Axles Shifted?

strat56 · 04-08-2016, 10:38 AM

I have a 2015 Windjammer 3008W I bought in February of 2015 and it looks to me like the position of the axles have shifted. I've attached a couple pictures, one of the driver's side and one of the passenger's side. It seems to be very apparent on the driver's side, not so much on the passenger side but they look a little off center too.

Late last season the trailer started handling differently while towing, it was not as stable as it had been. I tried everything I could think of to fix the towing problem but was unable to resolve it before the end of the season and I had to put it away for the winter.

Anyway here are the pics, any advice or input on how to correct the problem is appreciated.

This is the driver's side, looks like they are shifted forward.

This is the passenger's side, looks like they are shifted back, not as far as the driver's side has shifted forward but not centered either.

5picker · 04-08-2016, 10:45 AM

Torsion axles or springs?

youroo · 04-08-2016, 10:56 AM

TA Youroo!!

youroo · 04-08-2016, 11:03 AM

Movement should show on/at the "mounting plates that are welded to your axles" they are Bolted to the frame lift spacers! Crawl under and have a look/see!

Youroo!!

strat56 · 04-08-2016, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5picker

Torsion axles or springs?

Dexter Torflex torsion axles.

Mr Havercamp · 04-08-2016, 11:18 AM

For those axles to have moved as much as those pictures show they would have sheared the bolts and be falling off. By the pictures it looks to be at least 6" total if not more. The rear end of the trailer would be on the shoulder of the road. Maybe the fender skirts were always offset like that since the day it was built and the axles haven't moved? Could you of just never noticed it?

Need to measure back the main rail on each side to a common point on both sides at the axle to know for sure. I would not put it past them to have cut the wheel clearance in the wrong location and then slid one of the skirts forward or back to cover it. Take a tape measure first and measure from the rear corner to the skirts.

Teamfour · 04-08-2016, 12:38 PM

Our fenders are not centered on the wheels. It bothered me for a few months and then I just accepted it after I measured the axles for squareness to the frame.

gectisme · 04-08-2016, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strat56

I have a 2015 Windjammer 3008W I bought in February of 2015 and it looks to me like the position of the axles have shifted. I've attached a couple pictures, one of the driver's side and one of the passenger's side. It seems to be very apparent on the driver's side, not so much on the passenger side but they look a little off center too.

Late last season the trailer started handling differently while towing, it was not as stable as it had been. I tried everything I could think of to fix the towing problem but was unable to resolve it before the end of the season and I had to put it away for the winter.

Anyway here are the pics, any advice or input on how to correct the problem is appreciated.

This is the driver's side, looks like they are shifted forward.

This is the passenger's side, looks like they are shifted back, not as far as the driver's side has shifted forward but not centered either.

Where are the pictures? I don't see them in my browser...

strat56 · 04-08-2016, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gectisme

Where are the pictures? I don't see them in my browser...

I could see them in your quote of my post. Don't know why you can't see them.

hondo · 04-08-2016, 12:55 PM

Have you noticed any abnormal tire wear? I would think that would be an indicator.

B and B · 04-08-2016, 01:04 PM

A simple rope test. Front of trailer same spot on both sides to the centre of some point on the wheel will tell if it has shifted

5picker · 04-08-2016, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Havercamp

For those axles to have moved as much as those pictures show they would have sheared the bolts and be falling off. By the pictures it looks to be at least 6" total if not more. The rear end of the trailer would be on the shoulder of the road. Maybe the fender skirts were always offset like that since the day it was built and the axles haven't moved? Could you of just never noticed it?

Need to measure back the main rail on each side to a common point on both sides at the axle to know for sure. I would not put it past them to have cut the wheel clearance in the wrong location and then slid one of the skirts forward or back to cover it. Take a tape measure first and measure from the rear corner to the skirts.

I agree completely.
Torsion axles are bolted directly to the frame spacers. They can move a very small amount (maybe 5/8") but if the axles are truly shifted that far, there cannot be any bolts in the mounting holes!

OldCoot · 04-08-2016, 01:09 PM

Unless the torsion axles are bolted vertically thru the axle support into the framework, they can shift as they are bolted to the trailer thru slots which have a tendency to move. Mine on the 08 Flagstaff were shifted when I picked it up new from the dealer. Part of the deal on the 12 was that the dealer bolt them vertically thru the support with a total of 8 bolts, 2 per wheel.

strat56 · 04-08-2016, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hondo

Have you noticed any abnormal tire wear? I would think that would be an indicator.

The towing problems started so late in the season last year that I really didn't pull it very many miles before I winterized it and parked it.

strat56 · 04-08-2016, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B and B

A simple rope test. Front of trailer same spot on both sides to the centre of some point on the wheel will tell if it has shifted

I'll try that this afternoon.

strat56 · 04-08-2016, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5picker

I agree completely.
Torsion axles are bolted directly to the frame spacers. They can move a very small amount (maybe 5/8") but if the axles are truly shifted that far, there cannot be any bolts in the mounting holes!

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldCoot

Unless the torsion axles are bolted vertically thru the axle support into the framework, they can shift as they are bolted to the trailer thru slots which have a tendency to move. Mine on the 08 Flagstaff were shifted when I picked it up new from the dealer. Part of the deal on the 12 was that the dealer bolt them vertically thru the support with a total of 8 bolts, 2 per wheel.

Here's a picture I took at some point last year when I was looking at getting a lift kit, I never installed the lift kit, showing how the axles are mounted. Looking at this I don't see how they could move either. I'm going to get under it tomorrow and see if I can see anything.

5picker · 04-08-2016, 02:04 PM

Using that photo as a comparison, you should be able to tell if something shifted.

OldCoot · 04-08-2016, 02:11 PM

The horizontal bolts go thru slots and therefore are subject to movement. The axle supports should be up tight against the framework. If there is a gap either at the front or the back, the axle has moved.

youroo · 04-08-2016, 02:34 PM

The elongated slots allow for "Vertical adjustment" The added bolts for OC's were to keep the "Vertical movement" at bay! The Issue OP is concerned about is "Front to Back" there is Only bolt hole clearance in that direction No Elongated slots! Have you looked under it for Movement? The Pic you posted was from the Past!

Youroo!!

strat56 · 04-08-2016, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5picker

Using that photo as a comparison, you should be able to tell if something shifted.

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldCoot

The horizontal bolts go thru slots and therefore are subject to movement. The axle supports should be up tight against the framework. If there is a gap either at the front or the back, the axle has moved.

Thanks both of you. I'll check it Sunday, supposed to be raining and/or snow showers here tomorrow, take a few pictures of what I see and post them here.

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