In order to retain the functionality of these bearings and ensure proper working conditions, you need to treat the bearings with proper wheel bearing grease. This compound is introduced to the bearings to reduce the friction between the wheel and the axle. And as for application, such compounds are more frequently needed for heavy-duty vehicles such as a trailer compared to commercial vehicles. Here are important factors of great trailer bearings that you should know before you buy one for your trailer.
Type of Bearing Grease: There are many different types of bearings grease compounds available on the market and each is designed to serve a specific purpose. Unless you are a professional mechanic, it would be rare if you would already know the types of options available around you and which one you should buy for your trailer. So, you need to consider this factor before you proceed with your choice of grease. Temperature and Pressure Rating: One of the most important qualities of an ideal grease compound is its resistance to high pressure and temperature. While your bearings are in use, they are under tremendous pressure and the friction causes significant heat generation. These parameters should not affect the performance of the grease you are using with the bearing if it has a high tolerance. Quantity: Another thing to consider before buying grease for trailer bearings is the compound you need. If you buy grease only for a single vehicle, then even a 1-ounce pack would be enough. But since you are taking time out to maintain your vehicle, you should consider buying a larger pack and treating other vehicles in your garage with the grease as well. It also has a long shelf life, allowing recurring usage over the years.
When performing maintenance of our vehicle, there are a lot of small components, such as bearings that are usually ignored. And as time passes, these components wear out, making us find a replacement sooner or later. But it can be easily avoided if you take a look at our selection of the best grease for trailer bearings and pick up a decent option for your trailer right now. If you are unsure how to find the perfect trailer-bearing grease, you can refer to our “Buying Guide” for the best trailer-bearing grease present right after our picks before making a choice.
Best Grease For Trailer Bearings Table
Best Grease For Trailer Bearings Review
1. Super Lube Grease
There are many different options available out there for a basic bearing grease that can work well for many vehicles. The following option from Super Lube is one such option and the most popular one at that. The Super Lube 21030 is the most popular option that we have for you today on our list of the best grease for trailer bearings. This is a rather small package of bearing grease suitable for a couple of applications. You will get 3 ounces of compound in the tube, which should be sufficient for a single vehicle at a time. The compound itself is a patented synthetic NLGI-grade grease created for heavy-duty applications. The Super Lube 21030 is also a multi-purpose grease for trailer bearings that can be used for many different types of applications apart from vehicle bearings. With the food grade rating, the Super Lube 21030 becomes compatible with agricultural applications as well. Apart from that, it also has an NSF rating H-1, which ensures its overall safety and resistance to evaporation and leakage. Best Features
3 ounces of grease compound available Ships in a single package The temperature range is from -45°F to +450°F It has NSF rating H-1
Pros
Most commonly available bearing grease on the market Compound has food-grade rating Patented NLGI grade lubricant
Cons
Not the best option for larger applications
2. Valvoline Grease
When you are buying a chemical compound for maintenance of your vehicle, you should only trust the options from a reliable brand like Valvoline. There are many popular products distributed by Valvoline including this trailer-bearing grease. The Valvoline Moly-Fortified Gray Full Synthetic Grease is our 2nd choice for this list and yet another popular option that you may already be familiar with. This is a rather large package for a grease compound and best suited for multiple applications. And with the extended shelf life, you can also keep it safely in your garage for multiple applications. This is a fully synthetic grease for bearings that minimizes the possibility of performance degradation over time. The Valvoline Moly-Fortified Gray Full Synthetic Grease is specifically designed to be compatible with all US-based as well as Japanese vehicle brands. So, it covers almost all standard vehicles on the market right now. Another benefit of getting the Valvoline Moly-Fortified Gray Full Synthetic Grease is its high-temperature range. It works between -60°F to 425°F temperature range without any changes in its chemical or physical properties. It also contains a chemical called moly that increases its strength and adds heavy resistance to the film’s strength. Best Features
1 ounces of grease compound available Ships in a single package Suitable for high-pressure applications Works between -60°F to 425°F range
Pros
Large quantity available for multiple applications Shelf life is pretty good High-temperature range
Cons
Quantity might is too much for a single application
3. WD-40 Grease
