Dexter E-Z-Lube axles

[cpaharley2008]

Has anyone ordered this unknown option from Escape? I had assumed E-Z-Lube was standard on our Escapes. This feature allows one to grease their axle via auto type grease gun.Most of my other trailers have this feature as standard. The ease would certainly make me lube my axle more frequently than having a rv dealer remove and repack the bearings. I wish I had known we could have requested this labor saving option. I wonder if the standard Dexter can be converted with those Bearing Buddies I see advertised for trailers?
Anyone else convert their axle or have ideas or knowledge about the E-Z-Lube feature? Thanks

[ChuckS]

Bearing Buddies do not grease the inner bearing. They were really made for boat trailers that go in the water. When you pump grease into the hub it comes out the back side. Boat trailer do not have electric brakes or wheel seals. It is not a very hard job to do the bearing pack once a year with the proper tools.

[cpaharley2008]

Does anyone know the model information on the Escape 19 Dexter axle, is it 2500# , I can not find my axle information with my packet from Escape. Thanks

[dave macrae]

I have never really been confindent that the "bearing buddy" quick lube was a great way to service the wheel bearings, Its really isn't hard to properly service the bearings and properly inspect them, I have seen some boat trailers with wheels missing because the owners thought they were doing the right thing with just puming grease in there and not properly disasembling and inspecting the brearings and races for wear and adjusting them properly. I my opinion there is too much to go wrong if these aren't in good repair.

[daveandsandyclink]

Jim...I pulled a Casita all over the US with Bearing Buddies factory installed on a Casita (Dexter Axle). In the 10 years of travel, I never had a problem and never had the hubs off. I was either lucky or perhaps they do work. All my salt water boat trailers have had them also. And they do have rear seals. Add too much and you blow the rear seals. The new Buddy Bearing II help prevent that. I would like install them on my Escape also.

[techfan]

Yes I ordered them with our 15b. To clarify, Bearing Buddies and EZ lube are two different critters. You cannot add them as they are part of the axle. It was a $75 option and it has to be ordrred early. We had bearing problems with our previous trailer and I wanted the ability to lube on the road. Also the aluminum rim hub covers make it difficult to use the EZ lube as you would have to remove the wheel. I opted for the steel wheels with the plastic cover do I can get to the EZ lube zerk fitting. You can see a picture of the EZ lube hub on the March 1 build of our trailer here com/site/ourescape15trailer/the-build. Notice the black removable cover.

[techfan]

Try again

https://sites.google.com/site/ouresc...iler/the-build

Didn't get the whole address.

[ChuckS]

Escape 19ft come with a 3500# axles.

[dave macrae]

I suppose part of my problem with anything of this nature is that I am a person who likes to see for my self the condition of things. So to take a few minutes to take something apart and verify for myself that all is well makes me more comfortable than just pumping grease into a zirk and hoping for the best. The reality is that wheel bearings with proper maintenance shouldn't be a issue unless overlaoded.

[cpaharley2008]

Now I'm confused, in the discussion of the 21' model Reace said that the "Axles will be 3000 lb capacity torflex axles" and supposedly the present 19' has 2500# Dexter axles (x4), but Chuck in post#8 relates 3500# axles. Can we clarify the correct Dexter axle on the 19 for discussion purposes? Thanks.

[Jubal]

From the chassis features category of the Escape 19 page.

Chassis

• Front & Rear Scissor Stabilizer Jacks
• Tandem 2500lb Torsion Rubber Ride Suspension

[techfan]

Dave is absolutely correct. E-Z Lube axles are not a substitute for annual maintenance and visual inspection of bearings and brakes. What E-Z Lube axles do provide is after manual greasing an easy way to top off and ensure complete greasing of the bearings (see the Dexter website). It also provides for an easy way to swap out old grease if on the road for an extended period of time which is what happened on our old trailer. At $75 it gives one some options. Casita has always provided an E-Z Lube axle on their trailers, not a Bearing Buddy, I'm not sure about Scamp.

[gbaglo]

This thread accomplished one thing. I checked my log and found that I last had the wheel bearings repacked and the brakes adjusted in March 2010. I was sure it was only a year or so ago.
In any event, I'm booked at my mechanic for Wed.

[dave macrae]

As soon as the snow is off the road I will be checking mine as well, I have to machine my brake drums as well, I got the brakes a touch hot last summer and have a pulsation from them now.

[daveandsandyclink]

I am having a big plate of crow tonight after reading my manual on a Dexter axles. Guess I have been real lucky traveling down roads in hot weather not to have trouble with bearings. I wish I had known about the EZ Lube option from Escape when ordering our trailer. It appears that a complete axle change out is needed to have EZ Lube now. Thanks for sharing your experience and knowledge on this subject. I am now planning to service/inspect my bearings this weekend!

[cpaharley2008]

I guess we all will need to obtain a "Bearing" kit with seals and grease and bearings and the proper tools to remove and install them. Anyone know where to start? Once we get the right parts list I can make a "sticky" for future references.

[gbaglo]

I know which bearings and seals I need for my 2008 17B, but that doesn't mean they are what's required for a 2006 or a 2009, or a 19 or 15.
I think you really need to ask Escape what's required for your particular model.

[RickM]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

I guess we all will need to obtain a "Bearing" kit with seals and grease and bearings and the proper tools to remove and install them. Anyone know where to start? Once we get the right parts list I can make a "sticky" for future references.

Here's the bearings:
Axle Bearing Kit for Dexter RV 3500# Axle

And if you want to add some tools, ala Tim the Tool Man,
Wheel, Bearing, packer

and
Bearing Race & Seal Driver Set Lisle #12600

[techfan]

Hey, don't forget the grease. Dexter also warns about mixing grease types. Thanks for the links to the kits. I'm glad this discussion has prompted folks to check bearings and brakes. We wouldn't want you to be packing bearings in a campsite like we had to.

[ChuckS]

The bearing and seal numbers were the same between the Escape 19 and a 2001 Bigfoot 21RB. Bigfoot specs says 7000# axles divided by two equals 3500#.