backing in drive axles bend

How are trailer suspensions designed to work? My 5th wheel doesn't appear to skid tires but it sure bends the axles/frame/spring hangers during a reasonably tight turn.

Be assured the tires on your trailer side scrub on sharp turns just like all other trailers.

In fact it appears that the bottom of the frame I-beam has twisted slightly causing the equalizer and spring hangers on both sides to bend toward the drivers side. Is this a sign of inadequate support of the frame and hangers that should be corrected?

If it was my trailer I would have it looked at by a professional such as a big rig trailer repair shop/similar shops and have them straighten if needed and the I beam boxed or beefed along with heavier spring hangers.

Should the tires drag and not distort the alignment so severely when a turn is made?

All tires on a trailer with close spaced axles towards the center of the trailer, as our RV trailers, will side scrub or drag as you call it. If side scrubbing is distorting the main frame rails or the spring hangers then its time to get some professional help in repairing and beefing those areas.

Garyl53 wrote:
How are trailer suspensions designed to work? My 5th wheel doesn't appear to skid tires but it sure bends the axles/frame/spring hangers during a reasonably tight turn. In fact it appears that the bottom of the frame I-beam has twisted slightly causing the equalizer and spring hangers on both sides to bend toward the drivers side. Is this a sign of inadequate support of the frame and hangers that should be corrected? Should the tires drag and not distort the alignment so severely when a turn is made?
Trying to understand if I need to strengthen these components before things become worse. Thanks for any feedback.

Turns like this should not be done real frequently, but the FW =should= be able to stand up to it if you do it. For =anything= to bend in normal usage (which this is, IMO), it would indicate to me that the entire FW frame and suspension is simply inadequate. Surprising? Not really.

Lyle

How are trailer suspensions designed to work? My 5th wheel doesn't appear to skid tires but it sure bends the axles/frame/spring hangers during a reasonably tight turn. In fact it appears that the bottom of the frame I-beam has twisted slightly causing the equalizer and spring hangers on both sides to bend toward the drivers side. Is this a sign of inadequate support of the frame and hangers that should be corrected? Should the tires drag and not distort the alignment so severely when a turn is made?
Trying to understand if I need to strengthen these components before things become worse. Thanks for any feedback.

Veebyes wrote:

Me Again wrote:
Wetting the drive way will help. But use the garden hose! Chris

You Sir, are not well are you?:) Bearings running a little loose are they?

What you do not think water will work like sand? Chris

maybe corn starch will work to make the surface slicker.

chevman

Me Again wrote:
Wetting the drive way will help. But use the garden hose! Chris

You Sir, are not well are you?:) Bearings running a little loose are they?

They say that extra virgin olive oil is nonstick and should really help the sharp turns. Clean up is a little tough on concrete, but it really makes the asphalt look nice! :)

Wetting the drive way will help. But use the garden hose! Chris

This is why I sold my house and now moving where I can back in nice and straight. Better not tell my wife that's wife we needed to move lol

laknox wrote:

lee worsdell wrote:
Hi have been backing into my new driveway lately and noticed my back tire bending inward really band. Is there any way this could bend the axle . It seems to bend on every corner now.

I've seen a couple guys carry a small bag/bucket of coarse sand to throw down on hard surfaces to help with this. YMMV...

Lyle

I too used sand but it did not seem real course, more of what they call soft sand. I now have had my driveway entrance widened to minimize this issue.