Trailer Buddy Automatic Greaser Failure - Can I Keep Towing?

[Bruce]

This evening I noticed the grease levels were low on my rear (braking) axle hubs. I decided to add grease while at a gas station.

When I pulled the grease gun off of one of the metal pieces that holds the grease in and the zerk is screwed into pulled off with the grease gun. The blue spring loaded housing of the trailer buddy that moves in and out pushing grease into the bearing remained in place but it shot it's load of grease all over the wheel.

As a short term solution I filled what was left with grease and reinstalled the cap. Then I towed another 60 miles to a town we are staying in for the night. Tomorrow I plan to tow the last 200 miles home. I am going to search for a replacement automatic greasing cap before I leave for home but if I can not locate one I believe my current setup is equivalent to a traditional greased bearing. The grease was packed with grease by the now failed trailer buddy and the cap is filled with grease. I would not want to dip the axle in the water but I believe it is fine going down the road.

I certainly will add one of these to my spare. The failed trailer buddy was replaced last year. I guess I got a defective one.

@veedubtek, what is your opinion?

 

[jawsf16]

I have heard of guys using a soda can cut in half to keep the grease in while towing if they lost a bearing buddy. Just don't dunk it and you'll be fine.

 

[veedubtek]

No worries @Bruce . I'd probably stop at your 100 mile mark and just check temps, but I wouldn't be worried at all about your drive home tomorrow.

 

[Bruce]

I touched all four hubs after the last sixty miles tonight and all were cool.

 

[Ronnie]

I agree with @jawsf16. My understanding is that the primary propose of the bearing buddies is to keep water out not keep the hub lubricated. However, if I was in your position and couldn't fabricate a band aid as jaws suggested I would fill the hub with grease, put a small hole in the top center of the rubber hub cover and hope that it would stay put until the trailer buddy could be repaired or replaced.

 

[Bruce]

Thanks guys, I switched from the rubber boot covers to stainless caps last year https://jetboaters.net/threads/mfi-trailers-stainless-caps-for-the-trailer-buddy-grease-caps.6483/

So I have a sorta sealed cap on the trailer buddy.

 

[Monterro]

This sort of happened to me on my Memorial Day trip. After repacking my bearings I did not put my bearing buddy cap back on tight enough. Fell out during the trip and still had 150+ miles to go. Picked up a new one from Tractor Supply on the way and put it on before launching. No issues with overheating.

 

[Bruce]

Made it home without a problem. The bearings remained at a normal temperature.