Can Regular Grease Trailer Hubs be Converted to Oil Bath Hubs

Updated 03/18/2020 | Published 05/29/2015

Question:

I had oil bath hubs on my boat trailer with a weight of about 3500 pounds, however my travel trailer which weighs about 5000 has standard wheel bearings. Two questions: Do you know why they dont put oil bath bearing assemblies on travel trailer and they might on some other brands then the one we have, which is a 2014 model or can the standard hubs be converted to oil bath? Thanks in advance.....

asked by: Jerry L

Helpful Expert Reply:

The choice of oil bath or regular hubs is up to the manufacturer. They are usually found on higher capacity axles, though as you know there are some on lower capacity axles.

You can convert some hubs from grease to oil bath using a kit such as # XLPROLUBE1980KIT but for others it would not be possible without changing the hubs. This is because oil bath hubs use an oil cap that threads onto the end of the hub. Most regular hubs are not threaded so you would not be able to screw on an oil cap.

If you can tell me the inner and outer bearing numbers on your existing hubs I can determine if there is a way to replace them with an oil bath system.

expert reply by: Michael H

Joe S.

3/17/2020

I have an iron eagle voyager utility trailer. I want to switch to oil bath hubs - cleaner and easier maintenance. Can I simply purchase new hub including bearings, etc. that use the oil bath system?

Chris R.

3/18/2020

As long as assemblies are available that fit your axle, replacing grease hubs with oil bath hubs isn't a problem at all. If you can tell me what capacity the axle is, or what inner and outer bearing numbers are used, I would be happy to make a specific recommendation.