Tires on different axles touching

[MattHelm21]

So last weekend setting up camp at Pocono Raceway, I had a bit of a surprise. It was after dark and I was spotting from outside for DW who was driving. Because we had never been to this track with this size trailer we tried a few sites and as we left one we couldn't fit in, it was necessary to pull across the access road which had a significant crown. As she started across I heard this terrible squealing. I ran around the trailer to find the passenger side tires on the front and middle axle contacting one another. The trailer was moving up the slope with the front axle compressed significantly more than the rears, tires scraping against one another. I checked the drivers side and distance between the tires was also nonexistent. As the trailer crested the slope, the spacing between the tires returned to normal and the noise stopped.

This trailer has the triple axle Morryde CRE 3000 suspension. Has anyone experienced anything similar? I'm already planning on contacting Morryde and my dealer just for piece of mind.

[JRTJH]

We've got the CRE 3000 system on our Cougar. It's a tandem axle trailer with a 10K GVW, so not nearly as large or as many axles as yours, but we've never seen any situation where the tires make contact or even come close. If you get any information from MorRyde or from Keystone, please share as there are a large number of members with the CRE 3000 and CRE 4000 systems.

[Racebug]

I have seen tandem axles flip a shackle and touch each other. happened twice a week on one of my trailers till I replaced all the bushings. not easy to correct on the road. had to jack trailer up and pry axle back into position.

[MattHelm21]

So I called Morryde today and spoke with Post Sales who requested that I provide them with pictures and many very specific measurements like distance between axle hangers, length of springs, number of leaves and actual tire circumference. I also have to check for obvious things like broken springs or axle centering pins. To do this right, I'm going to wait until the weekend. I'll post back with their response after I get everything they require.

[Tbos]

Any pictures you can provide would help explain the measurements you are taking too. I don't have any idea what an axle centering pin is.


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[bobbecky]

While you under your rig checking things, be sure to check the torque on the u-bolt nuts. If 1/2" u-bolts, I believe they should be 45 to 70 ft lbs. Also, centering pins are the bolt that goes through the spring pack that holds it all together, and usually that bolt is used to position the spring assembly to the axle.

[MattHelm21]

Thanks I will check the u bolts. Something is allowing movement. Also of note, this unit has the Correct Track alignment system. I don't know whether that could play a part in this but if so, it puts things in LCI's territory. Something else to read up on I guess.

[MattHelm21]

So Morryde requested photos and measurements while level and signed off that everything was in spec. I left it with them that should I wind up in the same situation again, I would take the necessary measurements and pictures and forward them. While that did not exactly happen, I did get into a near similar circumstance causing the trailer nose to be quite low compressing the front spring while extending the rear one. I'm attaching two pictures which illustrate what happens. The equalizers rotate in such away that the center axle must shift forward as much as an inch.

I am waiting to hear from Morryde to let me know what they think of the shifting but this behavior seems to be by design.

[MattHelm21]

Just to add, here is are pics when level. Notice how the spacing normalizes with the equalizers level.

[RAP77]

Hello, MattHelm21, just purchased my second triple Axel, Fuzion 403

Having problem with tires rubbing on different axles, specifically front and middle. Occurs only when turning and backing up, more so when Nose heavy too.
After much research I see you had this issue in 2017. Your post/ pics match my exact condition. What did you do to correct issue?

I called keystone and morryde with no conclusion.

[CWtheMan]

As a long time troubleshooter of mechanical things my practice was the start off keeping it simple.

Trailer manufacturers like to keep multi axles close together. One of the first indications of tire tread separations is tire growth. In the picture below a tires of the same size designation are placed side beside. The taller one is in full blown tread separation.

All tires of the same designated size will have a standard diameter in inches. All of yours should be the same. A quick measurement may find a tire tread separation. Usually on trailers with triple axles it would not be uncommon to find more than one suffering from separation when all are original equipment tires.

[RAP77]

Thanks for the comment, I just checked for tread separation again, all tires look good. I recently bought this unit and drove 800 miles back home without a problem, until I turned/backed in my driveway and Tires started to rub.

Since these are original tires (2015), I will be ordering new Sailun’s 235-85-16 within the next couple days.

[jasin1]

Originally Posted by RAP77

Thanks for the comment, I just checked for tread separation again, all tires look good. I recently bought this unit and drove 800 miles back home without a problem, until I turned/backed in my driveway and Tires started to rub.

Since these are original tires (2015), I will be ordering new Sailun’s 235-85-16 within the next couple days.

Did someone in the past change the tire size? Put a taller tire on it?

[bobbecky]

If your tires are the 85 series from the start, then go with that size. If not, and they are the 80 series, then I would not go to the 85 series, as you will be adding an additional inch in the diameter of each tire, which is the wrong direction if you are having tire spacing issues. Also, you might want to verify what tire is recommended on the label at the left front of the trailer, and go with that size. http://www.gosailun.com/MRT/Tire/S637T

[RAP77]

thanks again for suggestions. I am replacing original tires due to age. Recommend tire size is 235- 85-16 as stated on label, front left of trailer.