Ram-Lin Wheels Problem

[AbunDiga909]

We have to make a lot of really sharp turns every weekend so that the two wheels on one side or pivoting, scraping, and sometimes almost turning in different directions. Ya know, the thing that can only happen in a tandem. Recently I noticed some of the wheels looking "bent" almost and wanted to see if this was normal....

Right now it seems as if its only the right side just b/c the trialer now is in just over 90 degree angle w/ tow vehicle.

[ssaxet]

Looks like your axles are toast.... wheels bent, probably the frame at the axle hangers also... trailer is useless.... I'll trade ya a ramlin single with stright wheels for it straight up....

[AirNautique211]

I have a new '04 Ramlin and notice some of the same type of spindle allignment issues, but not nearly as severe as the ones pictured above. I have noticed though that it looks worst when I have reversed the trailer going up our driveway - it's a slight incline. When back up - up hill it's is noticable, but when in going forward all looks well.

I will stay tuned - I would like to know the whole story from a professional trailor mechanic or someone who has talked to one.

[Hollywood]

That happens on all landscaping tandems at work. They've been like that for years and still haven't fallen apart. I'd like to think they have some degree of play in there, or else things would definitely be snapping left and right.

[AbunDiga909]

I have a new '04 Ramlin and notice some of the same type of spindle allignment issues, but not nearly as severe as the ones pictured above. I have noticed though that it looks worst when I have reversed the trailer going up our driveway - it's a slight incline. When back up - up hill it's is noticable, but when in going forward all looks well.

That is the exact same situation when we notice it. This is somewhat interesting b/c while we were on vacation and puling/luanchign the boat, the ramp ended short and the wheels fell off and the trailer bottemed out. We then still had to drag it along the ground a couple of inches, but didn't sound good at all. Dealer did notice some bent corssbar, but we figured thats what its there for. I also would think that its good for the wheels to have some leeway like Hollywood said, but this is only happening on one wheel more than it looks like it should.

[AirNautique211]

Here is a photo of my boat and trailer new on the incline mentioned above. Notice - the wheels look alligned. However, recently I have noticed some allignment differences after one season of towing - I will take some pictures next opportunity.

Also, I mentioned it to my dealer and he said it was normal.

[AbunDiga909]

When we back up straight, which it looks like you did AirNautique211, the wheels do look much better, it is really when we are making a very, very, sharp, almost so the wheels just slide, turn. But for some reason I still think it shouldn't happen at all.

Unfortunately I wont be able to take pics. of the crossbar b/c the boat just got winterized for the season. :cry: So we'll have to wait til March to see what that really looks like! :lol:

[AirNautique211]

Speaking of wheels falling off:

We were at Dale Hollow (KY) when one of the wheel hubs exploded and left pieces on the ground. The wheel got all jammed up on the ramp, so I had to pull the boat off of the ramp to access the damage. It was trashed - the wheel hub was gone, the rotor and caliper were galded - it was a mess. Luckily our dealer sent a replacement trailer down a couple days later to get our boat home. I have wondered ever since if the trailer was "ok". The trailer was only 4-5 weeks old when this occurred and has driven alright since, but the cocky wheels do bother me.

[NautiqueJeff]

Mine does the same thing during a sharp turn. Once I pull it straight, it seems to straighten right back out. I always assumed that it was supposed to do that. I've never had any problems with mine, although the first time I noticed it I had a friend of mine who is a boat mechanic take a look at it. He said that it was normal.

[Mikeski]

I am having a pool built, living in a court the dump trucks have to make a couple lock to lock turns to get out. I saw the rear duals of the fully loaded 10 yard dump truck looking very similar to the wheels in your pictures, it made me cringe. I think it's just the nature of tandems, everything flexes to the max then the wheels start to skid. It's just really ugly to look at. Have somebody follow you around some turns to see if things get that ugly at highway speeds if you are still worried.

[jhiestand]

Wow.. that does look like the wheels and not the tires. I do a short-radius turnaround in my court every time I trailer and it's pretty tight. Seems like the tires take most of the abuse, though, on my RamLin.

I'd send RamLin a note along with a few of those pix and I'm sure they'd offer up some advice. They've been pretty quick to respond to me in the past.

[AbunDiga909]

Just to keep those updated who want to find out what happens, today these pictures were emailed to Dave at Ram-Lin and are just waiting to see what he has to say. Also, this weekend we will pick the boat up from the dealer after being winterized and we will ask him what he has to say b/c he has an identical rig, Air 216 w/ duel axle Ram-Lin.

[wake_fun]

That sucks! I don't know how much longer you are wanting to tow it like that :shock:
Glad I have a DHM

[AbunDiga909]

That sucks! I don't know how much longer you are wanting to tow it like that :shock:
Glad I have a DHM

I don't think the fact that we were the ones who dragged a 3K lbs + boat along the ground on its axle and having a controversy problem with the wheels is the company's fault. I'm still all for Ram-Lin.

[Edwin]

Any tandem axle trailer will twist the wheels when backed on a severe angle. Torsion axles do twist worse than standard axles w. leaf springs. I wouldn't worry as long as they align properly once you pull forward. Additionally, I'd make sure you roll the trailer forward and back to straighten and "unload" the twist on the wheels when storing it for an extended period of time.