Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

The other day I used my CT for moving my daughters furniture and everything went well, UNTIL! Until I was backing it into the drive way to unload. I noticed several times a loud cracking noise, stopped half way in, on an angle, and noticed that both rear wheels were cantered out until I straightened it out. I re adjusted the vehicle several times backing in to see if this happeded again, yes it did.

My son who has worked on large and small vehicles said it may be my wheel bearings have gone bad!

The CT hasn't been moved since I purchased it late last year. It is a 2010 Arising dual axel, 7x14. The previous owner said it has been sitting for quite sometime in his yard, only moved once since he bought it from the builder. Don't know where it was built/modified to a conversion!

Anyone know what it might be before a friend comes over to check the hubs and bearings? HELP!!!!

Going on first camp out in April.



Bob

I always repack bearing when I buy a trailer. Water may have rusted the bearing when sitting.Other thing that I can think of is the brakes may be locking up or rusty springs popping when the leafs move.

Could be brake shoes grabbing but if your wheels were chambering like you said I suspect it might be wheel bearings.
It dosn't mean they are buggered but may just be badly adjusted and a repack and adjustment maybe all that's required

Spotman, Howdy;

There will be some flex in a tandem set of axles when maneuvering, otherwise
you'd scrub flat spots onto the treads. I'd still check -out the bearings and brakes,
just makes sense to do them at least at the beginning of the camping season for
peace-of-mind if nothing else.

hank

Jack it up one side at a time and see how the wheels spin (smooth and no noise) and if there is any wobble to the bearings. If you have not relubed the bearings (clean & repack) and if it is unknown when the last owner did it, and if the trailer sat unused for years it is well past time for a bearing service.

Thanks everyone for the insight. Neighbor came down, jacked up all four corners, took rear wheel off, checked bearings (looks good), and we put back together took for ride. One thing I forgot to mention, I installed a Brake Controller and never adjusted it to driving with trailer. While I drove we did several (7) different settings according to instructions. Finally got it worked out to control the brakes properly, back in driveway, not as bad as first time. Also, my driveway is on an incline, which would cause different angels in the rear wheels. He even greased the bearings for me. We will repack as soon as I get my back operation, hopefully next month.



Bob

Spotman wrote:Thanks everyone for the insight. Neighbor came down, jacked up all four corners, took rear wheel off, checked bearings (looks good), and we put back together took for ride. One thing I forgot to mention, I installed a Brake Controller and never adjusted it to driving with trailer. While I drove we did several (7) different settings according to instructions. Finally got it worked out to control the brakes properly, back in driveway, not as bad as first time. Also, my driveway is on an incline, which would cause different angels in the rear wheels. He even greased the bearings for me. We will repack as soon as I get my back operation, hopefully next month.



Bob

Do you think you were riding the brake as you were backing in?

T

Tony, no on riding the brakes while backing, I was going "up" a slight degree, so I had to keep my gas pedal down.




Bob