Keep Your Trailer Rolling Safely Forward

Axle service and bearing pack for RV trailers and fifth wheels in Benton City, Washington

When you tow your trailer through Benton City and across Washington state roads, the axles and wheel bearings carry every pound of weight mile after mile. You rely on these components to stay aligned and properly lubricated so your trailer tracks straight without excess heat building up in the hubs. Badger Canyon RV handles axle service and bearing pack work for travel trailers and fifth wheels so you can pull out for your next trip without grinding noise or wobbling wheels.

This service involves lifting your trailer, removing each wheel and hub assembly, inspecting the bearings and races for wear or pitting, cleaning out old grease, repacking with fresh bearing grease, checking axle alignment, and reinstalling everything to manufacturer torque specifications. If bearings show damage or the races are scored, replacement parts are installed before the hub goes back on. Axle service catches problems before a bearing seizes or an axle bends, both of which can leave you stranded or cause tire blowouts.

Badger Canyon RV provides complete axle and bearing service for trailers and fifth wheels in Benton City.

What happens during your axle inspection

Your trailer is positioned on jack stands so each wheel can be removed without weight on the axle. The technician pulls the hub, exposes the inner and outer bearings, and checks for discoloration, flat spots, or metal shavings that indicate wear. The bearing races inside the hub are inspected with a light to spot any grooves or pitting that would damage new bearings.

After the work is finished, your hubs spin smoothly without wobble or resistance, and the trailer sits level with no visible axle sag. You will not hear grinding or feel heat radiating from the wheels after a highway run, and your tires will wear evenly instead of feathering on one edge.

New seals are installed to keep grease in and road grit out, and the castle nut is torqued and pinned so the bearing preload stays correct. If your axle shows a bend or the spring mounts are cracked, those issues are identified during the service so you can decide whether to repair or replace. This work does not include brake adjustment or tire mounting, but it does address the core rotating assembly that determines whether your trailer tows straight or drifts into the next lane.

Your questions about axle and bearing work

Understanding what happens during axle service helps you plan your maintenance schedule and recognize warning signs before a small issue turns into roadside trouble.

How often should bearings be repacked on a travel trailer?
Most manufacturers recommend bearing service every 12 months or 10,000 miles, whichever comes first. If you tow in dusty conditions or submerge your hubs at a boat launch, you should inspect bearings more frequently.
What does a failing wheel bearing sound like?
You will hear a grinding or humming noise that gets louder as you go faster, and the sound often changes pitch when you turn. If you feel heat on the outside of the hub after driving, the bearing is likely running dry or damaged.
Why do axles bend or sag over time?
Overloading your trailer, hitting potholes at speed, or towing with unbalanced weight distribution can all cause axle deflection. A bent axle will make your tires wear unevenly and cause the trailer to track poorly behind your tow vehicle.
What happens if a bearing fails while towing?
The wheel can seize, lock up, or separate from the axle, often resulting in tire damage or loss of control. In some cases, the hub generates enough heat to ignite grease or damage the brake drum.
Can you replace just one bearing or do all hubs need service?
You can service individual hubs if one shows symptoms, but it makes sense to repack all bearings at the same interval since they accumulate similar wear. Doing all axles together prevents you from returning soon for a second hub that fails shortly after.

Badger Canyon RV services axles and repacks bearings for travel trailers and fifth wheels throughout Benton City and the surrounding area, using bearing grease rated for high-temperature towing and checking every seal and race before your trailer goes back on the road.