Axles Worn Out - What To Do?

[Hoopy Frood]

I increased the trailer tires from 44 PSI to 50PSI, the max, and I think it is a bit better. So now I am thinking there is just too much flexing of the tires and I need specific trailer tires. Sigh.

Are you sure that 50 psi is the max? I looked up those tires and they show 80 psi as max pressure for the LT235/75R16. 50 psi shows a load capacity of 2,095 lbs., and 2,835 lbs. at 80 psi. And 45 psi as 1,900 lbs.

 

[Groover]

Are you sure that 50 psi is the max? I looked up those tires and they show 80 psi as max pressure for the LT235/75R16. 50 psi shows a load capacity of 2,095 lbs., and 2,835 lbs. at 80 psi. And 45 psi as 1,900 lbs.

I read it off the sidewall.

I've now upgraded to Goodyear Endurance and they are inflated to 80 PSI. Still have the problem.

I took my trailer to the scales. Has 12.6% tongue weight which seems about right. Applying the WDH regains about 50% of the lost steering axle load, which also seems about right. TT is level. Small amount of driving axle squat. No more adjustment options with the WDH - brackets are at their highest and max washers.

So I am left thinking that the springs are too stiff. Unfortunately for me etrailer does not do returns on used items, sigh.

 

[goducks14]

I read it off the sidewall.

I've now upgraded to Goodyear Endurance and they are inflated to 80 PSI. Still have the problem.

I took my trailer to the scales. Has 12.6% tongue weight which seems about right. Applying the WDH regains about 50% of the lost steering axle load, which also seems about right. TT is level. Small amount of driving axle squat. No more adjustment options with the WDH - brackets are at their highest and max washers.

So I am left thinking that the springs are too stiff. Unfortunately for me etrailer does not do returns on used items, sigh.

You can easily remove a leaf or two to make them softer. I know thats a lot of work but it's free'ish. The leafs come apart at the center. Thats the easy part. The hard part is taking apart what you just did.

 

[Groover]

You can easily remove a leaf or two to make them softer. I know thats a lot of work but it's free'ish. The leafs come apart at the center. Thats the easy part. The hard part is taking apart what you just did.

Hmmm... that is interesting. I never thought of that.

I won't have to remove the drums from the axles so there is at least that.

 

[Wileykid]

On reflection I am not sure I have porpoising. It's not oscillations at the back. It feels more like sudden tugs and jerks, for each bump in the road. Seems more like chucking?

Falken Wildpeak H/T HT02 235/75R16 112T XL BSW

So these are not stiff enough? I figured the higher load rating = stiffer sidewalls?

How could I eliminate the cause being bumps resulting in a momentary activation of the brakes? Could be my integrated brake controller? Is there a way to monitor the brake voltage while driving perhaps?

I tried the Wildpeaks on my truck. They are a softer tire, even with the higher load rating, than a tire like the Cooper Discoverer, which are promoted as a heavy tow tire. I tow pretty heavy for my truck (within all weights), and could not stand the truck rear going all over the place, even more than the OEM tires. When the truck was empty, the Wildpeaks sure made the truck ride like a Cadillac, for a truck.

 

[goducks14]

I tried the Wildpeaks on my truck. They are a softer tire, even with the higher load rating, than a tire like the Cooper Discoverer, which are promoted as a heavy tow tire. I tow pretty heavy for my truck (within all weights), and could not stand the truck rear going all over the place, even more than the OEM tires. When the truck was empty, the Wildpeaks sure made the truck ride like a Cadillac, for a truck.

I found the same thing happening with some new Michelin S2 tires. According to Michelin it's a new compound. I went from Firestones Transforce (OEM) to those Michelins and it felt like the truck was driving on ice when towing.

A plus was the truck felt really nice unloaded. Went back to Discount and they swapped them out for some Cooper Discover AT3 XLT's. They agreed that Michelins new compound was the reason. I don't need that aggressive of a tire but figured that since my truck is mainly my tow vehicle I would get a more rugged stiffer tire.

 

[Groover]

I tried the Wildpeaks on my truck. They are a softer tire, even with the higher load rating, than a tire like the Cooper Discoverer, which are promoted as a heavy tow tire. I tow pretty heavy for my truck (within all weights), and could not stand the truck rear going all over the place, even more than the OEM tires. When the truck was empty, the Wildpeaks sure made the truck ride like a Cadillac, for a truck.

The new Yokohamas on my tow vehicle ride really nicely. Smooth drive and handling. With my trailler connected I don't have any squirming that I had with the old Hankooks a PO installed.

