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Hvymtlc5's avatar
Hvymtlc5
Explorer
Apr 15, 2015

Rear Wheel Tracking ?

Not owned a fifth wheel before - have a 2010 34ft Cougar. Noticed today when pulling out of the driveway the wheels on the rear axle tilt out and don't track with the front. Tried this several times in tight left and right turns and could see both rear wheels flexing one way or another depending on turn. Going down the road they track straight and tire wear is even. Is this normal with a twin axle or do I have a problem??


U-bolts are new and tight. Springs look good.
  • Normal.

    You should see what happens when you get the truck into a 90+ degree angle to push the front of the trailer into a tight spot. The 5th wheel front axle tires look like they will fold in half.
  • Yep, try watching a triple axle do a tight turn, it'll really make you cringe. :) That's one of the reasons it is recommended that you move back and forth if you have to back sharply into a parking spot: to allow the wheels to recover from the tilt of turning sharply.
  • Normal. When I back my 5er into the driveway I always pull back n forth a couple times to get the axles to straighten up.
  • Tried this several times in tight left and right turns and could see both rear wheels flexing one way or another depending on turn. Going down the road they track straight and tire wear is even. Is this normal with a twin axle or do I have a problem??

    All is normal.
    Another good reason to keep those tires pumped to the max as those tires are going through a ply shear mode as the tire side scrubs....on each and every turn.
  • JIMNLIN wrote:
    Tried this several times in tight left and right turns and could see both rear wheels flexing one way or another depending on turn. Going down the road they track straight and tire wear is even. Is this normal with a twin axle or do I have a problem??

    All is normal.
    Another good reason to keep those tires pumped to the max as those tires are going through a ply shear mode as the tire side scrubs....on each and every turn.


    ... and another good reason to check those lug nuts on a regular basis too.