Troubleshooting Toy Hauler With Rear Axle Measuring About 1/2" Longer Than The Front Axle

Updated 04/11/2024 | Published 04/01/2024

Question:

I have a 2017 toy hauler with tandem lupert 6000# axles. This trailer sways really bad. When checking my axle alignment I discovered that the rear axle is about 1/2 inch longer than the front. These axles have the same component # and the serial #’s are in sequence. Is this ok and could it be causing my sway issue?

asked by: Bill T

Expert Reply:

Hello Bill. The fact that the rear axle measures longer than the front is definitely concerning. Since both axles have the same part number and such, they should be identical in length. Trailer manufacturers do not make tandem axle trailers with two different size axles. So unless someone put a new axle on this camper aftermarket, I suspect that one of your axles sustained some kind of damage that caused it to bend slightly.

Every trailer axle has a small bend or arch in the middle, and if that arch was bent or damaged it could cause the axle length to be thrown off. My best theory is that this is what happened to your trailer. If this is the case, this would absolutely explain why things are swaying so bad. Have you noticed any uneven tire wear on either axle? Uneven wear is a pretty common symptom of a damaged or bent axle.

At this point I would want to determine which axle is actually damaged. It could be the front of rear. If you can send me the model number and serial number of each axle, or even a picture of the axle tag, I can use that to determine what length the axles should be. We can then compare that to your measurements to determine which axle is the problem. We can then look at your options for replacing it.

Hopefully we can do just one new axle but it may require replacing both, depending on what is available. Feel free to send me that info and I am happy to continue to assist.

expert reply by: Jesse M

Bill T.

4/11/2024

I have photos but don’t know how to send them to you. The tag say Lippert 866-524-7821 NV axle Cust Part# 20 variant# V000179571 Cust Po# 19-jc61515-2c LC160-SBSA-91.5-74.5-NOSP-US-L-65517-7226-18PT Serial #’s are 057-000135460 & 61

Jesse M.

4/11/2024

@BillT Thanks for all that info. So, your axles should be 91.5" long when measured across from hub face to hub face. That is what the 91.5 in that number means. The 74.5 is the spring center length. The 655 in that number should be indicating a 6 on 5-1/2" bolt pattern for the hub. So you will want to see which axle is not measuring exactly 91.5" and that will be your damaged axle. I would wager that replacing the damaged axle will help your sway issues. I will tell you up front that we do not carry a direct replacement for this axle. You will need a 6,000 lb rated 91.5" HF 74.5" SC axle. I suggest contacting an axle manufacturer like Dexter or Lippert for info on how to get a replacement.

Bill T.

4/11/2024

If I replace both axles with something heavier duty. Would you guys have something that would work for these measurements?

Jesse M.

4/11/2024

@BillT Potentially. We do have a 7,000 lb rated axle that is 94" long hub fact to hub face part # e93GR. So it would be a bit longer than the current axle. You would also need to have spring seats # TRSS300 welded to the tube at 74.5". So, it is certainly possible to do this, but getting a direct replacement is still recommended.