When a trailer's wheel bearing fails, the consequences can escalate quickly, from a loose hub and damaged axle components to the serious risk of injury or costly roadside recovery. In those critical moments, readily available, easy-to-install devices can make all the difference. Recognizing this need, JFP Solutions developed The Hub Saver to empower people to manage bearing failures safely and proactively.
The Hub Saver, an all-American-made wheel-mounted safety device designed to retain the hub assembly when an outer bearing begins to fail, while still allowing adequate clearance and lubricant flow for ongoing maintenance. It comes in multiple variations to fit common lug configurations and is intentionally simple to install and maintain, even for everyday users. With this product, JFP Solutions aims to minimize roadside disruptions and help drivers safely exit traffic when bearing issues arise, complementing, not replacing, regular inspection and upkeep practices.
The story behind The Hub Saver is a fusion of mechanical know-how and technical design expertise. Johnny Powell and Suzanne Powell, partners in both life and business, drew on their complementary backgrounds to shape the product from concept to refinement.
Johnny's deep experience in mechanical work and motorcycle racing gave him a hands-on understanding of high-performance machines, while Suzanne brought precision and versatility from her career in computer-aided design across industries like automotive, medical, defense, and aerospace. When Johnny sketched a solution at their kitchen table, Suzanne's computer-aided design (CAD) skills transformed it into a tangible, testable product.
Difficult personal episodes and close calls on the road shaped their path to product development. Johnny endured a serious leg injury and a prolonged recovery during which medical guidance suggested walking unaided would be unlikely. "It took time and effort to get back on my feet, but that journey gave me a clearer sense of purpose and strengthened my commitment to building something that could help people," Johnny says.
Later, Johnny encountered recurrent wheel-related failures. Some of those incidents led to long roadside waits and near-misses, highlighting how a seemingly small mechanical failure can escalate into a dangerous situation. This led to iterative testing.
"We tested it in real-world conditions, including clearance variations, exposure to rain and snow, and heat management challenges, just to see how the part would hold up," Suzanne explains. Based on these trials, refinements were made to strike the right balance between durability and adequate lubrication flow.
Beyond the technical work, the founders approached the product's introduction with steady outreach. The Hub Saver was presented at industry gatherings to gather feedback. "Some of the first folks who used it told us how it helped them avoid breakdowns and made repairs easier," Johnny says. "We took that feedback seriously. It helped us fine-tune the installation steps and packaging. From the start, we've been clear that our product is a support tool to help when things start to go wrong."
According to JFP Solutions, further sizes and configurations are under development to suit heavier applications, and additional safety-minded accessories are in the early stages of design. The founders stress measured testing and customer feedback as central to those plans, preferring incremental, evidence-informed development over rapid scaling. Johnny states, "Our ultimate goal will always be to keep trailers out of emergencies by providing hardware that may help reduce the impact of a bearing failure."
