Lippert Wheel Bearing Failures on Newer RVs: Causes and Solutions

[Mr C1]

Well, we started our trip from New Mexico to Yakima WA., via Las Vegas.
60 miles from Vegas, someone pulled along side us and indicated something was wrong with our rig.
We pulled off the hiway, as did they, and they said our tire was smoking.
One of the wheel bearing decided to seize up and come apart.
Our ERS sent a diesel truck roadside assistant, and the only thing he was equipt to do on a travel trailer, was pull the wheels, and get us to a truckstop a couple miles down the road.
Trying to work with our extended warranty company has a mess.
A big rig tire repair guy was in the trucks top and stopped to offer assistance.
He knew a trailer builder lo ally that could get us back on the road, which he did, with some used parts.
They also lube the other bearings as well.
When the bad bearing was taken apart, and the others pulled down to lube, there appeared to be no lube on the bearings from the factory other than a bit on the threads maybe!

So, we made to the Nellis AFB Fam Camp, and a truck followed us in, and when I got out to register, an Airman addressed me, and said it looked like I was about to lose a wheel.
The bearings on the #2 axel, same side, had done the same thing.

So today we start the process again, of trying to find a good mobile tech here in Vegas, who is willing to deal with our Warranty company, and get us going by Tuesday...

What is cool about all this, is the Airman said he may have an extra hub assembly for his boat trailer, and he'd check the fit when got home, and if it was a match, he'd install it for us!
He txtlater and said it didn't match, but gave me the name of a dealership in town that had given him good prices in the past, and if I get a replace, he'd install it!

How Cool!

Does anyone here have any recommendations for a certified tech moble tech here in Vegas?

 

[Rene T]

Just curious, how old is the rv? When was the last time the bearings were packed?

 

[SuwanneeDave1]

The warranty company will probably deny a claim due to lack of lubrication.

 

[John From Detroit]

"No lube from the factory" you said.

Is this trailer brand new?????

 

[Rene T]

there appeared to be no lube on the bearings from the factory other than a bit on the threads maybe!

What threads?

 

[RayIN]

Unless you have proof of lubrication per mfgrs. lubrication schedule, good luck with the service contract. These companies know every word in the fine print of the contract. BTW it is not an extended warranty, by law. It is a legally-binding contract.
I wish you the best of luck!

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

Wheel bearings are a wear & tear item as well as one requiring periodic checks and lubrication. There's almost no chance your extended warranty will cover that. And if the trailer is quite new (you mentioned "from the factory", your extended warranty will simply refer you back to the manufacturer warranty.

Get all new wheel bearings installed and pay out of pocket so you can get back to enjoying your RV trip.

 

[Mr C1]

The RV is a 2025 modle.
Factory warranty was up in late December.
We've towed an estimated 3000 miles or so.
When I said "no lube", there was actually lube but just no where what I would expect.
Even the Roadside Assistant and Trailer guy was surprised.

The RV tech will be here tomorrow to look at it.

 

[John From Detroit]

If the factory forgot top lube it there may still be a warranty like solution.

 

[Rene T]

If the factory forgot top lube it there may still be a warranty like solution.

Good luck proving it now.

 

[Edd505]

Trying to work with our extended warranty company has a mess. =worthless everyone I know that bought into the "extended warranty had issues". One a couple year old that had been "inspected" every year bad seal found and replaced. Then a soft floor was found requiring the slide to be removed o replace the floor 8K not covered you should have found the bad seal??? Waste of money, put a few dollars in an account and IF you need something you have the cash if you need nothing you have cash for another trip.

 

[Mr C1]

I hope not.

 

[CharlesinGA]

When the bad bearing was taken apart, and the others pulled down to lube, there appeared to be no lube on the bearings from the factory other than a bit on the threads maybe!

So, we made to the Nellis AFB Fam Camp, and a truck followed us in, and when I got out to register, an Airman addressed me, and said it looked like I was about to lose a wheel.
The bearings on the #2 axel, same side, had done the same thing.

It sounds as if the shop that replaced the failed bearings and lubed the others, didn't look close enough at the bearings they greased.

