Replacement Hub for 1989 Ranger Trailer

Question:

Hi Have to change a hub out bearings failed and seal blew grease everywhere! Does that trailer require a hub only or all I. One hub and drum. ? Also was that dexter the only recommendation for it?

asked by: John

Expert Reply:

Judging by your photo, your trailer would use an idler hub, not a hub drum.

Assuming you have 5 lug on 4-1/2 inch bolt circle wheels that use an # L44649 inner and outer wheel bearing, you have a few choices. Rather than the painted hub, I'd recommend going with a galvanized hub for greater corrosion resistance. Dexter hubs are manufactured in the US, which is what I'd recommend. For an 8, 10 or a 12 inch wheel, use # 8-259-50UC1 for a standard spindle or # 8-259-50UC1-EZ for the EZ Lube spindle compatible hub. For a 13, 14, 14-1/2 or 15 inch wheel with a standard spindle, use # 8-258-50UC1 or # 8-258-50UC1-EZ for the EZ Lube compatible hub.

AxleTec hubs are decent Chinese made hubs available at a lower cost, Galvanized is available for 8-12 inch wheels only, as part # AKIHUB-545-2-G-2K for a standard or # AKIHUB-545-2-G-EZ-2K for an EZ Lube spindle.

The hubs all include the bearings, races, grease seals, grease caps and lug nuts.

expert reply by: Mike L

click to enlarge

Dominic

3/12/2024

hey mike..came across you post about ranger trailer for hub size.. i have a 98 ranger trail trailer and was wondering if you would know the size of the bearings...you mention the hub size for a 5 x 4.5 but those bearings arent the same as mines ..so im a bit confused .. mines are L68149 but the kit u mentioned, the bearings are L44649.. my bearings had failed about yr half ago..and bearings was destroyed ..was told that the L68149 would fit, which it did fit but recently just failed again..so im not sure if i had the right one in when i replaced it and thats why it failed again..

Mike L.

3/12/2024

@Dominic With a 5 on 4-1/2 bolt pattern, you likely have a 3500 lb axle. The hubs on a 3500 lb axle typically use a L68149 inner and a L44649 outer bearing. Sometimes boat trailer manufacturers will use proprietary parts, this could be one of those cases as we're not familiar with a hub that uses a L68149 bearing for the inner and outer bearing. You can confirm this by using a digital caliper to measure the diameter of the spindle where the inner and outer bearings ride. If the inner bearing surface is about 1.719 and the outer bearing surface of the spindle is about 1.063 inches, you've confirmed that you need a # L68149 inner and a # L44649 outer bearing.

Dominic

3/12/2024

Thanks Mike will do