jacknifing trailer to back up

[Tryintoretire]

is it harmful when i back up and 90 degree jacknife the trailer 36FBTS TWO AXLES.it distorts the wheels I'M wondering if it hurts the axle bearings?

[Rustysocket]

My "Opinion" is that extreme backing is going to put undue forces on the wheels and certainly scrub the tires such that I would avoid it unless it was absolutely necessary.


With that said sometimes you have to do what you have to do. I recall a video of the reese sidewinder hitch being demonstrated in a parking lot with the trailer being u turned multiple times as though that would be normal behavior.

[Tryintoretire]

Originally Posted by Tryintoretire

is it harmful when i back up and 90 degree jacknife the trailer 36FBTS TWO AXLES.it distorts the wheels I'M wondering if it hurts the axle bearings?

Thanks that's the better description of "scrubbing the tires" and it distorts the profile "not straight up and down " tires it probably doesn't help I just wondered how bad it hurt.

[Cdash]

I don't worry about it. If I have to do it, I do it. I am not sure anyone can tell you if it damages something or not, just thoughts/opinions and they will be at both ends of the spectrum.

It's a good practice to look over your tires, wheels and suspension components from time to time. This should show any issues before you have a big issue.

[PlayersZ28]

If I back my trailer too tight I sure get some funny wheel angles. The S637's are too stiff to really flex over so I'm sure the axle and wheel are getting a lot of side load. I try not to do it, especially on pavement.

[mike837go]

Another voice from the "Do what you have to" camp.


Just don't leave it in the stressed state for any length of time.

[TWP723]

These trailers are built to withstand some back-up torque on the axles. The engineers took this into consideration while designing the unit. ALL dual axle trailers have axle movement due to conflicting forces.. within moderation. That said, they were not designed to point in different directions. Backing up of tandem axle trailers will always put torque on them but is normal.