Community Forums

Superslif · 05-01-2018, 05:02 PM

My brother had spread axles and had tire issues from the beginning. A good WD system set up the right way is the way to go. The spread axle craze was going on 10 years ago. If it was so revolutionary, all RV trailers would be going that route.

Cant recall any 5th wheels with this configuration.

tuffr2 · 05-01-2018, 05:40 PM

Probably the spread axle in travel trailers are to help with sway where that need does not exist in a 5th wheel.

happycamperz · 05-01-2018, 09:09 PM

It also makes the trailer much more stable when going over bumps or down a lumpy highway.

happycamperz · 05-31-2018, 08:41 AM

While I was having my trailer serviced yesterday, I was taking to the service manager and he explained that on my trailer (which has spread axles) one of the axles is a floating axle to prevent sidewall damage. I don’t fully understand the engineering behind that, but I just thought I’d pass that along.

ohiost90 · 05-31-2018, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cumminsfan

Look how far back boat trailer axles are. Zero sway for the most part.

Boat trailer have axles so far back due to the majority of the load is hanging off the end of the boat. IE the engines and the drives. If the axles weren't that far back, boats would have a negative tongue weight.

tuffr2 · 05-31-2018, 11:41 AM

Yep, I probably towed boats 30,000miles over 15 years before bought my 1st travel trailer. Holy cow was I in for a surprise. A 4,400lb travel trailer is not the same as a 4,400lb boat.

L.C.Gray · 06-01-2018, 04:54 AM

[QUOTE=happycamperz;4217607]"the service manager ... explained that on my trailer ... one of the axles is a floating axle to prevent sidewall damage.[QUOTE]

Me thinketh thou got BS'd.....

Funding Fun · 06-01-2018, 05:07 AM

It's all about Bridge Formulas. The only benefit is load distribution. If you do "city slicker" driving, they are no good. If you haul heavy, uneven loads over the road for long distances...they are great. Reducing sway has nothing to do with the design.

Finance · 06-01-2018, 05:37 AM

[QUOTE=L.C.Gray;4218977][QUOTE=happycamperz;4217607]"the service manager ... explained that on my trailer ... one of the axles is a floating axle to prevent sidewall damage.

Quote:

Me thinketh thou got BS'd.....

Yep. After that comment I'd fact check everything heard from that guy.

tuffr2 · 06-01-2018, 05:55 AM

A floating axle on a travel trailer is when you turn so sharp that the axle floats off the trailer and onto the road.

I am trying to convince the wife that any trailer we buy we need to be able to back into the driveway and not make the shape cul-de-sac dead end turn at the end of our street. I did this turn 1 time with a very shape turning F-450 and a 37' 5th wheel. That turn was not pretty as the tires and wheels were convoluted to a near breaking point, at least it looked that way. I plan to never make a turn like that again.

Cumminsfan · 06-01-2018, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tuffr2

A floating axle on a travel trailer is when you turn so sharp that the axle floats off the trailer and onto the road.

I am trying to convince the wife that any trailer we buy we need to be able to back into the driveway and not make the shape cul-de-sac dead end turn at the end of our street. I did this turn 1 time with a very shape turning F-450 and a 37' 5th wheel. That turn was not pretty as the tires and wheels were convoluted to a near breaking point, at least it looked that way. I plan to never make a turn like that again.

It'll be even worse looking with a spread axle. Do that too many times and somethings gotta give.

ScoobyDoo · 06-01-2018, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Funding Fun

It's all about Bridge Formulas. The only benefit is load distribution. If you do "city slicker" driving, they are no good. If you haul heavy, uneven loads over the road for long distances...they are great. Reducing sway has nothing to do with the design.

I doubt very much Bridge Formula has much to do with any RV.
The more space between axles, the more force sideways needed to change direction. Which means the tires need to slide on turns. Reduce sway? In theory, yes, but only if the axles are parallel, and stay that way. Cheap built TT suspension? No bet...

Funding Fun · 06-01-2018, 09:32 AM

How brilliant of you to point that out!! The OP's original statement was "looking at a trailer with spread axles". He initially said said nothing of an RV. So, go back to my comment...it addresses "spread axles" and their purpose...not their application with an RV.

tuffr2 · 06-01-2018, 10:06 AM

The trailer I was looking at is a camping trailer. A Winnebago Mini Plus 27 RBDS.

The really odd thing I saw another Winnebago Mini Plus 27 RBDS and this one did not have a spread axle.