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Old 06-20-2013, 12:43 PM   #1
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Torsion Axle Failure

I have an almost new Windjammer that had both torsion axles fail causing the trailer to lower to the point the tires rubbed on the bottom of the wheel wells. Contacted Rockwood warranty service and they are supposed to ship two new axles to a local dealer for repair. I had torsion axles on my last trailer and never had any problems with them. Anyone here have their torsion axles fail?
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Old 06-20-2013, 01:16 PM   #2
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Originally Posted by hehbr View Post
I have an almost new Windjammer that had both torsion axles fail causing the trailer to lower to the point the tires rubbed on the bottom of the wheel wells. Contacted Rockwood warranty service and they are supposed to ship two new axles to a local dealer for repair. I had torsion axles on my last trailer and never had any problems with them. Anyone here have their torsion axles fail?
Do you have photos to post!
Would love to see that!.
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Old 06-20-2013, 01:24 PM   #3
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X2 on the photos. Did both sides fail, or just one side of one axle, and then the second on that side failed possibly due to over loading the remaining axle?

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Old 06-20-2013, 03:10 PM   #4
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Since I have been a member here, never seen a post about a torsion axle failure and that is what I have on my trailer. Photos would be great to inform everyone.
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Old 06-20-2013, 07:55 PM   #5
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I think the axles were defective from the start as I always had very little tire clearance. Talking with the Rockwood representative and two dealers, there should be about 1.5 to 2 inches clearance to allow for movement when underway.

I have wheel well rubs on 3 of the 4 tire locations. Left side was the worst. Both left side tires were toast but right side were very nearly rubbing as well. This was with the original 225x75 tires. Of course this happened Saturday afternoon 300 miles from home and not near any town of any size. Had to get smaller diameter tires 205x75 to get home. Had about 1.5 inches of clearance with the smaller diameter tires.

Contacted Rockwood warranty service on Monday and they will be sending two new axles for a local dealer to install and repair the damaged wheel wells. He also talked about reimbursing me for the tires I had to purchase. Will see if Rockwood comes through on everything promised.

Looked at the trailer on Monday afternoon and the left front tire is nearly touching the wheel well again so I have lost my 1.5 inches of clearance that I had with the smaller tires.

I will take some photos this weekend and post.
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Old 06-21-2013, 03:59 PM   #6
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Photos

Photos shown

1 - Left front tire with barely enough room to fit finger in flat. This tire had about 1.5 inch clearance after tire was installed. Dropped since.
2 - Left rear with about 1 inch clearance. This one dropped too but not as much.
3 - Right side with about 1.25 inch clearance on both tires.
4 - Right rear closeup showing two finger clearance.

Bear in mind that these are the replacement 205x75s tires and not the original 225x75s that came on the trailer. There is about 1.25 inch difference in diameter between the two sizes. The original tires will not fit anymore.
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Old 06-21-2013, 04:05 PM   #7
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Can you get a picture(s) from under the trailer showing the attitude of the axle arms? Would be interesting to see if they are level or slightly uphill toward the spindle.
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Old 06-21-2013, 04:14 PM   #8
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Lots of information here about these axles.

Hope some of it helps. You might have the wrong axles for your weight.
Check the axles for the name plate and look up the correct axle for your camper.
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File Type: pdf 2000_35F.pdf (79.2 KB, 167 views)
File Type: pdf Al-ko 5200- 7000 pound axles.pdf (79.5 KB, 170 views)
File Type: docx ALKO Axle Distributors.docx (30.9 KB, 109 views)
File Type: pdf K-80 8000w89F.pdf (72.7 KB, 133 views)
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Old 06-22-2013, 10:22 AM   #9
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More Photos

Took a few more photos this morning. The mechanism looks to be parallel with the trailer frame. I don't know how it is supposed to be but I would think it should be parallel. Axle decal shows 4000 pound axles which is what the Forest River plate says on the side of the trailer. Too bad, as if it were undersized that would explain the issue.
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Old 06-22-2013, 11:06 AM   #10
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When was the last time you weighed it?

