Oil Bath Hubs

[Primadude]

On my way to Navajo Lake, New Mexico last week I found the rear seal on one of my oil bath hubs leaking all over the inside of the hub and tire. The window looked empty but upon inspection it was full but milky white compared to the oil in the other hubs that were dark. So it likely was contaminated before I had left for the trip. I am trying to think of what I would have done if the seal had blown all the way out and I had lost all the oil so I can be prepared just in case next time.

Here is the type of hub on my Extreme trailer:

Oil Bath Hub

Here is a product that truckers use. The oil is like molasses and is used on oil bath hubs that have blown seals to keep you going until you can repair the problem:

Lucal Oil

Has anyone with an LSV successfully driven their trailer with three wheels (in the case of burned up bearings) without blowing out a tire? Is this even an option in an emergency situation?

I was thinking that if a seal is blown, in an emergency situation, maybe a grease fitting could be screwed into the oil filler hole so you could pump the hub full of grease until you get home. Do you think this would work?

Any other ideas?

Thanks,

Joe

[Faceplant409]

I towed my VLX on an Extreme WITH TORTION AXLES, not leaf springs, about 60 miles after a brake problem on my MAIDEN voyage... No problems towing with 3 wheels. What's the weight difference between a VLX and a LSV???

You could devide the weight of the LSV + trailer and devide by 3. I'm sure you would be over the limit for the tires and probably the hub, axle, and wheel too. But in an emergency.....I'd do it.

[WakeGirl]

I agree, that's one of the points to having a tandem after all.

I have the same oil bath hubs & getting info on maintenance & emergency types of situations has been frustrating & difficult. Lucas Oil in general is supposed to be good, but I've never used it so YMMV, especially in that circumstance. I'd be more likely to use it over grease though, emergency or not.

[BillFooter]

This is the reason that I do not think oil bath hubs are a good idea for boat trailers. Too big a chance of leaving you stranded.