Bent axle

myredracer wrote:
If it has the BAL frame I think it does, it won't be a frame related issue. TT axles are paper thin and it doesn't take a lot of potholes or curbs to cause damage.

Expect for what to do about being 1K miles from home, I would upgrade the axles to the next rating. I was just talking to someone at a CG who had bent axles (3500 lb) from new and he got them upgraded to 3" axles and for 5-bolt rims (so he didn't have to replace the brakes/wheel).

Just be sure to do your research first. It may take moving up 2 levels to actually get a thicker axle housing.

With my 5200's I would have to go to 7K to get a different axle housing and aside from the springs and 8 lug hubs everything else is the same (bearings, brakes, etc).

A 3500 to 4400 may just be a spring difference.

myredracer wrote:
I would upgrade the axles to the next rating. I was just talking to someone at a CG who had bent axles (3500 lb) from new and he got them upgraded to 3" axles and for 5-bolt rims (so he didn't have to replace the brakes/wheel).

That is what I had done to mine. Within the first year. Replaced the 3500lb axle and 5 stud hub with a 5200 lb axle with 5 stud hubs makes it a 4400 lb assembly.

Trainwatcher wrote:
We noticed them bent at several rest stops before we arrived.We hit a lot of potholes we couldn't avoid.I jacked the wheels off the ground when we got here which should have made them straight I would think. Tomorrow I'm calling a trailer repair shop and see what they have to say. Thanks for the info.

As has been said already, pull ahead or back in a straight line to align them. Unless you can jack all wheels off the ground at the same time it will not correct anything. If you already have done this then disregard. Just don't want you to spend money maybe you don't have to.

If it has the BAL frame I think it does, it won't be a frame related issue. TT axles are paper thin and it doesn't take a lot of potholes or curbs to cause damage.

Expect for what to do about being 1K miles from home, I would upgrade the axles to the next rating. I was just talking to someone at a CG who had bent axles (3500 lb) from new and he got them upgraded to 3" axles and for 5-bolt rims (so he didn't have to replace the brakes/wheel).

We noticed them bent at several rest stops before we arrived.We hit a lot of potholes we couldn't avoid.I jacked the wheels off the ground when we got here which should have made them straight I would think. Tomorrow I'm calling a trailer repair shop and see what they have to say. Thanks for the info.

Like OLD BISCUIT AND B O said pull the trailer in a straight line and then look at it. When turning it puts the axle in a bind but goes back when you drive straight.

I agree with Old-Biscuit. Pull it forward a few feet and see if it straightens out. If not find a big rig alignment shop. Don't waste your time at an RV dealer or CW. They don't have the knowledge or equipment to align it. All they will do is replace the axle at a fairly high cost. This probably will not fix it as not all new axles are mounted correctly or are straight when they come from the factory...A quality alignment job will be around $150.00-200.00 and it will be all done...

B.O.

Are you looking at this 'out of plumb' condition just after parking trailer and having to maneuver it/tight backing etc.

OR looking at this condition after trailer has been pulled straight forward for several feet.

Tight turning/maneuvering with double axle trailer WILL cause front/rear tires to be off set.

Now if offset is there after trailer has been towed straight line......then you need to locate a trailer shop/big rig shop (not some RV Repair or CW) that can do trailer alignments and re-arch axle tube if necessary.
Otherwise you will have to be dealing with blow outs/worn tires/lousy tracking while towing trailer.

IF they are 'out' and not just 'jacked'

I had a boat trailer axle straightened. I'd check the yellow pages Good luck.

Pull it to a good trailer repair shop and have it fixed. There should be plenty of them in SC.