Which Trailer Axle Causes Most Damage?

[Matt42]

Well, here's another odd question. On a two axle travel trailer, if a radial tire comes apart, will it do more damage if it's on the front or the rear axle?

 

[fmj]

Matt, logic would tell ya that the front one would, right? Well, I had a rear blow, wrap around the front one and take it out. It got ugly quick. Maybe it was a freak thing, but I guess the answer to your question is "it depends" . I'd say don't be daydreaming and be ready whatever happens. I haven't lost a lot of tires so this is just a IMO, and $. 02 worth. Somebody here probably has a better depth of this issue.

 

[B.G. Smith]

Probably the only big difference is the left side front will take out the sewer drain on some trailers. I have had them all, not at the same time or the same trip, thank god. bg

 

[RustyJC]

Tread separation on the right rear did $2500 damage to our previous 5th wheel. There's nothing stopping the tread coming back from a rear wheel except expensive stuff. If it had been the right front, maybe the right rear would have knocked it down or deflected the "gator". Who knows?



Rusty

 

[TowPro]

On my Terry, if the RF goes it will take out a soft copper propain line!

 

[rweis]

FYI



TireSmart is about to come out with a tire pressure / temperature monitoring system that will handle the high pressures some trailer tires have (my Alfa 5er is 110 psi).



I have been watching them develop their product for a year or so.



It basically is a monitor of tire pressure and temp and I think can have as many as like 6 tires on each system (radio frequency).



Sure would be nice to know when the pressures are going down or the temps are climbing and maybe avert a tire failure and the resulting damage.



One of the members of our CFTDR has it on his truck and has had it for over a year and he reports that it works well.



They can only monitor pressures up to 80 psi right now but will be going up to 150 psi and 20 monitoring units per system I think.



Something to think about.



Bob Weis

 

[clem]

It depends on which one will do the most $$$$ damage thats the one that goes or the one you can not get to on the side of the road. Thats the way it has been for me over the years

 

[lizzyhermit]

LEFT REAR ! TWICE !!

I've had the left rear tire blowout twice over the years and took plumbing, aluminum paneling, wood work, etc. But, it just depends on the trailer layout, the length of time the tread stays attached and how fast your travelling on the road of life... .



I have had a left rear truck tire let go on the freeway while towing and aside from the damage to the truck, the damage to the trailer when the tread hit it I also had to buy new shorts.



I much prefer a trailer tire lets go than a towing vehicle tire. But in my experience, my preference has very little to do with reality.

 

[bodacious]

I have had 6 tires blow in the last ten years front and rear on a 37' Teton the damages is the same. What I do to reduce the damage to the trailer is as soon as it blows is put manual brake controller on max. What this does is slide the blown tire an reduces damage considerably. It will smoke a lot when sliding, but will stop a lot of damage.

 

[rblomquist]

Originally posted by bodacious

What I do to reduce the damage to the trailer is as soon as it blows is put manual brake controller on max. What this does is slide the blown tire an reduces damage considerably. It will smoke a lot when sliding, but will stop a lot of damage.

Very interesting and a great tip, I'll be keeping it in mind for sure.