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Old 10-26-2016, 07:31 AM   #1
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Unsafe Rockwood axles and tires

I have read much about how trailers come equipped with light-duty Class "D" tires, and how these light-duty tires should be replaced with Class "E" heavy-duty tires. Well, when one of my fairly new tires came apart, I learned from the tire dealer that the (original) tires on my nearly-new Rockwood 8310 were actually the more inferior Class "C" tires.....not the Class "D" that I had been led to believe were on my trailer. So I replaced them with Class "E" 's.
And if that wasn't bad enough, the tire/alignment dealer found that one of the axles had come loose from the trailer frame, which had evidently caused the tire to fail. I urge others to be aware of these potential Rockwood axle and tire problems.
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Old 10-26-2016, 08:37 AM   #2
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I am on my second Lippert axle and from what I see, the second one is no better than the first one. I am not sure what I am going to do, as I really do not want a third Lippert axle installed. I am thinking of calling Forest River and seeing if they will pay under warranty for me to take it to a frame shop that can bend the axle correctly.
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Old 10-26-2016, 08:48 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cadiz Couple View Post
I have read much about how trailers come equipped with light-duty Class "D" tires, and how these light-duty tires should be replaced with Class "E" heavy-duty tires. Well, when one of my fairly new tires came apart, I learned from the tire dealer that the (original) tires on my nearly-new Rockwood 8310 were actually the more inferior Class "C" tires.....not the Class "D" that I had been led to believe were on my trailer. So I replaced them with Class "E" 's.
And if that wasn't bad enough, the tire/alignment dealer found that one of the axles had come loose from the trailer frame, which had evidently caused the tire to fail. I urge others to be aware of these potential Rockwood axle and tire problems.
The rating of your tires is clearly marked on the sidewalk it should not have been a surprise. The weight rating on a tire does not equate to quality, an over loaded or misaligned E will come apart just like a C or D. I believe owner maintenance or lack of it effect tire longevity more then brand or rating.

Sorry to hear about your axle I hope it gets corrected let the forum know how the fix worked.
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Old 10-26-2016, 10:58 AM   #4
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Hopefully your rims are rated to 80 psi. You mention all these classes of tires, but what psi did your tire have when it failed? Did you ever check your tire pressure?


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Old 10-26-2016, 11:17 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cadiz Couple View Post
I have read much about how trailers come equipped with light-duty Class "D" tires, and how these light-duty tires should be replaced with Class "E" heavy-duty tires. Well, when one of my fairly new tires came apart, I learned from the tire dealer that the (original) tires on my nearly-new Rockwood 8310 were actually the more inferior Class "C" tires.....not the Class "D" that I had been led to believe were on my trailer. So I replaced them with Class "E" 's.
And if that wasn't bad enough, the tire/alignment dealer found that one of the axles had come loose from the trailer frame, which had evidently caused the tire to fail. I urge others to be aware of these potential Rockwood axle and tire problems.
Questions for you, Did your Rockwood come with AL-KO axles? Also Rockwoods come from the factory with "C" rated, where they Trail Express? Also most Rockwoods come with a 65 psi rim max I'll include the most popular rims FR uses from Lion Head.
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Old 10-26-2016, 11:17 AM   #6
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TPM's come new vehicles for a reason... People never check tire pressure and even less look at the data on the sidewall as to pressure requirements...
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Old 10-26-2016, 12:29 PM   #7
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My problem wasn't with tire rating, but with improper axle manufacturing. I went thru 3 Al-Ko axles before just finally putting them on the trailer backwards. Someone was assembling them with the brake backing plates on the wrong ends, so that the tires toed out rather than in. I spent close to $1000. in shipping costs trying to get that resolved.
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Old 10-26-2016, 12:38 PM   #8
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Not a trailer axle expert but I never knew trailer axles had negative or positive toe. I always thought they were neutral toe.
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Old 10-26-2016, 01:47 PM   #9
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After replacing two Lippert 3500 lbs axles, when a third needed replacement, we went with two Dexter 5200 lbs axles and matching springs. Close to 20,000 miles since then with no issues.
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Old 10-26-2016, 02:05 PM   #10
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Not a trailer axle expert but I never knew trailer axles had negative or positive toe. I always thought they were neutral toe.
X's 2 on this one never knew they had a toe positive or negative? also I don't know but how do you put a backing plate on backwards?..
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Old 10-26-2016, 02:05 PM   #11
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What was involved in replacing the 3500 lbs axle with the larger one? Was it a direct fit or was custom welding required? Where did you get your larger axle?
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Old 10-26-2016, 02:48 PM   #12
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X's 2 on this one never knew they had a toe positive or negative? also I don't know but how do you put a backing plate on backwards?..
Easy,they have a "Left and a Right" brake assy. or" Drivers side and Passenger side"! They can come from the Axle MFG complete with the Brakes on the Wrong side also! They can have the Bolts that hold the backing plates on the Axles "Fall Inside the Brake Drum Also"! I am talking about ALCO Axles now owned by Dexter! NEW does NOT Guarantee Correct Assembled Axle Assemblies! Youroo!!
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Old 10-26-2016, 03:23 PM   #13
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Rockwood Axles

