How To Fix A Bent Camper Trailer Axle

Topic: Aptitude Axle Repair

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Posted By: RTrider on 04/24/14 05:42pm Information technology seems I bent an axle on the style home from Florida, likely when I had to become over a curb trying to get a parking spot at a Walmart. The wheel seemed a bit off kilter already though, but I read on this forum some time ago that the wheels have a canter in them anyway.

I have it in Tuesday for a repair. The Axle identify said they should be able to bend it back. Never heard of this, and so am looking for the forums experience with aptitude axles and their repair.

I need to purchase a new ttire likewise, since the tire on the bent beam is worn on the inside to the cords. I was lucky to get in home without a blowout. I have a spare and hopefully it is the aforementioned size and has the proper rim. Will check that tomorrow.

Thanks, Gary

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Posted Past: mowin on 04/24/14 05:50pm I've re arched axles on my equipment trailers a time or two. I never really looked under my tt as its on a seasonal site, only axles on equipment trailer'south take a arch to them and flatten out equally y'all load them up. Now a tt probably doesn't need arched axles as your not putting that much wt in them compared to a equipment trailer.

I'k sure a good axle/spring shop could re straighten a axle if its not too bad.

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Posted By: Ivylog on 04/24/14 05:51pm The fact that the inside of the tire is worn is good news equally yep the axle tin can be re arched. Being a shade tree mech I've cut about of the spindle off to arrive easier to realign when one side was badly bent. New axles are not that expensive if all else fails.

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Posted By: SprinklerMan on 04/24/14 07:00pm I would just buy a brand new axle , they are non that expensive , and easy to replace if you are mechanical .

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Posted By: JIMNLIN on 04/24/14 07:22pm Angle the axle works fine. I've had several equipment trailers with 3500 lb axles up to 10k axles aptitude to specs.
The wheel also gets bent from the same curb incident then have the tire folks check it out.

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"good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" ............ Volition Rogers

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Posted By: spike99 on 04/24/14 09:54pm Trailer axle alignment video at: - click hither -

Before realigning, do inquire trailer axle shop if trailer contains properly sized axles. If "at edge" rated, recommend replacing factory beam with "next size up" new beam. Then, practise aforementioned upgrade to other beam before long afterwards. Best to perform both axle replacements (with "next size up") at aforementioned time.

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Posted Past: Huntindog on 04/25/14 03:21am

spike99 wrote:

Trailer axle alignment video at: - click here -

Before realigning, practise inquire trailer axle store if trailer contains properly sized axles. If "at edge" rated, recommend replacing factory axle with "next size upwards" new beam. Then, practise aforementioned upgrade to other axle soon after. Best to perform both axle replacements (with "side by side size upwards") at aforementioned time.

X2.
Except I doubt that many alignment shops volition tell y'all that. It is much more profitable for you to continue coming back for some other "alignment"
Information technology is a pretty safety bet that your axles are "on the edge"
Most TTs are congenital this mode. What information technology means is that they cannot stand any abuse whatsoever.
So if you lot rebend the axle, and striking a pothole, or get over a curb once more etc. you will be in the same state of affairs once more. Axles are pretty cheap. I accept replaced mine on a previous TT for just over 100.00.
That was with me doing the labor, but every bit has been said. it's non a difficult job at all

* This mail was edited 04/25/14 03:29am by Huntindog *

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Huntindog
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Posted By: 69 Avion on 04/25/xiv 07:32am Remember, at that place is no guarantee that a new axle volition be in proper alignment. They should be, only it isn't always the case.

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Posted By: Jayco-noslide on 04/25/14 08:57am Yep, we had our axles straightened to right misalignment and uneven tire wear. I recall the toll to not be also bad; something like a couple hundred per axle maybe.

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Jayco-noslide

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Posted Past: goducks10 on 04/25/14 09:01am

69 Avion wrote:

Remember, there is no guarantee that a new axle will exist in proper alignment. They should be, only information technology isn't always the case.

x2. If they made it crooked the 1st time they could easily do information technology over again.

FWIW I had my axles aligned on a Heartland TT and it was IIRC $195.00 full for both axles. As well the tech guy that did the work commented that the Lippert axles I had were soft, then he put in some extra camber.

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Posted By: Huntindog on 04/25/14 09:02am

69 Avion wrote:

Remember, there is no guarantee that a new axle will be in proper alignment. They should be, but it isn't ever the instance.

Unproblematic. Check it when you get it.
But information technology is rare. These are built in jigs on a production line. Unless the jig is damaged some how, information technology will be right. Now it is possible that it could exist aptitude in shipment, but fifty-fifty that is unlikely.
But the point is, put the money towards an upgrade to go on information technology from happening again.

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Posted By: Bull Rider on 04/25/xiv 07:20pm Nosotros just went through this. Had both tires on the back axle on a 2006 Cougar 30' bumper tow that were wearing on the inside. The passenger side was the worst. One spring on the passenger side had come unpinned, and the spring leaves were no longer stacked vertically. The passenger side rear axle spindle was aptitude. The RV store said that they have not had practiced luck bending axles equally they seem to exist prone to rebend after.

We upgraded both axles from 4500 to 5200 pounds, the axle sets came with new hubs, brakes, bearing, spindles, etc.

The new axles were installed and checked for hanger spacing, all was within specs. Had new springs, shackles, and equalizers installed. ALL of the bolts have grease zerks for greasing the suspension.

