Relationship of trailering and bearing life???????

[Geezer 2]

I've seen alot of posts over the years claiming that Yamaha uses junk bearings and I have to admit that I have changed my share of driveshaft bearings on many models but it has always been the PTO side. I used to tow with an open trailer and washed the sleds including the skid after each trip to get the salt off. Sometimes I stopped at the car wash and sometimes the garden hose at home.
We have had an enclosed trailer for years now and our current sleds have never seen salt and I have yet to have a bearing go bad. If there is a connection do you think it's the salt or the washing? Maybe I have just been lucky.

Geezer 2

 

[Tom-RX1]

the lower bearing get water in them and rust . the inside wheels on the rear suspention are also suspect to more rust and faster wareout . keeping the sled in a heated garage is harder on the bearings as well when the sled thaws out water and condensation get in the bearings . washing with hot water would do the same thing . but it is nice to start a ride with a sled with no ice buildup on it .
Tom-RX1

 

[Len Todd]

I have used a covered trailer since 1994. I also have had bearings rust up and fail. If they get water in there, they will fail. That being said, if you take them out in the spring and repack them, they often last for several seasons.

 

[lucky_7]

the lower bearing get water in them and rust . the inside wheels on the rear suspention are also suspect to more rust and faster wareout . keeping the sled in a heated garage is harder on the bearings as well when the sled thaws out water and condensation get in the bearings . washing with hot water would do the same thing . but it is nice to start a ride with a sled with no ice buildup on it .
Tom-RX1

How would you ever overcome the fact that it is eventually going to get warm out and the remaining condensation will rust?