Trailer wheels are slanted!! HELP!

S

salmonee

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 26, 2008
Messages
408
Look at these photos. I just put in new axle, springs, hubs, bearing, etc. The wheel don't look right. The wheel/rim on port side, I just bought off craigslist. Maybe I'll try to put the previous wheel back on and see if the angle changes. Nonetheless both wheel angles don't look right. Their slanted like the boat is too heavy or something. I thought it was the spring, but their rated for 1300lb each. I don't think my 16' boat and yami 115 motor is more than 2000. What do you guys think? I'm going camping in 2 days and need to make sure I'm good to go. PLEASE HELP.
 

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willieboy

Seaman
Joined
Jan 28, 2009
Messages
71
Re: Trailer wheels are slanted!! HELP!

Did you buy a cambered axle? You might try turning the axle 180 degree; turn it so the side facing the bottom faces the top. It is not uncommon for an axle to have some degree of bend/camber built in. When you load the axle, the bend straightens out, resulting in neutral wheel camber. If the axle is installed upside down, you get a neutral wheel camber unloaded, but an exaggerated negative wheel camber when the trailer is loaded.
 
S

salmonee

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 26, 2008
Messages
408
Re: Trailer wheels are slanted!! HELP!

I'm not familiar with axles. I did noticed that the axle was slightly bent when I bought it. I'll have to call the place I bought the axle from tomorrow to discuss your idea. Thanks.
 
bitterboater

bitterboater

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
May 7, 2009
Messages
214
Re: Trailer wheels are slanted!! HELP!

First what is the weight rating on the axle. If that is itself not at or above the weight of the boat you will have to replace it again very soon as it will fail. This IMO, is why the tires seem to be bowed in towards the trailer, the axle is bending under the weight of the load exerted.
The springs and axle individually must be rated at or above the weight of the load. In order to safely haul the boat.

Good point to Willieboy, about the cambered axle, I missed that originally.
 
U

Utahboatnut

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jan 15, 2009
Messages
785
Re: Trailer wheels are slanted!! HELP!

What happens when you put the trailer up on jack stands(not on axle) does it straighten out or is there still some deflection in it? If still deflected the axle does need to be flipped. You could probably travel with it the way it is but it will eat those tires in no time flat, the outside shoulders will be toast. If it is a cambered axle it should have some kind of marking or stamp so it can be installed just right, I would call the place where purchaced and inquire about it.
 
Silvertip

Silvertip

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 22, 2003
Messages
28,771
Re: Trailer wheels are slanted!! HELP!

There are two types of axles with a bend in them (they are called cambered axles). The idea is that the bend must face upward and when the trailer is loaded, the flex in the axle causes the wheels to sit straight. Now the issue comes when you must determine if you have an over slung or under slung setup. Springs can be mounted on top of the axle or below it. That makes a difference where the spring perches are welded. If you bought the wrong axle for the spring setup, you would definitely have the problem you have. You can't simply flip the axles 180 because the perches would face the wrong direction.
 
Rocky_Road

Rocky_Road

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Oct 8, 2008
Messages
1,798
Re: Trailer wheels are slanted!! HELP!

Is that a double eye spring, in your picture?

vq188y.gif


If so...it isn't going to work as you have it installed. There have to be spring shackles at the rear spring eye....

4sjihi.jpg
 
A

airmail

Seaman
Joined
Aug 27, 2006
Messages
56
Re: Trailer wheels are slanted!! HELP!

Why did you replace the axle? Was the spring pearch on the same on the old axle? Looks to me like the axle should go under the spring.
 
H

htv

Seaman
Joined
May 4, 2009
Messages
73
Re: Trailer wheels are slanted!! HELP!

Rocky_Road said:
Is that a double eye spring, in your picture?

vq188y.gif


If so...it isn't going to work as you have it installed. There have to be spring shackles at the rear spring eye....

4sjihi.jpg
Click to expand...
I brought all this to his attention on the other "channel".
 
109jb

109jb

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jul 15, 2008
Messages
1,590
Re: Trailer wheels are slanted!! HELP!

Looks to me like a slipper spring that is not retained at the back end. Also looks like the perch isn't welded to the axle. If it were it would likely be painted the same color as the axle. Also looks like the axle should be on the bottom of the spring. The slipper end of the spring should be between the bolt and the frame.
 
H

htv

Seaman
Joined
May 4, 2009
Messages
73
Re: Trailer wheels are slanted!! HELP!

You need not weld perches on an axle if there are no brakes. If your wheels are free wheeling that axle isn't going to rotate. I say loosen the u-bolts, rotate the axle 180 dgrees and tighten them back down. Then re tighten them after first hundred miles. New u-bolts will stretch on you.:cool:
 
K

karlow1

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jun 24, 2008
Messages
161
Re: Trailer wheels are slanted!! HELP!

Yep, it's up side down!
It's simple the axle should be installed with the bow side upl
I'm sure if you check you have the bow side down.
Some boat have the axle under the springs, and some have them on top.
If the spring perches are welled on, you will need to get another set and weld them on on the other side.

I just did this the other day.

KP:D
 
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