Sunline T-2251 wheel bearings

Skrajci · 02-06-2018, 05:11 AM

I just bought a 1996 sunline Solaris T-2251. This is my first travel trailer so I’m in the process of learning. It needs new wheel bearings on one of the wheels for me to tow it home. The problem is that the trailer is a ways away from me and I need to bring the bearings into my RV shop in order to match the numbers. In short, I am trying to avoid driving all the way to the camper just to pull bearings to then have to drive back and forth several more times before I can tow it home. Does anyone know the part number of the bearings (inner and outer)? Also, can I use bearing buddies on the axles?

**Sunline Fan** · 02-06-2018, 07:04 AM

Welcome and congrats on your new 2251! It's a really great floorplan.

This model should 2500 lb axles underneath. I may have documented at home what bearings my 2251 took, but I don't remember off the top of my head. Hopefully someone else with those size axles can confirm.

I do know my 3500 lb axles under my 2653 use a L44649/L68149 combo.

It is possible to use bearing buddies on these, but it isn't recommended. Bearing Buddies are great for marine environments, where the axles are submerged and you need to move moisture out of the bearing unit. These axles aren't designed the same way, and it's easy to pump them full of too much grease. Then you greatly increase the chances of getting grease into the brake drum, which can gum up moving parts in there or decrease stopping power. It's best to plan to repack these the old fashioned way and do it again every couple years.

Skrajci · 02-06-2018, 08:20 AM

Thank you so much! I’m really excited to get out and start enjoying the scenery.

**JohnB** · 02-06-2018, 10:08 AM

Hi Skrajci,

Welcome to the club and congrats on your new Sunny!

Sunline Fan has some good info there, I will add, remember to get the grease seal too. Ideally a double lip grease seal. If the bearings are shot, the seal will be close to it too if not already shot.

As fyi, if you get stuck on pick up day with a part problem, if there is a NAPA auto parts store near buy, they sell all these wheel bearing and seal parts. They just need the numbers of the sizes and can match them up.

Hope this helps

Thanks

John

**Sunline Fan** · 02-06-2018, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnB

As fyi, if you get stuck on pick up day with a part problem, if there is a NAPA auto parts store near buy, they sell all these wheel bearing and seal parts. They just need the numbers of the sizes and can match them up.

Also if there's a place nearby that sells cargo trailers, they probably stock them as well. That's where I got mine from, since cargo/horse/car/boat trailers all use the same brand axles and bearings. There's really only about 3-4 different set sizes for different weight axles.

mainah · 02-06-2018, 04:54 PM

The bearings are fairly common NAPA does cover a lot of trailers with complete kits. They most likely are 1 3/8 (1.375) that's a common size for a 2500# axle.

**Sunline Fan** · 02-06-2018, 09:22 PM

Pulled my receipt tonight. My '94 2251 had 2500 lb Dexter axles and took the L68149 (race L68111) outer bearing and the L44649 (race L44610) inner bearing, so ignore what I said earlier. Could be they are the same bearing because they all share the same 10" brake drum.

I would buy four of these bearing kits, and hopefully they will work: https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Bea...e/BK2-100.html

Skrajci · 02-08-2018, 03:04 AM

Thank you again, you have really saved me a lot of unnecessary driving and stress!!

mainah · 02-08-2018, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunline Fan

Pulled my receipt tonight. My '94 2251 had 2500 lb Dexter axles and took the L68149 (race L68111) outer bearing and the L44649 (race L44610) inner bearing, so ignore what I said earlier. Could be they are the same bearing because they all share the same 10" brake drum.

I would buy four of these bearing kits, and hopefully they will work: https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Bea...e/BK2-100.html

My T1700 has 10" drums but they are smaller bearings they are only 1" bearings.

**Sunline Fan** · 02-08-2018, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mainah

My T1700 has 10" drums but they are smaller bearings they are only 1" bearings.

Hmm. What are the bearing/race numbers for that?

mainah · 02-09-2018, 06:19 AM

They are standard 1" tapered bearings. Honestly if you know the size you can get bearings all most any where. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Martin-W...BK-1/205715229 some axles are stepted so it will have two sizes. If you have the bearing there is only one race that will fit it. NAPA does carry most common trailer sizes. If there is a bearing supply company in your town they can supply some of the strangest bearings you have ever seen just by size no matter what it fits. A decent set of calapers and you are golden.

**Sunline Fan** · 02-09-2018, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mainah

They are standard 1" tapered bearings. Honestly if you know the size you can get bearings all most any where. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Martin-W...BK-1/205715229 some axles are stepted so it will have two sizes. If you have the bearing there is only one race that will fit it. NAPA does carry most common trailer sizes. If there is a bearing supply company in your town they can supply some of the strangest bearings you have ever seen just by size no matter what it fits. A decent set of calapers and you are golden.

Thanks. Just wanted to give OP enough info to be able to buy a set of these too, to take just in case. I fear without having an old bearing to match up and without having a part number, many auto parts stores wouldn't be able to help.

Agreed on a bearing supply. The receipt I mentioned finding earlier was from Bearing Service, a local bearing supply. All brand name NTN bearings too, not unbranded knockoffs.

mainah · 02-09-2018, 07:40 AM

It gets harder everyday to find branded bearings made in the US or European countries Timken, SKF, BSF, FAG etc. supply bearing from many sources. I guess my point is NAPA will have trailer bearings get both of the common ones, take the wrong one back they are bubble packed and the differences are pretty obvious. Usually the device is designed for an existing bearing not the bearing designed for the device except for extreme cases. Many years ago I was the only rebuilder of manual transmission for the largest transmission shop in MD. so I got to see a lot of bearings.

Skrajci · 02-10-2018, 01:29 PM

I went down to my local RV store and picked up new inner and out beatings along with seals and grease. They didn’t have the races tho, but I’ll inspect mine and purchase new ones as needed. All in all I spent less then $70. Time to install. I’m also picking up a bearing greaser for around $10 from harbour freight and tools.

mainah · 02-10-2018, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skrajci

I went down to my local RV store and picked up new inner and out beatings along with seals and grease. They didn’t have the races tho, but I’ll inspect mine and purchase new ones as needed. All in all I spent less then $70. Time to install. I’m also picking up a bearing greaser for around $10 from harbour freight and tools.

OK here is what you need to do with the bearings you remove, wipe them down good with a rag is there is ANY shiny metal on the rag the bearings are toast this includes the races. It's not a real good ideal to mix new bearings and old races old bearings and races ok as long as there is no metal present clean them up good and repack them with bearing grease.

**Sunline Fan** · 02-12-2018, 06:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mainah

OK here is what you need to do with the bearings you remove, wipe them down good with a rag is there is ANY shiny metal on the rag the bearings are toast this includes the races. It's not a real good ideal to mix new bearings and old races old bearings and races ok as long as there is no metal present clean them up good and repack them with bearing grease.

Yep. And it's also a good idea to clean them after wiping them off, if they look good. A little jar of gas or other solvent, put the parts in one at a time and shake it around. This makes sure all the old grease and gunk get out of every part of the bearing that you can't easily wipe off.

mainah · 02-12-2018, 06:54 AM

Many people like to wipe grease on the bearing and call it good thinking it's packed. The proper method is a good wad of grease in the heel of your hand, with the wide part of the bearing facing the grease force the grease into the bearing until it comes out of the small end of the bearing. Back in the dark ages all cars and trucks had tapered bearings that needed periodic attention but now it has become a dying art. About the only thing now that uses tapered bearings are trailers.