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

mister_d
Explorer
Aug 08, 2014
Thanks guys! I'll see if the place near me can get me in.
WDP
Explorer
Aug 08, 2014
While we are under your trailer, the brake wire is losing insulation and will soon ground out. Time to upgrade and tie off outside the axle.

WDP
weasel4
Explorer
Aug 08, 2014
The spring to the left of the U bolts look fine. The bottom two on the right of the U bolt look like they have broken at some point. They normally will look the same on both sides. I have broken springs before, and that is what it looked like... Are all the others the same way?

Good eyes Huntindog, you may have nailed it
BTC
Huntindog
Explorer
Aug 08, 2014
The spring to the left of the U bolts look fine. The bottom two on the right of the U bolt look like they have broken at some point. They normally will look the same on both sides. I have broken springs before, and that is what it looked like... Are all the others the same way?
weasel4
Explorer
Aug 08, 2014
I would say the center pin on the spring package has sheared off and caused the axle to shift back. Probably due to improper U bolt torque. If that is the problem, the spring will have to be removed, compressed and a new center pin installed before reassembly.
BTC
tvman44
Explorer
Aug 08, 2014
There is a bolt through the spring pack that keeps the axle positioned on the spring pack. You apparently sheared the bolt, I have seen that happen on pickups before, same thing there. Easy job.
2012Coleman
Explorer II
Aug 08, 2014
tried to post the image here - didn't work
myredracer
Explorer II
Aug 08, 2014
The springs on the left of the U-bolts look like they are bent? If so, this has been going on for a while. Did you buy this new or pre-owned? Maybe someone worked on it previously? Either way, the first thing I would be checking is the tightness of all the U-bolts and positioning of all the axles.

I would either disassemble yourself and inspect or take it to a frame and axle shop. The springs may need replacing along with new U-bolts. Good time to check the spring bushings too. U-bolts should always be replaced if removed. If someone has ever had the U-bolts out and you don't know what they did, I would replace all of them. The U-bolts should not allow the axle to slip if they are tightened correctly or maybe something is defective.

The photo:
fla-gypsy
Explorer
Aug 08, 2014
I would recommend a competent trailer shop
mister_d
Explorer
Aug 08, 2014
Trying to post a photo quickly with my phone .. link will have to do so hopefully it's accessible.

clicky

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Wheel slid back a few inches?!

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