Horrible tire wear

[OldCoot]

Whatever you say.

[Crockett]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

If the front axle hit and is taking the load, the rear axle will be hanging loose and thus not pre-loaded. IMO

you absolutely RIGHT!!! with torqflex axles...there you go, you won one

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by Crockett

you absolutely RIGHT!!! with torqflex axles...there you go, you won one

Unbelievable! I was specifically referring to tandem axles with spring suspension, but the same phenomenon takes place on torsion suspension. When the front axle meets an obstacle and starts over it, it unloads the rear axle regardless of suspension, even with no suspension.

BTW, if nothing else, your theories are entertaining.

[Crockett]

whatever you say!

[Tireman9]

Originally Posted by jmcrae3891

It was the wrong rear axle, and no cost to me. Between forest river and the dealer, they took care of it


2003 Dodge Ram QC 2500 4x4
2005 Nissan Altima
2011 Forest River Lacrosse 301RLS

So the title of this thread which might imply a problem with a tire is really Dealer screw-up with bent axle. The tire was a innocent by-stander.

[Crockett]

Originally Posted by Tireman9

So the title of this thread which might imply a problem with a tire is really Dealer screw-up with bent axle. The tire was a innocent by-stander.

tires take a bashing on these boards, most would say deservedly so. if your involved with a quality product, we apologize...

[Brother Les]

Originally Posted by jmcrae3891

It was the wrong rear axle, and no cost to me. Between forest river and the dealer, they took care of it


2003 Dodge Ram QC 2500 4x4
2005 Nissan Altima
2011 Forest River Lacrosse 301RLS

What does the tag say on you new axle from Lippert on weight? I am (was) also having a axle problem and installed a new axle this weekend. The Lippert "4,400" pound weighted axles that came with my 2013 camper of Lippert uses the 3500 weighted spindle size with the 10 inch hubs. What bumps up the axle rating is that the "4400" uses the 3 inch 'beam' that is also used on the higher rated axles of 5200 pound rating and above and uses the 12 inch hubs,
instead of the small 2 inch (and something) beam size that is rated for the 3500 pound and below. The 4400 pound rated axle is a hybrid/bastard axle. It is not even labeled in the axle owners manuals that I have seen. All 'parts' are referred to the 3500 size axle.

I spoke to Forest River and Lippert for a couple of months about replacing one of my axles that was damaged and wanted to go to the 5200 size because of the dry gross weight was just at the line with the two 4400 size axles. Lippert told me that by going higher to 5200, the spindle size would be larger and that the hubs/bearings/brakes would all have to be larger to the 12 inch size instead of the 10 that is on my unit.

By going in that direction of the 5200, instead of one 'beam', I would have to replace everything.... two beams, four brakes and hub assembly's. And that would come out of my pocket. I asked if there was about beefing it up a little more to handle the weight and keep the 3500 spindles. The new axle/beam that I received has the 5200 pound rating on 'the sticker' (instead of the 4400), but has the 3500 spindle size..... The difference between my old 'beam' and my new 'beam'.....? the welds on the new beam are 200% thicker than the (4400) damaged one that I took off of my unit..

What 'weight' does your sticker weight say?

[jmcrae3891]

Both axles now say 4400. Once I realized the rear axle was only a 3500 dexter, is when I took it back to the dealer. 2.5 months later, after a "wrong axle" and having to go through forest river, the dealer finally got my trailer fixed.




2003 Dodge Ram QC 2500 4x4
2005 Nissan Altima
2011 Forest River Lacrosse 301RLS

[Brother Les]

Originally Posted by jmcrae3891

Both axles now say 4400. Once I realized the rear axle was only a 3500 dexter, is when I took it back to the dealer. 2.5 months later, after a "wrong axle" and having to go through forest river, the dealer finally got my trailer fixed.



2003 Dodge Ram QC 2500 4x4
2005 Nissan Altima
2011 Forest River Lacrosse 301RLS

just know that the spindle setup on the '4400' are still from the '3500' Lipport design for bearing/brakes/ etc, part numbers.

[Crockett]

brother Les has a point. and for clarities sake, im going to post some pics for all to see. the 3500 pound axle has been around for 50 years anyways. lippert has decided that with a heavier tube, the rest of the components are good for 4400 pounds. the math is pretty simple in one respect only I guess. were jumping 900 pounds of a 1700 pound spread between the 3500 pound and the 5200. first the brakes..10 inch vs 12 inch.

[Crockett]

now the bearings..the 5200 pound are on the left. the inner bearings are at the top. these carry most of the load. the spindle thickness is what fits the holes. If the outer 5200 bearing and the inner 3500 bearing look similar in size, they are.

[Brother Les]

On post #50, look at the brakes. I have the 10 inch size brakes, but also, my brakes are self adjusting when putting on the brakes going Forward.......

I had no clue of these self adjusting (braking forward) being on my unit. Not a bad feature if you know that you have them and check and adjust them when needed. Since I had this unit I have taken trips to the Rocky Mountains and the Great Smokey Mountains. Do you think that I had to use my trailer brakes, a laaawwwt? Duh, you bet shaa I had to. If you have these self adjusting brakes, check them now for tightness..... It may save you from having to replace an axle/bearings/brakes..... and a day of break down while on the road.