The attached graphic shows that slightly below parallel the axle is at its rated load.
When level you are over loaded.
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Old 06-22-2013, 11:30 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by herk7769 View Post
You might have the wrong axles for your weight.
Check the axles for the name plate and look up the correct axle for your camper.
Interesting! I bet that is likely.
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Old 06-22-2013, 11:38 AM   #12
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According to the published no.s, Dry Weight 6,928 lbs, Gross Weight 8,650 lbs and figuring 15% tongue wt on Gross, the axles are good for 8000# and the load would be 7353. Borderline IMO. Shock loads would no doubt bottom the tires out. Not a good axle choice being so close to being maxed out.
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Old 06-22-2013, 12:22 PM   #13
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This was only the third time out. Brochure says GRWR 8600 with unloaded weight of 6950. Plate on trailer says GVWR 8900 and unloaded weight of 7350 with 1450 cargo capacity. I have not weighed it yet but there is no way I was anywhere near the maximum weight. Wife has a bad back and can only carry about 20 pounds so she would need to make 70 trips to the trailer to get 1400 pounds. The last pictures were today with the trailer completely unloaded.
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Old 06-22-2013, 05:09 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by herk7769 View Post
When was the last time you weighed it?

The attached graphic shows that slightly below parallel the axle is at its rated load.
When level you are over loaded.
What Herk is saying makes sense but doesn't nesessarily apply to you. I did come across more info that makes your issue not so black and white. You can buy axles with varying ride heights...

http://l.b5z.net/i/u/6149609/f/produ...flex_11-06.pdf
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Old 06-22-2013, 08:18 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hehbr View Post
This was only the third time out. Brochure says GRWR 8600 with unloaded weight of 6950. Plate on trailer says GVWR 8900 and unloaded weight of 7350 with 1450 cargo capacity. I have not weighed it yet but there is no way I was anywhere near the maximum weight. Wife has a bad back and can only carry about 20 pounds so she would need to make 70 trips to the trailer to get 1400 pounds. The last pictures were today with the trailer completely unloaded.
- I thought the same thing my first trip out in my camper and was 800 pounds over. Wind in my teeth on the way to the scales and white knuckles and 15 MPH on the way home.
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Old 06-23-2013, 09:14 AM   #16
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Originally Posted by shineysideup View Post
What Herk is saying makes sense but doesn't nesessarily apply to you. I did come across more info that makes your issue not so black and white. You can buy axles with varying ride heights...

http://l.b5z.net/i/u/6149609/f/produ...flex_11-06.pdf
I talked with a person on another forum that has the same trailer as me and had the exact same problem. Turns out they had the wrong pitch axle on their trailer. Forest River replaced the axles with new ones of a different pitch and they now have no problems and 2 inch clearance. Looking on the Dexter website they have axles with pitch from +45 through -20. I am now convinced I had the wrong pitch from the start as I never had much clearance even when the trailer was empty. Rockwood and two dealers tell me I should have 2 inch clearance. The person on the other forum has 2 inch clearance with the new axles. Hopefully that will fix my problem for good. Will keep everyone informed. Thanks for all your help.
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Old 06-23-2013, 09:34 AM   #17
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Originally Posted by hehbr View Post
I talked with a person on another forum that has the same trailer as me and had the exact same problem. Turns out they had the wrong pitch axle on their trailer. Forest River replaced the axles with new ones of a different pitch and they now have no problems and 2 inch clearance. Looking on the Dexter website they have axles with pitch from +45 through -20. I am now convinced I had the wrong pitch from the start as I never had much clearance even when the trailer was empty. Rockwood and two dealers tell me I should have 2 inch clearance. The person on the other forum has 2 inch clearance with the new axles. Hopefully that will fix my problem for good. Will keep everyone informed. Thanks for all your help.
Awesome...
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Old 08-28-2013, 05:54 AM   #18
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Hello Hehbr. I have a 2013 windjammer 3008w with the same problem as yours. Had to replace one tire due to gouging to the cord from rubbing in the wheel well. All wheel well liners are rubbed clear throught and into the floor. Dealer and factory have been notified. Will keep intouch. Serge Mac rv
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Old 08-28-2013, 10:16 AM   #19
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Hello Hehbr, I have the same issue. I worked with the people at the warranty department at Rockwood and they are sending a lift kit for a temporary. I am taking it to the factory for this and other problems in October. At that time they will decide if the axles need replaced.

I was out this weekend and I can now only get one finger between the tire and wheel well.
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Old 09-03-2013, 02:12 PM   #20
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Picked up my trailer from the dealer today. They replaced the axles and added a spacer. I now have slightly over 3 inches of clearance which is what the Dexter Axle representative said I should have.
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