5th wheel alignment issues

[Mgr1001]

Hi Y'all

While I was underneath my fifth wheel the other day replacing a grey water valve, I noticed that the suspension components on the right side of the trailer (it is a tandem axle, each axle rated 7000 pounds) were severely bent inwards (towards the center of the trailer). The damage appeared to be mostly in the "I" beam trailer frame (it was twisted) and in the spring hangers (bent inwards).

To make a long story short, I was able to untwist the frame and hangers sufficiently so that the components appear to be hanging correctly. (I'm quite sure they are not completely correct)

I have two questions concerning this:

1. What might have caused this (and how to prevent it in the future)?

2. Where should I take the fifth wheel to have the alignment checked and corrected? (I am currently in the Atlanta, Georgia area)

FWIW, I have no idea when or where this occurred and I did not notice anything weird in the way the trailer handled. I tend to go back and forth across the US and put many miles on the trailer as well as putting it in some "difficult" places. My last trip took me from Los Angeles to Atlanta with stops in Seattle, Canada, and New York for a total of about 7000 miles.

Any help and pointers will be greatly appreciated.

Mike:h

[Veebyes]

Well yeah, if the kingpin is off center that will mess up measurements. Not likely to be off & splitting hairs anyway.

Easy enough to measure. On level ground drop a plumb bob from the kingpin. Mark or pound a nail into the ground & measure to an easy point on the axles. U bolts will do so long as the same position U bolt each side & fwd & aft are used.

If one axle is straight adjust the other. I installed the Correct Track on mine. Easy enough to do. One side at a time. All there on YouTube. Toughest part is getting the hanger bolts back in.

[laknox]

goducks10 wrote:

laknox wrote:

Veebyes wrote:
Tires will tell the story on alignment. Youtube is your friend for how to do the measurements. Bent frame? Like everyone else, trailer repair place. They have the equipment & know how.

Not always, since most have you measuring to the king pin. I've seen at least one post here where the owner's king pin was over 1" off-center. Hard to align your axles when your "monument" isn't where it's supposed to be.

Lyle

Disagree. The pin is the pull point. wouldn't matter if the 5er was sitting sideways on the frame. The axles always align with the pin.

An off-center pin is still going to put unusual stress on the frame, which can cause it to track off-center, even if the axles are aligned to the pin.

Lyle

[goducks10]

laknox wrote:

Veebyes wrote:
Tires will tell the story on alignment. Youtube is your friend for how to do the measurements. Bent frame? Like everyone else, trailer repair place. They have the equipment & know how.

Not always, since most have you measuring to the king pin. I've seen at least one post here where the owner's king pin was over 1" off-center. Hard to align your axles when your "monument" isn't where it's supposed to be.

Lyle

Disagree. The pin is the pull point. wouldn't matter if the 5er was sitting sideways on the frame. The axles always align with the pin.

[laknox]

Veebyes wrote:
Tires will tell the story on alignment. Youtube is your friend for how to do the measurements. Bent frame? Like everyone else, trailer repair place. They have the equipment & know how.

Not always, since most have you measuring to the king pin. I've seen at least one post here where the owner's king pin was over 1" off-center. Hard to align your axles when your "monument" isn't where it's supposed to be.

Lyle

[Veebyes]

Tires will tell the story on alignment. Youtube is your friend for how to do the measurements. Bent frame? Like everyone else, trailer repair place. They have the equipment & know how.

[allen8106]

I take mine to a a truck spring & axle shop every couple of years for an alignment check. $125.00.

[Bird_Freak]

Bird Freak wrote:
When I worked on road tractors there was a spring and frame shop next door to us that was excellent. Look up Big Moe spring and alignment on Delta circle around Six Flags. If still there ask for Key-man.

If you strike out there try Three way Campers in Marietta. Good folks on the North side of Atl.

[Nv_Guy]

This is a typical problem for I beam frames that don't have sufficient cross member structure. They will easily twist and sometimes cracks will develop along the bottom flange. Find a shop that is familiar with I beam issues/ repair. A skilled RV shop, one that has fixed this for Lippert or another Mfg that had issues like this will know what to do here.

[Bird_Freak]

When I worked on road tractors there was a spring and frame shop next door to us that was excellent. Look up Big Moe spring and alignment on Delta circle around Six Flags. If still there ask for Key-man.

[blofgren]

This could also have been caused by insufficient crossmembers on the frame which allows the frame rails to flex too much. I had a similar issue on my fiver, except the frame did not bend. I had a welder install heavy wall structural tubing (2"x4") between the spring hangers (x3) and everything is better than new. This is a common problem and Lippert even has a service bulletin on a repair for it.

[Coach-man]

Sorry for your troubles. You bent the frame by causing excessive strain, on the components, as someone suggested a sharp 90 degree turn, with uneven ground in the mix! A heavy duty truck shop, should be able to straighten your frame and reinforce it. You should also replace The shackles, and hangers on both sides. Good luck!

[laknox]

Mgr1001 wrote:
Hi Y'all

While I was underneath my fifth wheel the other day replacing a grey water valve, I noticed that the suspension components on the right side of the trailer (it is a tandem axle, each axle rated 7000 pounds) were severely bent inwards (towards the center of the trailer). The damage appeared to be mostly in the "I" beam trailer frame (it was twisted) and in the spring hangers (bent inwards).

To make a long story short, I was able to untwist the frame and hangers sufficiently so that the components appear to be hanging correctly. (I'm quite sure they are not completely correct)

I have two questions concerning this:

1. What might have caused this (and how to prevent it in the future)?

2. Where should I take the fifth wheel to have the alignment checked and corrected? (I am currently in the Atlanta, Georgia area)

FWIW, I have no idea when or where this occurred and I did not notice anything weird in the way the trailer handled. I tend to go back and forth across the US and put many miles on the trailer as well as putting it in some "difficult" places. My last trip took me from Los Angeles to Atlanta with stops in Seattle, Canada, and New York for a total of about 7000 miles.

Any help and pointers will be greatly appreciated.

Mike:h

Mike, details on your trailer would be helpful; age, model, size, etc.

Most likely, the damage was caused when you had to do a sharp, near 90, turn at some point in time. Not all that rare, unfortunately. You really need to have a heavy shop take a look at the damage as the frame needs to be straightened and reinforced, as does the suspension. I'd say that the =opposite= side also needs to be looked at and reinforced, as well. Also, in these situations, adding cross-members between the frame rails is often done.

Lyle

[MFL]

corvettekent wrote:
I would take it to a truck frame and alignment shop to get it fixed.

Yup, a good shop as suggested above, can likely make it better than new.

Jerry

[Tyler0215]

If the frame was bent it will need to be reinforced or it will have a weak spot and will bend again. A truck frame and alignment shop will be able to repair it correctly.