Tires rubbing on underneath of trailer

Just a follow up to let everyone know how it stands. Bought some 4400# springs and took tt to shop for install and alignment. Shop called to let me know that they couldn't align it because the axles are bent. This is the second time this has happened. Last time was almost exactly 3 years ago. Trailer is 6 years old. I guess 3 years is all they last, which is complete bs. Before anyone feels it necessary to tell me the trailer is overloaded, I have weighed it several times with all supplies onboard. It is always well within manufactors limits. I guess their limit is too heavy. The shop has ordered 5200# axles and with recommendation from Lippert are going to put the 4400# springs on them. I am sorry post is so long but just wanted to whine a little, I guess.

Thanks to everyone for all the help and suggestions! I have just about decided after going through all the posts, that the springs are shot. The tires are stock size.
I odered 4 2200# springs to replace the 1750# ones. Even though according to the manufactor, I am well below the weight limits I decided a little heavier spring was in order.
I may or may not attempt to do the job. There is a place nearby that quoted about $350 labor to change them and align the axles after. Again thanks to all!

Assuming you aren't overweight (thats a different subject), I would put the correct spring on.

If you've ever ridden in a 1-ton truck empty on a bumpy road, that's what you would be doing to your trailer (to a lesser degree).

Springs are supposed to absorb the bumps and overly heavy springs transmit the bumps to the frame and the rest of the trailer.

Spring photos:
Here
6000 miles broken
6000 miles sagged
1000 miles length off, made defective
New spring

Gdetrailer wrote:

nastyt wrote:
I noticed recently that the tires on the slide out side have been rubbing on the bottom of trailer. It isn't hitting anything but the fabric type weather covering thus far but obviously needs to be corrected. Any ideas on cause and any suggestions on a fix. Thanks for any and all help.

OVERLOADED.

Wrong size tires (did you or previous owner go to LTs?) Check the manufacturer specs and make sure you have to correct tire size.

Weak or broken springs.

Bent axle stub (the ends of axles where the bearings/hubs are which also could have happened while overloaded and hitting a curb or pot hole)..

Just to name a few possibilities.

Agree - focus first on what size tires you have and what size your supposed to have. I'm betting that this is not a new TT.

Check the tires for tread separation among other suggestions. Sometimes the tread separates without blowing and the tires expand.

Here are some springs to compare.

http://www.stengelbros.com/UtilitySprings.htm

I think they are rated per side so you are probably moving from 1750 to 2000 or 2200 pound springs.

Some give additional height if you can get the right length and rating.

My thread on spring replacement

Another thing, my tires had worn through the waterproof cloth covering the bottom of the trailer body. Not good to let road spray in. I used Bondo spray undercoating and then covered that with coroplast panels to assure the water stays on the outside. The jury is still out on that as I have now placed the trailer on the storage lot after winterizing. Only 400 dry miles on the new springs.

Springs and shackle bolts are not that difficult to replace just need a couple of jacks. The shop that fixed mine had all 4 springs, new u-bolts, and all the shackle bolts replaced in 3 hours. $300 labor and I bought the parts for $130. Great folks at AHT Auto Repair in Sapulpa, OK. (They also repair large rigs.)

I recently had broken springs on my rear axle along the OK turnpike. It turns out one spring (non-slide side) had 2 broken leaves of the 4 for sometime based on the rust. When the last leaf broke, the other side broke dropping the trailer onto the tires. Also 3,500 lbs axles on a Lippert chassis. Suggestion: check the springs NOW for cracks near where the u-bolts attach the springs to the axle. I agree an non-RV trailer dealer is better. I have read that heavier rated springs over-stresses an axle. Not sure I believe that.