tire cambers in at the top, rub on frame.

[kayakrguy]

Hi folks,

First, I want to say 'H'lo' and say that I hope all is well with everyone. We've been lucky with only some minor knee/shoulder clean-outs slowing us down a bit...

I just did a re-pack of my bearings on the Snuggle Inn, getting ready for another run to the west coast.

While at it, I decided to put two new tires on. The originals had about 25,000 miles on them, getting a little low on tread. The new tires, like the old ones are 4.8 x 12, both on new wheels.

When done, the tires camber in at the top, the one on the right more so, rubs on the frame a bit. I double checked everything to be sure I installed the bearings washers etc correctly. The lug nuts held the tire snug against the hub, no wobble. I have re-packed the bearings twice before with no problems (without changing tires/wheels.

Any ideas, thoughts, advice would be welcome.

Jim

[Alphacarina]

It sounds like your axle is bent - One side more than the other

The Red Trailer axle is only rated at 1450 pounds - With 60 psi in the little 12 inch tires, the axle can take a real beating when you hit a pothole

You can check it by removing the axle from the springs, bolt the tires to the hubs, set them on the ground and then rotate the axle and watch what the tires do - If the axle is straight, they will do nothing at all but if the axle is bent you'll see the tops of the tires move farther away from each other and then back again with each full rotation of the axle

I'm in the process right now of changing the axle on my Harbor Freight #1740 trailer for a new 2,000 pound axle from Northern Tool

Don

[asianflava]

I think it is bent too. My Dexter has positive camber built in to it.

[eamarquardt]

I agree that the axle is now bent or flexing too much under load. What is the axle's rating and how much does your trailer weigh? An axle rated for a higher load is probably a good investment.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Gus

[kayakrguy]

Hi guys,

First, thanks very much for your suggestions.

Two questions below...I separated them with ***** for clarity

One thing I should have mentioned earlier is that the two new tires I put on are different. One is a rim and tire assembly from Red Trailer--that is the one that fits ok, is rated for 750 lbs@60lbs. The second is one I got at Hecht trailer--it is rated for 990lbs@90lbs. Even tho the tires are both 4.8x12 the second is slightly bigger in width--this is the one that cambers more and rubs.

I tried an experiment. I took the new Hecht tire off and put on one of the old Red Trailer rims and tires--the tire clears the frame fine, with a slight camber. The Red Trailer people say that their spindles come with a 1% camber built in.

Question 1: Is it possible that the wheel on the Hecht tire is bent? To the naked eye there is no obvious problem I can see.

*******************************************************

I *wondered* about the axle being bent. I run with 45lb pressure in the 60lb tires to reduce 'bounce' Tires seem to do well--even wear etc.

3 years ago the trailer, almost fully loaded, weighed in at just over 1100 pounds at a truck scale. I haven't made any major additions--just a folding table in the galley, so I would hope weight is not an issue per se.

The point about the axle taking a beating has occurred to me--we've taken Snuggle to Newfoundland, Florida, Victoria, BC, Santa Fe etc so it has been on some roads that aren't friendly--I 80 for example.

I WILL have the axle looked at--I have no easy way to take it off myself.
And if it is bent, replace it.

Red Trailer has an upgrade axle rated at 2000 lbs.

My second question is: Do any of you have experience with those upgrade axles?


Thank you again, fellas, I appreciate your help.

Jim

[eamarquardt]

One thing I should have mentioned earlier is that the two new tires I put on are different. One is a rim and tire assembly from Red Trailer--that is the one that fits ok, is rated for 750 lbs@60lbs. The second is one I got at Hecht trailer--it is rated for 990lbs@90lbs. Even tho the tires are both 4.8x12 the second is slightly bigger in width--this is the one that cambers more and rubs.

Now you tell us, ha! Sounds like you had minimal clearance to begin with and the new, slightly wider tire is a bit "tight". You say camber is your problem. Are you sure? I'd get a large "framing square" and with the trailer "loaded for bear", on level flat ground, put the square against each wheel to see just how much camber you've got. Roll the trailer 1/2 revolution of the wheel, take two readings and average the two to eliminate any irregularities of the tire. Both wheels should be pretty much the same. If not, I'd say your axle is definately bent.

I tried an experiment. I took the new Hecht tire off and put on one of the old Red Trailer rims and tires--the tire clears the frame fine, with a slight camber. The Red Trailer people say that their spindles come with a 1% camber built in.