Bought my Rockwood 8280SS new and it came with Alko (now owned by Dexter) 3500 axles; 205/75 R 15 C tires. Had to replace tires every 3500 miles. Had it weighed by RVSEF and found it 200+ over on LR wheel. Replaced axles with 5200 Dexter with 6 lug rims; 225/75 R 15 D tires. No problems in over 12000 miles. Tires still have good tread. Last weighed in Goshen at the rally, and have plenty of reserve capacity.
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Old 10-26-2016, 04:09 PM   #14
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Bought my Rockwood 8280SS new and it came with Alko (now owned by Dexter) 3500 axles; 205/75 R 15 C tires. Had to replace tires every 3500 miles. Had it weighed by RVSEF and found it 200+ over on LR wheel. Replaced axles with 5200 Dexter with 6 lug rims; 225/75 R 15 D tires. No problems in over 12000 miles. Tires still have good tread. Last weighed in Goshen at the rally, and have plenty of reserve capacity.
Changing axles to a higher load capacity does not change the trailer's GAWRs or GVWR. So where did you gain the extra "reserve capacity"? Over weight would still be over the same weight.
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Old 10-26-2016, 04:50 PM   #15
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He said he was over on one tire, not anything else.


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Old 10-26-2016, 09:59 PM   #16
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Sidecarflip and Witch Doctor, Yes, trailer axles should have negative toe or toe in of about 1/8". I've had 8 trailers over the years, most on Dexter axles and most with about 1/8" toe in. The last trailer on AlKo axles was between 1/8 and 3/16" toe out on the rear axle and 1/8" toe in on the front axle. The rear side of the axle tube is drilled to allow the brake wires to be passed thru to the right side brake. In my case, I ended up with several 5200 lb axles that had been assembled incorrectly. The quality in manufacturing and assembly has gone down hill over the past few years.
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Old 10-27-2016, 01:59 PM   #17
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Rockwood Axles

By "extra capacity" I meant a safety margin in the tire and axle capacity. Did not mean to imply that this increases the GVWR. Sorry if that was misleading.
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Old 10-27-2016, 02:11 PM   #18
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Originally Posted by Witch Doctor View Post
X's 2 on this one never knew they had a toe positive or negative? also I don't know but how do you put a backing plate on backwards?..
I don't know that either!

I've seen axles where the spindle bolted to the axle and the spindle/backing plate had a tapered shim behind it for camber. I suppose if you got that wrong it could create a toe in/out situation?

Disclaimer: The axles I'm referring to were lightweight and NOT on a TT/5th wheel trailer.
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Old 10-27-2016, 03:29 PM   #19
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I had a 2014 Rockwood that I purchased in June 2014. We hardly used it in the summer. In late fall, we left for Texas. In Texarkana, I noticed that the trailer did not feel right. When checking the tire pressure, one of the tires had 20 lbs. Went to a local Goodyear Truck tire dealer. He checked the tire and said I should not drive on it as the sidewalls were cracked. On checking the other tires, we found another tire with cracks. As Goodyear did not have tires our size, he sent us to Discount Tire. They agreed with Goodyear's assessment and showed me that the two other tires had stretch marks on them and recommended we not drive on them and replace all 4 tires. The original tires, which were only 11 months old, were Class C tires, 6 ply. We upgraded to Class E, 10 ply tires. FR compensated me $75 per tire as that what is the cost of the tire they would use at an authorized dealer, in other words, same Class C tire. The upgrade cost me $25 per tire. They are great and rated heavier than the original tires.
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Old 10-27-2016, 07:53 PM   #20
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Well you got lucky or your smart good for you, I got stuck, lions head wanted me to send them the tire back, I left it at GY
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