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ToddLat
Groupie
Joined: 06 Aug 2012
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
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Posts: 54
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Topic: Torsion axel issue? Posted: 21 Jun 2014 at 9:29pm |
Today I was towing the pod to our offsite storage. As I was going down our road at 25 mph I noticed the the left side tire was acting like it was low on air. Seemed to be compressing a lot more than usual and actually seemed to bounce off of the road. I stopped and verified the the tire pressure was correct and the tire was not low. The right side tire was tracking normally and not compress bounce etc. I looked at the axel and did not see anything obvious that was not correct. The tire is rotating normally so the brake is not locked on.
Any ideas?? I am pulling for the July 4th holiday and am concerned.
Todd
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Todd and Beth
2013 RP 176 T
2013 Nissan Pathfinder
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sammycamper
Senior Member
Joined: 23 Oct 2012
Location: Minnesota
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Posts: 111
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Posted: 22 Jun 2014 at 11:39pm |
If you are using a weight distribution hitch, you are torquing additional pressure to your trailer tires, because there's only one camper axel and no rear axle to distribute weight to. That can have consequences that are difficult to predict. Sam
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2012 rPod 173
2008 Trailblazer 4WD V6
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techntrek
Admin Group - pHp
Joined: 29 Jul 2009
Location: MD
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Posts: 9062
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Posted: 23 Jun 2014 at 7:20am |
Did you look to see if the suspension was hitting the stop? Have you checked the lug nuts to see if they are tightened to spec? (95-105 ft-lbs if I remember right)
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ToddLat
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Joined: 06 Aug 2012
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
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Posted: 23 Jun 2014 at 7:40am |
Sam,
You may be onto something. I just installed a new power jack and it has a longer throw than the manual jack. This is the first time that I have hitched using the power jack. it is possible that I raised the hitch up too high before I connected my bars. This, in fact, may be putting excess pressure on the rear axel. I will rehitch without raising the rig so much and check the results.
Techntrek,
I had not checked the torque lately and will do so prior to rehitching as noted above.
Both valid points and I will verify them and report back. Kind of scary watching that tire act that way. Nothing that I would want to see for any length of time, that is for sure.
Todd
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Todd and Beth
2013 RP 176 T
2013 Nissan Pathfinder
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CharlieM
Senior Member
Joined: 23 Nov 2012
Location: N. Colorado
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Posts: 1797
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Posted: 23 Jun 2014 at 10:09am |
The power jack and the height you raised it to hook up should have no effect if your WDH settings are unchanged. It's true any WDH will transfer some additional weight to the trailer axle, but it's independent of jack type or initial height. Loose lug nuts will have an effect. compare the clearance between the tire and the fender on both sides. They should be approximately equal +/- an inch or so. from your description it sounds like something in the axle or its attachment is loose or defective.
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Charlie
Northern Colorado
OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD
PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD
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ToddLat
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Joined: 06 Aug 2012
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
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Posted: 23 Jun 2014 at 5:16pm |
Ok. Took another look. All lug nuts are torqued so that is not the issue. Towed the pod for a short distance without the WDH ( used a standard hitch) and the same results. What I saw was that where the axel usually moves to absorb shock is not flexing. In fact I think that both sides are sitting in a fully flexed position. Will post a few pics in a few. Please let me know if yours are as such or sit in another position. Thanks
Front View
Rear View
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Todd and Beth
2013 RP 176 T
2013 Nissan Pathfinder
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ToddLat
Groupie
Joined: 06 Aug 2012
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
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Posts: 54
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Posted: 23 Jun 2014 at 6:41pm |
I forgot to add these photos. Clearly shows the left side tire in a position other than normal. It is forward of where it should be as apposed to the right side tire.
Left side tire position
Right side tire position
Sure looks like the left side tire is a bit forward of the left side tire. The relationship of the tire to the fender makes it seem that much worse vs the right side tire. I know that the one fender is a bit lower but the tire should still be centered regardless. The left tire clearly is not centered.
Has anyone else seen anything like this?
Todd
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Todd and Beth
2013 RP 176 T
2013 Nissan Pathfinder
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Budward
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Joined: 21 Apr 2014
Location: SC/NC
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Posts: 438
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Posted: 23 Jun 2014 at 6:45pm |
Might try carefully measuring from the axle to the front of the frame on both sides and compare. Seeing some of FR's "workmanship" in other areas I wouldn't count on the fenders or the axle being centered.
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2014 179
Towed by a 2015 Ford Transit Diesel
Supervised by a German/Aussie mix and a Labradoodle!
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sammycamper
Senior Member
Joined: 23 Oct 2012
Location: Minnesota
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Posts: 111
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Posted: 23 Jun 2014 at 7:39pm |
Look at the actual mounting b, rackets that fasten the square section of the axel to the frame. One may be loose and bent. I believe more firmly than ever that WDHs put more weight on the single axel than it's designed to handle.
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2012 rPod 173
2008 Trailblazer 4WD V6
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David and Danette
podders Helping podders - pHp
Joined: 24 Nov 2009
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Posts: 1223
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Posted: 23 Jun 2014 at 7:48pm |
Measure the front or rear of the fender to the front or rear corner of the trailer. They should be equal measurements on the left and right side of the trailer. I agree something looks off center the fenders or the axle.
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2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018-
2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019)
2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014)
Middle Tn
2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab
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