The old shackles, equalizers, and leap ends were shot, they should have been replaced iv years ago.

So, merely a tip to consider replacing the factory suspension components with upgraded, greasable, heavy duty upgrades.

We've put on a chiliad miles since terminal week when we had the axles replaced, and the RV seems to tow much improve.

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If you receive help from other members, don't forget to update your topic with the results.

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Posted By: 69 Avion on 04/25/xiv 09:19pm I have built many trailers on and off for the past 40 years. Over thirty years ago I used to build my own axles. Yeah, they are built in jigs, only the welding procedure tin can draw the spindle to ane side if you aren't careful. I ever used Lincoln 7018 LH70 rod for the axles, axle mounts, coupler assembly and whatever critical area. A very small amount of warping or drawing of the steel in the welding process can make a significant corporeality of difference in the spindle alignment. I tin assure you, most manufacturers won't take the time I would to make sure everything is "right". I quit making axles, because you can buy them cheaper than you tin make them when the large boys buy the components and materials in such large quantities.
Equally far as a solution for those who are having axle bending bug, every bit stated above, get to the next size upwardly in the axle rating, only you don't accept to get higher in the spring rating. A heavier beam with a weight appropriate set of springs will give you a skilful ride and a stronger axle.

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Posted By: JJBIRISH on 04/26/14 08:14am It's not like they use a lot of different sized axle tubes… going up in size will virtually likely have the same size axle tube… often with just a dissimilar bearing ready or dissimilar spindles and bearings…

Almost all of the axle tubes that are used for our RV's are 2 iii/8 OD with a 3/16 wall tube, and rated at 3500 lbs.…
To a higher place 3500 lbs. upwardly to 5200 lbs. volition almost without exception 3inch tube with a 3/16" wall…
When you go into 6000 and 7000 lb. axles you lot may come across be 3inch tube with ¼" wall…
Of course in that location are smaller tubes for lighter axles that we don't run across to often…

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Posted By: wrenchbender on 04/27/14 06:57pm Axles can be reshaped or realighned. Simply depending on the axle often times it is cheaper to replace the axle.

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Posted By: Huntindog on 04/27/fourteen 07:14pm

JJBIRISH wrote:

It's non similar they use a lot of different sized axle tubes… going up in size will most likely accept the same size beam tube… often with just a different bearing set or different spindles and bearings…

Almost all of the axle tubes that are used for our RV'southward are ii three/viii OD with a three/sixteen wall tube, and rated at 3500 lbs.…
In a higher place 3500 lbs. up to 5200 lbs. will almost without exception 3inch tube with a three/16" wall…
When you become into 6000 and 7000 lb. axles you may encounter be 3inch tube with ¼" wall…
Of course there are smaller tubes for lighter axles that nosotros don't see to frequently…

I accept had two TTs with 3500# axles that had 3" tubes.
There seems to be very loose standards. I accept seen 3500# axles with 5 and 6 lugs as well.

My nowadays TTs axles are rated at 5200#. But the only component that is non 6000# are the springs. The 6K ones get ane more than leaf.

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Posted By: JJBIRISH on 04/27/14 x:09pm It non so much a loose standard as it is a 3" tube was an option that was available from Dexter and perchance others on the 3500 lb. axle…

as an pick it wouldn't be establish on many trailers with 3500 lb. axles, I doubt the 3" option was widely used by the RV industry specially…

the RV manufacture as a hole seldom upsizes anything because its better, merely more than probable out of some minimal need…

typical, tube sizes can be found in the Dexter 600 to 8000 lb. catalogue on page 113, Or the Eastern Marine trailer parts superstore, under axles & axle hardware…

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Posted By: Huntindog on 04/28/14 03:10am

JJBIRISH wrote:

It non and so much a loose standard as information technology is a 3" tube was an option that was available from Dexter and peradventure others on the 3500 lb. axle…

every bit an choice it wouldn't be found on many trailers with 3500 lb. axles, I doubt the three" option was widely used by the RV industry especially…

the RV industry as a pigsty seldom upsizes anything because its better, but more likely out of some minimal need…

typical, tube sizes can be constitute in the Dexter 600 to 8000 lb. catalogue on page 113, Or the Eastern Marine trailer parts superstore, nether axles & axle hardware…

Regardless upsizing is Withal a expert idea. If an pick is available, and then it tin can be bought by the consumer every bit well. Nothing says that only considering your TT came with pocket-size tubes, that you are forced to stay with them.
When ever I fix something, I look at the root cause and upgrade it whenever possible. It is rare that I ever have a problem with that particular again.

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Posted Past: RTrider on 04/30/fourteen 06:06am Update:
Took the trailer to an beam place yesterday and they straightened the beam. They said information technology was pretty bad but they too said that the process went well and that in that location was no other damage to U-bolts or annihilation else. Simply cost $170 incl taxes (here at 13%).

Now to go a new tire. Unfortunately the spare is on a plain steel wheel, so I cannot change it out without making two changes. I think I volition just get a new tire and put it on the aluminum bicycle.

While hooking up I noticed that the large bolts on the Equal-i-zer are loose and so volition prepare that today likewise it it stops raining.

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How To Fix A Bent Camper Trailer Axle,

Source: https://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/27671759/print/true.cfm

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