Purchasing a Trailer Hub Cap

When it comes to buying a trailer hub cap, it's important to get the right one for your particular situation. If you don't, you may end up with a hubcap that doesn't fit, or worse, a hubcap that falls off easily and damages your trailer wheels and bearings. Fortunately, the right hubcaps for trailers are available at reasonable prices, and they can help you protect your investment and extend your wheel life.

The Basics

Most experts agree that the best hubcap is a simple dust cap, which keeps dirt and water out of your bearings. These are cheap — about $4 each — and relatively easy to maintain. They're a lot better than grease caps, which often blow off or lose their seal after a few trips to the boat ramp.

If your dust cap does blow off, you'll need to replace it quickly. This is a sign that there's a problem with the cotter pin that holds it in place. A bad adjustment or a loose cotter pin will allow grease to flow over the hub and cause heat that accelerates bearing wear.

Another option is a Bearing Buddy, a small metal or plastic plug that fits inside the dust cap and holds it in place with pressure from a rubber plug or grommet positioned on the outside of the hub. You can purchase them from most boat trailer parts stores or online. They're usually easier to remove than a dust cap. A wood 2x4 and a hammer are the tools you need; no need to jack the trailer up. Visit this helpful article to learn more about hub caps.

Oil-Lubed Hubs

The EZ Loader, Ranger, and other manufacturers use oil-bath hubs, which require no maintenance and provide an added benefit: As the hub rotates, centrifugal force coats it with oil. It's a good idea to check the oil level regularly; it should be dark brown or black, not milky. If it is, it's time to re-grease.

Some boaters prefer to switch from grease to oil in order to reduce the possibility of contamination of the lug nuts and trailer bearings by salt and road grime. Tiedown Engineering and Kodiak Trailer make systems to convert grease-lubricated hubs to oil hubs. If you decide to go with this solution, keep in mind that you'll need a new axle cover as well, and it's important to get the right size.

Check out this related post to get more enlightened on the topic: https://en.wikipedia.org/Hubcap.