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Old 12-19-2018, 12:23 AM   #1
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So how does this happen? Axle cracked from frame

Attached is a picture of what has happened to our front axle on BOTH sides. It has cracked away from the frame, but identically on both sides. The trailer is 3 years old, we haven't gone off road, just long trips to Yellowstone and Oregon. What would be possible causes? And would it be under the 5 year axle warranty? I have sent pics to FR, no response yet.
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Old 12-19-2018, 12:50 AM   #2
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You have wide spread axles? Ever turn super tight when backing into a spot?
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Old 12-19-2018, 12:58 AM   #3
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Quote:
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You have wide spread axles? Ever turn super tight when backing into a spot?
I don't have wide spread axles but obviously turning tight into spaces does happen to us occasionally. I probably have never gone beyond 65-70 deg however. Never done a 90 deg.
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Old 12-19-2018, 05:25 AM   #4
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I think rather than messing around with FR or worse yet Lippert just take the trailer to a trailer repair where they do axles and have it re-welded and reinforced.
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Old 12-19-2018, 06:44 AM   #5
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Many possible reasons from rough roads to poor welding in the first place (metal not prepped correctly).

I would agree go to a good trailer shop or welding shop and get it fixed. My bet would be the warranty would not cover it.

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Old 12-19-2018, 06:44 AM   #6
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So how does this happen? Axle cracked from frame

Well that looks to be a weld that has broke loose. Should not of happened but just going down our interstates is worse than off road. Any trailer shop should be able to re-weld that.

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Old 12-19-2018, 08:27 AM   #7
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I'm not a qualified welder, but I'd venture a guess that the weld was not prepped right and/or done well.
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Old 12-19-2018, 08:40 AM   #8
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Is that a rubber torsion axle?? Just wondering if there are considerations about over heating when welding one of those.
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Old 12-19-2018, 08:46 AM   #9
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This is a Dexter warranty issue.

Contact them right away!

I have had excellent luck with Connie!

Connie Massie / Warranty Administrator
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cmassie@dexteraxle.com . Direct Tel: (574) 296-7301
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Old 12-19-2018, 08:47 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KyDan View Post
Is that a rubber torsion axle?? Just wondering if there are considerations about over heating when welding one of those.
^^This^^
It looks like a torsion axle.
There is rubber in there that may be affected by welding.
Are they Dexter axles?
Should be a tag on them near the middle.
Contact Dexter if they are.
They are usually pretty responsive.
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Old 12-19-2018, 08:52 AM   #11
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You do not want to weld on that tube.

What do the other sides of the brackets look like? Are they cracked on the inside as well?

I'd definitely contact the axle mfg. and see what they say about. They may replace them for you without much ado. And if they say no, you're no worse off than you are now.
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Old 12-19-2018, 09:19 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Herk7769 View Post
This is a Dexter warranty issue.

Contact them right away!

I have had excellent luck with Connie!

Connie Massie / Warranty Administrator
Dexter Axle Company - Corporate Headquarters
2900 Industrial Pkwy E., Elkhart, Indiana 46516, USA
cmassie@dexteraxle.com . Direct Tel: (574) 296-7301
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What he said ^^^^
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Old 12-19-2018, 11:13 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Herk7769 View Post
This is a Dexter warranty issue.

Contact them right away!

I have had excellent luck with Connie!

Connie Massie / Warranty Administrator
Dexter Axle Company - Corporate Headquarters
2900 Industrial Pkwy E., Elkhart, Indiana 46516, USA
cmassie@dexteraxle.com . Direct Tel: (574) 296-7301
Fax: (574) 295-8666 / Main Tel: (574) 295-7888
Dexter Axle ~ Dexter Door ~ Ventline-UFP-Dexter Marine
These are Dexter Torflex axles. If FR has a 5 year warranty on their axles (Dexter) why wouldn't FR handle it if it's a defective axle? I appreciate the contact info and will be contacting Dexter as well. What's interesting is the shop I took it to, a 40 year RV repair shop, said they re-weld these all the time.
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Old 12-19-2018, 11:21 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dmdomokos View Post
These are Dexter Torflex axles. If FR has a 5 year warranty on their axles (Dexter) why wouldn't FR handle it if it's a defective axle? I appreciate the contact info and will be contacting Dexter as well. What's interesting is the shop I took it to, a 40 year RV repair shop, said they re-weld these all the time.
With proper cooling techniques on either side of the weld, I'd have no issues welding it either, but not something I recommend to someone posting on an internet R/V forum before ALL other possibilities are exhausted (such as warranty)

The torsion axle uses rubber rods/bars embedded in the axle tube to create the torsioning effect of having springs. Too much heat 'could' ruin those rubber rods.
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Old 12-19-2018, 11:30 AM   #15
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Doesn't look like an axle problem but an installation problem. I'd contact Lippert but doubt you'll get anywhere.


If it was me I'd bite the bullet and take it to a reputalble trailer repair shop (not necessarily an RV shop) but you'll have to call around to find someone that knows torsion axles and not just conventional spring axles.


You're a bit far from them but Accurate Trailer in Santa Clarita is the absolute best.
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Old 12-19-2018, 02:51 PM   #16
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Be prepared to prove that you haven't overloaded your trailer if trying to get a warranty repair.
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Old 12-19-2018, 03:03 PM   #17
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Originally Posted by JohnD10 View Post
Be prepared to prove that you haven't overloaded your trailer if trying to get a warranty repair.
I am suspecting this is going to be the case, which is impossible to prove. Without any warranty help, my option maybe to have the RV shop weld it as they say they can safely. Then if/when the torsion axle fails itself, see if I can get warranty help then, or probably have to just replace the whole axle on my own. Good Sam extended warranty already said NO, FR is "looking into it with Dexter", Dexter is yet to respond to my direct inquiry. I'll keep you all posted, and I appreciate all the feedback, opinions and help!
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Old 12-19-2018, 03:16 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dmdomokos View Post
I am suspecting this is going to be the case, which is impossible to prove. Without any warranty help, my option maybe to have the RV shop weld it as they say they can safely. Then if/when the torsion axle fails itself, see if I can get warranty help then, or probably have to just replace the whole axle on my own. Good Sam extended warranty already said NO, FR is "looking into it with Dexter", Dexter is yet to respond to my direct inquiry. I'll keep you all posted, and I appreciate all the feedback, opinions and help!
Another reference to an extended warranty denying help!

What was their excuse?
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Old 12-19-2018, 03:20 PM   #19
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IMHO, poor penetration, cold weld, low heat, not enough arc current.
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Old 12-19-2018, 03:33 PM   #20
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Another reference to an extended warranty denying help!

What was their excuse?
Good Sam said it was a frame/structure issue, not an axle issue and they only cover the axle. So maybe if the weld ruins the rubber and the axle fails it gets covered? The RV shop said they only see the extended warranties really paying off when stuff like slide motors, compressors, Refrig, etc fail. At $200/yr, I will still probably keep the extended warranty. This is suppose to be fun owning an RV, I can't let these type of things make me mad, or I would never take the thing out ever again! It is what it is, and I hope the industry gets better. Any help from these companies at this point would be a bonus.
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