Tires wearing on inside, rear axle

[MojaveJoe]

Have a 21ft toy hauler with two axles. The "rear axle only" wears the tires on the inside. I had the rear axle re-bent to correct this 2 years ago at a truck fleet service garage. The new tires I put on that axle are now wearing the same(inside) and in fact are almost down to the wear indicators, while the original front tires look almost new.

I called a local RV repair shop and was told that there was no way to rebend the axle to repair the kind of problem I have. Wondering if this is true? They quoted me $500 to replace the axle.

[sknight]

It could be done but would be very difficult. Measure tire angles, bend axle, measure tire angles, bend axle. Repeat as necessary. Plus the axle wouldn't be as strong as before.

$500 to replace the axle sounds like the better way to go. The question I would have is how did it get bent in the first place. I'd make sure that loaded it's within spec.

[450Donn]

500 for a new axle is outrageous IMHO. The axle alone is probably 250 dollars and to replace the parts and install the axle is only maybe three hours work in your driveway. BTW bending axles is the normal accepted practice on trailers. Before you spend your dollars on anything, get it to a scales fully loaded and get some accurate weights on each wheel. I suspect your problem is overloading or not towing level.

[MojaveJoe]

Overloading and driving on dirt roads, is probably the cause of my problems. I just can't figure why the front axle has remained perfect and the rear one has gone out twice now. I just did a shackle and equalizer rebuild, so Im thinking I should just buy 2 axles heavier than the stock ones and replace them to suit my use. I have ALKO 5000# axles now. Would 6000# be big enough or is there 7000# axles I could buy? Care to recommend a good axle supplier? I have 2x12 elect brakes on all 4 wheels.

[Ray,IN]

Joe the only practical way to determine which replacement axle to purchase is to know the actual weights when your trailer is fully loaded -ready to leave home.
As to how heavy an axle to buy, most trailer mfgrs, use the minimum size for the trailer GVW, I would buy 8K axles and springs IF they will fit. That is a question for the trailer mfgr. or your dealer.

[MojaveJoe]

Thanks everyone for your advice.

Had both axles re-aligned today at a Fleet Service Garage. Only $160 and Im back on the road in 2 hours. Can't beat that for Gettin Er Done. I think I will talk to the mfr about upgraded axles and see what they will cost.

In the meantime, I intend to never do long trips with a full water and fuel tank, especially when Ive got all my mining gear behind the axles. Better plan is to fill er up when within the last few miles of destination.

Priced out some bigger 16" wheels and Michelin XPS Ribs today. Only $2000 to convert over Then still have to do the axles. Seems like a better plan to just spend the $3000 on future alignments and new 15" tires. every 3 or so years. It will be a long time before I break even with the upgrade costs...and I ain't just whistling Dixie

Im old enough now to know that throwing money at a problem isn't usually the best way to solve it and there's always a better and cheaper solution that's just as effective

Regards,
Joe

[Chuck 1935]

A good truck alignment center can bend the axle back to specs. They do it every day. Oddley, on a rear axle, wear on the inside of the tread inicates that the axle is toed in. Just the opposite of what it would be on a front axle. The only reason anyone would say it can't be done is because they can't do it.
If you go with new axles they too will probably need to be fine tuned.