Spring Hanger Fail - XLR toyhauler

[andy29847]

My toyhauler is a 2013 38' Forest River XLR with ~12,000 miles of travel. I was doing a routine inspection in preparation for a trip next week when I found cracks where the spring hangers mount. I am having a hard time understanding why the mounts cracks. It seems as though the majority of the force would be down, and any rotational force would be out. Instead, the cracks seem to be from an up and in motion. Feel free to share your own experience, speculate on the cause, advise on how to repair, offer opinion on in the manufacturer should cover the cost of repair, etc. Be sure and take a look at your spring hangers before your next move.

passenger side rear hanger - dual axle configuration - FWIW, I had a flat on this side this spring.






passenger side front hanger-


driver's side rear hanger


The last 2 don't show cracks that I can see, but the weld line looks suspect.

[jevanb]

I can tell you on my 5er camper and my 3 axle equip hauler trailer, when I back up and turn, it looks like my axles are ready to rip off from the stress of the dragging wheels, their is lots of sideway pressure on them. But looking closer at your pictures it might be the steel they used on the lift that failed

[ResQfrog]

steel on box tube that failed looks to be to light of gauge (Wall Thickness). The spring hanger looks like 3/16" or 1/4" and the box tube looks like 1/8" wall. Should be close to the same gauge. Welding also changes the metal strength some. I would contact Forest Rivers about it and possible file a report with the DOT about failure.

[andy29847]

I have my warranty out and am reviewing it. I am well past the 1 year offered by Forest River. However, it seems as though the chassis and running gear is excluded from the Forest River warranty. The handbook says that warranty information regarding chassis components is available form my dealer. I call them tomorrow.

I checked the mounting tube and the spring hanger - they both appear to be 3/16".

[B and B]

It looks like when it was welded too much heat was used. This hardened the steel making it brittle hence the crack. The crack is outside the weld penetration.

I would get all shackles strengthened with extra plates at the bare minimum.

I would be documenting and contacting FR about this. If it happened to one trailer there may be more that are bad. They should pay for the repairs under a defect basis, as long as the trailer was not overloaded.

[andy29847]

Lippert is the company I have to work with. I have had contact with their customer service. They request that i take the camper to an RV repair center for a cost of repair quote.

[OldCoot]

Looks to me like a shackle was too tight or frozen up and when the spring flexed longer, it put a horizontal load on the mount. I would weld it up and put an additional strap along side of the original mount and continue it up to the side of the tubing at least 3". Also make sure all the shackles were free to move and insert wet bolts.

[Iwannacamp]

Thank you for the heads-up....

But, on the other hand....something else to worry about.

I can't get close to my pin box anymore.


Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

[andy29847]

fixed!




now worried about this:

[TURBS]

One of your tie straps has flipped.
Other side that way to?

Turbs

[andy29847]

Both sides were the same. Things straightened out when Idrove over a hump pulling into a parking lot. All is well.