Towing Tandem Axle with 1 Tire Flat

[Astro-T]

I recently had a right front trailer tire blow out about 2 miles from home. I couldn't get the lock off my spare (don't ask why!!). Anyway I took the blown tire off and supported and secured that side of the axle to the frame with a cargo strap. By the time I got home the right rear was ready to blow. The inside of that tire was rubbing on the fender well due to the added weight. Are there any tips to keep that from happening? Hopefully it doesn't happen again but Murphy always strikes when you least expect it! BTW... the trailer has springs. Thanks!!

[CatFan]

Assuming you raised the front axle enough, you may have a problem. The equalizer on the springs will allow the rear axle to go up if the front axle is too low.

[crank68]

Just take the off the other side opposite of the blown tire...drive on like a single axle.

[CatFan]

Just take the off the other side opposite of the blown tire...drive on like a single axle.

That won’t work. The hubs in the axle without tires will drag on the road and the tires on the other axle will rub on the fenders.

[DaveBrabec]

Ive drove to and from the ramp to home ,about 2 mi several times with one flat but tire intact with wheel on no issues

[crank68]

That won’t work. The hubs in the axle without tires will drag on the road and the tires on the other axle will rub on the fenders.

Works on a lot of trailers.....prolly have to strap up the axle with no tires. Also you may have to adjust your tongue height.

[digthemup]

Works on a lot of trailers.....prolly have to strap up the axle with no tires. Also you may have to adjust your tongue height.

Have you actually ever done it? since that should overload the rear axle tires to the point of blowing up or at very least break belts when they overheat.

[CatFan]

Works on a lot of trailers.....prolly have to strap up the axle with no tires. Also you may have to adjust your tongue height.

You have to strap the axle up on a conventional suspension, but there is no reason to take the other wheel off.

[Bassman Ia.]

You have to have the axle level, just like there was a tire on it.

[Astro-T]

Thanks for all the replies! I may not have strapped it high enough!!!

[fishnfireman]

Thanks for all the replies! I may not have strapped it high enough!!!

that would be my first thought.

[fishnfireman]

Have you actually ever done it? since that should overload the rear axle tires to the point of blowing up or at very least break belts when they overheat.

I've seen roofers and scrap haulers pulling old POS trailers many times where they had either pulled an axle or tied it up. Used it like a single axle.

[sowenssw]

I've strapped my axle up before and limped home like a 3 legged dog (about 100 miles), but I used a 2x4 like a counter lever to keep the axle from equalizing and then strap. Don't know if you can do it with a strap alone, it will always try and equalize.

For sure the extra weight on one axle can cause rubbing, mine was the rear axle that I had strapped which I think might of help distribute the load on the front axle, so I didn't rub.

[C0MRAD]

I removed the blown tire (rear) and put a piece of 4x4 between the frame and the top of the front spring and shackle connected to the equalizer so it couldn't go up on the front side and down on the rear. This kept the rear axle from dragging and also didn't allow the front tire to rub on the fender. The 4x4 was held in place by the weight of the boat but I still put a couple of wraps of duct tape around it just in case it tried to wiggle out somehow. I drove home with no issues. I believe blocking the spring/equalizer is a better option than strapping up the axle.

[Arizona Angler]

I recently had a right front trailer tire blow out about 2 miles from home. I couldn't get the lock off my spare (don't ask why!!). Anyway I took the blown tire off and supported and secured that side of the axle to the frame with a cargo strap. By the time I got home the right rear was ready to blow. The inside of that tire was rubbing on the fender well due to the added weight. Are there any tips to keep that from happening? Hopefully it doesn't happen again but Murphy always strikes when you least expect it! BTW... the trailer has springs. Thanks!!

absolutely, carry a 4x4 block in truck and jack up trailer and put the block above the tire thats still on springs to keep it from sagging. check out ben millikens vid on youtube about it.

[rakkc]

absolutely, carry a 4x4 block in truck and jack up trailer and put the block above the tire thats still on springs to keep it from sagging. check out ben millikens vid on youtube about it.

Can you post a link please, I looked and couldn't find it. thanks

[AZcal2021]

Can you post a link please, I looked and couldn't find it. thanks

[rakkc]

awesome, thank you

[bgibson]

That's for leaf spring trailers. How about torsion axles?

[CatFan]

That's for leaf spring trailers. How about torsion axles?

Take the wheel off and drive.