Trailer leaning?

[rsaylor3]

Ok, granted I have a spare tire on there now, getting new tires in a few days, but I noticed that the trailer is leaning a bit when connected to the truck and when parked on level surface.

It is the heavier side of he camper that it's leaning towards. I am guessing the spare tire is part of that issue, but is it normal for the trailer to lean slightly to one side?

[MKirkland]

I noticed a slight lean to the right, no slide out. I went inside the trailer and sure enough, that's the side with booze and mixer. Got to be prepared if we find ourselves someplace remote!

[goducks10]

Go over to the Grand Design forum and you can read about many that have leaning 5th wheels. Some are 500lbs or more heavier on one side. If the springs under the trailer are just adequate then you're going to see some leaning if one side is a significantly heavier. Upgrade the springs and it won't lean as bad.
MFGs that make units with large slide outs that hold the fridge, large pantry, stove and a heavy theater type sofa are going to run into issues.

[wanderingbob]

How much does your mother-in-law weigh ?

[myredracer]

hermy wrote:
Lots of people have names for their rigs. You can name yours "Ilene".

Heck, they even made a song for his trailer - Come on, I lean... 🙂

Suspensions on occasion can come from the factory faulty, something may have failed or could be from being heavy on one side. OEM plastic bushings can wear out in just a couple thousand miles (too thin to make it lean tho.). For around $200 or so, you could take it to a reputable frame & axle shop for a detailed inspection. We did that on a previous TT and were amazed at what they found (and it was a brand new TT). Going to a scale might help too - a roadside commercial truck scale might work if not busy. What about measuring height from underside of each spring pack to frame for all springs? If heavier on one side and on level ground, each pair of springs on each side should settle the same amount.

[harley4275]

Mine leans a bit to the awning side. Fridge,stove ,kitchen cabinets full ,pots and pans,pantry full,out kitchen with fridge and bbq, furnace ,porcelin toilet,and rear bathroom storage are all on the awning side.
Hit the weight scales and verified that that side of trailer did weight more than the drivers side. Could be your reason for the lean also.

[rsaylor3]

I just parked on as level ground as I could find. Measured from where the spring holders are welded to the frame on each side. Three points, from and rear and where the connects.

Right side if trailer is exactly 1/2" closer to the ground.

Bought new January of 2015. Just replaced all four tires and it was doing the lean before as well.

I don't see any cracks, bendsor problems with any part of the suspension. Four leaders on each spring.

Will be towing 7 hours tomorrow, hope it's not an issue but I believe it's been like that since bought it.

[bobndot]

I assume you have looked into this already but...See how you have it packed. If it seems that you have a lot of stuff on the low side then remove that stuff and see if it sits level. IMO, you would have to have a lot of heavy stuff to visually notice it.

Keystone had some kind of spring issue about 10 yrs ago. They had to swap springs for some people.
Don't know what TT you have. So, I would call your mfg and ask them the question.
Before you do that, have some facts.
1. be certain you are in fact on level ground.
2. take measurements from the ground to the trailer frame on both sides. Also measure the distance from ground to shackle, both sides.
3. Did you buy it new or used ? count the leafs on each side. Don't be surprised, it's happened before.

[wrenchbender]

Many TT lean to one side because there is more weight on that side The fix usually is to add an additional leaf to the spring.

[CampingN_C_]

I would 'lean' towards it being a broken leaf spring.

[hermy]

Lots of people have names for their rigs. You can name yours "Ilene".

[SoCalDesertRid1]

fla-gypsy wrote:
Have you inspected the suspension on the low side? Not uncommon for springs, hardware or hangers to break.

That right there ^^^

Check for a broken spring hanger or shackle.

[fla-gypsy]

Have you inspected the suspension on the low side? Not uncommon for springs, hardware or hangers to break.

[rsaylor3]

Dutchman, I think you might have it. I never noticed it before last weekend coming home with the spare and that caused me to be slightly more on edge and looking at everything. I first noticed it at a rest area in the semi side and I do think the spots are all slightly angled. My truck didn't look like it was leaning but the trailer did from the front and back, but you are right it is a lot taller and would throw the eye that much more. I will go park on a nice level parking lot after I get my new tires installed in ten days.

Thanks guy's!

[Mr__Camper]

Have a reliable mechanic look under your tow vehicle and check the sway bar endlink mounted under the truck.