Question 1: Is it possible that the wheel on the Hecht tire is bent? To the naked eye there is no obvious problem I can see.

Easy to test for a bent rim. Jack the tire off the ground and spin it by hand. If it wobbles excessively the rim is bent or the tire has problems. If it spins true, you're good to go.

*******************************************************

I *wondered* about the axle being bent. I run with 45lb pressure in the 60lb tires to reduce 'bounce' Tires seem to do well--even wear etc.

This is encouraging but use the "square to test for bent/flexing axle just the same.

3 years ago the trailer, almost fully loaded, weighed in at just over 1100 pounds at a truck scale. I haven't made any major additions--just a folding table in the galley, so I would hope weight is not an issue per se.

1000 pounds is pretty light but given a big enough pot hole you can bend virtually anything.

The point about the axle taking a beating has occurred to me--we've taken Snuggle to Newfoundland, Florida, Victoria, BC, Santa Fe etc so it has been on some roads that aren't friendly--I 80 for example.

I WILL have the axle looked at--I have no easy way to take it off myself.
And if it is bent, replace it.

Working on an axle requires a minimum of tools. It looks like you built your cabin so you are handy with tools. Get a jack (you should carry one and a spare tire anyway), block the trailer up with jack stands or some sturdy wood supports (built out of 2X4 scraps nailed together like stacked Lincoln Logs, DON"T USE BRICKS as they can break under load), and all you need are a few wrenches or a socket set. Piece of cake unless you have some physical issues.

Red Trailer has an upgrade axle rated at 2000 lbs.

My second question is: Do any of you have experience with those upgrade axles?

I went to: http://www.trailerpart.com/2ktrailerAxle.htm

A 2000# axle is $96. A 3500# axle is $103. For less than ten bucks you get a much stronger alxe, bigger bearings and spindles, and brake flanges so you can add brakes should you ever want to. In replacing your axle you may have to change out the springs, shackles, ubolts, and spring hangers depending on the configuration of your old an new stuff. Worst case a complete alxe/suspension replacement can be done for less $200 in "parts is parts".

If you have to mount new spring hangers you might consider mounting the spring hangers on a piece of angle iron. You can then bolt the assembly to the bottom of your trailer without welding. Makes it really easy to work on the suspension system later and you can also move the location of the suspension at will to balance your trailer should you ever need to.

[Alphacarina]

I tried an experiment. I took the new Hecht tire off and put on one of the old Red Trailer rims and tires--the tire clears the frame fine, with a slight camber. The Red Trailer people say that their spindles come with a 1% camber built in.

If the axle came with 'built in camber' it would be positive camber where the top of the tires are farther apart than the bottoms - No trailer axle comes with the negative camber you're describing

Loaded axles tend to decamber as they flex which is why many axles come with some positive camber built in . . . . though most lightweight axles (2,000 pounds or less) are just straight axles

Removing the axle and testing it isn't difficult . . . . just time consuming. From your description though, it sounds to me 99% sure that it's bent and bent on both sides. If you're going to stick with the 12 inch tires, I would for sure order the stronger replacement. The 'kindest' thing you can do for a lightweight trailer axle would be to go with 13 or 14 inch wheels/tires which you can safely run at 25 or 30 psi - That way, the tires become an active part of the suspension and they absorb much of the instant shock load the axle feels when you hit a pothole. You can buy 175/80-13's mounted on new wheels fairly cheaply on eBay. A set of those would be a huge improvement on your new axle

Don

[eamarquardt]

If the axle came with 'built in camber' it would be positive camber where the top of the tires are farther apart than the bottoms - No trailer axle comes with the negative camber you're describing. My son just picked up two new axles today for his trailer yesterday. With the axle not installed, we rotated one 180 degrees and measured center to center of the tires. There is one inch difference from the two measurements when your rotate it.

Removing the axle and testing it isn't difficult yes . . . . just time consuming not that time consuming. If you're going to stick with the 12 inch tires, I would for sure order the stronger replacement. I'd go with the stronger replacement anyhow The 'kindest' thing you can do for a lightweight trailer axle would be to go with 13 or 14 inch wheels/tires which you can safely run at 25 or 30 psi - That way, the tires become an active part of the suspension and they absorb much of the instant shock load the axle feels when you hit a pothole. You can buy 175/80-13's mounted on new wheels fairly cheaply on eBay. A set of those would be a huge improvement on your new axle yes they would, and you can scrounge around and find some used rims and tires for practically nothing
Don

Cheers,

Gus