After Replacing Equalizers and Hangers on Triple Axle Trailer, Tires Are Rubbing

Question

Question:

I have a 91 trailer that came with a APTT5 tri axle set. The trailer was bottoming out and I got a 4x4 that was higher at the hitch so I changed the equalizer to a TREQ310 with hangers that are 3inch bolt centers to try and raise the trailer. The hangers are 3 1/2. I changed all this a few yeas ago. The tires on the center and rear are rubbing at times, a lot closer than the center front axles. I have put up with this for a few years and would like to correct it. Should I just change it back to original?

asked by: John W

0

Expert Reply:

The taller hangers are likely causing additional suspension travel which is causing the tires to rub. It is something that will need to be corrected. First, the new equalizers you installed are shorter than the originals. If you do not compensate for the shorter distance with either longer springs or shackle straps, that is likely the root cause of the problem. Also if you did not increase the hanger height equally for all hangers, then that will throw things off as well.

You could keep the set up you have as long as you replace the incompatible parts to get the proper set up again. Using 3-1/2 inch long shackle straps, # TRSL350, is a step in the right direction. The longer straps will allow the suspension to hang more like stock and could solve the issue.

But the length difference between the equalizers is 1-11/16 inches each or 3-3/8 inches total. And adding shackle straps in the 4 locations on one side on a triple axle set up will over-compensate by just 1/8 of an inch per side. Not too bad.

You could go back to the stock equalizers and then just replace all of the hangers in equal amounts. For example if you raise the front hanger height by 3 inches you will raise all the hanger heights by 3 inches. So if the front hanger is 1 inch tall now it would be 4 inches, and if the next hanger was 2 inches, it would then have to be 5 inches.

Another possible option, if the leaf spring stacks are currently under the axles, is to use over/under conversion kits such as # K71-385-00 for 3 inch diameter round axles or # K71-384-00 for 2-3/8 inch diameter round axles. This will allow you to move the leaf spring stacks to the top of the axles and you will gain height at least equivalent to the axle diameter.

You would need one kit per axle.

And finally, if this is a travel trailer and not a 5th wheel or a gooseneck, you could just use a ball mount with more drop to tow the trailer level. If it is a 5th wheel or gooseneck, most of the trailer couplers, pin boxes, and hitches themselves are height adjustable (goosenecks not as much usually). So making adjustment at the hitch or pin box/coupler will also help.