Bent Axles

[Pogodually]

Both my axles were bent on my fiver, wearing out a good set of tires. After having the aligned [bent back to correct alignment] I was told that adding a 3/16 channel bar from side to side and "U" bolting on each end would prevent them bending again. Anyone ever hear of this? And will it work? Axles had took a beating in the straightening process. Hate to replace then if I don't have too.

 

[JPS]

Reinforcing axles

I would certainly think it would be worth a try. May want to watch for distortion if welding on axle. Using clamps of some sort may work! jps

 

[rob10858]

i'd replace them, in a heartbeat, but not with the same type axles. pay a little more and go up to the next heaviest axle offered. you'll end up with less tire wear, better bearing life, and one less thing to worry about. jmho

 

[Prairie Dog]

I was looking at the axles on my TT today and their both arced a little. My tires tend to wear a little more towards the inside of their tread. Total arc is about 1/2" on one and 3/8" on the other.

Is this normal or are they just plain bent?

 

[parcher]

Some bend is normal on some trailers. The axles can be ordered with or without camber built in, It's up to the trialer manufacturer to decide which is right each rig.

 

[TowPro]

Axles have some bend in them, so when you put the weight on them the bend will spring down. Unloaded I would except the outside of the tires to look like there going to wear \---/ , with the Axle bent up.



You figure the tire is outside the spring purch, which acts like a fulcrom where the weight will want to push the tire up, and bend the axle down on the other side of the fulcrom.



If your showing wear on the inside, and your axle is bent DOWN in the center, I would say it was overloaded.



This is why you can't turn an axle upside down (when people say "flipped the axle" for more clearence). If you did turn the axle over, the built in spring affect would be going the wrong direction. I saw a 5er down the outer banks somebody did this to. The tires stuck out at the bottom like an old VW Bug with a fat lady in the back seat /--\

Originally posted by Prairie Dog

I was looking at the axles on my TT today and their both arced a little. My tires tend to wear a little more towards the inside of their tread. Total arc is about 1/2" on one and 3/8" on the other.

Is this normal or are they just plain bent?

 

[MLee]

axles?????

pogodually;

you don't say what trailer you have, or how heavy, maybe you are over loaded and don't realize it. i would replace the axles with a heavier load rating. we have a axle manufacturers here and they ship al over. i done mine for less than $140. 00, both axles. the hard part is rolling around on the ground to do the work. good luck



Marv.

 

[jimk]

Originally posted by Pogodually

Both my axles were bent on my fiver, wearing out a good set of tires. After having the aligned [bent back to correct alignment] I was told that adding a 3/16 channel bar from side to side and "U" bolting on each end would prevent them bending again. Anyone ever hear of this? And will it work? Axles had took a beating in the straightening process. Hate to replace then if I don't have too.

If the axles bent then they were to small or over loaded? Can you buy some Dexter axles that will do what you wont. I just don't care to be stuck on the side of the road with broken trailer. I have removed the spring hangers and welded them on the other side the gain clearance before. If you do any welding I would use 7018 not 6010 or 6011. If you weld a lot on one side of a tube or axle there is a good chance it will be warped.

for what it is worth jimk

 

[WOT]

I've never understood why trailer MFG go with axles that are EXACTLY at the max capacity. It's just asking for problems. I replaced some 3500 lb axles on a TT with 6000 lb axles after having bearing problems over and over. Didn't have any other problems after that.



Now I have a new 5th wheel with 5200 lb axles - just hoping they will go a while before I have to upgrade them!



IMHO, if you have questionable axles, get BIGGER ones and never think twice about them again.

 

[RMcCulloch]

Originally posted by WOT

I've never understood why trailer MFG go with axles that are EXACTLY at the max capacity.

That's easy: they're using the GAWR for the GVWR.



The ones that bug me are those that use the GAWR + Pin/Hitch Weight for the GVWR.