WD-40 is one of the highly recognized brands on the market, especially when it comes to automotive solutions and maintenance peripherals. Thousands of trailer owners trust the bearing grease from WD-40 for their trailers. WD-40 is one of the highly popular brands that specifically deal with maintenance-focused products that are perfect for many different applications. So, you can trust your RVs trailer bearings with the WD-40 – 300417 Specialist Grease. This is one of the high-quality options on our list offering a military-grade solution to offer the best performance as well as reliability. You will also find special options from WD-40 designed for extreme pressure or water-resistance-focused solutions. With that, you will also find the WD-40 – 300417 Specialist Grease to be the best option for introducing rust and corrosion resistance to the bearing. With this grease, your bearings will be protected against rust even after contact with fresh or saltwater. The working temperature range for the WD-40 – 300417 Specialist Grease ranges up to 620°F which is quite high compared to other options. Best Features
14 ounces of grease compound available Ships in a single package Working temperature ranges up to 620°F High lubrication and rust protection properties
Pros
One of the globally renowned brands for maintenance products Also suitable for construction and farm applications Sufficient quantity for multiple applications
Cons
Only a single pack in shipped
4. Lucas Grease
Lucas Oil is also a preferred option for vehicle accessories for thousands of individuals as the products made by Lucas Oil are highly reliable as well as affordable. Today, Lucas Oil is bringing the most affordable option for a trailer bearing grease in terms of quantity. If you are wondering if the standard quantity available with almost all packages of trailer bearing grease is sufficient for you or not, don’t worry. We have the best option available right here from Lucas Oil Red”N” Tacky Grease that you can use for personal as well as commercial applications. In this package, you will receive up to about 16 ounces of grease which is enough to last at least a year, or more for a single vehicle. Another great benefit of applying the Lucas Oil Red” N” Tacky Grease is that you will get the best protection against rust and oxidation problems which are quite common for a trailer bearing. This solution also includes a red lithium complex that offers water resistance and washout properties. The mechanical stability of the grease is also pretty good and offers long-lasting support under heavy load. Best Features
16 ounces of grease compound available Ships in a single package Red lithium complex for added water and rust resistance Excellent mechanical properties
Pros
Can be used for agricultural, automotive, and industrial applications High degree of extreme pressure additives Load capacity is pretty good
Cons
Quantity is not suitable for one-time application
5. STAR Grease
On the other hand, if you want an affordable alternative for basic applications, you can go with the following option from STAR BRITE. This is also a great choice for a long-term application within an affordable price range. The STAR BRITE Trailer Marine Grease is also one of the affordable choices on our list today that offers almost all the features that you would expect from a premium option. It brings water resistance, rust and corrosion protection, and extended wear protection on your bearings. Also, the temperature range of the STAR BRITE Trailer Marine Grease is 0°F to 325°F, which is pretty much what the bearings usually go through under normal conditions. Apart from vehicle bearings, the STAR BRITE Trailer Marine Grease is also compatible with winches, hatch hinges, and pumps. And to ensure compatibility with multiple applications, the STAR BRITE Trailer Marine Grease also meets ASTM D4950 GC-LB requirements. And since the compound is created in the USA, you can expect good quality and performance from the solution. You will also get 14 ounces of quantity with the STAR BRITE Trailer Marine Grease Best Features
14 ounces of grease compound available Ships in a single package 0°F to 325°F working temperature range Meets the ASTM D4950 GC-LB standards
Pros
Available in a large quantity Quite an affordable choice compared to other grease compounds Also compatible with winches, hatch hinges, pumps, and other components
Cons
Temperature rating is slightly higher with other options
6. Quicksilver Grease
While we ar e on the topic of multipurpose trailer bearing grease, you should also check out the following option from Quicksilver. This compound is also suitable for a wide range of applications and available in a small package. If you are planning to use trailer bearing grease for only a single trailer, you should go with a smaller package so as to avoid the hassle of storing the solution for a long time. For that, the Quicksilver 802859Q1 2-4-C Marine Grease will be the best choice. This is a small tube of trailer-bearing grease offering around 8 ounces of compound in a single package. Still, the grease available with the Quicksilver 802859Q1 2-4-C Marine Grease pack is an NLGI 2 marine grease based on a lithium compound. So, you can expect a strong durability front solution and extended performance even after frequent water contact. Apart from the bearings, the Quicksilver 802859Q1 2-4-C Marine Grease is also well-suited for a wide range of applications such as steering wheel cables, throttle cables, locking mechanisms, swivel pins, and much more. It also has extreme pressure additives that manage to keep the solution intact under heavy pressure. Best Features
8 ounces of grease compound available Ships in a single package Easy to use and suitable for a single application Manages to keep the bearings safe from water contact and corrosion
Pros
Lithium-based NLGI 2 grease Works ideally even after frequent water contact Includes extreme pressure additives
Cons
Quality is inefficient for multiple applications
7. Wheel Grease
