Forum Discussion

Jedsdead's avatar
Jedsdead
Explorer
Aug 14, 2013

Rear tires 'flexing' - any advice

Hi all, new to the forum. We just bought a used travel trailer - 2005 Kingsport by Gulf Stream - 27.5ft. Very nice trailer. Had it looked over quickly by a friend before we bought. All looked good.

We just took it out though to Jasper, Alberta...had a great time, but I noticed when I was backing the trailer into our site (which had a slight downhill and I had to turn to get into) that the trailers back wheels of the tandem were 'flexing'. The front tires remained straight. But the back tires were definitely flexing vertically.

I got out right away and looked under, but can not see a cause to it (I was worried my axel was cracked). But nothing obvious. The ties came back in line when we got on level ground.

Same thing happened when we left the campsite.

I'm fairly new to trailers...but this is not normal is it. Any explanations?

Thanks for your help.

Russ
  • weathershak's avatar
    weathershak
    Explorer
    Aug 14, 2013
    Its normal. When you make a sharp turn with a tandem axle trailer, something has to give. After you get situated in your space, just pull or back up straight for a foot or two to get the stress off of the tires.
  • 6dot6's avatar
    6dot6
    Explorer
    Aug 14, 2013
    Its normal. When turning tandems they tend to scrub. Just do a pull up and it will straighten out. I wouldnt leave it like that. Tractor trailers do the same thing.
  • Jedsdead's avatar
    Jedsdead
    Explorer
    Aug 14, 2013
    weathershak wrote:
    Its normal. When you make a sharp turn with a tandem axle trailer, something has to give. After you get situated in your space, just pull or back up straight for a foot or two to get the stress off of the tires.



    Thanks Weathershak...I didn't realize this was normal. Does the axel have a mechanism that allows the tire to flex in that manner (the top of the tire had come out by about 3 inches from straight). Or how does it handle that type of twisting.
  • Jedsdead's avatar
    Jedsdead
    Explorer
    Aug 14, 2013
    thanks 6dot6...guess I was fretting over nothing. We used to have an old 19ft travelaire tandem, but I never saw this kind of flexing. But those tires were somewhat enclosed, and the trailer was much lower to the ground.

    Thanks for responding.
  • 6dot6's avatar
    6dot6
    Explorer
    Aug 14, 2013
    Its not that one is twisting 3 inches rather they are both going 1.5 in opposite ways. No mechanism just tire flex. If it flexes too much one tire will end up dragging.
  • gmw_photos's avatar
    gmw_photos
    Explorer
    Aug 14, 2013
    Yep, normal, and you will see evidence of this scrub when making a tight turn on pavement, as you will leave a black stripe on the pavement. When you are pivoting around on gravel, you can see the gravel being displaced.
  • 69_Avion's avatar
    69_Avion
    Explorer
    Aug 14, 2013
    If you think that it is bad with tandem axles check out what triple axles do.
  • Jedsdead's avatar
    Jedsdead
    Explorer
    Aug 14, 2013
    I appreciate all your assistance...I thought I had some trouble to deal with.
  • SprinklerMan's avatar
    SprinklerMan
    Explorer
    Aug 14, 2013
    My tires dont flex much at all ,they skid but flex isnt noticable . But I am running LT tires , they must have a stronger sidewall .

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