Tire, axle, brakes, hardware, springs replacement.

[pdqparalegal1]

Due to a blown tire, split in tread running 35 mph in town, about 2 years old, full 50psi. Purchased a new tire in Danville Va. Drove home, 120 miles. Inside tread worn badly on new tire. Looked at wheels and tires, measured camber, RR was 3 deg. neg, LR was 2 deg. Neg. Other axle looked fairly good. Decided to replace all 4 tires and both axles.

After starting the tear down, noticed hangers and bushings were worn. It's a 2013 SOB I purchased used in 2014. Has 3500# axles. My Cat scale weight is 6500# for complete trailer. When towing, have 750# tongue weight.

I don't know what previous owner loaded into it. It has been stripped down to the spring hangers. Photos are prior to removal.

Still trying to add photos.

[pdqparalegal1]

I think I have it now.

[pdqparalegal1]

Now for the new problem. I thought that if I cut the wires going to the brakes, I could pull the break away switch to see which wire was hot to the brakes. I checked the front wires, black was hot, blk/white was not. Couldn't get any hot on rear brake wires.

I put the plug back into the switch. Hooked truck to 7 wire plug, didn't hook to ball, well because it's up on 4 jack stands. No power to either brake now. Would it help if I ground truck to trailer with a jumper wire??

[Flybob]

You should already have a ground via the Bargman connector. if you have a newer brake controller, it may not activate unless it senses a connection to the brake magnets. That may be why you are not seeing anything when you are connected to the TV. The break-away switch is just a dumb switch and has no idea what is or is not connected. FR uses wire nuts to make the connections in an area that sees plenty of moisture and road dirt. I suggest while you are working on this, you cut and reconnect the brake connections with solder or a waterproof connector.

[lckeehne]

How do you determine what is bearing size?
2011 300Rl 5th Wheel trailer.
I’d like to have bearings before pulling off.

[pdqparalegal1]

I googled my axel size and followed recomendations. Some axles have multiple sizes.

[A32Deuce]

Originally Posted by pdqparalegal1

Now for the new problem. I thought that if I cut the wires going to the brakes, I could pull the break away switch to see which wire was hot to the brakes. I checked the front wires, black was hot, blk/white was not. Couldn't get any hot on rear brake wires.

I put the plug back into the switch. Hooked truck to 7 wire plug, didn't hook to ball, well because it's up on 4 jack stands. No power to either brake now. Would it help if I ground truck to trailer with a jumper wire??

They sell a tool called a power probe. Hook two wires to any 12 volt battery and a clip to what you are working on to ground it. Then you can test for power, ground ,open, etc. Once you have one you find all kinds of uses. You can even power anything thats 12 volt and not have it in your unit.

[Filterman]

Originally Posted by lckeehne

How do you determine what is bearing size?
2011 300Rl 5th Wheel trailer.
I’d like to have bearings before pulling off.

Your axles should have a paper tag on the back of each one with your weight rating. With that if you go to etrailer.com they have pretty good listings.
Because we do long trips sometimes in remote areas, I've taken pictures of all components and component numbers and have everything in an album on my phone. You can also pull a wheel and measure your brake drum to confirm brake sizes.

[Tiggerdad]

I have not seen shackles at that severe an angle. Usually they are more vertical and with no load on them now they would be closer to horizontal when set back on ground.. Makes me think you springs are to short. BUT, I am no expert and could be wrong.

Just looked at mine. They are almost vertical.

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by lckeehne

How do you determine what is bearing size?
2011 300Rl 5th Wheel trailer.
I’d like to have bearings before pulling off.

Each part of the bearing, the cone and race, should have numbers on them. Most Auto Parts stores can look up replacements from those numbers.

This is the best way in case the manufacturer pulled a switch without telling anyone.

Just pull one wheel and get numbers off inner and outer bearings. While at it get number off seal too.

[mwdilday]

If you have negative on both axles doesn't that indicate a bent axle?

[A32Deuce]

You can also have that with worn out bushings. Wore the insides of 4 fairly good tires because of that. Changed them and everything back to the way they should be wear wise.

[mwdilday]

Originally Posted by A32Deuce

You can also have that with worn out bushings. Wore the insides of 4 fairly good tires because of that. Changed them and everything back to the way they should be wear wise.

Didn't know that. I don't have much experience with axles and springs on trailers.

[A32Deuce]

That was about 60000 miles on the trailer. Now that I know, I will check them around 30000 miles.