

I got a question about bearings. Years ago I had a fishing boat, and when I bought it the dealer installed something called “bearing buddies” on it. Anyway instead of repacking your bearings, you just hooked a grease gun up to this deal and it greased your bearings. The thing seemed to work pretty good and I was wondering if they make something like this for a pop-up? Eric From the Grand Canyon State. For general info on packing bearings, take a look at the two sections on bearings at… http://www.championtrailers.com/techsup.html#article index Do not reuse the old bearing grease seals. Get new ones. When I tried re-using the old seals, half of them leaked and I had a hell of a time cleaning the grease off the brakes. No leaks in the 5 years since I started using new seals each year. As far as removing the wheel lugs, they come off by turning counter-clockwise. They are probably put on with an impact wrench and/or the threads are rusted. Try a liberal soaking with ‘liquid wrench’. You could also try tapping each lug bolt lightly with a hammer to break it loose. After removing the lug nuts, be sure to put some anti-sieze compound on the threads and torque it to specs (90 ft-lbs on mine). Re-check the torque after 25 and 50 miles because they will loosen up. I bought a great used pop-up and I am in the process of making sure it’s first use does not have any surprises. I have tried every thing to get the wheel lugs off. I want to repack the bearings. Does any one have any tips on: 1) getting the lugs off – I have tried a wrench and “cheater” bar 2) repacking wheel bearings in general Thanks, — On my retirement adventure from the rolling hills of the Southern Tier in New York State…..

Response:

I bought a great used pop-up and I am in the process of making sure it’s first use does not have any surprises. I have tried every thing to get the wheel lugs off. I want to repack the bearings. Does any one have any tips on: 1) getting the lugs off – I have tried a wrench and “cheater” bar 2) repacking wheel bearings in general Thanks,

Response:

I bought a great used pop-up and I am in the process of making sure it’s first use does not have any surprises. I have tried every thing to get the wheel lugs off. I want to repack the bearings. Does any one have any tips on: 1) getting the lugs off – I have tried a wrench and “cheater” bar

You may be going up against the work of an impact wrench. Get someone with a gun to break them, the YOU reseat them with your crossbar or torque wrench. Otherwise try WD-40, Liquid wrench, a bigger cheater bar, or some hear if you have a serious torch, but watch out for those bearing seals. They are easily replaced when you do the bearings. 2) repacking wheel bearings in general

Check out the “WHEEL BEARINGS” section on my camping page. http://www.gwi.net/~spectrum/camping.html Thanks,

Good luck, Pete Visit the Spectrum of our lives at…. http://www.gwi.net/~spectrum Even if you’re on the right track you’ll get run over if you just sit there. Roy Rogers

Response:

1) getting the lugs off – I have tried a wrench and “cheater” bar

First, see to it that they’re not left hand threaded. If they are, they will have an “L” on them. Second (please don’t be insulted) make sure you’re turning them counterclockwise. If that fails, use some penetrating oil and soak them liberally. 2) repacking wheel bearings in general

Go down to a local bearing house like Invetech or Drive Train Industries and ask them for the Timken handout on bearing maintenance. It was a big help to me, and I’ll bet you’d benifit too. Put in new bearings and races. Don’t be cheap. buy Timken or BCA and you’ll be done for a long time. Frank Longtine

The Second Amendment protects your liberties, 1984 Ford not your hunting rights.

1997 Rokon Trail Breaker

1993 Specialized Stumjumper Two Good Feet

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