Axle and Wheels

[bikefever]

Sometimes when backing up especially when making tight turns I notice the rear wheel not lined up withn the front. It maynalso happen when turning and go forward as well. The tire may be turned inward and slanted. The side which I see this is on the left, on the drivers side. Have not looked to see if wthe rear right tires does the same thing. As I straighten out so does the tire.

Does not seem normal, but checking with the forum to see if there is a problem that needs attention. I always thought that both wheels should track the same.

[Lee F.]

That happens on all multiple axel trailers. The tires get torqued when turns are made. The tighter the turn the greater the torque. It's not a good thing and I try to avoid it as much as possible. Turning on loose surfaces instead of paved ones allows the tires to slip a bit and reduces the stress also.

[Pete Hanson]

It is normal during turns as Lee stated. I have been told not to leave them torqued after backing into a spot but rather to pull forward a good amount and back in as straight as possible to realign the wheels for extended parking.

[gitrdun]

When I park mine at home it so tight I can't pull up and back so i jack my axels up to relieve the stress on the tires and axels then set it back on the ground.

[CamillaMichael]

That is why trailers/fifth wheels should have ST vs LT tires...or so I read.

[indy roadrunner]

When backing in tight turn or pulling forward in tight turn I always pull forward a few inches when backing to unload the side torque or back up to unload side torque in tight pull forward turn.

[tanner1070]

X factor by MorRyde helps to significantly reduce the stress under those conditions...or so they advertise.

[LonnieB]

As others have stated, this is completely normal for multiple axle trailers. It's not good for the trailer, tires, or wheels, but it is unavoidable. The best thing you can do is try to minimize it as much as possible, and as others have said, pull forward to relieve the stress then back up in a straighter line.

quote:By CamillaMichael

That is why trailers/fifth wheels should have ST vs LT tires...or so I read.

If the ST rated tires actually performed as they were designed I would agree with this. They don't and I don't.

[Art-n-Marge]

This is the kind of stresses caused by fixed axles and there's no differential to help the tires travel the varying distances and to help keep the tires vertically oriented on a turn.

This is a common fact about trailer suspensions and like many have already mentioned, why you should drive forward or backward after you've turned and allow the tires to reorient themselves to the vertical. If you don't do this you are abusing not only your tires but the suspension of the trailer and its axles since it must now try and hold this stress.

[maximo]

Three X Factor braces by MorRyde are going on my trailer next month. 3580RL Big Sky.

Frank

[CamillaMichael]

quote:Originally posted by LonnieB

As others have stated, this is completely normal for multiple axle trailers. It's not good for the trailer, tires, or wheels, but it is unavoidable. The best thing you can do is try to minimize it as much as possible, and as others have said, pull forward to relieve the stress then back up in a straighter line.

If the ST rated tires actually performed as they were designed I would agree with this. They don't and I don't.

Expected more "reaction" from the ST/LT comment...made more in jest, thinking a little humor is good and a lot of humor is better.

[LonnieB]

quote:By CamillaMichael

Expected more "reaction" from the ST/LT comment...made more in jest, thinking a little humor is good and a lot of humor is better.

Yes, a little humor is good and a lot of humor is better. I guess I just missed it. As to the "reaction", I guess I was in a "mellow" mood.

[KathyandDave]

I don't agree with Art's comment that a differential would help. The torquing happens because the centre of rotation of the turn is between the front and back tires of the tandem, so the front tires are pulled inside and the back tires are pushed outside. Friction with the ground opposes the push and pull, so the wheels twist to balance the opposing forces - one in and the other out. As somebody noted, a surface with less friction lets the tires slip to reduce the twist. Moving forward and back does the same thing.

[8e3k0]

This is a natural on tandem and tridem axled trucks when turning right or left. Those axles on trucks will move out or in as much as 3 to 4 inches when turning sharp especially with a load!! That's why they are equipped with heavy rubber bushings. Now trailers? The springs actually take the sideways torque and in extreme cases the shackle hangers will bend or tear from the frame. Factors are: tire air pressure, surface being turned on, tread design, and weight of trailer. If you park with this torque or twist present one would have to jack the trailer at the frame to alow the axles to find "home".
Yes the x-factor does help to take that stress off the shackle hangers!!

[CamillaMichael]

First time I noticed this was with our TT while passing through Texas...When we were at a gas station, I happened to look back at the street-side wheels and went into panic mode!

[mhs4771]

I was aware of the torque on the tires, but never realized how much till last year returning from a trip to the Outer Banks, stopped to fuel up and because of the setup, the Monty was still at an angle to the TV. After seeing how much torque was on those Marathon China-Bombs, I replaced them with the 614s shortly after getting home. Yes the 614 will torque, but nothing like those light weight Marathons.

[fauch]

http://www.arizonarvpartscenter.com/...vice-s/294.htm

[sreigle]

Agree it's very normal.

Michael, I guess I was sharing Lonnie's mellow mood... I just looked at that comment and thought "here we go again and I'm staying out of it!"