Wheel bearings, these vital parts of your caravan are the main rotating connection between your wheels and the fixed stub axle. In general wheel bearings are not very large, about 1 1/2 to 2 inches and are responsible for handling weights of up to 1.5 to 2 tonne for a single axle van, (more weight than most cars which have 4 sets and are much larger). This places great strain on the bearing rollers themselves, when parked for long periods of time this weight sitting on the bearings can flat spot the rollers causing them to run rough and uneven, add this to incorrect tension, heat, heat transfer from the brakes, over or under greased and road conditions all of which affect them greatly. If you want to see great strain on a bearing set look at a tandem van whilst making a slow tight turn and look at the twist on the wheels and imagine the force being exerted on the bearings and stub axle. That's why we are cautious with bearings as we all know the consequences when a bearing fails and the damage it can do to your van, aside from sometimes disturbing your holiday plans, hassles with insurance, tow trucks and possibly being stranded in the middle of nowhere.

Whilst on bearings, here are some facts to keep in mind when you're next driving to your favourite holiday spot.

Most caravans have 14 inch wheels

At 100 kph you travel 1 kilometre in 36 seconds

Your wheels/bearings rotate 534 times per kilometre

Which is 14.8 rotations per second

Or in 1 minute 889 revolution

Add in heat, cold, rain, potholes, load etc.

Wheel bearings

On bearings here are some facts to keep in mind when you're next driving to your favorite holiday spot.

Most caravans have 14 inch wheels

At 100 kph you travel 1 kilometre in 36 seconds

Your wheels/bearings rotate 534 times per kilometre - which is 14.8 rotations per second or in 1 minute 889 revolution.