I own a 27 ft '15 Keystone Laredo 5th wheel and on a trip home from DisneyWorld on Dec 3rd I experienced a blowout on the left rear tire just south of Ocala on the Fla turnpike.I noticed white smoke billowing out of the wheel well in my outside mirror. Got it pulled over and with the help of a friendly State trooper and Roadside assistance got the tire changed in record time.Tire was due to be changed out but that's another story.My problem is just the other day I was poking around under the trailer and noticed that the front right tire chewed thru the top of the wheel well and I've got an oblong hole in the top of the well right over the center of the tire.I guess when the rear tire lost pressure the front tire picked up the additional weight and came in contact with the top of my wheel well. Checked it today and I've only got about 1 1/2" to 2" of clearance normally. Does this sound like a design flaw that Keystone needs to correct. ThanksWawhoss

Wawhoss wrote:I own a 27 ft '15 Keystone Laredo 5th wheel and on a trip home from DisneyWorld on Dec 3rd I experienced a blowout on the left rear tire just south of Ocala on the Fla turnpike.I noticed white smoke billowing out of the wheel well in my outside mirror. Got it pulled over and with the help of a friendly State trooper and Roadside assistance got the tire changed in record time.Tire was due to be changed out but that's another story.My problem is just the other day I was poking around under the trailer and noticed that the front right tire chewed thru the top of the wheel well and I've got an oblong hole in the top of the well right over the center of the tire.I guess when the rear tire lost pressure the front tire picked up the additional weight and came in contact with the top of my wheel well. Checked it today and I've only got about 1 1/2" to 2" of clearance normally. Does this sound like a design flaw that Keystone needs to correct. ThanksWawhossHow are your springs? Could be they've flattened out a bit, causing less space.Lyle

I'd drag it to an allignment sshop and have them check the springs. A trailer only 2 years old should not have spring trouble. Are the tires the size called for or has someone changed sizes? I went from 15 to 16 inch and I do not have a lot of clearance but no sign of tire hitting the bootom of the camper

The springs look fine. I've put less than 5000 miles on my trailer since we bought it new in'15.Keystone put 4400# axles on this unit and I looked at the hangers and they only have one hole so dropping the spring down one hole is not an option and the axle is under the spring so it can't be flipped.

Original tires that came on the trailer.

No, 1.5-2 inches is not enough clearance in most cases. I have 3"s clearance on mine, and most would consider 2.5"s as a minimum. I know they often put 4,400 lb axles on FWs with 10K GVWR, but 5,200 axles would be much better. The heavier duty axle would have stronger springs, and larger brake drums/shoes.Jerry

Short wheel well | Good Sam Community

15 Replies

MFL
Nomad II
Jan 18, 2018
No, 1.5-2 inches is not enough clearance in most cases. I have 3"s clearance on mine, and most would consider 2.5"s as a minimum. I know they often put 4,400 lb axles on FWs with 10K GVWR, but 5,200 axles would be much better. The heavier duty axle would have stronger springs, and larger brake drums/shoes.

Jerry
Wawhoss
Explorer
Jan 18, 2018
Original tires that came on the trailer.
Wawhoss
Explorer
Jan 18, 2018
The springs look fine. I've put less than 5000 miles on my trailer since we bought it new in'15.

Keystone put 4400# axles on this unit and I looked at the hangers and they only have one hole so dropping the spring down one hole is not an option and the axle is under the spring so it can't be flipped.
aruba5er
Explorer
Jan 18, 2018
I'd drag it to an allignment sshop and have them check the springs. A trailer only 2 years old should not have spring trouble. Are the tires the size called for or has someone changed sizes? I went from 15 to 16 inch and I do not have a lot of clearance but no sign of tire hitting the bootom of the camper
laknox
Nomad
Jan 18, 2018
Wawhoss wrote:
I own a 27 ft '15 Keystone Laredo 5th wheel and on a trip home from DisneyWorld on Dec 3rd I experienced a blowout on the left rear tire just south of Ocala on the Fla turnpike.I noticed white smoke billowing out of the wheel well in my outside mirror. Got it pulled over and with the help of a friendly State trooper and Roadside assistance got the tire changed in record time.Tire was due to be changed out but that's another story.

My problem is just the other day I was poking around under the trailer and noticed that the front right tire chewed thru the top of the wheel well and I've got an oblong hole in the top of the well right over the center of the tire.I guess when the rear tire lost pressure the front tire picked up the additional weight and came in contact with the top of my wheel well. Checked it today and I've only got about 1 1/2" to 2" of clearance normally. Does this sound like a design flaw that Keystone needs to correct. Thanks

Wawhoss

How are your springs? Could be they've flattened out a bit, causing less space.

Lyle

Forum Discussion

Short wheel well

15 Replies

About Fifth Wheel Group

Related Content

short high end fifth wheel

Wheel bearing repacking

Short 5th wheel

5th Wheel took out rear window

Short high line fifth wheel?