Tires Rubbing

[ShrimpBurrito]

Originally Posted by Shane826

Guys- The axle failed. TM has since switched to the 5,000lb axle with 225/75r15 LR-E tires on the 2518, just like the rest of the current lineup.

An axle failure on a 2-3 year old trailer? And a lighter model (a 2518) at that? I don't think I've heard of anyone's axle actually failing. Presumably its the torsion bars/cords in the axle that failed. Sounds eventful....

Dave

[Bill]

Originally Posted by Shane826

TM has since switched to the 5,000lb axle with 225/75r15 LR-E tires on the 2518, just like the rest of the current lineup.

I'm not sure that the change was universal. My 2020 TM came with a 5200 pound axle, but LR-D tires.

I keep remembering that for many years, TMs came with a 3500 pound axle and LR-C tires, and I don't recall a stream of failures in either. TMs are a bit heavier now, but not much. With a 5200 pound axle and LR-E tires, the things should be bullet-proof. BTW, my axle is bolted on, not welded. But I can't think of how that would enter the picture.

On the other hand, I don't have an answer. That's why I keep asking the OP questions. Maybe I'll stumble onto something.

Bill

[Dodge trucker]

Originally Posted by Shane826

Guys- The axle failed. TM has since switched to the 5,000lb axle with 225/75r15 LR-E tires on the 2518, just like the rest of the current lineup.

yup. ive had experience with torsion axles. the torsion (twist) and support is provided by rubber molded between the axle and an outer sleeve, and when that rubber deteriorates this is the result. Kind of like a control arm bushing on a car or truck. but unfortunately unlike your truck, you cant just unbolt, pop out the bushing from the control arm, and replace it. you have to replace the whole axle assy. (I have lots of experience with car/truck bushings having been a suspension/alignment guy, "specialist" if you will, for the years that I was..... )
My torsion axle experience was on approximately a 6x12 enclosed utility type trailer that belonged to the scout troop that my son was a part of, and of which I was one of the assistant scoutmasters.
we were on a campout and a couple of us noticed the tires were "leaning
in at the tops. being an auto mechanic for a living I often carry a small floor jack in the back of my truck. We jacked it up at the campsite and discovered the slop in those bushings. We told the main Scoutmaster (who usually towed the trailer, and whom stored this trailer at his house, to "get it home, directly home, and do not use it again until we can decide what to do with it".

While They never had this trailer weighed that I knew of, I can guarantee it was overloaded. And never unloaded for more than a weekend at a time when the equipment within was being used. Otherwise it was stored in this trailer year round, whenever the stuff inside wasn't being used.

I was able to measure it up and go to a trailer dealer, and bought a new axle
(they did discount it pretty heavily being owned by a scout group, I believe the discount came straight from Dexter)
Once delivered I went to the scoutmaster's home and installed the new axle myself. Night and day difference. They do go bad.