Trailer Tilted - Torsion Axle Failure (or something else?) Jay Feather 165

[jjones]

Hi everyone. Hoping someone can shed some light on this problem. I'm the proud owner of a used Jay Feather 16.5. We have only taken it out once, and that was pretty close by. We have not over loaded it. We went to install some 14" tires on it a few days ago (upgrading from the 13s for safety reasons), when I noticed the trailer looked severely tilted. There is a sudden drop in the clearance of the wheel well on the left side. I'm assuming my torsion axle (Torflex #10) has failed? There is a due date on the axle that was 2011. Dexter wants $469 before shipping for a direct replacement, and a 3 to 4 week wait. But from what I'm reading, these things don't really fail. Can we jack up the trailer on jack stands to "reset" the rubber bands in the axle? Is there a lesser expensive option for repair or replacement? Is there anything else this could be?

If I sound like a noob, it's because I am. This is our first trailer. DH is very handy, but when it comes to torsion axles, we are at a loss.

I would sincerely appreciate any input anyone can offer.

Regards,
Jessica

[oldmanAZ]

Originally Posted by jjones

...snip... the trailer looked severely tilted. There is a sudden drop in the clearance of the wheel well on the left side. I'm assuming my torsion axle (Torflex #10) has failed? There is a due date on the axle that was 2011. Dexter wants $469 before shipping for a direct replacement, and a 3 to 4 week wait. But from what I'm reading, these things don't really fail. Can we jack up the trailer on jack stands to "reset" the rubber bands in the axle? Is there a lesser expensive option for repair or replacement? Is there anything else this could be?

If I sound like a noob, it's because I am. This is our first trailer. DH is very handy, but when it comes to torsion axles, we are at a loss.

I would sincerely appreciate any input anyone can offer.

Regards,
Jessica

Welcome to the forum, but I'm out of my league to help much with your problem.

That said, there are two things that come to mind to check:
This is a single axle trailer. Is there a chance the left side is loaded significantly heavier than the right (including the fresh/gray/black tanks).

There was an axle recall I read about. If you contact Jayco with your trailer VIN#, they should be able to tell you if your trailer was in that group.

I've never heard of the problem you're describing and doubt jacking up the trailer would help to reset anything. Of course when it is jacked up, your DH may be able to tell of something feels 'loose' or 'sloppy' that would cause one side to be lower than the other.

That's all I got. Wish I could be of more help.

[jjones]

Thanks for responding. Following up on what you said, I have contacted Jayco and that recall is for the Jay Feather LGT models, so no luck there. This is the side with the fresh water tank (which we emptied) and all the cabinets, but the trailer is pretty much devoid of anything it didn't come with from factory since we haven't really used it. Upon jacking it up the tire on the bad side goes up with the axle so it maybe frozen or something.

I just wish I knew of a fix for this, or maybe another axle brand that would be a more affordable swap (like the Northern Tool axles) than the Dexter.

I'm open for any other ideas. Kids were looking forward to some spring camping

[spoon059]

Originally Posted by jjones

Upon jacking it up the tire on the bad side goes up with the axle so it maybe frozen or something.

By no means am I a mechanic... but I wonder if perhaps something is binding. I might spray some penetrating fluid in the eye of the leaf spring then take it for a spin down a bumpy road and see if something was rusty and gets knocked loose.

[jjones]

Thanks Spoon. No leaf spring here, just the torsion axle bolted to the frame. I have considered taking a quick ride around the block to see if something gets unstuck, but im scared to have a blowout with the tire.

That's the weird thing, as common as these Dexter torflex axles, I cannot find any info on issues/problems/damage/repairs on them.

[oldmanAZ]

Originally Posted by jjones

...snip... as common as these Dexter torflex axles, I cannot find any info on issues/problems/damage/repairs on them.

Looking online, it appears to be a very simple construction so there is virtually no mechanism to repair or try to get 'unstuck.'

Maybe it would be worth a try to find a used axle. You know what a new one costs, so maybe an RV salvage yard would have one for a lot less.

[Seann45]

Those axels do fail I had to replace mine last summer.. Dexter did a good will warranty on my 2008 Eagle I had to pay shipping and install.. sent the old axles back to them after they checked them they found it to be a manufacturing defect and paid me back for shipping and labor.. THANK YOU DEXTER..

[jjones]

A good will warranty huh? Doubt i'd be that lucky. I'll try contacting them again and see what they say. Thanks for responding.

[Seann45]

Originally Posted by jjones

A good will warranty huh? Doubt i'd be that lucky. I'll try contacting them again and see what they say. Thanks for responding.

I am the original owner so that might make a difference..

[exjay1]

So just to clarify the side dropped or failed right after the larger wheel/tire upgrade? (Just thinking outloud here ) but maybe the extra height caused the internals to over flex and either lock into a bind or destroy that side of the torsion say from hitting a pot hole etc? If you jack up the TT (buy the axle) and that sides torsion axel dosent relax then yes it either some how bound or stuck (be very careful here) or internals of the torsion have failed. It it failed I would think you could move the drum up and down with little effort. Though it prob wont hurt anything at this point, with that side jacked up and the wheel off you can maybe give the torsion arm few decent taps with a 5lb hammer to see if it relaxes some or happens to pop back? intresting for sure

[rodandmir]

When the trailer was jacked up to replace the tires where was the jack placed?
If you jacked under the axle (square tube that the torsion bar rubbers are in) it could have deformed and cause binding inside.
I have read posts before where people automatically assumed that it would be the best place to position a jack.

[Seann45]

When you do replace them ask about getting one step up in strength.. it just adds to the safety margin.. DO NOT LOAD PAST THE STICKER WEIGHTS..

[exjay1]

any updates?

[Camping Couple]

Originally Posted by exjay1

any updates?

x2