Did you know that every year boat owners tow over 1.35 billion miles and spend over 52 million hours at the boat ramp?
If corrosion occurs on just one trailer wheel from that many trips, the cost to repair can easily run into the thousands of dollars. And that’s not counting the loss of boat value from having to purchase a new trailer.
Properly greasing boat trailer bearings is the best way to keep a trailer rolling smoothly.
In this guide, we’re going to show you what you need to know to pick the best grease for boat trailer bearings, and we’ll review some of the top brands to make the process easy for you. We’ll also answer some of the questions you may have about boat trailer bearings, corrosion, and maintenance.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Plews & Edelmann LubriMatic 11404 Marine Trailer Wheel Bearing and Corrosion Control Grease | Best Overall |  |
| WD-40 Specialist Marine-Grade Grease | Budget Pick |  |
| Triax Atlas 600 Full Synthetic High Temp NLGI-2 | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. Plews & Edelmann LubriMatic 11404 Marine Trailer Wheel Bearing and Corrosion Control Grease
Pros:
- It handles corrosion and rust effectively
- The grease is thick enough to prevent moisture from entering
- It doesn’t break down easily
Cons:
- It’s a bit heavy, so some people may prefer a lighter product
- It’s not the most mobile product
The LubriMatic 11404 Marine Trailer Wheel Bearing Grease is one of the best products available to maintain your trailer. It comes with all-weather capabilities, which can be used in any situation you might be in. It has a high-temperature resistance and also high-pressure resistance.
This grease is an oil-based product that is water-repellent and also provides excellent anti-corrosion protection. The downside to water-repellent grease is that they’re not always the cleanest to work with.
The LubriMatic 11404 can protect loads up to 1,000 lbs. The LubriMatic is also one of the higher-performing products on the market.
2. Sta-Lube Marine Grease
Pros:
- Has a zinc-based multipurpose grease compound to protect O-rings
- Excellent for fishing boat trailer wheel bearings
- Great for use in windlasses and other auto wheel bearings
Cons:
- Can be messy to work with
- Slippery
- Not recommended for bearings under 40 degrees F
The best grease for boat trailer bearings is manufactured by Sta-Lube. The unique formula of Sta-Lube’s grease is able to keep your bearings lubricated for a very long time.
This grease is available in several different temperatures ranging from 40 to 300 degrees F… We suggest using the marine grease for boat trailer wheel bearings if you are going to be fishing.
We also like the fact that is has a zinc-based multipurpose grease compound to protect O-rings. The only real concern with Sta-Lube is that the grease can be a little difficult to handle when you first open the container.
3. Quicksilver 802863Q1 2-4-C Marine Grease/Lubricant
Pros:
- It doesn’t drip
- It’s affordable
- Works well on many applications and surfaces
- Can be used on boats
- Offers some lubrication for its price
Cons:
- Grease can ball up and leave streaks on the surface of your boat
- Doesn’t last very long
- The price/g of grease is relatively high; especially when considering quality of grease
- It’s not very water-resistant
This marine grease is a multipurpose grease containing fumed silica. It’s designed for all applications where normal greases just don’t cut it. One of the coolest things about this grease is that it has a temperature resistance of -65 to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. No other grease has this wide of a temperature range.
It’s some of the best grease for boat trailers because of how long it can last. It can last a very long time because of its resistance to water as well as the consistency and lubricant that you get out of it.
If you’re looking for something that lasts a long time and comes with an excellent price, this is a great choice.
4. Timken GR224C Wheel Bearing Grease
Pros:
- Maintains wheel bearings
- Protects against corrosion
- Resists heat build-up
- Will protect wheel bearings for 3-5 years
This bearing cartridge from Timken is great for bicycle wheels and many other applications. This greases is resistant to heat, weather and water and maintains its viscosity, which helps avoid acids and dust from contaminating the bearings.
It also resists corrosion. The bearings will be protected for 3-5 years, so you really get your money’s worth here. A very popular wheel bearing grease that we highly recommend.
5. Star brite Wheel Bearing Grease
Pros:
- Comes in a grease gun cartridge
- Delicious “wheel bearing” flavor
- Guard against corrosion
- Ideal for trailer bearings
- This 3-in-1 grease will also guard against corrosion, and protect against weather-related damage
Cons:
- May not contain enough grease
- You may need to reapply a little grease after a while
- Has a tacky residue
The Star brite brand specializes in wide range of marine-grade products. One of them is the Star brite Wheel Bearing Grease. This grease is ideal for trailer bearings.
The grease contain tacky film that prevents rust and corrosion. It stays put, offers a smooth ride, and also prevents the axle from binding up. The 3-in-1 grease consists of a central lubricant with anti-seize and anti-rust agents.
If you’re looking for a high-quality grease for boat trailer bearings, then the Star brite Wheel Bearing Grease won’t disappoint. It’s designed to protect against corrosion and also handles stress and moisture. This stuff’s amazing at keeping the trailer in top shape.
6. Triax Atlas 600 Full Synthetic High Temp NLGI-2
Pros:
- It offers high temperature protection
- It is a high grade grease that is suitable for wheel bearings
- Comes with a 5 year warranty
The Triax Atlas 600 is a heavy-duty NLGI-2 grease that is suitable for use in heavy duty on and off-road vehicles and also in a wide variety of applications. The marine-grade grease is the highest grade of grease available today.
The Atlas 600’s NLGI-2 rating is the highest possible rating. This ensures that the grease is well-suited and suitable for use in the harshest environments. The versatility of the Atlas 600 makes it a great option for your boat trailer bearings.
