Oil Bath Hubs - The Hull Truth

duffyb · 04-03-2007, 12:07 PM

Shopping for a trailer for a new Sea Hunt 240. Looking at an EZ Loader and they have the oil bath hubs. Any opinions on these? I am particularly interested from those in the NE, where the trailer will spend extended time on blocks.

My choices are Karavan, EZ Loader and Shoreland'r. Any thoughts?

rotordriver · 04-03-2007, 12:22 PM

Lots of folks seem to have problems with the oil baths leaking. If you can find Posilube axles they seem to work the best.

itwonder · 04-03-2007, 12:59 PM

I think oil bath is fine if they are the latest Tie down Engineering hubs with the screw on caps. If they are push-on caps, forget it. Did you try pricing a Loadmaster trailer from Steve at East Coast Trailers? Great guy and THT sponsor. Whatever brand you choose, I hignly recommend torsion axles and Kodiak brand disk brakes.

Brad1 · 04-03-2007, 01:29 PM

I bought a brand new EZ Loader tandem in the fall of '04. It came with oil bath hubs. No problems so far.

EASTERNMARINE · 04-03-2007, 01:51 PM

The only problem we have heard that may effect you is them sitting for extended periods of time. The oil can settle in the bottom of the hub leaving the top half to possiblly corrode.

dgfarb · 04-03-2007, 02:11 PM

I have a '03 Loadmaster- coming from a trucking background I prefer wet hubs, but I do have a problem w/ leaking.

trapit · 04-03-2007, 02:13 PM

They're better than Grease. You don't have to add oil or redue anything on them. And if they are not water tight the oil looks milky. MUUUUCH better than grease hubs. Plus look at all the 18 Wheelers out there, all those trailers are oil bath

salty bones · 04-03-2007, 04:42 PM

Had two trailers with oil bath hubs and liked them but 7 out of the 8 leaked. I replaced all seals with smaller diameter seals and it stopped the leaking. Not sure if the company changed the seal size they were using but they needed too. Mined worked great after the change.

savage · 04-03-2007, 06:31 PM

I love the oil bath hubs that are a component of the Kodiak change-out kit.

Some advise though... Crank that transparent plastic cap to 15 pounds after using the red LocTite, or else you'll learn a fairly expensive lesson about cap replacement and kodiak parts availibilty.

(hard to find item, not sold separately)

Bob's Cay · 04-03-2007, 08:44 PM

I switched out the oil bath hubs on my Loadmaster last fall. Like the others I had leaking problems. The oil bath hubs did not seem to like the extended storage. Mine were 2002 models and had the old style push on hub. When new they were great, but I'm glad I switched. Just too hard to maintain.

Would i buy them again with the new style cap? Maybe, they did offer some good points. I have learned that if I'm going to store the trailer for awhile I'm going to block it up so I can spin the wheels every so often.

prober · 04-03-2007, 10:07 PM

Get the posilube spindles. The oil bath units leave the top half of the spindle and bearings exposed and will rust if stored for long periods.

Pickens · 04-03-2007, 11:18 PM

I dont have oil bath hubs on my boat trailer but they are on the front of my GMC Top Kick work truck. All the ones on heavy trucks are vented,so I assume the boat trailer oil bath hubs would be vented to and therefore not watertight?

ReelThyme · 04-03-2007, 11:38 PM

I have oil-bath hubs on my 2003 Loadmaster...and not a hint of water in the window so far..
nor a leak,
I live in LA. and the conditions can be brutal, as far as roads and heat are concerned

keeping my eyes open and fingers crossed
best of luck

Wheel House · 04-04-2007, 12:05 AM

In 1972 I bought a trailer with oilbath hubs. I liked the hubs, they eventually leaked but it took 13 years for the oil to turn milky. My new Easy Loader trailer also has oilbath hubs. So far I have had no problems with leakage.

KevinM · 04-04-2007, 02:25 PM

Actually they are not better then grease. If you loose a seal on oil bath hubs, the bearings will go in a very short time. At least with grease loosing a seal there is still plenty of residual to keep the bearings from overheating. Also grease forms a better barrier against water then oil. Everyone keeps comparing them to 18 wheelers. 18 wheelers don't get their hubs submerged in water.

di hrd · 04-04-2007, 02:48 PM

Kevin, I was going to say the same thing--apples to oranges? Bath hubs may be ok on a new trailer but a retro fit leaves more to chance. The rear seal is the porblem. Once the water gets to that surface between the seal and the axle you have problems and may never get a water tight seal again without cutting the old spindle off and welding a new one on.

I went so far as to fabricate a stainless steel axle and spindle for my little boat (16'er) to combat that exact problem. Two years and still sealed.

scoffshore · 04-04-2007, 03:20 PM

I recently put the new oil bath hubs on two axles of my triple axle trailer. I have towed it to and from NC to CT with no problems, no leaks, no water in the hubs from dunking at the ramp. Like all hubs, after install, drive around a little bit and then recheck. No, the hubs are not vented, so unless you have as much a chance or less of one to get water in the hub, plus if you do it will be much more obvious. If you do not tow or move the trailer frequently, I would say you could have a corrosion problem due to all the oil running off, but it would be just like a car engine sitting for a long time. that oil is pretty think and not going to run off the bearings in any short amount of time.