Get the bearings replaced with good quality ones. I prefer Timken, however SKF (made in Mexico) and Toyo Koyo (Japan mostly) are other good brands. I buy my bearing sets from Summit Racing. Timken has set numbers for most of their bearing and race combinations. Buying from an industrial supplier getting bearings and races separately is expensive.

The chart below is derived from the Dexter parts catalogs however Lippert uses the same bearings on the same weight axles. With one removed you can verify bearing part numbers and the chart will give set numbers.

Charles

 

[gwinger]

The warranty company will probably deny a claim due to lack of lubrication.

Bearings are considered a normal wear and tear part. Most polices do not cover them.
They are also part of regular maintenance. Should be checked yearly.

 

[RayIN]

The RV is a 2025 modle.
Factory warranty was up in late December.
We've towed an estimated 3000 miles or so.
When I said "no lube", there was actually lube but just no where what I would expect.
Even the Roadside Assistant and Trailer guy was surprised.

The RV tech will be here tomorrow to look at it.

Dexter axle recommends cleaning, inspecting, repacking wheel bearings every 12,000 miles or annually, whichever is less.
Was there any end-play in the wheel bearings? If the first 2 guys removed the axle cover and wheel, then found no grease; that sounds like a warranty claim to me, providing they will back up your claim.
I'd still call Dexter customer service and volunteer to send pictures along with those guys statements. Assembly line workers do make mistakes.

 

[CharlesinGA]

I'd still call Dexter customer service and volunteer to send pictures along with those guys statements. Assembly line workers do make mistakes.

He said they were Lippert axles.

From about 2019 to 2022 a number of brand new Bigfoot owners experienced bearing failures. They found little to no grease in the bearings (these were Dexter axles)

Moral of the story is on a brand new (or new to you) trailer, pull the wheels/hubs and at minimum remove and clean and inspect the bearings and properly pack them with quality grease. Best to replace any bearing or race you find that has CHINA on them. Once you establish a baseline you won't have a worry hanging over you about potential failure.

I just completed a removal/clean/repack/reinstall of all of the bearings on my trailer. Its been almost exactly 5 years since they were last done, after the first one I was wondering why I was doing them at all. All perfect.

In the spring of '21 I converted to six lug wheels, and so I installed new Dexter hub/drum assemblies. I removed the CHINA bearing races they had installed and threw them in the scrap bucket. I installed all new Timken bearing sets and seals. This was what I repacked this week.

If it was a big, heavy, fifth wheel, I probably would be repacking more frequently but this trailer is fairly light on the axles, thus easy on the bearings.

Charles

 

[RayIN]

Good catch Charles! Ya, I had Dexter on my mind. Guess it happens to them all.

 

[gwinger]

Dexter axle recommends cleaning, inspecting, repacking wheel bearings every 12,000 miles or annually, whichever is less.
Was there any end-play in the wheel bearings? If the first 2 guys removed the axle cover and wheel, then found no grease; that sounds like a warranty claim to me, providing they will back up your claim.
I'd still call Dexter customer service and volunteer to send pictures along with those guys statements. Assembly line workers do make mistakes.

You'd think this would be part of the PDI. The dealer is supposed to make sure all systems are operating and safe.
Only takes 5 minutes to remove the bearing caps.

 

[Rene T]

Dexter axle recommends cleaning, inspecting, repacking wheel bearings every 12,000 miles or annually, whichever is less.
Was there any end-play in the wheel bearings? If the first 2 guys removed the axle cover and wheel, then found no grease; that sounds like a warranty claim to me, providing they will back up your claim.
I'd still call Dexter customer service and volunteer to send pictures along with those guys statements. Assembly line workers do make mistakes.

I’m not sure this is an assembly line mistake. The axles should come from the manufacturer all greased I would think . That way the assembly line would not have to disassemble them for greasing.

 

[Mr C1]

The Mobile Tech came by this am.
He will be advising complete axel replacement, both of the .
He said he has been seeing an increase of this type of failers showing within he first two years of use. He's not sure why it's happening.

Anyway, I should have all my answers by tomorrow afternoon.