Trailer wheels bending while backing up

[brick75]

Recently bought a new boat (2005 Glastron GX205) that is sitting on a tandem axle EZ Loader trailer. This is the trailer it came on from the dealer when new.

While I was backing it into my driveway, I noticed that the wheels were bending inwards and outwards quite a bit. I called the guy I bought it from, and he said it's always done that.

I assume there are others out there experiencing the same thing. I'm just wondering if anyone has ever had permanent bends or breaks happen due to this? Or is this just normal and to be expected given the amount of weight that is on the trailer?

 

[RL Gman]

Re: Trailer wheels bending while backing up

wheels bending?!?! or tires bending? I would be concerned if the actual wheel was bending, but the tires on tandem's will always bend (opposite each other) when making turns, fowards or backwards (very noticable when sharp turns are made)...

 

[180shabah]

Re: Trailer wheels bending while backing up

Those axles are set up to go straight, the tighter the turn, the more you are fighting physics.

 

[brick75]

Re: Trailer wheels bending while backing up

wheels bending?!?! or tires bending? I would be concerned if the actual wheel was bending, but the tires on tandem's will always bend (opposite each other) when making turns, fowards or backwards (very noticable when sharp turns are made)...

Well, it's definitely the tires getting pulled sideways more than the wheels, but I believe the wheels are flexing too.

 

[RL Gman]

Re: Trailer wheels bending while backing up

I never really noticed, but I assume the wheels could be flexing a bit, they are metal, but the tires will definitely be the weakest link in that chain...You shouldn't worry, anyone towing a tandem or more is experiencing the same thing. Dont do it in your grass, as you will definitely mess up the lawn:redface:

 

[jmfrost]

Re: Trailer wheels bending while backing up

Glad I came across this! My tandem does this too (4000# load). Thought I was having bearing or axle problems because the trailer had only been used once in 9 years to get the boat to the lake and sat in a barn ever since. So the consensus here is that it is normal behavior?

 

[dozerII]

Re: Trailer wheels bending while backing up

It is perfectly normal, so long as it is just the tire. I haul a tri axle tanker with 25000 liters of fluid in it and you should see how the tires flex and bent on it in a tight turn.

 

[jmfrost]

Re: Trailer wheels bending while backing up

I can't tell if it's the tire or the wheel. Been a while since I've had it out, but it was only at extreme angles and I don't notice any wobbling of the wheel or anything when towing on the open road.

 

[tdrudd87]

Re: Trailer wheels bending while backing up

Everyone above is right. You are seeing the sidewall roll over, as well as the axles flexing under their springs. A noticable amount of flex in a steel rim would be plastic deformation, and the rim would have a wobble forevermore.

Terry

 

[gstanton]

Re: Trailer wheels bending while backing up

Which is why we should use "ST" Trailer tires and not passenger or light truck tires.

Now I'll go get the popcorn and watch the fireworks.

 

[TahoeQ4Pilot]

Re: Trailer wheels bending while backing up

What tire pressure do you run? My trailer data plate requires 50psi on my ST tires. I told the guy at the tire shop to take my new tires to 50psi, he said he normally has to argue with folks to get them to go that high. He says they are too accustomed to running 32psi, like a car.

 

[jrs_diesel]

Re: Trailer wheels bending while backing up

32? Wow thats low. 50 is whats stamped on my ST trailer tires. Even my truck doesn't go that low. 50 PSI front, 70 PSI rear.

Now, with the original question on tandem tires/wheels flexing. Growing up my dad had a 27' camper with tandems, of which I noticed the tires flexing. Never noticed if the wheels ever did that, but they probably did not.

 

[jlgab345]

Re: Trailer wheels bending while backing up

We have the same trailer holding a 2002 Glastron GX 225.

We had the same thing happen to us. We didn'trealize it was because the surge brakes were locked out. We have to get out and flip the trailer into backup mode and back to towing mode with each direction change.

We need to figure out how to fix it so we don't have to flip that lever each time, but that may be causing your issue.

 

[northernmerc]

Re: Trailer wheels bending while backing up

Which is why we should use "ST" Trailer tires and not passenger or light truck tires.

Now I'll go get the popcorn and watch the fireworks.

You probably also believe that the earth if round!

 

[dan t.]

Re: Trailer wheels bending while backing up

To avoid having to flip the lock out lever each time you can flip it up and drill a 3/16 hole thru the outer housing and lever and temporarly put in a cotter pin to hold the lever in the lock out position.OR you can put in a reverse lock out solinoid wired to the b/u lights

 

[j_martin]

Re: Trailer wheels bending while backing up

Tandem tires get a lot of side force in a turn, especially a short one as you would do when backing around a corner. I've had weak outer bearings come to light when the wheel peeled right off.

The squirming, smoking, tearing hot tar or lawn up, etc is all perfectly normal.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Trailer wheels bending while backing up

Now I'll go get the popcorn and watch the fireworks.

Funny !!!!