tires and bearings

[Cougarfamily]

I installed new Maxxis tires and had the bearings packed in the spring of 2014 on our 2012 Cougar 5th wheel. Used it twice that summer. Due to wife losing job, it has sat in front of the house since then. Has not been moved at all, and tires are on pavement. I know I will have to have the bearings repacked again. The tires have been in tire covers the whole time. I am imagining they are shot also. Is this a correct belief. I am pretty sure they were made in 2011, if I recall it correctly from tire code. So they are probably bad from age alone, since I recall from this forum years ago that the life was 5 years. Have been away from this forum since then due to the bummer of not being able to even think about taking it out. Now we are starting to have some hope again, but hate the thought of having to replacing the tires again. Also, when it comes time to take it to shop for bearings, should I pull forward some and then back it up repeatedly a few times to lube the bearings some before going down the road?

[busterbrown]

Your tires are more than 5 years old now, sitting idle for a majority of their service life. I wouldn't think twice about replacing them. No one wants a catastrophic blow out at highway speeds.

As far as the bearings, I've read that it's recommended to repack and check seals after 1 year or 12,000 miles. My trailer's in-service anniversary date is coming up in April and I will be repacking the bearings before the start of our long summer RV season.

[Tbos]

I'd check the code on those tires again. If they You installed them in 2014 they shouldn't have been 3 years old. If they are really from 20121 I think replacing the tires is probably a good idea. IMHO since it has barely been used I think you could wait a season on your bearings. It will be interesting to see what others say about the bearings. Let us know what you decide.

2016 Passport GT 2810BHS, 2014 Silverado 1500 LT in Deep Forest Green

[CWtheMan]

Maxxis trailer tires have a 6 year warranty from the date of manufacture.

http://www.maxxis.com/trailer/trailer-warranty

[chuckster57]

I'd leave the bearings alone for another year.

[geobet]

if the bearings were initially packed properly, and given you have very little wear on them, the grease should be fine. Just pull away slowly and drive moderately for the first few miles to "wake up" the grease. I repack mine every year regardless of mileage just because I can.

[concours]

I would be rechecking the tire dates, I'm sure that the bearings would be fine but my concern would be how much rust etc. has formed on the brake drums. The only way to check that is to remove the drums, so my final answer is you need to check the brakes pack the bearings and take a close look at the tires. Peace of mind is good.

[gearhead]

Hook it up and get out of Dodge....

[notanlines]

I know this is a little middle of the road, but what they ^^^^^^said. I particularly like what Gearhead said: Get out of town. No way the bearings are in need of repacking if they were done properly. Keep us posted on the build date of the tires.

[Orlando3]

Agree on bearings. Do you have a zert, squeeze new grease in until it comes out, get new tires and go enjoy life!

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[sourdough]

Hook it up and get out of Dodge....

^^^Do this^^ I would look at the tires to be sure but if they are Maxxis, and have a 6 year warranty as CWtheman said, I'd be for taking off......after you look the tires over and make sure they are in good shape and the manufacture date is sometime in 2014. Good luck!! Bearings won't be an issue if done properly the last time.

[geobet]

Some folks use the zirk fittings. Be careful. Overloading the cavity can blow the rear seals then you'll probably have grease on the brake shoes and drum - a real mess and a pain to clean up - not to mention the lack of braking on that particular set. I never use them for just that reason.