View Full Version : Scenario, what to do?
Dave in Walker
09-28-2008, 10:31 PM
Ok heres my question, I've had many trailers, traveled thosands of miles and have had almost everything happen to me one time or another. I now have a tandem axle trailer, if I get a blown wheelbearing or broken off studs, can I simply remove the wheel and make it to some help on 3 wheels? some have told me that I will have to chain up the axle with out a wheel? any explainations? whats the best procedure? heading to the nw angle next week and I do not want what happened to me 3 years ago! thats another story!
Dave it does make sense, if you tried to run with a wheel off the trailer that axle would drop to road level or nearly so and hit thr road surface damaging the brake drum or worse.
Hot Runr Guy
09-30-2008, 09:50 PM
Dave,
It may depend on the spring style you have. With torsion axles, you could probably just let the hub hang, as long as it doesn't drag on the road. However, with leaf springs, most tandem axle trailers use an "equalizer" that ties the front and rear leafs together. If one axle were to be allowed to hang, the other axle would rise up, possibly into the fender. This is why you would have to "chain" the damaged axle up, to maintain the position for the other axle.
Why not take some time, and try your experiment in the driveway? Simulate trying to move the trailer with only 1 wheel on 1 side. Keep in mind though, the single tire will now have double the load on it, and may fail before you get too far.
HRG
T Mac
10-20-2008, 01:00 PM
Ok heres my question, I've had many trailers, traveled thosands of miles and have had almost everything happen to me one time or another. I now have a tandem axle trailer, if I get a blown wheelbearing or broken off studs, can I simply remove the wheel and make it to some help on 3 wheels? some have told me that I will have to chain up the axle with out a wheel? any explainations? whats the best procedure? heading to the nw angle next week and I do not want what happened to me 3 years ago! thats another story!
As has been noted....
The axle will drop down and it may drop far enough to drag if you do not chain or tie it up, Dave
MarkG
10-21-2008, 08:37 AM
I have not done it myself,but some people actually carry a spare complete pre-packed hub and bearing assembly. May not be that hard to just swap it out roadside.
On the other hand,if you maintain the bearings properly,there should be little reason that you would have on the road problems. Most that do is usually from lack of maintenance.
I have not done it myself,but some people actually carry a spare complete pre-packed hub and bearing assembly. May not be that hard to just swap it out roadside.
On the other hand, if you maintain the bearings properly,there should be little reason that you would have on the road problems. Most that do is usually from lack of maintenance.
IME, you're more than fine to carry on to the next town or services on 3 wheels, no need to chain anything up, I've had to do it more times than I care to admit due to blown tires, bad hubs, bearings, etc...
I have gotten smarter over the years though, and like MarkG mentioned, I now ALWAYS have a spare hub and bearing assembly, especially on the snowmobile trailer.
It's a breeze to do the swap on the roadside, and it sure beats any other scenario, especially when it's -30 outside...
OC
Waxy,
Another thing that many folks do - if they have the room, is to carry a floor jack, as well as a 12 volt impact wrench.
Then, you can swap a tire or hub in under 5 minutes in case of difficulty.
This is particularly important -- for a snowmobile trailer which may fail in the bitter cold of winter snow and ice.
Take care
REW
preventive maintenance is the best approach, befor the long trip check the bearings and repack them, replace them if necessary and you should be good to go
Waxy,
Another thing that many folks do - if they have the room, is to carry a floor jack, as well as a 12 volt impact wrench.
Then, you can swap a tire or hub in under 5 minutes in case of difficulty.
This is particularly important -- for a snowmobile trailer which may fail in the bitter cold of winter snow and ice.
Take care
REW
No need for the jack or impact wrench in my experience, they just take up space.
A simple block of wood replaces the jack, just pull the good wheel on the side you're replacing up onto the block and problem solved. I've got a couple pieced of 2X6 screwed together and beveled on the ends that just lives in my truck box. If you blow both tires on one side, you've got much bigger problems lol.
As far as the 12V impact, a stury lug wrench or impact socket and breaker bar offers far less chance for problems, especially in the cold. By the time you dig out the 12V option, get it plugged in with wire long enough to reach the trailer, hope it's going to work in the cold, actually have enough power, and then get started, chances are I've already got the lug nuts off, we're only talking about 5 nuts.
I agree that preventative maintenance is the key. I'd much rather not have to use my spare parts lol.
Waxy