Montana Axles

[masterdrago]

I noticed a week ago that one of my axles looked bent. How the heck can I bend an axle without some trauma and drama? Anyway. I crawled under today after getting it parked on our new pad and both axles look to have a slight bow upward in the center. Both the same shape and contour. Surely this has to be how they are made? Any comments might relieve some stress.

[Golfmedik]

The axles have a bow in them. That's normal.

[Dam Worker]

Yep that is normal.

Tom Marty

[BuilderBob]

Made that way!

[rohrmann]

The curve you see on the axles is how they introduce camber to the wheels, and when loaded, I suspect the curve will straighten a bit, but nothing to worry about. If the axle looks straight, that is when you worry and get it fixed or replaced.

[masterdrago]

Thanks folks. First time I noticed it, I got a bit anxious. I would think the alignment could be a little off on these monsters and the owner would never know it. I found the specs somewhere and I would not even be able to measure the frame from pin to the precision given (1/16").

[RKassl]

You should see the bend in the axles after you have a good alignment shop do a complete alignment of both axles. From what the shop tells me, no trailer manufacture does an actual by the book alignment prior to releasing a new trailer to the buyer.

[beeje]

RKassl hit the nail on the head. All axles have a upward bend in them to allow for the weight they carry when loaded (which changes the camber). The problem is that there is not a manufacturer that does any kind of alignment of the axles to be sure they are aligned correctly.

The same axles are installed in numerous types and brands of campers with very different weights.

I was also told this from an truck alignment shop that does a lot of trailer alignments. I took my trailer there and they bent the axles into submission where they were suppose to be. The cost was around $350

Well worth the $$ compared to the cost of a set of G rated 14 ply tires.