Nev-R-Lube Trailer Bearings

Jim Kaekel · 06-23-2009, 09:26 AM

I've got an enclosed Classic trailer with Dexter axles and "Nev-R-Lube" wheel bearings. According to Dexter's web site, they are a sealed, factory lubricated bearing that does not need to be re-packed. I'm not sure how long these have been around. Has anybody ever had any issues with these wheel bearings, good or bad?

Rich Biebel · 06-23-2009, 09:52 AM

I have a Classic terminator trailer and it also has those Nev-r-lube bearings. I had no experience with them and never heard of them before I bought this trailer. I did some reading and found that they are guaranteed for something like 5 years and are used on a lot of top of the line camper trailers like Airstreams. I had a brake issue and pulled all my wheels off. I replaced all the brakes when I found no brake shoe material on one wheel. I figured since I was in there I'd replace all the bearing cartridges. I did that and kept the old ones as spares. The info on the Dexter website says to check them for play by rocking the wheel, noise or grease leaks. They have a nut for retention on the spindle and it gets torqued. The bearing cartridge is sealed and is held in the hub of the drum with a snap ring and is easy to press out with a shop press. They cost about $60 or $70 each. There is no way to convert them to regular bearings as I think I would prefer them. The hub is different in the drum, I believe. I have had no problems with them before or after but I have not traveled much with this trailer as I am mostly racing close to home the few times I do get out these days. I would prefer the old stuff....carry spares and fix it pretty easily if you got in a jam. With these your probably going to struggle if you had to try and replace one on the side of the road. Hammering a cartridge in and out somewhere is not a good scenario......

Mike Pearson · 06-23-2009, 10:07 AM

My chevy dually has a sealed type bearings on the front wheels. I got over 100,000 miles before I had to replace one side. The other side has 140,000 miles on it. I think they should be pretty good on a trailer. My trailer has the easy lube bearings. I recently had a bearing failure. Probably due to not greasing them often enough. NAPA stocked all of the bearings and seals for the Dexter axles. I carry spares with me now. I did tow 400 miles with 5 wheels on my gooseneck with no problem.

06-23-2009, 09:26 AM	#1
Jim Kaekel VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,226 Likes: 131 Liked 529 Times in 107 Posts	Nev-R-Lube Trailer Bearings I've got an enclosed Classic trailer with Dexter axles and "Nev-R-Lube" wheel bearings. According to Dexter's web site, they are a sealed, factory lubricated bearing that does not need to be re-packed. I'm not sure how long these have been around. Has anybody ever had any issues with these wheel bearings, good or bad? __________________ Jim Kaekel 3836 STK

06-23-2009, 09:52 AM	#2
Rich Biebel VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Northern New Jersey suburbs Posts: 2,312 Likes: 25 Liked 543 Times in 212 Posts	Re: Nev-R-Lube Trailer Bearings I have a Classic terminator trailer and it also has those Nev-r-lube bearings. I had no experience with them and never heard of them before I bought this trailer. I did some reading and found that they are guaranteed for something like 5 years and are used on a lot of top of the line camper trailers like Airstreams. I had a brake issue and pulled all my wheels off. I replaced all the brakes when I found no brake shoe material on one wheel. I figured since I was in there I'd replace all the bearing cartridges. I did that and kept the old ones as spares. The info on the Dexter website says to check them for play by rocking the wheel, noise or grease leaks. They have a nut for retention on the spindle and it gets torqued. The bearing cartridge is sealed and is held in the hub of the drum with a snap ring and is easy to press out with a shop press. They cost about $60 or $70 each. There is no way to convert them to regular bearings as I think I would prefer them. The hub is different in the drum, I believe. I have had no problems with them before or after but I have not traveled much with this trailer as I am mostly racing close to home the few times I do get out these days. I would prefer the old stuff....carry spares and fix it pretty easily if you got in a jam. With these your probably going to struggle if you had to try and replace one on the side of the road. Hammering a cartridge in and out somewhere is not a good scenario...... __________________ Rich Biebel S/C 1479 Stock 147R

06-23-2009, 10:07 AM	#3
Mike Pearson VIP Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,417 Likes: 596 Liked 1,880 Times in 562 Posts	Re: Nev-R-Lube Trailer Bearings My chevy dually has a sealed type bearings on the front wheels. I got over 100,000 miles before I had to replace one side. The other side has 140,000 miles on it. I think they should be pretty good on a trailer. My trailer has the easy lube bearings. I recently had a bearing failure. Probably due to not greasing them often enough. NAPA stocked all of the bearings and seals for the Dexter axles. I carry spares with me now. I did tow 400 miles with 5 wheels on my gooseneck with no problem. __________________ Mike Pearson 2485 SS