SoCal Jet Boats
Tech Talk => Trailers => Topic started by: RivRat34 on September 18, 2010, 12:34:23 AM
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I think my trailer one side is shorter wheelbase than other side, I wonder what is the properly wheelbase for two axle trailers? I noticed one of the wheel is not sitting vertical, like it is off chamber or something.. and kinda toe out a little bit.. Eating up the inside tire tread pretty bad. Anyone experienced can help me solve this problem??
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It sounds like you have a bent axle.
See if there is an i.d. tag on the axle.
In most cases you're better off replacing a trailer axle than trying to straighten it.
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Worn out spring shackle bushings will also do this as well.
T.J.
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I am fabricator (metal worker) myself.. I jacked up the trailer to have wheels off ground, took the wheels, hubs, etc off.. checked it out. don't see a sign of bent axle, and the springs bushing shows nothing but bare metal sits on bolts.. only problem is when it sits on tire.. one tire is off chamber (in) while toe out... its head aching!
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Also with the numbers, I cant even find it on the axle at all! where should it be?
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If it's an older axle or fabricated by the trailer builder it might not have a tag or number on it.
Many newer axles are build by Dexter axle and can be ordered with a tag number.
Have you pulled the hub apart and inspected the bearings?
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Or just look for a decent used trailer, some are not that expensive. :thumbup:
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Check this out. No pic but I see these on here a lot. This one is a single but I see double ones also.
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/boa/1969973943.html (http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/boa/1969973943.html)
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Do your axles have a four bolt flange on them for brake backing plates?
If so, measure from plate to plate in the front and rear and top to bottom, there should be a small variation in the top to bottom, but none from front to rear.....the top measurement should be approximately 1/64" longer than all other measurements while " un-sprung"
When these drop axles are bent, it is typically very difficult to see...
Here is the ultimate way to check your axle condition....
Pull the entire axle out of the spring perches. Then re install the rims/tires and put on a level surface and get a couple of levels and bungee them to the rims (duct tape works too). Now with the levels on each rim, rotate the axle, leaving the tires chocked and note the movement of the rims camber from plumb, there is typically about 2-5 degrees of camber built into the axle for keeping the contact patch of the tire pretty square, this will lesson with a heavy load. If an axle with too much capacity is used, the camber will be off and the tires will wear funny, they will actually smoke the outer edges off...
The levels should be plumb when the axle is at 90 degrees to the ground and have some positive amber when straight up and down....
If not, it is axle time, as was sated, Dexter is a great source, be sure ab buy what you need and don't go "heavier"....
Also note that there is no caster when the trailer is sitting on a level surface, caster is when the axle is actually not perfectly vertical. This will cause an ill handling trailer and cause severe trailer tire problems...
GT
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so i measured the front axle and back axle.. right side (facing forward) and left side is half inch off. (left side is half inches apart).. So I am guessing I should take the axles off of spring and check the pin holes on springs.. I noticed that the old owner of this boat sawed the brake line off of the left rear hub, i think it is because it brakes when you try to backup.. Although my truck handles it just fine.. and toe out is only 1/16th of inches out on left rear.. I think the axle might be twisted... although the pervoius owner did got in an accident on side of road dented the fender/step on right side.. im not sure what to do from there.. measure from the tongue to each center of axle/king pin to see if theyre squared still?
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Oh and i might add, my jet boat is 21 foot open bow, i dont think single axle trailers would be good option.. and yeah its got twin 16 gallon gas tanks, and a bbc.. so its pretty heavy than any smaller jet boats.
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so i measured the front axle and back axle.. right side (facing forward) and left side is half inch off. (left side is half inches apart).. So I am guessing I should take the axles off of spring and check the pin holes on springs.. I noticed that the old owner of this boat sawed the brake line off of the left rear hub, i think it is because it brakes when you try to backup.. Although my truck handles it just fine.. and toe out is only 1/16th of inches out on left rear.. I think the axle might be twisted... although the pervoius owner did got in an accident on side of road dented the fender/step on right side.. im not sure what to do from there.. measure from the tongue to each center of axle/king pin to see if theyre squared still?
As stupid as this is gonna sound, the coupler to the axle mount points are somewhat irrelevant...As long as the wheels track straight and both axles are square to each other, you are GTG. There is little you can do to square up the axles to the coupler anyways.
Pull the axles and try the level trick, I bet you find either a sheared locating bolt in the spring pack or a severely bent axle end. Seen it a dozen times...
GT
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Thats what I thought, thanks... "GT"