GREASECO is bringing a fine option for our list of the best trailer bearing grease. This is one of the most viscous options you can find on the market right now. Now that you are familiar with the affordable range of options for the best trailer bearing grease, let us talk about some of the premium options that we are including for those who use their trailer for commercial applications. The GREASECO Wheel Bearing Grease is specifically made for such heavy-duty applications, offering load capacity of about 315 Kg and a temperature range of up to 500°F for reliability in all weather conditions. It also has up to 3% water washout rating which prevents the grease from getting washed out at the time of vehicle cleaning. Just like a few other options on this list, the GREASECO Wheel Bearing Grease is also made up of a lithium complex to offer a viscous and compatibility with multiple applications. You will be able to use the GREASECO Wheel Bearing Grease with axle, trailer wheels, tie rods, gears, and many other components. Best Features
14 ounces of grease compound available Ships in a single package Compatible with a wide range of applications It has water washout rating of 3%
Pros
Maximum load capacity is up to 315 Kg Temperature range goes up to 500°F Lithium-based grease compound
Cons
Comparatively expensive than other similar quantity options
8. LubriMatic Grease
LubriMatic is also bringing a great option to our list for a premium-range bearing grease. You will also get a pretty sufficient quantity of compound with this solution. The LubriMatic 11402 is yet another premium option on our list for the best trailer bearing grease. This is also a marine-grade trailer bearing grease that is specifically designed to avoid corrosion and other related problems. To make it possible, the LubriMatic 11402 is created with a special compound called calcium sulfate to make it completely insoluble in the water. With that, you also get a working temperature range on the LubriMatic 11402 going as high as 550°F. With these features, you can use the LubriMatic 11402 grease in almost any weather condition without worrying about its reliability at all. And with the added corrosion resistance, it also manages to extend the life of your bearing. Apart from that, you can also use the solution with other types of bearings like disc brakes, wheel bearing, hinges, pins, winches, chain reels, etc. Best Features
14 ounces of grease compound available Ships in a single package Specifically designed corrosion resistance Up to 550°F temperature range
Pros
Suitable for a wide range of applications like disc brakes, wheel bearing, hinges, pins, winches One of the premium options for bearing grease Ships in a standard package size
Cons
Other options are a bit more affordable
9. AtomLube Grease
The best options for a bearing grease in terms of storage life are the ones that are distributed in multiple packages. AtomLube also offers this option so that you can keep the second pack sealed for extended shelf life. The AtomLube All Purpose Grease, as the name suggests, would be the best option for you if you want to use the grease for multiple applications. You will get 2 packs of bearing grease in this set, offering a total quantity of about 14 ounces. So, you can keep one of the packs at a time and keep one stored in intact condition until needed. The AtomLube All Purpose Grease is also designed and developed in the USA, so won’t find the quality and performance of the compound doubtful. It also brings high resistance to oxidation to avoid problems like rust and corrosion. On top of that, you will also get high resistance to high temperature and washout guarantee as well. Best Features
14 ounces of grease compound available Ships in a 2 packages NLGI certified compound High-performance lubricant with resistance to high temperature
Pros
Available in 2 different packs for extended shelf life Made in the the USA 10-pack option is also available for commercial applications
Cons
Other options are much more affordable
10. Plews & Edelmann Grease
Plews & Edelmann is also bringing a fine option on our list today that you can use for multiple applications without worrying about its reliability. It is also shipped in multiple packages to extend the shelf life. The Plews & Edelmann Marine Wheel Bearing Grease is also a great option for those who want to avoid the hassle of buying a new trailer bearing grease every 6 months or so. The Plews & Edelmann Marine Wheel Bearing Grease ships in a pack of 3 units, each offering 1 ounce of compound each. So, you will get a total of 3 ounces solution with this set, which is perfect for smaller applications. The Plews & Edelmann Marine Wheel Bearing Grease is also based on Calcium Sulfonate element, which is quite common when it comes to bearing grease. Apart from offering great protection against rust and friction damage, it also makes the compound completely insoluble in water. You will also get a temperature range of up to 500°F so that the quality of the Best Features
3 ounces of grease compound available Ships in a 3 packages High-temperature range of up to 500°F Calcium sulfonate-based grease
Pros
Great option for smaller applications Rated by NLGI Suitable for multiple types of applications
Cons
Quantity is too low for larger applications
Buying Guide For The Best Grease For Trailer Bearings
Picking the right grease for your trailer bearings is certainly not an easy task. As you may have noticed already, almost all of these options appear to be quite similar in terms of quality and chemical properties. But, it is essential to pick up the perfect option for your trailer bearings for ensuring the smooth and safe operation of your trailer’s power transmission system. The right grease can help extend the life of your bearings, reduce friction, and protect against rust and corrosion to further enhance their reliability in relatively harsh weather conditions. However, with so many options on the market, it can be challenging to find the best grease for your needs. So, we have created this helpful buying guide for the best grease for trailer bearings where we will discuss the most important quality of a trailer bearing grease so that you can easily find out which options suit your trailer bearings the best.
