Wheel & Hub Service Interval

[moosetags]

We have had our 2005 Safari 25FB, Lucy, for just a little over a year. We bought her new in June, 2006. We have used her a lot (140 nights/18,000 miles). We had the hubs serviced six months ago (12/06) when Lucy had about 10,000 miles on her. By the time we get home from the big trip that we are on now, she will have about 20,000 miles on her. What else should we be looking at servicing at this time?

[thecatsandi]

Brakes? Spindles? Magnets, Shoes? brake adjustment???

[2airishuman]

i don't subscribe to the 10k rule for hubs...

especially for units like yours that are regularly on the go...

yearly perhaps but even then inspecting/servicing the brakes is the primary need.

for warranty issues the hubs do need inspecting at 6 months from new...

my unit has over 40k miles and the hubs have been serviced twice.

the factory tech doing this service (same guy both times) has noted the grease still looked fresh each time.

now for older units or trailers seldom used 10k miles might takes several years to accumulate.

and the brand NEW ones now get neverlube hubs...

100k miles then toss and replace.

since you've recently added fresh rubber rotating the tires may not be needed, i do this at 9-10k miles.

it also seems useful to inspect the receiver on your suv and inspect/tighten the hitch hardware as needed.

also check the brake condition/wear on your tow vehicle.

at 2 years or with LOTS of winter camping it seems reasonable to inspect/service the furnace,

along with the fridge and water heater and a/c and batteries.

cheers
2air'

[LI Pets]

Brian, with it being only a year old you can do a quick check at anywhere between 10-25K, it's really your call.

If I was going to pick a number I'd go with 20-25K

If you're doing it yourself, to pull the 4 wheels and just do a look see that all is good will take 15-20 min a wheel.

[Minnie's Mate]

Brian, our Safari is one year old and has about 6,500 miles on it. I had the bearings packed and had the brakes checked while the wheels were off this past weekend and aired up the tires...they were seriously low (48-50 PSI ) and had the tread measured (9 mm of tread left).

I am really concerned with the amount of air pressure that was in the tires. Everything had been so spot on with the dealer prep that I just assumed the tire pressure would be perfect too. I always check the torque on the lug nuts before each towing and they have never been loose so I took the tire pressure for granted until I checked them two weeks ago and was shocked. I don't know if they leaked down over the course of the year or if they have always been this low. Now I'm a little spooked by your tires' history and the possibility that the interior tire walls may have experienced some damage by towing with the low tire pressure. When towing, I do stop approximately every three hours for fuel and I feel of each tire with my hand and even during the heat of the day none of the tires have felt hot. They have never even felt as though they were "fever" warm. This weekend I plan on purchasing an infrared thermometer specifically for measuring the tire temperatures so I can keep a more accurate check on the tire temps. I also checked the tire pressure in my truck this past weekend and found only one tire to be low and added 5 PSI to bring it up to the same as the other rear tire pressure. BTW, my TV tires are rated to 80 PSI and I tow with 77 PSI in the front and 75 PSI in the rear.

I'm not sure what else I should be doing in preparation for our upcoming trip of approximately 950 miles round trip. I, too, would appreciate any suggestions on items that need to be checked, or observed, for the Airstream in preparation for this, and upcoming, trips.

[SilverCabin]

Tom,

If you hadn't checked your tires in over a year, it's reasonable for them to be down to that pressure. Tires slowly deflate over time when not rolling. I check mine everytime we go out (about once a month) and always have to add a few pounds of air.

I think I'm going to buy the PressurePro monitoring system for my trailer (not sure I need it for the truck). I would look into that before purchasing an infrared thermometer. The difference is probably only a couple of hundred dollars, and you'll get full time monitoring.

Randy

[Minnie's Mate]

Randy, I'm not familiar with the Pressure Pro system. We use our Airstream about once a month as you do and about half of our trips have been in the 900 mile round trip average and some have been less than 200 miles round trip so the tires had been getting quite a work out in their first year. This is why I'm concerned that they might have over heated on the inside. I know the outside hasn't been very warm to touch but that really isn't a very accurate method of monitoring their heat build up. I really should kick myself for not checking the tire pressure sooner and more often, but it's just one of those things I didn't think about. I have a digital tire pressure gage that is pretty accurate...if I use it. Radio Shack sells an infrared thermometer that is accurate in the appropriate temperature range for under $100, IIRC. So I think that will be my next purchase. Camping in the 21st century appears to be getting a lot more complicated and a lot more expensive than it was when my parents took us on a cross country camping trip in the late '60's in our little pop-up camper!

[Sierrapapa]

While you are answering questions about service, does anyone make an odometer for the axle hub for a 2007 International SS. I bought my trailer to share with my 2 sons that live in my town and we will use various tow rigs. I would feel better if I could get an odometer reading right from my axle. I used to own a semi trailer that had one of these on the axle.

[Minnie's Mate]

Originally Posted by Sierrapapa

While you are answering questions about service, does anyone make an odometer for the axle hub for a 2007 International SS. .

I've been wondering this myself. I'd like to be able to know how many miles the trailer travels per trip and per set of tires and not just how many miles my tow vehicle travels if I forget to write down the mileage each time I hitch and unhitch. My guess is no unless it is for rental fleets and they are mostly motor homes.

[markdoane]

Here's a hubometer that you can get calibrated for ST trailer tires. It appears they have both electronic and mechanical models.

[Minnie's Mate]

Thanks for the link.

[SilverCabin]

Here's a link to the PressurePro Monitors PressurePro, Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems. 68 Overlander on this forum is a dealer.

Randy

[Sierrapapa]

Thanks Markdoane, I am ordering one of the hubo meters in the AM. They were closed tonight. I am going to ask some questions about what looks to be two different models. I will report when I get something installed.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by moosetags

We have had our 2005 Safari 25FB, Lucy, for just a little over a year. We bought her new in June, 2006. We have used her a lot (140 nights/18,000 miles). We had the hubs serviced six months ago (12/06) when Lucy had about 10,000 miles on her. By the time we get home from the big trip that we are on now, she will have about 20,000 miles on her. What else should we be looking at servicing at this time?

Proper PM calls for a major brake, which includes repacking the bearings, every 10,000 miles or once a year, which ever is first.

It's been that way for at least 50 years.

Andy

[mswartz]

In 2001, I purchased a Hubodometer from Abbot Industries. It has worked perfectly, came calibrated to my tires, was priced right (I think it came to $24 with shipping) and came to me in 4 days. I mounted it onto the hub cover for my Bambi.
It's put on over 30k miles and still looks great- no corrosion or rust, no moisture, and does what it was advertised to do.
When ordered, they select the unit based on your tire's revolutions-per-mile, a spec that is available from your tire manufacturer's website.
I would go there again with no hesitation if I needed another: Abbott Enterprises - hubodometer

[SilverCabin]

I just purchased the PressurePro system, which I cross posted here, so to keep this thread on subject, I posted my review of that system here: http://www.airforums.com/forums/f438...tor-31207.html

Randy