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Author Topic:   trailer axle

thediscusthrower posted 07-31-2009 04:33 PM ET (US)
I've got a question for the group. Here's the story:
Bought a boat/motor/trailer combination back in Fall 2004. Trailer contained (2) new 13" tires. While checking the tire pressure yesterday, I noticed that the driver's side tire was wearing disproportionally on the inside. I don't recall ever running over anything and given the fact that the tires were new when I purchased the package, it took a while to actually produce the tire wear to a point where I would notice.
Now...I measured from the hanger hardware (holding the springs to the frame) to the back portion of the frame. Both sides are the same. What other measurements should I take to confirm if the axle is too far forward/back on the frame? I think I did that already but I want to confirm.
If it is the spindle or the actual end portion of the axle which is bent, what can be done? I read on another continuouswave.com thread that a person here took the trailer to a tractor/trailer frame shop and had it aligned. So, I got a "ball park" quote (over the phone this afternoon) from Schimpf's in Camden, NJ for $150. It's close in terms of a dollar amount required to replace the axle, hubs, bearings, races, seals, and u-bolts/nyloc nuts (as the replacement axle is round and a different diameter or could be square; depends on the supplier). My current axle is round.
Looking for advise as to whether the frame shop is a better option or not?
Bob
HAPPYJIM posted 07-31-2009 08:52 PM ET (US)
I would go the frame shop route. They have the equipment to make it right. $150 sounds reasonable.
R T M posted 07-31-2009 09:11 PM ET (US)
Take Happy Jim`s advice, your trailer frame might be out of square.
rich/Binkie
deepwater posted 08-01-2009 06:24 AM ET (US)
If its just the one tire and its on the inside of that tire,,its sounds like a bent spindle/axle at the frame,,the tire is riding on its side,,step back with the trailer on flat hard ground and see if that tire is tilted a little
Slick 50 posted 08-04-2009 12:50 AM ET (US)
I believe 10% is a good place to set your tongue weight. Your axle should be placed on the trailer that sets your tongue weight at 10% of total trailer/boat weight.
Example: If your boat and trailer loaded to go boating weigh 2000 pounds, you want 200 pounds tongue weight.
You have had those tires on the trailer since 2004, might just buy some new ones and get another 5 years out of them??? Try rotating the tires. If you step back and see a spindle is crooked, buy a new axle. If you are towing many miles, have it properly checked out by a professional.
Good luck,
Rick

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Author	Topic: trailer axle
thediscusthrower	posted 07-31-2009 04:33 PM ET (US) I've got a question for the group. Here's the story: Bought a boat/motor/trailer combination back in Fall 2004. Trailer contained (2) new 13" tires. While checking the tire pressure yesterday, I noticed that the driver's side tire was wearing disproportionally on the inside. I don't recall ever running over anything and given the fact that the tires were new when I purchased the package, it took a while to actually produce the tire wear to a point where I would notice. Now...I measured from the hanger hardware (holding the springs to the frame) to the back portion of the frame. Both sides are the same. What other measurements should I take to confirm if the axle is too far forward/back on the frame? I think I did that already but I want to confirm. If it is the spindle or the actual end portion of the axle which is bent, what can be done? I read on another continuouswave.com thread that a person here took the trailer to a tractor/trailer frame shop and had it aligned. So, I got a "ball park" quote (over the phone this afternoon) from Schimpf's in Camden, NJ for $150. It's close in terms of a dollar amount required to replace the axle, hubs, bearings, races, seals, and u-bolts/nyloc nuts (as the replacement axle is round and a different diameter or could be square; depends on the supplier). My current axle is round. Looking for advise as to whether the frame shop is a better option or not? Bob
HAPPYJIM	posted 07-31-2009 08:52 PM ET (US) I would go the frame shop route. They have the equipment to make it right. $150 sounds reasonable.
R T M	posted 07-31-2009 09:11 PM ET (US) Take Happy Jim`s advice, your trailer frame might be out of square. rich/Binkie
deepwater	posted 08-01-2009 06:24 AM ET (US) If its just the one tire and its on the inside of that tire,,its sounds like a bent spindle/axle at the frame,,the tire is riding on its side,,step back with the trailer on flat hard ground and see if that tire is tilted a little
Slick 50	posted 08-04-2009 12:50 AM ET (US) I believe 10% is a good place to set your tongue weight. Your axle should be placed on the trailer that sets your tongue weight at 10% of total trailer/boat weight. Example: If your boat and trailer loaded to go boating weigh 2000 pounds, you want 200 pounds tongue weight. You have had those tires on the trailer since 2004, might just buy some new ones and get another 5 years out of them??? Try rotating the tires. If you step back and see a spindle is crooked, buy a new axle. If you are towing many miles, have it properly checked out by a professional. Good luck, Rick