Quote Originally Posted by doggone View Post
Everything can degrade quickly once a problem develops with a bearing Sometimes brought on by a bad seal....sometimes not.

The best thing you can do is occasionally when your using your trailer. Occasionally feel the hubs for heat. Always feel them at the end of a trip. If you feel any heat much above about 10 degrees above the air temp beware.

If you feel any difference between them be sure and check things.

I take care of thousands of bearings on Pumps and Air Handling equipment and all kinds of machinery. Along with my boats. You can't always predict bearing failure.

But the number one check I do besides listening...is I shoot everything with a temp gun. HEAT is the first indication. There is friction somewhere there should not be.
Infrared tells the story. Used a FLIR infrared camera a lot troubleshooting locomotive systems. Only problem.... the camera cost $28000.