I have a Randall's V.I.P. tandem axle boat trailer that is used to haul a 21.5ft cuddy. Last year, one of the bearings dried out, then disintegrated and ended up doing major damage to the axle. The boat dealer replaced it under warranty (thank god), but ever since, I've noticed I have another problem.

Over the weekend, I had to replace all four tires, the two right side tires were completely shot. Most of the wear came from a 550 mile round trip that I towed it on last week. Upon closer inspection, I noticed that the equalizer bars that the leafs attach to were in different positions on each side of the trailer. The left side, the equalizer is flat, with both shackles pointing down to the leaf springs. On the right, the shackle for the front axle is pointing down, but the one for the rear is pointing up. The equalizer is tilted at about 45°. What I've found is that this causes the axles to be closer together on that side of the trailer, therefore causing premature wear on the tires like a really bad alignment on a car would.

I've tried jacking up the trailer and flipping the shackle back into the down position to match the rest, but as soon as I hook it up to the truck and start to tow it, BAM! it's flips right back to pointing up. I've looked for signs of misalignment in how the axle is mounted to the leaf, but all looks normal to me. Now in looking at my neighbor's tandem flatbed trailer, and some pics of others on the net, I've noticed that they all have the shackles pointing up (from the equalizer to the spring eye) all the way around. Can someone tell me if that is the way it is supposed to be? My axles are square, and looking at them from either side of the trailer, it looks like they are both tilted in towards each other because of having the shackles pointing down instead of up. If I flip them all to point up, then I am guessing it will lower my trailer by a few inches... which I don't know if that is desirable since it's already pretty low as is.

Any info on proper leaf/shackle/equalizer bar setup would be greatly appreciated. I'm not gonna tow it until I get it fixed.
TIA

 

Bueller, Bueller... anyone, anyone??

55 views and no replies? C'mon guys, sombody's gotta have some experience with these things... maybe I need to attach some pics?

 

Sorry, but my 5th wheel has Mor-Ryde suspension and doesn't use that type of equalizer links. Hope you get a response soon!

Rusty

 

Pics would be helpfull , but I am pretty sure all the hardware from one side to the other should be identical. I would for sure take it back to the dealer and say "what the heck?" . Have them repair it at their cost since they "fixed" it that way in the first place. My car trailer has the front pivots frame mounted, then the trunion (spelling) in the middle has both leaf springs in the shackles ABOVE it and the rear pivot frame mounted. Don't know if yours is this way, but it should be.

 

Ok, here's a drawing of what I am seeing as being the "normal" setup for a tandem with equalizers. The parts I am talking about are circled in red. notice how the shackles are pointing up from the equalizer to the spring eye. Ever since I bought my boat & trailer, mine have been the opposite, with the shackles pointing down and the springs riding below the equalizer. I'll get some pics of my trailer tonight when I get home.

 

IIRC, your illustration is the way all my tandem axle trailers that use equalizing links have been set up.

Rusty

 

Thanks guys. Seeing that both of your trailers have the same setup as the illustration, and I have yet to see one with the springs below like mine, all I can think of is that the previous owner must have flipped them over, or that they got that way from bouncing down the road (unlikely). The only reason I can see for flipping them would be to gain some ride height. Anyways, I think I am gonna put it up on jacks and set it up like the illustration. I'll take before and after measurements to gauge the ride height change. I am guesstimating here, but I think it will lower the trailer an inch or two... hope those new tires still fit when I'm done! I'll probably need a lower drop hitch too...we'll see.

 

I think they may have flipped the shackles when they fixed the axles? Although I note that you state that is the way the trailer came. My trailer is the same way as your drawing and I have never seen them any other way. Install them all so they match your drawing and let us know how you make out. The weight of the trailer will keep them in that position, I am pretty sure. If they are Dexter axles, they do make an extended equalizer beam that will raise the trailer some.

Casey

 

I have a couple of points I'd like to add..... Most trailer axles come with plastic bushings between the leaf springs and the hangers.... Their cheep and once they wear out side shift and play will increase tire wear.... There usually is a bronze or brass bushing kit available with hangers and bolts that have GREASE FITTINGS. Grease them every time you pull the boat from the water....

If you don't have bearing buddies on the hubs or some way to grease the bearings each time you pull the trailer from the water, get them.... most grease seals are designed to keep dirt out of the bearings and could allow some water to work its way in,,,, and the result is bearing failure...

I'd also look to see how the spring hangers are attached to the frame of the trailer... some trailer builders bolt these with a clamp type system... they can shift and if so that's why the hangers on one side don't match the other side... Anytime one side hangs differently from the other side excessive tire wear can be created....

We pull trailers about 80% of the time with our trucks.... and we've been the route your talking... now all the trailers use disc brake axles, and lube oil for the bearings and not grease.... our problems have gone away....

 

Excellent advice Casey & jelag... Thank you both! I'll be attempting to fix it over the weekend. The spring hangers are welded to the frame, but now that you mention it, the bushings could be shot as I noticed a lot of slop when messing around with it. I'll see about ordering one of those brass-type kits with the grease fittings.

I do have bearing buddies, and lube them religiously ever since I had the problem last year, but I'm intrigued by the lube oil method. I saw them in a West Marine catalog about a week or two ago... maybe I'll look further into that.

Thanks again, I'll post results for anyone interested.

 

I had trouble with mine flipping over a few times. My driveway is very narrow and the right side tires would run off the driveway and go in the ditch. The frame would bottom out and would allow just enough distortion to flip the hangers over. I used to carry a crowbar in the truck to flip them back down like the drawing. I have since sold that trailer and bought a bigger triple axle gooseneck.