OK.. I don't have all the technical terms so bear with me.My rear TT wheel moved backwards a few inches some point on our last trip. I noticed it because the wheel well shield was digging into the tire's outside sidewall and I had rubber shavings caked. I'm surprised it made it home but the tire was new. Looking under there I notice the bracket that pins the wheel to the leaf springs is not centered and I can see the wear mark of where it should be.Should I/ Can I fix this myself?Would I just jack the trailer up lifting that wheel off the ground, undo the 4 nuts slide it back, and tighten them down with all my might?Lastly.. what the heck?? How does this happen?? I'm wondering about my x chocks being too tight or maybe I turned too sharp.

sounds like you have sheared a tie bolt , any competent spring shop can replace it , if your mechanically inclined you can replace them yourself with out too much difficulty,,usually loose u bolts are the usual cause of tie bolt failure , however striking a curb or pot hole can cause it too

Your idea would work, provided the axle was repositioned exactly. If it is not true square to the frame, your trailer will tow side-ways or funny, or your front axle and rear axle will attempt to track different causing wear on your tires. If you know what your doing, yes this will work.Use lots of supports under the frame so you won't cause excessive flexing of the frame.If you have any doubts, check with your dealer or local RV repair shop.

The first thing to determine is why did the axle move.There should be a locator pin in the spring pack that keeps the axel in the centered. If that is broken just moving the axel back and torquing it won't keep it there long term.

It would be impossible to chock too tightly and damage your running gear. It was likely either loose from the factory or from use. Misaligned axles is one of the leading causes of excess tire wear and a major contributor to trailer sway (not talking about a bow wave from a passing truck but actual trailer away). Not knowing your level of expertise makes it impossible to advise what you can or cannot do to repair it but the repair CAN be critical. Keep in mind that if it wasn't set up correctly BEFORE, which COULD be a cause of it coming loose, then putting it back in that position wouldn't be a good idea. I'd see a frame shop for a proper alignment.Good luck / Skip

Trying to post a photo quickly with my phone .. link will have to do so hopefully it's accessible.clicky

Wheel slid back a few inches?! | Good Sam Community

34 Replies

skipnchar
Explorer
Aug 08, 2014
It would be impossible to chock too tightly and damage your running gear. It was likely either loose from the factory or from use. Misaligned axles is one of the leading causes of excess tire wear and a major contributor to trailer sway (not talking about a bow wave from a passing truck but actual trailer away). Not knowing your level of expertise makes it impossible to advise what you can or cannot do to repair it but the repair CAN be critical. Keep in mind that if it wasn't set up correctly BEFORE, which COULD be a cause of it coming loose, then putting it back in that position wouldn't be a good idea. I'd see a frame shop for a proper alignment.
Good luck / Skip
hddecker
Explorer
Aug 08, 2014
The first thing to determine is why did the axle move.

There should be a locator pin in the spring pack that keeps the axel in the centered. If that is broken just moving the axel back and torquing it won't keep it there long term.
DutchmenSport
Explorer
Aug 08, 2014
Your idea would work, provided the axle was repositioned exactly. If it is not true square to the frame, your trailer will tow side-ways or funny, or your front axle and rear axle will attempt to track different causing wear on your tires. If you know what your doing, yes this will work.

Use lots of supports under the frame so you won't cause excessive flexing of the frame.

If you have any doubts, check with your dealer or local RV repair shop.
steve-n-vicki
Explorer
Aug 08, 2014
sounds like you have sheared a tie bolt , any competent spring shop can replace it , if your mechanically inclined you can replace them yourself with out too much difficulty,,usually loose u bolts are the usual cause of tie bolt failure , however striking a curb or pot hole can cause it too

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Wheel slid back a few inches?!

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