Forum Discussion

bikemechanic53's avatar
bikemechanic53
Explorer
Jun 20, 2015

3rd axle added, but maybe not correctly positioned?

I had a 3rd axle added to my 5th wheel this past winter in Yuma. AFter the addition, the equalizers no longer ride horizontally. They are all pushed forward as far as they can go. The front ones are hitting the hangers as the springs compress.

The guys in Yuma who did the work turned out to know less about adding an axle than I did. So I'm wondering if it is positioned correctly.

I don't see any way to post pictures here, so I doubt if my description will be useful. I"m in Oregon now and the RV guys around here don't appear to know more than the guys in Yuma.

Anyone know who I could send the picts to for help?
  • Huntindog's avatar
    Huntindog
    Explorer
    Jun 20, 2015
    bikemechanic53 wrote:
    I had a 3rd axle added to my 5th wheel this past winter in Yuma. AFter the addition, the equalizers no longer ride horizontally. They are all pushed forward as far as they can go. The front ones are hitting the hangers as the springs compress.

    The guys in Yuma who did the work turned out to know less about adding an axle than I did. So I'm wondering if it is positioned correctly.

    I don't see any way to post pictures here, so I doubt if my description will be useful. I"m in Oregon now and the RV guys around here don't appear to know more than the guys in Yuma.

    Anyone know who I could send the picts to for help?
    If your unit was well balanced before the addition, then the right way to "add" an axle would have been to remove all of them and the hangars. Weld new hangars on to spec in locations that would match the center of the previous install. Just adding an axle either ahead of, or behind the existing axles can cause issues.... Or if you already had problems (unlikely) I suppose it could either improve the situation, or make it worse. Without specifics as to what exactly was done, and some pics... I am not going to speculate further on the possibilities.
  • KCFDCapt's avatar
    KCFDCapt
    Explorer
    Jun 20, 2015
    The problem may be that you don't just "add" another axle. the other two must be repositioned to keeps weights and balances in proper relationship. If the new axle was just welded behind the existing axles, you need to find a place that builds trailers, or knows how to set up a trailer.
  • KCFDCapt's avatar
    KCFDCapt
    Explorer
    Jun 20, 2015
    The problem may be that you don't just "add" another axle. the other two must be repositioned to keeps weights and balances in proper relationship. If the new axle was just welded behind the existing axles, you need to find a place that builds trailers, or knows how to set up a trailer.
  • azrving's avatar
    azrving
    Explorer
    Jun 21, 2015
    We have to see pics of this. We can get you through the pic posting issue. Use this link. Open it and click on select. Choose the pic from your computer or camera etc. and click open. Go back to the rv.net photo page and highlight and click copy from the box. Now go to your post in this thread click edit. Paste the photo under your text then click the third box from the left up above with magnifying glass, that will let you preview your pic before posting.

    rv.net photos
  • JaxDad's avatar
    JaxDad
    Explorer III
    Jun 21, 2015
    The differences in the equalizer so has NOTHING to do with position or balance.

    The new axle has a NEW set of leaf springs, not fatigued or relaxed like the original two are. This means it's taking more weight and thus pushing the next axle over and it is in turn pushing the last axle over.

    Replace or re arch the other two sets of springs and the issue will rectify itself.
  • Huntindog's avatar
    Huntindog
    Explorer
    Jun 21, 2015
    JaxDad wrote:
    The differences in the equalizer so has NOTHING to do with position or balance.

    The new axle has a NEW set of leaf springs, not fatigued or relaxed like the original two are. This means it's taking more weight and thus pushing the next axle over and it is in turn pushing the last axle over.

    Replace or re arch the other two sets of springs and the issue will rectify itself.


    Possibly. But since we know nothing about the unit, it can be many things. For all we know, it could be a close to new unit..

    There are many possibles. I won't bother listing them until the OP gives us more info.

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