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04-17-2014, 08:17 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Grass Valley
Posts: 15
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2 Bent axles??? help!
So, we had a great first trip to Big Trees SP in Arnold CA. Recommend!! Then we get home and I notice it looks like the tires aren't tracking the same as DH backs up into home parking spot. Just looking at the tires they do not look "symmetrical" to each other (back one seems kinda angled out on the driver's side) so we look under the trailer and see two axles looking BOWED. Both bowed same direction, up at this moment. I/we know nothing about what they are supposed to look like but we would assume STRAIGHT is the correct visual.
Do we have 2 BENT AXLES??!! No, we did not overload unless you call clothes and food for 2 adults & 2 kids for 3 days, plus misc items in storage area that in no way would overload us. We did haul full water (400lbs) 45 minutes down the hill to dump since the campground dump station was closed. But still no where near the 1200+lbs capacity we should have!!
Should I cry now and plan trip to dealer? Or are they supposed to look this way??
__________________
Bonnie, Jim & Twin Kidlets
Uptrailered '99 Trail-lite Bantam 17' Hybrid for
2014 Jayco Swift 198RD
2007 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab 4x4 Hemi
Eaz WDH w/sway bar
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04-17-2014, 08:29 PM
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#2
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Michigan
Posts: 9,424
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From what you described the axles seem to be functioning fine. The minor bend is designed into them to allow for them to settle as weight is added to the TT. Yes, in a TV turn the TT rims/tires do camber in/out a little but will straighten once traveling straight down the road.
A little more info on the subject:
http://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/sh...t+axles&page=2
Bob
__________________
2016 GM 2500HD 6.0L/4.10
2018 Jay Flight 24RBS
2002 GM 2500HD 6.0L/4:10 (retired)
2005 Jayco Eagle 278FBS (retired)
1999 Jayco Eagle 246FB (retired)
Reese HP Dual Cam (Strait-Line)
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04-17-2014, 08:38 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Myrtle Beach, SC
Posts: 1,261
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Common for trailers in general to have a "hump" or bend in the axel to flatten out as weight is added. I say sounds normal but monitor for abby-normal tire wear on the next few trips out.
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04-17-2014, 08:38 PM
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#4
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Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Grass Valley
Posts: 15
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Ah man, we so much appreciate your quick reply and expertise!! Jim says thank you for giving us the good news so we can both sleep tonight!! And plan our next adventure!! I love this forum
__________________
Bonnie, Jim & Twin Kidlets
Uptrailered '99 Trail-lite Bantam 17' Hybrid for
2014 Jayco Swift 198RD
2007 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab 4x4 Hemi
Eaz WDH w/sway bar
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04-18-2014, 02:18 AM
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#5
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Lost in the Woods
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: N/A
Posts: 567
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The axles do NOT flatten out with weight on them! They stay bowed and this is normal. Like an arch, axles are designed with a slight "bow" in them to handle more weight than say a "flat" axle.
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04-18-2014, 02:57 AM
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#6
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Michigan
Posts: 9,424
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Reference from manufacture Dexter Axle FAQ:
"AXLES - Why are some axles bent in the middle?
The upward bend in the axle is called "camber". Camber is the angular relationship of the wheel to the road surface in the vertical plane. Axles are typically built with a pre-determined bend in the tube that compensates for the expected deflection under load."
Source:
http://www.dexteraxle.com/faq_s
http://l.b5z.net/i/u/6149609/f/Appli...te_Catalog.pdf (page 3)
Bob
__________________
2016 GM 2500HD 6.0L/4.10
2018 Jay Flight 24RBS
2002 GM 2500HD 6.0L/4:10 (retired)
2005 Jayco Eagle 278FBS (retired)
1999 Jayco Eagle 246FB (retired)
Reese HP Dual Cam (Strait-Line)
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04-18-2014, 06:35 PM
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#7
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Lost in the Woods
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: N/A
Posts: 567
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Exactly, they don't "flatten out" under load.
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04-18-2014, 09:20 PM
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#8
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Michigan
Posts: 9,424
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Dexter Axle's statement; "Ideally, the tire footprint will contact the road evenly across the width of the tread", and looking at Dexter Axle's associated axle assembly diagram implies that the axle under load will straighten out. I don't know if it's perfectly straight, or if this only happens at it's specified GAWR.
Source: Prior posted Dexter Axle links.
Interesting subject matter to say the least
Bob
__________________
2016 GM 2500HD 6.0L/4.10
2018 Jay Flight 24RBS
2002 GM 2500HD 6.0L/4:10 (retired)
2005 Jayco Eagle 278FBS (retired)
1999 Jayco Eagle 246FB (retired)
Reese HP Dual Cam (Strait-Line)
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04-19-2014, 06:58 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Manitoba, Canada
Posts: 263
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thanks for the research guys... very good to know.
__________________
2011 28BHS
2011 F-150 5.0L with tow package
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04-21-2014, 11:14 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: North Idaho/Arizona
Posts: 5,446
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As long as they are not wearing abnormally they are alright. You should see the "angle" of the tires in a tight turn.
__________________
2011 Eagle 330RLTS with just about every option.
2017 Silverado 1500 4x4 5.3 with tow package. (no, we don't tow the Jayco with it.)
2018 Surveyor 265RLDS well equipped.
Life in the slow lane is still life.
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04-23-2014, 05:54 PM
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#11
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Lost in the Woods
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: N/A
Posts: 567
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No, the axles DO NOT straighten out under load - Have you guys even been under a travel trailer or 5th wheel and looked at the axles or do you just look at drawings and pictures...
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04-23-2014, 10:02 PM
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#12
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Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Grass Valley
Posts: 15
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You guys rock! After having our single axle little used trailer for 6 years, having made mistakes like never resealing the roof (eeks), and never really noticing the axle at all we feel like complete newbies! Well, we kinda are with a nice bigger trailer now! The research and links are much appreciated!!
__________________
Bonnie, Jim & Twin Kidlets
Uptrailered '99 Trail-lite Bantam 17' Hybrid for
2014 Jayco Swift 198RD
2007 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab 4x4 Hemi
Eaz WDH w/sway bar
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