RV with 3 axles and tire/rim problems

[DJuanHouston]

IVE BEEN TOLD that 3 axle rv setups can have a problems when turning, something to do with tight turning and it was either the tires can get torqued off the rim or the rim split cant remember which

anybody know about this as I am new to 3 axles

John

[hoffbrew]

I have a 3 axle too. I have had no problems. I check the torque and air in each wheel/tire before EVERY take off.
If you find any info on this problem, please share.

[Agent 405]

I agree with hoffbrew check your tire pressure and lug nut torque often.


IMHO I think that a lot of the wheel and tire problems are due to not keeping the lugs torqued and not checking tire pressure and condition.

[Jim W]

Originally Posted by Agent 405

I agree with hoffbrew check your tire pressure and lug nut torque often.


IMHO I think that a lot of the wheel and tire problems are due to not keeping the lugs torqued and not checking tire pressure and condition.

I agree with the above post but I would add one more thing to his list.
I would buy a infrared heat gun to measure the tire temperatures. I do this every time we stop when pulling the fiver. My DW takes off for the restrooms and I idle down the Diesel to cool and check the tire and differential temps.
I have been told and I have notice this to be true. If the tires varied by more than 5 degrees apart than you might have a tire problem with that one tire. I usually see 105 to 110 deg F on the street side less weight. On the Curb side this maybe 110 to 115 deg F or slightly higher more weight ( kitchen side).
The tires themselves may vary only one to two degrees apart on each side.
Jim

[hoffbrew]

I like the infrared temp gauge... new toy!... Tell me more about this gauge, brand and where to buy.

[Seann]

I just got an IR temp gauge too... GREAT TOY

[Jim W]

Originally Posted by hoffbrew

I like the infrared temp gauge... new toy!... Tell me more about this gauge, brand and where to buy.

Hi,
I bought mine from Amazon.com. The brand I bought was Thermo-Tech model number TT1022, I believe I got this for under $75. The infrared heat gun will measure the operating temps of what ever component it is pointed at. The heat gun will use one 9V battery to provide the operating power of the heat gun, just point and shoot. It is stored in my truck during the camping season and in the house in the winter months.
Hope this helps.
Jim

[hoffbrew]

Perfect, thanks for the info!

[hoffbrew]

Was strolling through one of our catalogs here at work and found a "Extech 42505" Just got it in. When does the newness ware off!! I am checking the temp of everything!

[traveler]

A couple of weeks ago I was trying to get something done outside and the temp was in the high 90's.
Used my infared gun to check the temp of the asphalt driveway....140 degrees.

[GBHRPS]

There are more RV related uses for that temperature gun.

Aim it at your brake drums and you'll be able to tell which ones aren't adjusted correctly. The one that's colder than the others has its shoes backed off too far from the drum, while the hottest drum may have shoes that are too close to the drum and are dragging slightly.

Then again, maybe the difference in in temperature for the hottest brake drum shows up because the bearings are bad on that wheel.

They also sell stick on propane tank level gauges that show the fuel level inside the tank, which operate on temperature differences. Aim your temperature gun at the bottom of the propane tank and slowly raise it up its length to determine the propane level.

How cold is your air conditioner's output, your refrigerator, the freezer.

Find the air leaks in your 5er, and which furnace ducts aren't delivering enough heat.

Check the tire temperatures of your TV to spot problems.

Got a miss in the engine of your TV? Find the bad cylinder (if there isn't too many engine components in the way) since it'll be running cooler.

And I'm sure there are others you can think of.

[Ruffus]

I bought mine at Harbor Freight, I can point it at my DW and tell if I'm in hot water or not, works great until she sees me pointing it at her.

[Flyguy]

LOL!! Ya gotta love Ruffus, this guy lives dangerously!! BTW I found this E-bay auction while surfing the web: http://cgi.ebay.com/Thermo-Tech-Non-...97766467220329

[Seann]

Dont turn to sharp with a 3 axle.. they cannot take it.. your backing turns have to be planed to be less sever

[Flyguy]

This brings up a question that I have always had about multiple axle trailers: Do radial tires (instead of bias ply tires) help in turning, will there be less side loading with radials? also does the type of suspension matter (independent suspension as opposed to solid axle)?

[Seann]

in turning you are putting stress on the sidewall .. Radial VS Bias refers only to the tread.. IF you turn too sharp with a tripple axle you can rip the tire right off the rim.

[Agent 405]

Originally Posted by Flyguy

This brings up a question that I have always had about multiple axle trailers: Do radial tires (instead of bias ply tires) help in turning, will there be less side loading with radials? also does the type of suspension matter (independent suspension as opposed to solid axle)?

The load on the rims and tires will be the same with radial or or bias ply tires because the weight of the trailer will be the same.

I don't think that independent or solid axle would make any difference.

[Agent 405]

Originally Posted by Seann

in turning you are putting stress on the sidewall .. Radial VS Bias refers only to the tread.. IF you turn too sharp with a tripple axle you can rip the tire right off the rim.

I guess I've just been lucky but I have made some crazy tight turns with my 16000# triple axle 5th wheel. The tires do flex but I have never had one come off the rim.

Radial and bias refers to the construction of the tire not tread.
See:http://www.michelinag.com/agx/en-US/...ias_radial.jsp