Forum Discussion

Explorer

Aug 14, 2013

Rear tires 'flexing' - any advice

Hi all, new to the forum. We just bought a used travel trailer - 2005 Kingsport by Gulf Stream - 27.5ft. Very nice trailer. Had it looked over quickly by a friend before we bought. All looked good.

We just took it out though to Jasper, Alberta...had a great time, but I noticed when I was backing the trailer into our site (which had a slight downhill and I had to turn to get into) that the trailers back wheels of the tandem were 'flexing'. The front tires remained straight. But the back tires were definitely flexing vertically.

I got out right away and looked under, but can not see a cause to it (I was worried my axel was cracked). But nothing obvious. The ties came back in line when we got on level ground.

Same thing happened when we left the campsite.

I'm fairly new to trailers...but this is not normal is it. Any explanations?

Thanks for your help.

Russ

13 Replies

Jedsdead
Explorer
Aug 14, 2013
weathershak wrote:
Its normal. When you make a sharp turn with a tandem axle trailer, something has to give. After you get situated in your space, just pull or back up straight for a foot or two to get the stress off of the tires.

Thanks Weathershak...I didn't realize this was normal. Does the axel have a mechanism that allows the tire to flex in that manner (the top of the tire had come out by about 3 inches from straight). Or how does it handle that type of twisting.
6dot6
Explorer
Aug 14, 2013
Its normal. When turning tandems they tend to scrub. Just do a pull up and it will straighten out. I wouldnt leave it like that. Tractor trailers do the same thing.
weathershak
Explorer
Aug 14, 2013
Its normal. When you make a sharp turn with a tandem axle trailer, something has to give. After you get situated in your space, just pull or back up straight for a foot or two to get the stress off of the tires.