6 Best Trailer Hub Kits For Diy RV Repairs Nomads Swear By

There’s a moment every RVer dreads: that faint grinding sound, a slight wobble felt through the floor, or the sight of smoke in your rearview mirror. A failed wheel hub can stop a journey dead in its tracks, turning a scenic byway into a stressful, expensive roadside repair. For RV nomads, who put more miles on their rigs in a year than most people do in a decade, this isn’t a question of if, but when a hub will need service.

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Why Hub Maintenance is Crucial for RV Nomads

A trailer hub is the critical connection point between your wheel and your axle. It houses the bearings that allow your wheels to spin freely, carrying the entire weight of your home down the road. When those bearings fail, the best-case scenario is a ruined spindle and a costly tow. The worst-case scenario is a wheel detaching from the axle at highway speed.

For nomads, the stakes are higher. We travel on varied terrain—from smooth interstates to bumpy Forest Service roads—putting immense stress on our running gear. We’re often far from the nearest service center, making self-sufficiency a necessity, not a hobby. Proactive hub maintenance and knowing how to replace one yourself isn’t just good practice; it’s a fundamental part of keeping your mobile life safe and reliable.

Think of your hubs and bearings as a wear item, just like tires and brakes. They require regular inspection, cleaning, and re-greasing. Ignoring them is like ignoring a toothache; it only gets more painful and expensive the longer you wait. A simple annual bearing repack can save you from a catastrophic failure in the middle of nowhere.

Dexter Axle Kit: The Gold Standard for RVs

When you talk about trailer axles and components, Dexter is the name that commands respect. They are the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) for a huge number of mid-to-high-end RVs, and for good reason. Their components are known for exceptional quality control, precision engineering, and durability.

A complete Dexter hub kit is often the most expensive option on the shelf, but you’re paying for peace of mind. The machining is flawless, the bearing tolerances are tight, and the seals are top-notch. For full-time travelers who demand the absolute highest reliability, choosing a genuine Dexter replacement for a Dexter axle is a no-brainer. It eliminates guesswork and ensures a perfect fit.

Dexter also offers their Nev-R-Lube sealed cartridge bearings, which are designed to be maintenance-free for years. While convenient, they come at a premium and require special tools to replace. For most DIYers, their standard E-Z Lube hubs offer a great balance of proven performance and serviceability.

Lippert (LCI) Hubs: Trusted OEM Replacement

If your RV doesn’t have Dexter axles, it almost certainly has Lippert (LCI) axles. Lippert is the other giant in the RV component world, supplying frames, axles, and countless other parts to the majority of manufacturers. Their hubs are the workhorses of the industry.

Choosing an LCI hub kit is the most straightforward path for anyone with a Lippert axle. It’s a direct, factory-spec replacement that guarantees compatibility. While they may not have the same premium "gold standard" reputation as Dexter, Lippert components are built to meet rigorous industry standards and have proven themselves over millions of miles.

Think of Lippert as the reliable, predictable choice. There are no frills, but the quality is consistent and the performance is solid. For the average RVer looking to replace a worn-out hub with a known-good part without breaking the bank, an LCI kit is an excellent, worry-free option.

e-trailer Hub & Drum: A Reliable Online Choice

Sometimes, the biggest challenge isn’t the repair itself, but sourcing the right part while on the move. This is where e-trailer shines. They aren’t a manufacturer, but their house-branded hub kits, sourced from reliable suppliers, have become a go-to for the nomadic community.

The real value of e-trailer is their incredible online platform. Their website features detailed measurement guides, instructional videos, and an extensive Q&A section for nearly every part. You can confidently identify the exact hub you need, order it, and have it shipped to a general delivery post office or a friend’s house down the road. This logistical support is invaluable for full-timers.

The quality of their kits is consistently good, often providing the same or similar components as other brands but at a more competitive price. For the DIYer who values certainty, great customer support, and the convenience of online ordering, an e-trailer kit is one of the smartest buys you can make.