 

[315RLTSinPA]

I see in picture #4 , your shackle needs to be flipped up like the other spring. The spring eye should be above the equalizer.

 

[Groover]

I see in picture #4 , your shackle needs to be flipped up like the other spring. The spring eye should be above the equalizer.

I appreciate the input but did you see comment below the fouth picture?

Shackles are not right in the last pic - I fixed them though!

 

[Groover]

Today I drove 500 miles. I found that the faster I go the less of a problem it is. At 65 MPH I don't feel it at all. Going over potholes, rough patches on the road or bridge joints are all OK. However driving at 10 MPH on gravel I notice it.

Does that give any clues to better isolating the cause?

I found this chart for Goodyear Endurance:

https://www.goodyearrvtires.com/pdfs/rv_inflation.pdf

On the scales my axle weights are 6400 lb, which is 1,600lb per tire. I have ST235/80R16 on there now. It looks like I could go down to 30 PSI for 1,920lb load and still have plenty of headroom? Any reason to not do this? Currently at 80 PSI which allows a total axle weights of 13,680 lb (!)

Incidentally with my current WDH set up, the raised trailer by 6" the bigger wheels and wider tires I get an improvement of about 1.5 MPG and semis passing me have no effect, so pleased with that at least.

Thanks.

 

[Hoopy Frood]

IMO dropping tire pressure too low, and 30 psi is waaay too low IMO, is not a great idea. Too low can add to heat build-up and possible tire failure. With an 80 psi max, I wouldn't go lower than 65-70 psi, and would watch the sidewalls closely for flex and bulging.

 

[Groover]

Are these the right ones?

https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Leaf-Spring-Suspension/Dexter/K71-655-00.html

These are the right length - 7 3/4" - but the 8K makes me think they will be too stiff. The 6K version is far too short.

Thanks.

 

[powerscol]

Are these the right ones?

https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Leaf-Spring-Suspension/Dexter/K71-655-00.html

These are the right length - 7 3/4" - but the 8K makes me think they will be too stiff. The 6K version is far too short.

Thanks.

Yes those are the correct ones My 220RK with the 4400 axles came with the 8000 ones. They will work great for you.

 

[Groover]

Yes those are the correct ones My 220RK with the 4400 axles came with the 8000 ones. They will work great for you.

Thanks. Ordered.

 

[Groover]

Spent the last two tedious days redoing this to add the Dexter EZ-Flex and remove a leaf from each spring. So annoying. Hopefully it will handle better now.

 

[Hoopy Frood]

Going from those solid equalizers to the EZ-Flex equalizers is going to make a huge difference.

 

[Eric Cope]

Hmmm,

The $1200 to replace 8 bearings and 4 grease seals and service the brakes which, I'd think means replace the emergency breakaway function seems high.

I'm assuming the overhauled axles part of the quote, $2300, includes 2 new axles, new shackles, new perches and leaf spring bushings that would be aligned during installation. If I'm correct in my assumption, that seems fair.

If I'm incorrect and they aren't quoting 2 new axles but rather quoting $2300 to cut off the 8 shackle perches, (attachment points) weld on new perches, replace the spring bushings (plastic type material) and shackles using the original axles/springs also seems too high.

Axles aren't too heavy, 1 person and a floor jack can easily position them. 2 people make it go a lot faster, Alignment is usually done by carefully measuring left and right and forward and backward.

 

[Hoopy Frood]

Hmmm,

The $1200 to replace 8 bearings and 4 grease seals and service the brakes which, I'd think means replace the emergency breakaway function seems high.

I'm assuming the overhauled axles part of the quote, $2300, includes 2 new axles, new shackles, new perches and leaf spring bushings that would be aligned during installation. If I'm correct in my assumption, that seems fair.

If I'm incorrect and they aren't quoting 2 new axles but rather quoting $2300 to cut off the 8 shackle perches, (attachment points) weld on new perches, replace the spring bushings (plastic type material) and shackles using the original axles/springs also seems too high.

Axles aren't too heavy, 1 person and a floor jack can easily position them. 2 people make it go a lot faster, Alignment is usually done by carefully measuring left and right and forward and backward.

Just a thought: I assume you're responding to the OP, but it's so far down the thread, it may be confusing to readers. Sometimes quoting a post can help clarify things. Just a FWIW.

 

[Groover]

Just completed a 1,000 mile drive. Trailer is fine, all problems solved. Thanks everyone!