Trailer Wheel Bearing Replacement

[cosmo_momo]

I was taking my trailer to the shop to have a latch replaced, and my trailer brakes started smoking. Turns out I did have the controller set way to high - my ignorance, this is my first trailer and it is old as dirt. Being old as dirt, they pulled the tires to check the brakes for me and turns out I need at least one bearing replaced due to rust/age, probably two. I was quoted $700 to replace the latch (I provided a new latch), “service” the wheels, repacking I’m assuming ($320) and the rest is the estimate for two bad bearings. I didn’t ask specifically how much it was to do just the latch, but I’ll find that out in the morning when I call them back. This just seems like a lot to replace two bearings. I can live with the broken latch for now - just can’t use that door.

Anyways, should I shop around for a price to replace and repack bearings? I really don’t know what I should be expecting. I plan to call around tomorrow morning when I have some time since I know exactly what needs done, I can ask for a quote more easily now. Figured it wouldn’t hurt to seek some advice from people with much more trailer experience than me

[seabreeze]

I had a bearing replaced a few years ago, and I believe it was ~$140.

[Kmacht]

Those prices are very high. Before spending $1000 bring it somewhere else for another quote. Most horse and stock trailers use one of a few common size bearings. The bearings cost between $10 and $30. Figure an half hour labor per side at $100 an hour plus two bearings and it should be under $300. Just inspecting and re packing the bearings should be closer to $100 or something you can easily learn to do yourself at home if you have a jack and a lug wrench. The fact that they want $320 just to repack the existing bearings seems to indicate they are probably trying to take you to the cleaners. I can’t comment on the latch replacement cost without knowing what type of latch and how it is mounted but $700 seems high if you are providing the part. Unless it is welded on it shouldn’t take more than an hour or two to replace any horse trailer latch I have ever come across.

[enjoytheride]

Those prices are crazy!

[cosmo_momo]

Update! I went and picked up my trailer from the first place without having them do any work. I took it to a different shop that replaced all 4 wheel bearings, and installed my latch for under $450.They even saved the old bearings for me to see. Still money I would have rather spent on a new trailer;), but I’m a happy camper. The second place was also much closer to my barn and much easier to talk to/deal with. I will be a returning customer for sure!

The breakdown was: 4 bearing replacements and packing of the new bearings = $287 and the latch replacement with provided latch was ~$150. They had to cut the old latch out and weld the new one on, so it was mostly the cost of time/labor.