Rear tires 'flexing' - any advice

[Jedsdead]

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

[johnrbd]

Just keep your trailer tires aired to max as per tire stamp.

[skipnchar]

When you drag the tires through a turn they are going to flex. Really of not having any steering able and can't pivot on two points at once

[Denlor]

If you have ever seen large semi trialers with 1 or sometimes 2 of the axles lifted when travelling this is part of the reason as the tires do twist when turning and causes wear. As stated just back in then move ahead and then back to relieve the action placed on the tires.

[SprinklerMan]

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 .

[Jedsdead]

I appreciate all your assistance...I thought I had some trouble to deal with.

[69_Avion]

If you think that it is bad with tandem axles check out what triple axles do.

[gmw_photos]

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.

[Jedsdead]

great..thanks again...takes some worry off.

[6dot6]

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.

[Jedsdead]

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.

[Jedsdead]

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.

[6dot6]

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.

[weathershak]

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.