SAFE TO SAY WITH GOLD BEARINGS (OIL BATH) BY UFP

[CDABOAT 14]

Crew,

 

I just had my calipers replaced a month ago after one side locking up. I'm spending a lot of time and attention to my brakes and bearings now as that experience served as a good reminder to not take the wheels/brakes for granted. Anywhoooo.. I've seen mixed feedback on the Gold Bearing (Oil Bath system) that I currently have on my trailer. Major concern seems to be that if a seal leaks the oil goes out very fast and then big time trouble can be expected. My trailer/boat is an 06 - I did have the oil in the bearings replaced last year. But here's my question: Should I replace these bearings with the traditional grease fill bearings? Anyone had any bad luck (or good luck) with the Gold Bearings / Oil Bath by UFP?

 

And yes, with CC Weekend coming up in next month in Texas I want to ensure no problems should I bring my boat down for the 3.5 hour drive.

Thanks,

 

Dennis

[c22burns 3]

bump..

 

I have similar questions

[Tommywalton1974 175]

I have seen people just add grease to oil bathed hubs. On dump trailers. Seems to work fine. I sure would like to know also.

[Troy 234]

comparing the luck I have had with the oil baths and the troubles I had with greased bearings, I think I will stick with the oil baths.

[BigWillOKC 1]

My trailer has the old bath hubs and I took them to an old man that my dad has been using for years to get serviced and dropped it off. He had never seen them and thought the oil was just grease that had mixed with water, so they must all be leaking and he knocked them out and put in greased ones. UGH. I was not happy when I picked it up, but it was on the Friday morning before a 3 hour lake trip. That was at the beginning of last season and I haven't had any issues. I am just going to keep them the way they are until I its time for new ones.

[RhuntIII 555]

I'm skeptical on these oil bath's as well. My new trailer has them (The Vault) and and the Manual states:

 

No service needed for 5 years. Sealed bearing system. Do not service without authorized service kit and replacement vault oil.

 

I think it has something to do with the oil being like a thin grease when cool and when heated up turning to a oil, bathing the bearings all under pressure keeping the seals sealed and the water out.

 

I'm gonna be old school and like the idea of an easy serviceable Bearing Buddy type hub.

 

I'll post updates on my hubs as they unfold.

 

I can also scan my owners manual and post that up here if anyone would like.

[h20king 794]

Runt I went with the vault hub as well. Here is a link so you can have more info. I think you will be more than happy with them. http://www.pacifictrailers.com/The-VAULT-Hybrid-Lubrication-System/

[Tommywalton1974 175]

Big will I guess the old man like bearing buddies too. Is that what he installed?

[h20king 794]

BEARING BUDDIES ARE GARBAGE !!! if you do not like the new sealed systems you best choice is the EZ lube trailer axles

[Carter13 69]

My trailer has The Vault also. I have read mixed reviews on them so only time will tell.

[DrNate 426]

I have one vault and three bearing buddies (long story). I like the idea of being able to grease them knowing that they are well lubed. There's no way to know on the Vaults. We'll see how long they last

[DrNate 426]

Runt I went with the vault hub as well. Here is a link so you can have more info. I think you will be more than happy with them. http://www.pacifictrailers.com/The-VAULT-Hybrid-Lubrication-System/

 

Here's what I don't like on the Vault:

 

"Complete loss of oil can lead to catastrophic failure"

 

Doesn't sound good

[Troy 234]

The bearing buddies I had were junk.

[h20king 794]

The problem with bearing buddies is they only grease the outer bearing and not the inner bearing that carries most of the load and the only way to grease is pull the hub off remove the seal and bearing re pack then install a new seal and put back on the boat. I have never had the Vault hubs before but paid the extra cash to get them. I hope they work out if not ill go EZ lube axles

[Lake Water Connoisseur 5]

I've had a problem with losing bearing caps. For that reason, I think grease packed is better than oil bath. However, I'm not sure why I keep losing bearing caps. Was losing them with both the oil and grease packed setup.

[duramat 462]

I've been having good luck popping mine off and completely tearing it apart cleaning them and putting back on

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Carter13 69]

I've been having good luck popping mine off and completely tearing it apart cleaning them and putting back on Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

You just cursed yourself Matt. Here comes that black cloud.

On a serious note I did the same as you every year and had no problem.

[duramat 462]

I've been having good luck popping mine off and completely tearing it apart cleaning them and putting back on Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

You just cursed yourself Matt. Here comes that black cloud.

On a serious note I did the same as you every year and had no problem.

 

I so hope not LOL

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[BenHolloway 29]

So is there a vault conversion kit? do I just need to replace the rear seal, put the new cap on and insert "hybrid" grease? I agree bearing buddies aren't the best solution I have them on my car trailer, 30K plus miles and no failures but... those inner bearing are crusty. My 04 boatmate needs some serious help and these oil bath hubs are beginning to leak so its time to figure something else out.

[volzalum 280]

So is there a vault conversion kit? do I just need to replace the rear seal, put the new cap on and insert "hybrid" grease? I agree bearing buddies aren't the best solution I have them on my car trailer, 30K plus miles and no failures but... those inner bearing are crusty. My 04 boatmate needs some serious help and these oil bath hubs are beginning to leak so its time to figure something else out.

You can use the old caps with the vault hybrid oil too. The hybrid oil is really just a grease with a lower melting point. The Vault system does not actually turn to oil like the GOLD system, it just gets more fluid than traditional grease. Both covers (Vault vs GOLD) have a spring that pressurized the hub.

 

Each hub will take about a half tube of hybrid oil. You will pack the bearings with the hybrid oil just like grease. You will fill the cap to the spring with grease, and put grease between the bearings on the hub. You also put RTV sealant around the rear seal and let it cure before putting on the hub. Then you put it around the the cap when putting it on. The hybrid oil comes in grease tubes just like grease.

 

Doing this on my 07 trailer this week. UFP sent me the info that I provided above. I'll upload the UFP PDF when I get home.

Edited July 14, 2014 by volzalum