Bearing Buddies?

[Lou_F]

Newbie dumb question:
When I bought my first boat last year, an 08 175BR, the trailer came with bearings that have a removable rubber cover and a grease fitting underneath. Are these bearing buddies? If not, what would be the advantage of installig them and how do you figure out the size you need? Note, the trailer is used in fresh water only.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Bearing Buddies?

Photo would help but if there is a grease fitting on the bearing cap they are most likely bearing buddies or equivalent.
Picture is worth a thousand words.

 

[joe09]

Re: Bearing Buddies?

they are bearing buddys and keep water from getting into the bearings.a must for the trailer

 

[boat1010]

Re: Bearing Buddies?

Yes they are bearing Buddies. BUT do not over fill them. When you are pumping in the grease you will see the plate and the spring start to move. If you over fill them the grease will go out the back seal and you will have grease all over the place. If you have trailer brakes the grease will get into the breaks and cause big problems. A little grease goes a long way. Good luck..

 

[sleeper]

Re: Bearing Buddies?

They are not bearing buddies. They are the Karavan trailer style called sure lube. It is similar in style in that it lets you grease the bearings without removing the wheel. It explains how they work in your trailer booklet. The grease fitting actually pushes grease through the spindle and out by the back bearing and comes back around to the front bearing. When grease comes out by the castle nut, the hub and bearings are full. You can change the grease in the hub by rotating the hub as you put grease in, and you can grease your bearings on a long trip at any time just like bearing buddies.

 

[AZSenza]

Re: Bearing Buddies?

Thats the kind I have (Sure Lube). There are passages in the hub itself to "Guide" the grease thru the bearings. Its a pretty cool Idea. Keep em lubed. you cant put in too much since it comes out the back, just make sure you always pump untill you get clean grease out the hub port. Mine doesn't return to the castle nut, it comes out a small relief port on the inside of the hub.

 

[AZSenza]

Re: Bearing Buddies?

Google Sure Lube Hub. there are some nice pics of how they work

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: Bearing Buddies?

You have the same trailer that I have (175 BR), and the above is correct...you do NOT have the Bearing Buddy.

Your system is much better...since you are lubing both bearings (rear to front), and can replace the grease without removing the hub.

Here is what your cap should look like...and the diagram of how the grease is pumped to the inner bearing first: