Torsion axle wheel leaning

[Sinko]

I noticed the driver side trailer tire leaning in a bit at the top the past while. I just had a marine mechanic install a surge brake kit on the ez loader and mentioned this concern. He said everything seems fine for now (nothing loose , no wobble). Anyhow, he put new bearings in etc and said to keep an eye on it as I might need to replace the axle in the future. Has anyone experienced this problem? When the boat is off, everything goes back to normal. Seems like something is bent, maybe the rubber failing? It's a 1997 with the boat stored on it a majority of the time. Boat dry weight is 2800#. I'm not sure how concerned I should be. I probably tow 1500 kms a year.
Any feedback welcome

 

[jacknbella]

Re: Torsion axle wheel leaning

My rig does the same thing, but only while turning tight corners, forward and reverse, but mostly during reverse. Is your trailer a single axle or dual? Believe it or not, someone on a different website suggested a thin coat of sand on my driveway would prevent the rubber tires from sticking to the payment during tight turning and it worked like a charm. Not sure if this is what you are experiencing though. In the NASCAR world, it's called tire camber.

 

[Sinko]

Re: Torsion axle wheel leaning

Interesting. It's a single axle. It's pretty much there all the time (except when the boat is off). We've had a couple of rough trips and it seems to be leaning more. I'm also wondering if I'm near capacity for the trailer, I climb in and out once in a while (typically on that side) weighing 240# which must bring it over. I think the GVWR is 3500-3700#. I've got to be tight with the 2800# boat dry weight. I bought it second hand and didn't notice the lean before. My biggest worry is this thing failing on the highway with the family in the truck. Priced out an axle and it'll run me near 1K installed.

 

[willieboy]

Re: Torsion axle wheel leaning

Replace it now. I had one doing that just slightly on a popup camper. I had bought the camper used (just barely) and it was that way after our trip home. I assumed it was the way it was supposed to be. Anyway, one day about two years purchasing the camper and a while three miles from the house, that side of the axle gave way after hitting a pothole, more or less breaking where the "hub arm" meets the axle. This happened at ~25mph, as we had just taken off from a stop light. In the time it took us to stop (maybe 200 feet) it tore the fender to shreds and ruined the wheel and tire. While all that was bad enough, it took me four attempts with the tow companies (all sent through our insurance company, which has a great record normally) to finally get one that would load the camper on a flat bed, and get it to my house. It also cost the insurance company $200.00... for a THREE MILE TOW.

Moral of the story, get the axle replaced!!

 

[Sinko]

Re: Torsion axle wheel leaning

EZ Loader just clarified that I'm at my max on the axle. He noted one bad bump could easily of done that. He also stated that it's not very common for the axles to snap off but never certain. Thanks for the info guys. Crummy part is I'm lined up to leave Sunday for a weeks vacation and now need to make the decision on risking the 500km roundtrip hike!!

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: Torsion axle wheel leaning

Personally, I wouldn't chance it. Usually, I'm one to take a chance, but where my vacation can go up in smoke for something I'm fairly certain is going to fail, it's a no brainer. Spend some money now, or a lot more when you don't plan to.
Now, for the trailer. Most trailer axles are rated for 3500 lbs., which you are pushing to the limits or beyond. That rig should have a tandem axle set.