will it ever end

Mac rv · 08-28-2013, 05:15 AM

Hello to all. Recently I posted about my trailer being at the dealers for almost 2 months for minor repairs then discovering a damaged tire. The tire had a deep gouge in it that went into the cord. The clearance between the tire and the wheel well is only an inch or so in an unloaded trailer. The tires have all worn through the wheel well liners and are gouging out the trailer floor. This is a very serious safety and unacceptable situation. Waiting to hear back from the dealer and the factory. Has anyone else experienced this. Help Serge
2013 Rockwood Windjammer 3008w.

Vern · 08-28-2013, 05:32 AM

Sorry to hear of this trouble you are having. You are right that this is an unacceptable and serious condition. Here is another thread where some of the discussion involves this issue:

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...tml#post412126

Good luck.

Mac rv · 08-28-2013, 07:01 AM

Hello Vern. Thanks for your reply. I think we are kindred spirits as we have the same combination. Waiting for a reply from the dealer and the factory. Will keep you posted. Flagstaff has the same problem for sure as it is the same unit. Please check your trailer very carefully. Might have the wrong axles installed. Serge

jeepman71 · 08-28-2013, 09:58 AM

Mac RV, I am having the same issues with tire clearance. I called Forrest River and sent them pictures apon their request. They are/were going to replace the axles and/or add a lift kit to the trailer. My tires have not rubbed through the wheel well liners yet but they have scuffed the bottom a time or two.
Here is a thread with the issues I have had and what is happening.
http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ong-45337.html
Forrest River is allowing me to transport the trailer back and paying me some mileage to cover costs.

Good luck.

Mac rv · 08-28-2013, 11:03 AM

Good news. Sheila McGee from Forest River has agreed to send me a ift kit.Includes my labour and new tires. I will install the kit myself and have the tires replaced at their cost. Best part is that I wont have to take the trailer to the dealer. The dealer thing is a total PIA. To Forest River despite the fact that this should never happen I appreciate the positive resonse. Serge

Mac rv · 08-28-2013, 11:03 AM

should have read Lift Kit Serge

Vern · 08-31-2013, 06:53 PM

The "lift kit" fix sounds like an adaptation instead of replacing a part that is either poorly specified or installed incorrectly. Am I missing something here? Why is this failure or problem occurring in the first place?

Brother Les · 08-31-2013, 07:34 PM

Is FR going to send every owner a lift kit for this certain model?

Mac rv · 09-03-2013, 08:23 AM

Hello Vern. From what I can make out My 2013 3008w has had this problem from day one. The dealer missed it wjth the PDI and I missed it when I picked up the trailer. The lift kit will do the job in a safe and effective manner. From what I can make out the problem is not with the axles. I believe this to be faulty engineering and manufacturing at FR. The trailer frame rails do not allow enough clearance between the wheels and the trailer. The lift kit which is designed and built by Dexter is the solution for my problem. The factory from what I can see can 1 Redesign the frame not likely.2 Install an axle that will have the proper clearance not likely. 3 Install a lift kit at the factory and supply this kit to all problem trailers. Different size tires might also work. The factory is in my oppinion very aware of this problem and did not hesitate in supplying me with the kit and the tires to replace the damaged tires. The issiue of warranty came up. My trailer has been at the dealer for repairs for close to 2 months and the factory warranty ended while it was at the dealer. This was pointed out to FR and they advised me that the trailer was 2 weeks out of warranty and they would not pay the labour. Lucky for me that I'm only 70 years young and I have the tools and ability to fix it myself. lol I'm sure Warren will be happy with the few hundred bucks from my labour. Sorry for the long post. Serge

youroo · 09-03-2013, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mac rv

Hello Vern. From what I can make out My 2013 3008w has had this problem from day one. The dealer missed it wjth the PDI and I missed it when I picked up the trailer. The lift kit will do the job in a safe and effective manner. From what I can make out the problem is not with the axles. I believe this to be faulty engineering and manufacturing at FR. The trailer frame rails do not allow enough clearance between the wheels and the trailer. The lift kit which is designed and built by Dexter is the solution for my problem. The factory from what I can see can 1 Redesign the frame not likely.2 Install an axle that will have the proper clearance not likely. 3 Install a lift kit at the factory and supply this kit to all problem trailers. Different size tires might also work. The factory is in my oppinion very aware of this problem and did not hesitate in supplying me with the kit and the tires to replace the damaged tires. The issiue of warranty came up. My trailer has been at the dealer for repairs for close to 2 months and the factory warranty ended while it was at the dealer. This was pointed out to FR and they advised me that the trailer was 2 weeks out of warranty and they would not pay the labour. Lucky for me that I'm only 70 years young and I have the tools and ability to fix it myself. lol I'm sure Warren will be happy with the few hundred bucks from my labour. Sorry for the long post. Serge

It is a (2013) you did not buy the (2nd year 150.00$ F/R Warr)? Even at that,the unit was at the (Dealer) while F/R told you it is now (2 weeks)out of Warr? There is a Fish Smell Here!