1. Viscosity
The viscosity of a grease refers to its thickness or resistance to flow. As you may have noticed before, almost all types of grease compounds are created to be viscous which makes the application rather challenging. But due to this property, the grease can retain strong chemical properties for a long time and offer reduced friction even after several months of application. In general, you would want to choose a grease with a viscosity rating that matches the operating conditions of your trailer. If the grease is too thick, it may be difficult to apply and may also lead to excess friction and wear on the bearings. On the other hand, if the grease is too thin, it may not provide enough lubrication required for the protection of the bearing. Look for grease with a viscosity that is suitable for the temperature range, load, and speed of your trailer’s bearings.
2. Base Oil
The base oil is one of the important components of the grease compound. Apart from other chemicals, base oil is the one that affects the performance of the grease the most as it is the carrier that helps to distribute the thickener and other additives throughout the grease. The type of base oil used can affect the performance and compatibility of the grease with your application. Apart from that, it also tweaks the resistance of the compound to surrounding temperature and pressure. Some of the common examples of elements used as a base oil for bearing grease are petroleum or paraffinic, which offer very good lubrication properties. However, they may not be as resistant to high temperatures or water contact as polyalphaolefin or ester-based oils. Consider the operating conditions and compatibility with your trailer’s bearings when selecting a base oil.
3. Thickener
Even though grease is quite viscous and thick, the base oil used to introduce reluctance to friction in these compounds is quite the opposite. So, you cannot use the base oil directly with the bearings as it would just wear off within a short amount of time. To avoid that, a thickener is introduced in the mix. The thickener is the component that gives grease its semi-solid consistency and helps to hold the base oil and additives together. Different types of thickeners are commonly used in greases such as lithium or calcium. You can also find trailer bearings consisting of inorganic thickeners such as bentonite or fumed silica or some synthetic options like polyurea or PTFE. The choice of thickener also affects the performance and stability of the grease, as well as its compatibility with other lubricants. So, you will have to carefully check the thickness used with the bearing grease you are buying to see if it is the right option for your vehicle.
4. Additives & Compatibility
Apart from the base oil and the thickener, there are a few additives that are added to the grease compound to enhance its performance and get some special features on the mixture. These additives also offer protection against wear, rust, and corrosion. Some common additives that are used with bearing grease are antioxidants, extreme pressure additives, and rust inhibitors. So before you make a choice, consider getting grease with additives that are suitable for the operating conditions and requirements of your trailer’s bearings. It is also important to ensure that the grease you choose is compatible with your trailer’s bearings. It will also help you to determine whether the grease you are buying is the right one for your lubricant or not. Using incompatible grease can lead to reduced performance, corrosion, and even damage to the bearings. Check the manufacturer’s recommendations and consult with a lubrication specialist if you are unsure about compatibility.
Conclusion
We hope that you know all there is to know about grease used for trailer bearings after going through our guide. Choosing the right grease for your trailer bearings is a very important task and you need to make the right choice based on several factors such as viscosity, base oil, thickener, additives, etc. Consider the operating conditions and requirements of your trailer’s bearings to find a grease that offers the right balance of performance, protection, and compatibility. To help you with that, we have brought the best grease for trailer bearing right here on our list of the best grease for trailer bearings. Here, you will find a brief review of each of our picks along with detailed specifications and a handful of pros and cons. So, you can easily find out which of these options are best suited for your trailer bearings and which ones are incompatible. You can also go with one of our top recommendations and see if any of these options suit your needs.
The Super Lube Grease is one of the most commonly available greases for trailer bearings on our list today and an ideal choice for a quick maintenance session for your trailer bearings. With a single pack of the Super Lube-21030, you will get about 3 ounces of synthetic grease compound for multi-purpose applications. This is a patented NLGI-grade solution from Super Lube which also has a food-grade rating. Since this is a small package, you will find the Super Lube-21030 ideal for 1 or 2 applications. But smaller options are not the best fit for commercial applications, or even if you want to treat multiple vehicles at once. For that, you will have to go with Lucas Grease. This package contains nearly 16 ounces of grease compound that you can keep stored in your garage for a long time and use whenever required. This is a rather smooth grease compound made up of red lithium complexes that offer rust and oxidation protection. Apart from trailer bearings, the Lucas Oil Red”N” Tacky Grease can also be used for various different applications such as sliding surfaces, agricultural, and automotive applications. If you want a longer shelf life for a chemical compound such as grease, it is better to buy a set of multiple packs and keep the extra ones sealed until they are needed. The Plews & Edelmann Grease is the best option on our list in that regard as it ships in 2 different packages, offering a 1-ounce compound volume in each pack. It is made up of calcium sulfonate that introduces great lubrication quality without compromising the integrity of the solution. As for temperature tolerance, the Plews & Edelmann Marine Corrosion Control Wheel Bearing Grease also offers up to 550 degrees Fahrenheit of temperature tolerance which makes it a suitable choice for most weather conditions.
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