How to Grease the Bearings on Your Trailer: A Step-by-Step Guide
Expert Trailer Tips from Glacial Lakes Recreation
When you purchase a trailer—whether for hauling your ATV, snowmobile, lawn equipment, or general cargo—you’re making an investment. Like with any good investment, your trailer requires a bit of routine maintenance to stay in top shape.
One of the most important maintenance tasks is greasing your trailer bearings. Bearings are small components with a big job. They help your trailer wheels spin freely by reducing friction between the axle and the wheel hub. But without proper lubrication, they can overheat, seize up, and cause major damage—not to mention leave you stranded on the side of the road.
At Glacial Lakes Recreation, we want every customer to feel confident using and maintaining their trailer. That’s why we’re breaking down the process of greasing trailer bearings into a clear, step-by-step guide.
Why does greasing your trailer bearings matter?
Before we jump into the how-to, let’s quickly look at why this matters so much.
- Safety: If your bearings fail, your wheel can lock up or even come off while driving.
- Longevity: Keeping bearings properly greased prevents premature wear and rust.
- Performance: Well-greased bearings reduce friction, helping your trailer tow smoothly and can improve fuel mileage.
Even if your trailer is brand new, don’t assume the bearings are good forever. Regular checks are key—especially if you use your trailer often or drive long distances. If your trailer is subject to water exposure, like in the case of a boat trailer, you should check and grease the bearings even more frequently.
How often should you grease the bearings?
This depends on how and where you use your trailer. Here are some general guidelines:
- Boat trailers (used in water): Every 1,000–2,000 miles or at least once per year
- Utility/cargo trailers (on dry land): Every 3,000–5,000 miles or annually
- Heavy-use or high-speed trailers: Check more frequently
If you notice any grinding noises, vibration, or heat around the hub, it’s time to inspect and regrease—no matter when you did it last.
What You’ll Need
Before starting, gather the following tools and supplies:
- Floor jack and jack stands
- Lug wrench
- Grease gun
- High-temperature wheel bearing grease
- Flathead screwdriver or seal puller
- Clean rags or paper towels
- Latex or nitrile gloves
- Torque wrench (for reinstalling wheels)
- Optional: bearing packer (makes the job cleaner and faster)
You can find all the necessary tools and grease at most auto parts stores. Or stop by Glacial Lakes Recreation—we’re happy to guide you to the right supplies for your specific trailer model.
Step-by-Step: Greasing Your Trailer Bearings
Let’s walk through the process of removing the bearings, cleaning them, packing them with fresh grease, and reinstalling everything. The process below describes how to pack your trailer bearings if you DO NOT have a zerk style grease fitting like a Bearing Buddy or spindles equipped with grease zerks.
Step 1: Park and Secure Your Trailer
- Choose a flat, level surface.
- Use wheel chocks to block the opposite wheels so the trailer won’t roll.
- Loosen the lug nuts slightly, but don’t remove them yet.
Step 2: Jack Up the Trailer
- Use a floor jack to raise the trailer wheel you’re working on.
- Place jack stands under the trailer frame for safety.
- Remove the wheel completely.
Step 3: Remove the Dust Cap
- Use a flathead screwdriver or rubber mallet to gently pry off the dust cap (located at the center of the hub).
- This exposes the castle nut and cotter pin.
Step 4: Remove Cotter Pin, Nut, and Washer
- Straighten and pull out the cotter pin with pliers.
- Use a wrench or your fingers to remove the castle nut and flat washer.
- Carefully pull off the hub. Be ready to catch the outer bearing—it may fall out.
Step 5: Remove Bearings and Grease Seals
- Remove the outer bearing and set it aside.
- Turn the hub over to access the rear grease seal.
- Pry out the seal with a seal puller or screwdriver (it may get damaged—have a new one ready).
- Remove the inner bearing.
Now you should have both the inner and outer bearings free for inspection and cleaning.
Step 6: Inspect and Clean the Bearings
- Wipe off as much old grease as possible with a rag.
- Use brake cleaner to clean the bearings, races, and hub thoroughly.
- Check for signs of damage: pitting, discoloration, or rough spots on rollers.
- If any part looks worn or damaged, replace it.
Step 7: Pack the Bearings with Fresh Grease
There are two ways to do this:
Option 1: By Hand
- Place a “glob” (yes, that is a technical term) of grease in your palm. Wear gloves if you don’t want grease all over your hands.
- Press the wide end of the bearing into the grease repeatedly, forcing grease into the rollers.
- Rotate and repeat until grease oozes out the other side.
Option 2: Use a Bearing Packer
- Insert the bearing into the packer.
- Pump until grease appears through all rollers.
- Much cleaner and faster!
Make sure the bearings are fully packed—this is the most important step.
Expert Recommendation:
Lucas Oil 10320 Multipurpose Marine Grease, Sta-Lube SL3121 Wheel Bearing Grease, and Star Brite Wheel Bearing Grease are 3 of the top-rated bearing greases. Even if your trailer doesn’t go near water, you can still use marine grease—it actually is more durable and heat-resistant than many other products. Learn more about grease types and what’s right for you.
Step 8: Reassemble the Hub
- Place the freshly greased inner bearing into the hub.
- Install a new grease seal over the back (use a seal driver or flat block of wood to tap it in evenly).
- Slide the hub back onto the axle spindle.
- Insert the outer bearing, washer, and castle nut.
Tighten the nut snugly, then back off slightly. The hub should spin freely but have no play.
Step 9: Insert Cotter Pin and Dust Cap
- Reinsert the cotter pin and bend it to secure.
- Tap the dust cap back into place using a rubber mallet.
Step 10: Reinstall the Wheel
- Put the wheel back on.
- Hand-tighten the lug nuts.
- Lower the trailer and finish tightening the lug nuts with a torque wrench (check your trailer’s specs for torque values).
Step 11: Repeat for All Wheels
If your trailer has more than one axle, repeat the entire process for each wheel. It takes time, but it’s essential for balanced, reliable performance.
Expert Tips from Glacial Lakes Recreation
As trailer specialists serving Starbuck, MN and the surrounding communities, we’ve helped hundreds of people with bearing issues—and we’ve seen the results of neglected maintenance.
Here are a few expert tips to keep in mind:
- Always use high-temp, marine-grade grease (especially if you drive through water).
- Don’t mix grease types—clean out the old stuff completely before applying new.
- Check bearing temperature after long trips—if the hub feels hot to the touch, something may be wrong.
- Consider bearing buddies—these are spring-loaded grease caps that keep pressure in the hub and make greasing easier between full maintenance jobs.
- Keep a spare bearing kit in your trailer—it can save the day if something fails on the road.
Need help? At Glacial Lakes Recreation, we’re always here to walk you through the process or inspect your trailer in person.
Bottom Line
Check your bearings frequently and keep them greased. Greasing your trailer bearings might seem intimidating at first, but with the right tools and a little know-how from our team, it’s totally manageable—and it’s one of the best ways to protect your investment. Whether you’re hauling gear across town or across the state, properly lubricated bearings mean smoother towing, longer life, and fewer headaches.
If you’d rather leave the work to the pros, or you just want someone to double-check your bearings, stop by Glacial Lakes Recreation in Starbuck, MN. We are happy to help point you in the right direction so you can keep on the road.
