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04-05-2015, 07:59 AM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 66
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Bolt sheared off on leaf spring
Traveling down I-35 on Friday, my wife who is following in the car, calls me and said some pieces just flew out from under the trailer. I did not feel a thing. Looked in the mirror and now see I am "crab walking" down the road. Pulled off on the frontage road and saw the rear wheel on the driver side is turned in a bit and is inches from the front tire.
Still under warranty I called Forest River Coach Net number. They were great! Talked with a tech who assessed the situation and said they would send a service person to help. They checked back with me twice to see if the tech had arrived. The tech is from Lone Star RV in Harker Heights, Tx, near Ft. Hood. The tech says I have the parts and we can fix it tonight! Did I say it was Friday afternoon on the start of Easter weekend? Got to the shop about 5:00 pm, they started working immediately! I was flabbergasted.
Unfortunately, the damage was more extensive then first thought. Have to order parts from Lippert on Monday. Lone Star plugged us in and ran water to us. So we are set up at "Camp Lone Star" until the parts arrive.
I have pictures that I will post this evening of the aftermath of the sheared bolt. I will also post updates on the repair process as we move forward.
Bad stuff happens, but I am impressed with Coach Net and Lone Star so far.
Mike
Sent from my iPad using Forest River Forums
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04-05-2015, 08:07 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 10,833
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Sorry for the trouble you are having. It is great to hear of the dealer looking after you. For the most part my dealer looks after me as well. Have a Camp Lone Star kind of weekend!!
__________________
B and B
2022 Venture RV SportTrek STT 302 VRB Travel Trailer
2018 Heartland Landmark 365 Louisville 5th Wheel
2015 Heartland Bighorn 5th Wheel
2013 FR Rockwood 8289WS 5th Wheel
2012 FR Rockwood 2703 SS Travel Trailer
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04-05-2015, 08:08 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Idaho
Posts: 9,839
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Sad you lost a weekend due to a bolt but very happy that things are working VERY well for you at the dealers.
Are the other bolts being looked over as they are likely from the same lot # and may have issues.
__________________
2016 F350 6.7L LB CC Reese 28K 2014 Chaparral Lite 266sab
"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." 2014 19 days camping 2015 17 days camping201620 days camping
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04-05-2015, 08:14 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 212
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I think we've used Coach-Net maybe three times over the years and they were great each time. Finding a great dealer as you seem to have done is a big more problematic. Glad what maybe could have been a bigger event was not.
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04-05-2015, 03:02 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Columbia, SC
Posts: 795
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Quote:
Originally Posted by retamaman
Traveling down I-35 on Friday, my wife who is following in the car, calls me and said some pieces just flew out from under the trailer. I did not feel a thing. Looked in the mirror and now see I am "crab walking" down the road. Pulled off on the frontage road and saw the rear wheel on the driver side is turned in a bit and is inches from the front tire.
Still under warranty I called Forest River Coach Net number. They were great! Talked with a tech who assessed the situation and said they would send a service person to help. They checked back with me twice to see if the tech had arrived. The tech is from Lone Star RV in Harker Heights, Tx, near Ft. Hood. The tech says I have the parts and we can fix it tonight! Did I say it was Friday afternoon on the start of Easter weekend? Got to the shop about 5:00 pm, they started working immediately! I was flabbergasted.
Unfortunately, the damage was more extensive then first thought. Have to order parts from Lippert on Monday. Lone Star plugged us in and ran water to us. So we are set up at "Camp Lone Star" until the parts arrive.
I have pictures that I will post this evening of the aftermath of the sheared bolt. I will also post updates on the repair process as we move forward.
Bad stuff happens, but I am impressed with Coach Net and Lone Star so far.
Mike
Sent from my iPad using Forest River Forums
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Make and model of trailer?
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04-05-2015, 03:04 PM
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#6
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Member
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 66
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2014 Trilogy Touring.
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04-05-2015, 03:45 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Waynesville
Posts: 14,428
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Quote:
Originally Posted by retamaman
Traveling down I-35 on Friday, my wife who is following in the car, calls me and said some pieces just flew out from under the trailer. I did not feel a thing. Looked in the mirror and now see I am "crab walking" down the road. Pulled off on the frontage road and saw the rear wheel on the driver side is turned in a bit and is inches from the front tire.
Still under warranty I called Forest River Coach Net number. They were great! Talked with a tech who assessed the situation and said they would send a service person to help. They checked back with me twice to see if the tech had arrived. The tech is from Lone Star RV in Harker Heights, Tx, near Ft. Hood. The tech says I have the parts and we can fix it tonight! Did I say it was Friday afternoon on the start of Easter weekend? Got to the shop about 5:00 pm, they started working immediately! I was flabbergasted.
Unfortunately, the damage was more extensive then first thought. Have to order parts from Lippert on Monday. Lone Star plugged us in and ran water to us. So we are set up at "Camp Lone Star" until the parts arrive.
I have pictures that I will post this evening of the aftermath of the sheared bolt. I will also post updates on the repair process as we move forward.
Bad stuff happens, but I am impressed with Coach Net and Lone Star so far.