7. CRC SL3184 Marine Grease
Pros:
- Offers good water resistance
- Provides excellent roll control
- Outstanding anti-chafe protection
- Works under extreme temperatures
Cons:
- Not very good low-temperature stability
- Poor oxidation stability
- Contains synthetic material
Sl3184 is one of the best motorcycle wheel bearing grease on the market currently. It was specially designed to use in the wheel bearing of a motorcycle. It is the best bearing lubricant and also good for the wheel hub application in the marine.
One of the many uses of Sl3184 Boat Trailer Wheel Bearing Grease is to offer protection to the bearings. this marine grease provides great water resistance to the bearings.
It is normally used in the trailer wheel hub to enhance the bearing lubrication to reduce the friction and also enhance the longevity of the bearings.
8. Plews & Edelmann LubriMatic 11400 Marine Trailer Wheel Bearing and Corrosion Control Grease
Pros:
- Made by an established company
- Price performs well
- Very popular on Amazon
- Comes in cartridges for easy application
- Applies evenly
- Can be stored in a cool place for a few months
If you’re looking for an affordable yet effective boat trailer bearing grease, then the LubriMatic 11400 Marine Trailer Wheel Bearing Grease Pack of 4 might be the one for you.
The LubriMatic 11400 marine grease is a multipurpose lubricating grease. It’s suitable for a variety of marine applications such as trailer systems, trailer wheel bearings, and stern drive mounting screws.
The LubriMatic 11400 grease is designed to handle temperature variations of between -40 and 300 degrees, which is an enviable temperature range for such an affordable product.
9. Lucas Oil 10682 Marine Grease
Pros:
- Can be used on all stainless steel trailer bearings
- Won’t upset the natural balance of aquatic life
- This marine grease is designed to outlast and outperform other marine greases
- This marine grease is of a higher viscosity that stays where you put it
- High-quality marine grease
The Lucas Oil 10682 is a 3 oz bag of marine grease that is designed to be used on marine public trailers. It’s a marine grade lithium grease that is specifically formulated to prevent rust and corrosion.
This marine grease is formulated for use on all stainless steel trailer bearings and can withstand very high water temperatures. The 3 oz bag is more than enough to cover all the bearings on a single trailer.
This grease is made in the USA and comes with a 6 month shelf life.
10. WD-40 Specialist Marine-Grade Grease
Pros:
- Won’t wash away
- Will last up to two years
- Non-tracking formula
- Has the ability to repel water
- Quintuple protection to prevent corrosion
- Long lasting protection
This one is better for smaller bearings because it’s costly but effective. Some bikers have complained that it’s not the best formula for heavy or larger jobs.
It’s fantastic for small bearings in the car door hinges and ball bearings. The fact that it’s available in an aerosol allows for an even application. It’s a bit pricey but it does the job.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the best wheel bearing grease for boat trailers?
When in doubt, using what the manufacturer recommends is a good rule of thumb. Many trailer manufacturers, however, tend to be very specific about what the manufacturer actually recommends.
However, in most cases what the manufacturer says is just par for the course, and there are several factors about your trailer, needs, and lifestyle that might make one grease a better option than another.
If you are on a budget and are in the market for a wheel bearing grease that is among the cheapest of options, you will want to pay attention to what other greases are made of and make sure it is compatible with the grease you wish to replace.
The cheapest greases are generally a special DIY blend of glue and grease, and you honestly get what you pay for. In some cases, it is worth it to spend an extra few dollars to get a grease that works better than what your trailer said to use.
What type of grease is best for wheel bearings?
Wheel bearings are the most important part of your trailer. They shouldn’t be overlooked. Now that we have that said, if you happen to overlook your wheel bearings and they fail, you are going to be in a world of hurt.
That can be said of any part, whether it’s a bike, a car, a lawnmower, or a boat, but this is especially true of wheel bearings because if they fail, they typically mean the end of the line for whatever they are attached to.
Wheel bearings can be an absolute nightmare to maintain and more often than not require professional help in an auto shop unless you have the right tools and a decent knowledge of how they work.
It might be worth, therefore, taking the time and the extra money to get the right grease, make sure you use it, and make sure you keep your bearings well lubricated.
Is Moly grease good for wheel bearings?
No. Moly grease is not good for wheel bearings. It may seem like a great idea as it is a thick grease and really sticks around, but it is too thick. It has difficulty penetrating the wheel bearing and acts more like lube.
Wheel bearings need to be consistently lubricated. This is why wheel bearings need to be greased. A lubricant needs to be a little runnier than moly grease is.
You want a grease that is thick enough to hold onto, but then has some thinning abilities to allow it to get into those smaller spaces.
That’s why the best grease for wheel bearings is petroleum jelly. It is easy to find at any store and can be applied at home by yourself.
How often should you grease boat trailer wheel bearings?
For those of us lucky enough to own a boat, a boathook trailer is an essential component of getting everything from point A to point B. It is also a very simple device: two hard steel wheels sit on a frame with an axle running through it.
And yet, this relatively simple device is the source of many expensive roadside problems. One of the most common is a busted trailer wheel bearing.
The unfortunate truth is that when it comes to trailer wheel bearings, the saying “better to be safe than sorry” is especially true. Just putting some grease on the bearings is an easy way to prevent a tragedy from occurring and save you the headache of dragging your boat home from the boat ramp.
Conclusion
If you’ve found this page by searching for the best lube for boat trailer bearings, you’re in luck. We’ve got you covered with this article that has detailed reviews and info for some of the best greases for trailer bearings.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Plews & Edelmann LubriMatic 11404 Marine Trailer Wheel Bearing and Corrosion Control Grease | Best Overall | |
| WD-40 Specialist Marine-Grade Grease | Budget Pick | |
| Triax Atlas 600 Full Synthetic High Temp NLGI-2 | Upgrade Pick | |