Cost to repack bearings?

[Tin Diesel]

I'm just curious... what is the normal cost range for repacking bearings on a 2-axel (30') trailer?
I did a search on 'repack bearings cost' but didn't come up with much.
I normally do this myself, but time constraints are requiring that I have it done.

[yukionna]

Originally Posted by Tin Diesel

I'm just curious... what is the normal cost range for repacking bearings on a 2-axel (30') trailer?
I did a search on 'repack bearings cost' but didn't come up with much.
I normally do this myself, but time constraints are requiring that I have it done.

I'm not sure as we always do the work ourselves. Have you tried calling your local Airstream dealer? I'm sure they will give you a quote over the phone.

[AgZep]

Our local dealer (TX/NM border) quoted 1 hour labor/axel. Thus it was about $200. Not cheap, but we were under a time crunch as well.

[Tin Diesel]

They just called and told me my bill was $350 for labor. Seemed high. (We're in Houston)

[CanoeStream]

I was in to my dealer in Iowa last month. Their bill for two axles, 1.25 hours -- $150.

[LI Pets]

THat sounds about right 1.25 hours, times the shop rate.


But $200 or worse yet $350 is a rip off. Did they ask for that much money without a gun?

[flyfisher]

I just got mine repacked yesterday.

I paid $110 for 2 hours of labor to repack 4 trailer wheel bearings, replace the seals, clean and adjust the trailer brakes, and to replace the fuel filter in my truck. I was charged another $33.12 for the seals, and the fuel filter cost $56.52. (with 6% PA tax added to all)

I believe it would have been well under $150 total if they had only repacked the bearings and replaced the seals.

Incidentally, they repacked my bearings 2 years ago at this time, and when I took it in last year for repacking they told me it was fine and didn't need to be done. (I put about 5000 interstate highway miles on my trailer each summer, and store it inside for 8 months during the winter.)

John

[clancy_boy]

I need to go into the repacking of bearing business. I just did mine on the CCD in less than 2 hours, I recognize that you have a time constraint.

$4.89 for good bearing grease and a tub of hand cleaner (yes, I used gloves but they don't stop everything). 4 seals were $3.50 each and the bearings were in great shape. But, I did have a dealership replace all 4 rotors and brake pads on the F250 yesterday for $850, I felt taken but I also am up against a hard deadline for a trip so I did not want to have a truck in limbo for parts.

$150 seems like an upper limit on what I would pay for packing bearings if that included new seals.

[yukionna]

Originally Posted by clancy_boy

But, I did have a dealership replace all 4 rotors and brake pads on the F250 yesterday for $850, I felt taken but I also am up against a hard deadline for a trip so I did not want to have a truck in limbo for parts.

$850 seems within reason. We just did the same work to our GMC 2500 HD and the parts cost us $350 and about 4 hours of labor. So if labor costs $100/hr and you add in parts, it would have cost us about $750 if we took it to the dealer. Keep in mind, our parts costs are lower because we bought after market parts at Napa. Dealer parts are always more expensive. Also, we had trouble with getting the rims off the front of the truck because of rusted bolts. Perhaps your dealership needed extra time for something like that.

[Excella CM]

At some of those prices, it sounds as if more than the bearings were getting "packed"

[Dwight]

Most of the dealers in our area charge $100 to $150 per axle for labor PLUS the cost for the grease seals. They also adjust the electric drum brakes which do not self adjust like automobile drum brakes. I usually do our own bearings/brakes and plan on taking a whole Saturday to do it, 3 tires in the morning and the other 3 in the afternoon.
Dwight

[B4WEDI]

Had my single axle done at A/S in Jackson Center earlier this month :

@ $85. / hr $122.40
2 Seals $ 13.28
2 Cotter Pins $ .36

[overlander63]

Our local trailer shop charges $200 for 4 wheel repack, including seals, not including new bearings or brake parts.

[Ganglin]

We just paid:
4 seals and brake adjust kit = 23.59
bearing repack labor 3 hours = 195.00

Total $218.59

[Minnie's Mate]

I was quoted $85/axle by my local "Trailers for Less" dealer.

[Tin Diesel]

Not to bump this thread, but the final bill was:

$338.91 to repack the bearings and 'check brakes' because they pulled to one side. Parts accounted for $53, but included a small piece for one of the brakes adjustment components.

This was $50 lower than the original bill because I told them they were above market based on the responses to this thread. They reduced the price immediately.

BY THE WAY - the brakes pulled worse than when I brought them in. I spent several hours adjusting them, but finally had to give up and drive Houston to Steamboat Springs CO (two major mountain passes) with the problem. (We were grateful for the jake brake on our new F250 - hardly touched the brakes going down the passes)

Now that I know more about electric brakes, I don't think they checked the voltage or anything, which I will do next time I'm at the trailer. This winter, when we bring it home to Texas, we're getting disc brakes installed. Enough already!

The lesson is - DO IT YOURSELF IF YOU WANT IT DONE RIGHT! Or have a dedicated, knowledgeable and trustworthy mechanic! So much for my rant!

[Minnie's Mate]

Originally Posted by Minnie's Mate

I was quoted $85/axle by my local "Trailers for Less" dealer.

Correction, had them done this last weekend for $68/axle plus $50 for brake inspection and adjustment.

[SilverRanger]

Just paid a dealership $175 for a single axle. It seems that most of the RV repair facilities around here are either scared of Airstreams, or charge about the same. There's one that's only 1 mile from my house that occasionally sells used Airstreams, but won't do any work on them.

[genearnold]

I had mine done when I bought new tires four years back. Paid Big O $100 for three axles (I furnished the seals).

Gene

[Minnie's Mate]

My seals were included with my service price. Seems they charged based on the capacity of the axle. They asked that when I brought it in and I wasn't sure so they asked how many lugs the wheels had. They asked how many lugs were on the wheels when I made the appointment. I guess it is a time thing.

I think one thing that may have made a difference is that the shop I took it to isn't an RV dealer. They sell custom box trailers, car carriers, horse/livestock trailers, and the like, but they see no difference in one type of trailer from the rest. A Henschen (SP?) is the same to them whether it is under a horse trailer or a travel trailer. I did discuss different brands of RV tires and they seemed to be familiar with the different brands. At least more brands than I knew and some I did. They said they carried the Goodyear Marathons and used to carry the Maxxus but their distributor had discontinued them because they didn't like them for "some reason". He wouldn't elaborate. Anyway, the service manager seemed to know a lot about trailers in general including hitches and axles and tires. His crew also seemed knowledgeable about what they did. Admittedly, they didn't know anything about Airstream brand trailers specifically, but I'm not surprised.