MTPockets
Well-known member
A couple recent threads prompted me to look into my wheel bearing expected life. My career revolved around bearing and working with many industrial customers over nearly 40 years, advising, training, troubleshooting bearing failures, and teaching proper handling/installation. Using my axles, 7000 lb Dexter, and an approximate load per bearing leaning towards the heavy. I came up with the following. Assuming a maximum trailer weight of 18,000 lbs; two axles; temperature 150 degrees; my bearing L10 life is about 4000 hours. L10 is the point where one in ten bearings fail. 4000 hrs is like running 8 hrs/day for 490 days. At an average speed of 40 mph, that's 157,000 miles... This result can change based on temperature and load, but represents in my opinion the outside limit for most 5th wheels. Most will be less than 18,000 lbs so longer life would be the norm. Also, this is the L10 life, so the other 90% will go longer. Bottom line, and what is what I always told my classes, practcally all bearing failures are due to improper handling, installation, and contamination. With Proper maintenance, your wheel bearings will outlast you. FYI
