Another HF Hub Question

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Another HF Hub Question

Postby Toytaco2 » Thu Aug 17, 2017 9:06 pm

Before I ask this, YES, I wish I had never used the HF trailer platform due to the weird size bearings, seals and hubs. But, that's what I have and I'm trying to work with it. I'm about to be retired and taking the trailer on the road quite a bit and want to have an extra hub with packed bearings with me in the parts box. I have the older 1,720 lb. Heavy/Super Duty trailer #94564 with the 5 on 4 1/2 wheels and hubs. I called HF Customer Service today to ask about getting a hub and the only answer I could get was that it was a discontinued model and parts no longer available. It was like the customer service guy had a script and kept answering every question with the same answer "discontinued model and parts no longer available".

So now I turn to you guys here who know more about his product than he does! Does anyone know if either of the current 1,720 lb. HF Super Duty trailer models use the same hubs as the older trailers? Or, can anyone recommend something that will work? Surely there is a hub somewhere that will work on these trailers as there seems to be so many around.

As always thanks for any help,

Mike
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Re: Another HF Hub Question

Postby WizardOfOdds » Fri Aug 18, 2017 6:44 am

Give this post a read
https://tventuring.com/trailerforum/thread-310.html
PLEASE let us all know what you conclude!
WizardOfOdds: Chalet shaped rag roof clam shell TIER drop for 4 cylinder tow
Tip Top Tier Drop thread http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=56232
Unusual Designs thread http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=64495
Tale of 2 Trailers thread http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=61451
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Re: Another HF Hub Question

Postby daveesl77 » Fri Aug 18, 2017 6:52 am

Tractor Supply sells the hub assembly and has them in store. When we took ours out on its first run the studs failed on one hub about 200 miles into the trip. Small town in south Georgia, so I'm concerned. Drop in at the local Tractor Supply and sure enough there they are hanging on a rack. I think it was $50. When I got back home, the local HF store just gave me a new hub and tire assembly, I kept the defective hub.

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Re: Another HF Hub Question

Postby Toytaco2 » Fri Aug 18, 2017 8:02 am

Thanks for the replies, very good info. I'm not that mechanically savvy when it comes to substituting parts. I read the article in the link which refers to substituting a "1 inch hub" from Northern Tool (now on sale for $27.99). I found a 1 1/16 version at Tractor Supply for a little over $50. They even had one available to work with "1 3/8 to 1 1/16 axles (how is that even possible?). I understand the HF version is 25mm, slightly under 1 inch.

I always thought these things should be exact replacement specs. Am I wrong about that? It would sure be nice to find a correct replacement. I could sure use some education on this topic.


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Re: Another HF Hub Question

Postby exminnesotaboy » Sat Aug 19, 2017 8:27 pm

I ran into the same issue several years ago. To solve the issue permanently, I bought a new axle + hubs and bingo, I now can get bearings and seals from any Walmart or local trailer shop in the nation(of course I always travel with a spare set). I was able to retain the hf wheels and leafs. Coming up on 13 years and no issues with my hf trailer except for this correctable issue.
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Re: Another HF Hub Question

Postby Toytaco2 » Sun Aug 20, 2017 7:47 am

Thanks, Exminn, I've definitely considered the new axle and may end up doing that eventually. But for now, after studying the parts lists in my owner's manual and comparing it to the currently available 1,720 Super Duty trailer #62647 owner's manual, I'm sure there's a very good chance they use the same hub. If I can get the HF Customer Service to confirm the bearings it uses as being the same ones my trailer uses, then it should be a match. Other wise, I'll probably just go with the Northern Tool solution suggested in wizardofodd's link posted above. It sounds like the only potential problems with that setup are the grease seal and cotter pin fitments which should be fairly simple to deal with.
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Re: Another HF Hub Question

Postby Nobody » Sun Aug 20, 2017 11:48 am

I built my TD in 2006 on an HF 1800# trailer (pretty sure it's now listed as the 'Super duty' 1720??. My son has a NAPA store so I asked him to check the correct replacement. He came up with these so I carry two of them already packed, along with rubber gloves, a stout Oak stick, & a brass 'drift' & sturdy ball peen hammer in heavy duty ZipLok bags in my tongue box. In several trips to the Pacific Northwest, New England, & a 'flying' trip to Riverside, CA at freeway speeds, I've never had occasion to use any of the items while 'on the road.' My son says he's had no more warranty claims from the Chinese stuff than from the Timken & SKF items he sells. I bought, packed, & installed Timken & SKF bearings & seals when I first assembled my HF trailer. Only time I ever had any problem was a time (through my own laziness/negligence) after driving through axle deep water in Hobbs & Artesia, NM I failed to replace the bearings & seals before I returned home. Even the Timkens didn't stand up to that abuse. I've since carried the China stuff (& SKF seals because that's what my son stocks) with complete confidence that if I do my part they'll do theirs...

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Re: Another HF Hub Question

Postby WizardOfOdds » Sun Aug 20, 2017 1:06 pm

Take a look at this thread
http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=55766#p1012574
which points to this thread
http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=54757&start=15#p999318
where the NAPA grease seal number is given as NAPA part # 12745

Also, "rainjer" notes (first thread link above) that "It happens to be that this bearing is the same as a 1995 Mazda B2200 2.2L, front inner wheel bearing. You can get them at most auto parts stores."
WizardOfOdds: Chalet shaped rag roof clam shell TIER drop for 4 cylinder tow
Tip Top Tier Drop thread http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=56232
Unusual Designs thread http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=64495
Tale of 2 Trailers thread http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=61451
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Re: Another HF Hub Question

Postby Toytaco2 » Fri Sep 01, 2017 8:31 pm

So I just went to Northern tool and picked up the 1 inch hub with packed bearings kit. Its a good fit on the HF axle just like it was stated in Wizardofodds' link. Heck, I doubt the manufacturing tolerances on the Chinese HF trailers are all that close anyway. The 1 inch is a good fit, although it takes a slightly smaller cotter pin to fit as mentioned in the link to make it work. BTW, I also picked up some additional grease seals off Ebay for cheap - http://www.ebay.com/itm/QTY-4-METRIC-SHAFT-OIL-GREASE-SEAL-30-X-52-X-10-30mmX52mmX10mm-30-52-10-/253064556784?hash=item3aebd2b0f0:g:rEwAAOSw53NY-QeB.

If anyone's interested here's a link to a post I made several years ago about bearings and seals for the HF trailers. Looks like everything in it still holds true. http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=30022

So now have the Northern Tool hub kit as a back up, a couple of spare bearings for the original HF hubs, freshly serviced hubs on the TD and new tires. I think I'm ready for the road! Hope to see some of you out there this fall.
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