Bent Lippert Axle

[Brother Les]

Originally Posted by CuzEd

Both sides have almost the exact same tire wear. I only took pictures of the left side(suspension, and right side tire) as it was easier to get under that side of the trailer. The axle has a slight bow up in the center and then both sides have a 4.6mm bow up(bent) on the ends. I would think that if I hit a pot hole or curb(which I haven't) it would be on one side of the trailer only.....

what about the other axle? Does it have the same bending/bow?

If it is the axle (correct term is Beam) that is the problem, it is best to talk to the manufacturer of that Beam and get a new one from them. Cheaper if you can change it out yourself. You can remove the hubs and brake assembly and put that on a new Beam.

I am not 100% convinced that the beam is incorrect, to where it is causes the same problem on each wheel/tire of that axle.

How do you have your tow hitch set up? is the camper level as it goes down the road. Having one end high or low could put a lot of pressure on one axle or the other and them mess with the tires to have a bad wearing pattern.

[CuzEd]

I took it to the local trailer center to have it evaluated as I can't get into dealer until mid October! We will see what they find. Thanks for all the input. I am still looking for name brand suggestions for upgrades if there are any.

Trailer center said they would replace leaf springs with 4 leaf standard versus the 4 leaf B type. Is there an issue with that? I have them looking into upgrade components as well

[GOTTOYS]

Stop wasting time at a trailer dealer...go to heavy duty truck suspension/alignment shop. Have them look over the suspension and add a leaf to each spring if needed. They can then align it if it needs it. Most RV dealers are not equipped to do this. They will just throw parts at it.

[CuzEd]

Originally Posted by Brother Les

what about the other axle? Does it have the same bending/bow?

If it is the axle (correct term is Beam) that is the problem, it is best to talk to the manufacturer of that Beam and get a new one from them. Cheaper if you can change it out yourself. You can remove the hubs and brake assembly and put that on a new Beam.

I am not 100% convinced that the beam is incorrect, to where it is causes the same problem on each wheel/tire of that axle.

How do you have your tow hitch set up? is the camper level as it goes down the road. Having one end high or low could put a lot of pressure on one axle or the other and them mess with the tires to have a bad wearing pattern.

In my opinion the hitch set up is level, but will have the trailer center look at it and tell me for sure

I am going to have them weigh the trailer as well so I know exactly how much weight is on it. We have only had full fresh water tank on one trip.

My concern is that it is only one "Beam" and why. I would think the trailer would have to be really nose up to have all the weight on the rear beam only. again, I am so new to this TT thing.

[CuzEd]

Originally Posted by GOTTOYS

Stop wasting time at a trailer dealer...go to heavy duty truck suspension/alignment shop. Have them look over the suspension and add a leaf to each spring if needed. They can then align it if it needs it. Most RV dealers are not equipped to do this. They will just throw parts at it.

Good suggestions. I have taken it to Magnum trailer, which isn't the FR dealer. They make custom trailers, dumpers and haulers. If they don't come up with the right answers then I will have to find a heavy duty specialist.

[CuzEd]

So the "Non Dealer" weighed the trailer
940/lb tongue
6965/lb over the axle/beam (2 axles rated at 3500/ea = 7,000 total)

How on earth do you go anywhere with axles that are barely handling the dry weight? Is this normal in the trailer industry? I would have never thought to check the axle rating on a new trailer. Dealer said as long as you aren't hauling brick in it you will be fine! we weren't!

current load for those that want to know
No food/anything in fridge
no water in any tank
no clothing
no dry food
has pots, pans and kitchen things.
removed supplied TV for security reasons
has some board games
has hoses for water, black water and metal chocks for parking

[2Evil4U]

Interesting. I'm surprised it is confined to the rearset only if the trailer is towed level. Evidence would seem to suggest that the rear axle, being near capacity based on your weighing, is excessively loaded and flexing beyond what it should thereby causing excess negative camber on the wheels and wearing the insides of the tires.

If both axles were equally overloaded, I would think the wear would be on all four tires generally.

Any way to get to a truck scale with the entire rig and weigh the trailer axles individually?