Youroo!!

Rick R · 09-03-2013, 09:28 AM

We had the same issue with our 2013 Flagstaff 30WFKSS. Had about an inch clearance between the top of the tire and the wheel well. After talking with Sheila McGee about the problem I was offered the option of new axles or the lift kit. I chose the lift kit and had it installed locally. FR paid for the install.

The problem as it was explained to me was that the camper should have had axles with a 30 degree down angle but instead came with a 22.5 degree angle. I think the lift kit gives more clearance than the 30 degree angle axles would give.

BYW Sheila was first rate to deal with.

skitibby · 09-03-2013, 09:31 AM

Forest River is VERY aware of the problem but will act suprised when you contact them. I feel sorry for all of the other people out there that will be stuck with a brand new camper that was not manufactured to spec. The higher ups at Forest River should be ashamed.

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...tml#post412126

Vern · 09-03-2013, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick R

We had the same issue with our 2013 Flagstaff 30WFKSS. Had about an inch clearance between the top of the tire and the wheel well. After talking with Sheila McGee about the problem I was offered the option of new axles or the lift kit. I chose the lift kit and had it installed locally. FR paid for the install.

The problem as it was explained to me was that the camper should have had axles with a 30 degree down angle but instead came with a 22.5 degree angle. I think the lift kit gives more clearance than the 30 degree angle axles would give.

BYW Sheila was first rate to deal with.

Rick - Are yours the Al-Ko torsion axles or the Dexter axles?

Rick R · 09-03-2013, 12:42 PM

Vern- Axles are Dexter Torflex #10 Axles 4,000 lb. When I noticed the problem I went to the nearest scale to check the weight. Axles scaled out at 6,900 lbs or 3450 per axle. Arms were ~ horizontal or in the normal "loaded position".

Rick

Vern · 09-03-2013, 01:00 PM

Rick - Thanks. I'm a little dense here and am just trying to wrap my head around the variables. Would you have settled for the lift kit if the torsion axles were past horizontal (i.e., appeared "overloaded"), or was the fact that the axles appeared to be handling the load what justified the lift kit as your fix?

Rick R · 09-03-2013, 01:34 PM

Vern - After weighing the camper and speaking with a local Dexter axle dealer it appeared the axles were loaded as they should be and not failing. New axles would still be rated at 4,000 lbs but with a 30 degree down angle so I felt I would have more clearance installing the lift kit on the original axles.
We purchased the camper new last October so getting close to end of warranty, but now we do have a file with our name on it at FR if we have future issues with the axles.
Yes, it would have made sense to change axles if FR would supply 5200 lb units. But, is is a "V" heavy on the "lite" trailer. We knew when purchasing a trailer that was light enough to tow with a half ton there would be trade offs and have been very aware of how much we put in the camper. Thirty nights in it so far this year and we have been very pleased with it and Forest River, Cheyenne RV service.

Vern · 09-03-2013, 02:24 PM

Thanks, Rick. Makes sense to me. Happy travels!

Mac rv · 09-03-2013, 02:38 PM

youroo. I didn't purchase the next year factory warranty but did purchase the 7 year extended warranty. I feel that this is a factory quality issue and they should deal with it. I don't really mind doing the kit install myself. I know for sure it will be done properly. No dealer cares about my trailer as much as I do. Hopefully I will get the kit and the tires next week. Serge

Mac rv · 09-06-2013, 07:49 AM

Insufficient wheel clearance 2013 windjammer 3008w. I received the lift kit on Wed. Repaired the rubbing damage by installing new liner material. Installed the lift kit on Thursday. Now has proper clearance. I also have to adjust the hitch to take into account the new trailer height. Still upset about the way this was handled by both McKenzie trailer and Forest River. The moral of the story is trust no one with your trailer and your safety. This trailer should never have left the factory in this very unsafe condition. The dealer should have picked this up with a proper PDI. Mine is for sure not the only one. You would all do well to check this out with your own rigs. Thinking of passing this to the MOT Ontario ministry of transport and the DOT Canada transport. Serge

skitibby · 09-10-2013, 01:01 PM

I have filed a complaint with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and would encourage anyone else that has this issue, report it too. The website is https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/Vehicl...nt/index.xhtml and is very easy to use. I have done a lot of research on this issue and there are a lot of people out there with this very issue. The more people that report it, the more likely Forest River will do something to change it. The representative that contacted me from NHTSA said the same thing.

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