Redline Hub Kits: The Best Value for DIYers

For the budget-conscious nomad who does all their own work, Redline offers unbeatable value. Their specialty is creating comprehensive, all-in-one kits that include everything you need for the job in a single box: the hub, pre-pressed bearing races, inner and outer bearings, a grease seal, a dust cap, and lug nuts.

This all-inclusive approach saves you the hassle and cost of sourcing each tiny part individually. It’s incredibly convenient. You grab one box and you know you have everything required to get back on the road. This makes them perfect for stocking as a spare part in your rig’s "basement."

While Redline is considered a value brand, their components are widely used and have a solid reputation for reliability. They might not have the brand prestige of Dexter, but for the price, the performance is more than adequate for most RV applications. If you’re looking for the most bang for your buck, Redline is it.

Southwest Wheel E-Z Lube: Simplified Upkeep

Many modern hub kits, including those from Southwest Wheel, Dexter, and Lippert, feature an "E-Z Lube" style system. This design incorporates a grease zerk fitting on the end of the axle spindle, allowing you to pump new grease into the hub without taking it all apart. This is a huge convenience for quick, on-the-road maintenance.

The system works by channeling fresh grease through a passage in the spindle to the inner bearing, then forcing it forward through the outer bearing, purging old grease out the front. It’s a clever design that simplifies upkeep. However, it’s not a magic bullet.

It’s crucial to understand that E-Z Lube does not replace the need for periodic full inspections. The system can be prone to blowing out the rear grease seal if you pump grease in too quickly or with a high-pressure gun, contaminating your brakes. Use it as intended—for adding a bit of fresh grease between full repacks—but don’t let it become an excuse to never pull the hub and properly inspect your bearings and brakes.

Timbren Axle-Less Hubs: For Off-Road Rigs

For a growing segment of the nomadic community, standard leaf-spring axles just don’t cut it. For those building rugged off-road trailers or seeking superior performance on rough terrain, the Timbren Axle-Less system is in a class of its own. This isn’t a replacement hub; it’s a complete suspension and hub upgrade.

The Timbren system uses independent suspension units that bolt directly to the trailer frame. This design eliminates the solid axle beam that runs underneath the trailer, dramatically increasing ground clearance. Each unit contains a spindle, hub, and a progressive rubber spring that provides a remarkably smooth ride over washboard roads and obstacles.

This is a premium, specialized solution. It’s more expensive and complex to install than a traditional axle. But for overlanders, backcountry adventurers, and anyone building a rig designed to leave the pavement behind, the benefits in capability and ride quality are transformative. It’s the ultimate choice for a truly rugged, off-grid home on wheels.

Matching Your Hub Kit to Your Axle and Load

Choosing a brand is only half the battle. The most critical step is ensuring the hub kit you buy is a perfect match for your specific axle. A mismatch isn’t just an inconvenience; it’s a serious safety hazard that can lead to catastrophic failure.

Before you buy anything, you need to know three key specifications. Get this information directly from your existing equipment, not from a generic online guide.

• Bolt Pattern: This is the number of lug nuts and the diameter of the circle they form (e.g., "6 on 5.5"). You can measure this from the center of one stud to the center of the stud directly across from it.
• Bearing Numbers: This is the most reliable way to match a hub. Pop off the dust cap and pull the outer bearing. The part number is stamped on it (e.g., L68149). You’ll need to pull the whole hub to get the inner bearing number, but these numbers are universal across brands.
• Axle Weight Rating: Your axle will have a tag or stamp identifying its capacity (e.g., 3,500 lbs, 7,000 lbs). Your hub, wheel, and tires must all be rated to handle that load. Never use a hub rated for less than your axle’s capacity.

There is no "close enough" when it comes to running gear. Take the time to gather the correct information from your existing axle. Writing down your bearing numbers and bolt pattern and keeping them in your tow vehicle’s glove box is one of the smartest things a nomad can do.

Your rig’s wheels and hubs are the foundation of your entire mobile life. They carry your home, your belongings, and your dreams down the road. Choosing the right kit is about balancing brand reputation, budget, and your own DIY comfort level, but it always starts with meticulously matching the specs to your axle. Master this one crucial repair, and you’ll gain a level of self-sufficiency and confidence that makes life on the road that much sweeter.