RE: Wheel Bearings - reminder
Man something must be very wrong to chew up a set of wheel bearings in 3000 miles
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For sure. I doubt it was a repacking need but another problem. My guess would be a wrong bearing adjustment, contaminated grease, etc.... IMO...
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I'm scratching my head over this one too. I've turned wrenches for many years and never seen a set of bearings fail this fast. This wasn't a bearing load issue I don't believe. It's possible the previous owner run them too loose at some point. There was a hit if moisture in the cap, which explains the outer bearing and the pitting. The inner I believe though is strickly failure, grease showed no signs of moisture and the race does not look like moisture failure. All the bearings, including other hubs, still had grease and the grease hadn't broken down.
I was in the family alignment shop business for years and seen a lot of bearing failures, but usually not this quickly.
Ron - I always forget about Jim's, drive by it all the time. I'm not sure if he'd had it or not. First stop of Kansas Automotive which I've never had to order anything and they had to get it from their sister store in Wichita, they only had 1 in stock. Napa, O'reilly's, and the chain stores said it would be mid-week.
Glad I didn't wait until the last minute like usual.
Wheel Bearings - reminder
I always keep an eye on the wheel bearings and repack regularly. I packed them 2 years ago, with less than 3000 miles traveled since then. Getting ready for Yellowstone trip, so I thought I'd pull them off this weekend and quickly re-pack bearings. Well so much for quick, last wheel and both bearings are junk. I know as soon as I spun the tire I was going to find problems. Sure enought the outer bearing was pitted. Pulled the seal and inner bearing, whip down the inner race and about 15 - 20% of it had lost its surface. Been lucky to make 200 miles before that hub would have been smoking. Now the concerning part, after checking with 5 part stores, only one could come up with a bearing in a warehouse. Now I'm thinking it's time to order an extra one and carry it in the trailer just in case.
Just goes to show trailer bearings can never be checked and re-packed enough. Much easier to fix in the driveway than some where along the road.
RE: 2011 Jayco Eagle 321RLTS Jake plate adjustment
I'm assuming you are talking about the frame hanger brackets and the 3 holes, never heard it called a "Jake plate".
I have our Eagle in the lowest holes from frame to get enough bed rail space on my Dodge. Never had any problems, just remember it will raise the total height of trailer. With this setting I'm right at 13'3" to the top of A/C unit.
Camping around Jackson or southern Grand Teton area?
We have our Aug. trip all planned out and reservations made with the exception of 2 nights in the Jackson Hole or southern Grand Teton area. I would prefer Federal campground and stay way for the commerical RV Parks, but wouldn't rule it out. But it appears there are nothing or very limited campgrounds that can handle a 32.5 fifth wheel even in the commerical campgounds. Anyone know or prefer a campground in this area?
Thanks, Mac
Question for 2011 Dodge 6.7L owners
Just traded my 2007 Dodge 2500 6.7L for a 2011 3500 DRW 6.7L. Did a test pull tonight for about 40 miles. Pulled into about a 35 - 40 mph head wind. Wow what a difference two tires make in the wind. Over all it handled it quite nicely.
If this question has already been asked sorry in advance, didn't find anything in my search.
The question I have is the engine temp is running about 198 - 206 empty, pulling is was running 204 - 212. Is that about normal that everyone is seeing on the 2011 models? Or have you had the thermostat changed out to 180 and if so are you seeing about 200 degress when pulling? I would be interested in know what the conditions were. For example flat in 100 degree weather or pulling in the mountions.
I had it into the dealer for some other things and to check the engine temp before the test pull. They indicated that is the plan by design because factory is putting a 195 degree thermostat in the 2011 and 205 degree in the 2012.
Sorry got long winded just like the Kansas wind today. :-)
