Suspension flex

[shovelhead86]

I had quite a scare on my way from Mn to Texas. I stopped at a restraunt and had to make a tight turn to park. I stopped in the middle of the turn and looked at the camper wheels as i walked past. They were so twisted out of shape that 1 tire was rubbing on the fender skirt. It looked terrible and i visioned being stranded there until I could get some major work done. After eating I drove forward about 150 ft or so and straightened out. I got out and went to look at the wheels. All was straight again. I was suprised this happened as I have the X factor installed in 3 places. I looked at all spring hangers and everything looked just fine. I am now in Texas and all is well. Just thought I would mention it so other members can know about how much things twist out of shape in a tight turn.

[rohrmann]

You will have flex in the leaf springs to some degree but you also might have wear in the bronze bushings adding to that flex. Even if you lube the wet bolts every 3,000 miles like Dexter recommends, there will be wear which causes looseness that you are seeing. You should also make sure the U-bolts are torqued to specs, which is 45 to 70 ft lbs, and is better at 70, and this while the weight of the rig is loaded on the springs. Otherwise, flex is normal, but tight turns on hard pavement is hard on these rigs.

[phillyg]

It always looks bad, but it appears to be a normal result from tight turns.

[mhs4771]

What tires and what pressure?? Some of the cheaper tires the MFRs use have more flex in the side walls that better tires, plus if you're running low pressure you'll have more flex.

[dieselguy]

This is only my 2 cents on the issue. Even with the XFactor deflection will occur in a tight turn on hard pavement, but your frame rails will not move as much. I would have never left my fiver stressed like that. You can always drop the wife off near the door and go around again or just find a place on a nearby street. We've done that very thing a few times over the years out on the road.

[Daryles]

This is one of the reasons I do NOT like 90⁰ back in sites. I've seen how much those tires and axles flex when backing in.

[77cruiser]

They do the same with IS installed.

[Chief Brown]

Originally Posted by Daryles

This is one of the reasons I do NOT like 90⁰ back in sites. I've seen how much those tires and axles flex when backing in.

I saw some guys getting ready to launch a 36' racing boat at a boat launch last year. They had to make a 90 degree turn to get into the launch. One of the guys was walking alongside the trailer with a 5-gallon bucket of water. When the trailer started turning on the tires, he started pouring water down on the concrete to reduce friction on the concrete. I have thought of trying this when I do have to make a 90 degree back into a site.

[Daryles]

Originally Posted by Chief Brown

I saw some guys getting ready to launch a 36' racing boat at a boat launch last year. They had to make a 90 degree turn to get into the launch. One of the guys was walking alongside the trailer with a 5-gallon bucket of water. When the trailer started turning on the tires, he started pouring water down on the concrete to reduce friction on the concrete. I have thought of trying this when I do have to make a 90 degree back into a site.

I have a small roll of heavy duty polyethylene to put under the tires, just in case I get hung up on something and need to drag the rig sideways to get off it. Fold the poly over on itself and slide it under the wheels. Ploy on poly is very slick.
We were at a KoA were a young couple in a brand new TT next door to us got wedged up against a tree while trying to back in. Spent a couple of hours out there with them holding flashlights.
Finally the park owner came by with a tractor with a hitch on the front end and got them out and correctly parked.
I was thinking put something slick under the wheels and wench the whole rig sideways. That's why the roll of polyethylene is in my basement

[bcrvman]

Originally Posted by shovelhead86

I had quite a scare on my way from Mn to Texas. I stopped at a restraunt and had to make a tight turn to park. I stopped in the middle of the turn and looked at the camper wheels as i walked past. They were so twisted out of shape that 1 tire was rubbing on the fender skirt. It looked terrible and i visioned being stranded there until I could get some major work done. After eating I drove forward about 150 ft or so and straightened out. I got out and went to look at the wheels. All was straight again. I was suprised this happened as I have the X factor installed in 3 places. I looked at all spring hangers and everything looked just fine. I am now in Texas and all is well. Just thought I would mention it so other members can know about how much things twist out of shape in a tight turn.

That is normal operation and why ST tires are needed not LT. The ST's are designed to deal with the extreme flex.

[twindman]

I have used LT tires for 16 years now with no problems. I suppose if my rig weighed a little more, I would need ST tires.

[77cruiser]

LT tires run a little cooler.

[pyoung47]

I try to avoid sharp turns. Throwing some sand under the tires will allow them to slide instead of flex, but I never carry sand.