Mike
Sent from my iPad using Forest River Forums
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On (7/11/2014 you posted that ALCO said there was a Recall on (Bolts to Axle/Frame) that needed to be Checked! Were these the Bolts that broke? With Alco axles why is Parts from Lippert on order? Just asking! Youroo!!
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04-06-2015, 07:41 AM
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#8
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Member
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 66
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Quote:
Originally Posted by youroo
On (7/11/2014 you posted that ALCO said there was a Recall on (Bolts to Axle/Frame) that needed to be Checked! Were these the Bolts that broke? With Alco axles why is Parts from Lippert on order? Just asking! Youroo!!
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No, the bolts Alco sent out a letter about are the ones holding the axel to the frame. The bolt that sheared attached the leaf spring to the frame.
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04-06-2015, 07:43 AM
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#9
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Member
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 66
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Photos of suspension damage
Here are some photos of the aftermath.
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04-06-2015, 09:42 AM
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#10
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Member
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 66
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I will try to post photos again. Apparently I am computer challenged. To answer the question re Alco and Lippert. Lippert uses Alco axles, Lippert does the assembly. The spring hanger from the frame is cracked and must be replaced.
Mike
Sent from my iPad using Forest River Forums
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04-11-2015, 01:18 PM
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#11
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Member
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 66
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Update - all welding done on the spring hanger. The tech was putting it back together and noticed grease on one wheel. Seal was ruptured. Checked the bearings and found them pitted. All the bearings are pitted and are being replaced. I bought this trailer in May 2014, I've towed it 4524 miles. If I add the driving distance from Indiana to the Dallas-Ft. Worth add about another 1500 miles. So within 6000 towing miles a bolt sheared off in the suspension and all wheel bearings need replacement. Craftsmanship and Quality Control at it's finest.
Still love the trailer, well most of it anyway, but what a disappointment from Dynamax.
Sent from my iPad using Forest River Forums
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04-11-2015, 01:41 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Columbia, SC
Posts: 795
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Quote:
Originally Posted by retamaman
Update - all welding done on the spring hanger. The tech was putting it back together and noticed grease on one wheel. Seal was ruptured. Checked the bearings and found them pitted. All the bearings are pitted and are being replaced. I bought this trailer in May 2014, I've towed it 4524 miles. If I add the driving distance from Indiana to the Dallas-Ft. Worth add about another 1500 miles. So within 6000 towing miles a bolt sheared off in the suspension and all wheel bearings need replacement. Craftsmanship and Quality Control at it's finest.
Still love the trailer, well most of it anyway, but what a disappointment from Dynamax.
Sent from my iPad using Forest River Forums
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That is the “Forest River Touch”. Dynamax was synonymous with very best in high-end Class C and was just beginning to get into fifth wheel production, when they were acquired by Forest River. The first year models had the typical new model issues, but were an exceptional value. Year two, FR began to have an influence by lowering the quality of components and costs to manufacture, quality suffered. Year 2.5 to 3, abandoned the rounded style for the cheaper big box, making the just like everyone else’s, but hoped to milk the Dynamax name…didn’t work and ceased production. They are likely doing the same with the remaining Class C line, milk what profit they can from the Dynamax name, before everyone figures out what they have done.
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04-11-2015, 02:11 PM
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#13
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Mod free 5er
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Concord, NC
Posts: 24,702
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lgray
That is the “Forest River Touch”. Dynamax was synonymous with very best in high-end Class C and was just beginning to get into fifth wheel production, when they were acquired by Forest River. The first year models had the typical new model issues, but were an exceptional value. Year two, FR began to have an influence by lowering the quality of components and costs to manufacture, quality suffered. Year 2.5 to 3, abandoned the rounded style for the cheaper big box, making the just like everyone else’s, but hoped to milk the Dynamax name…didn’t work and ceased production. They are likely doing the same with the remaining Class C line, milk what profit they can from the Dynamax name, before everyone figures out what they have done.
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Too bad you have such a low opinion of FR. Don't understand why you don't sell yours and buy SOB! I sure would if I felt that way!
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04-11-2015, 07:15 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Columbia, SC
Posts: 795
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OldCoot
Too bad you have such a low opinion of FR. Don't understand why you don't sell yours and buy SOB! I sure would if I felt that way!
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OldCoot,
You may find this of benefit;
http://smchealth.org/sites/default/f...fact_fiber.pdf
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04-11-2015, 07:28 PM
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#15
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Mod free 5er
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Concord, NC
Posts: 24,702
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lgray
OldCoot,
You may find this of benefit;
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Just stating my opinion of your post.
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04-11-2015, 07:51 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: BoCoMo
Posts: 2,784
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OldCoot
Just stating my opinion of your post.
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His post is just fine, FR is a volumes based company and stiffing a lot of people with a facade of class and cost and then installs sub-par junk parts and pieces.
__________________
Brother Les
2013 Forest River Salem Hemisphere SBT312QBUD
2001 CrewCab F-250 7.3 PowerStroke Diesel
SuperChip, BTS transmission, 6.0 Trans Cooler
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04-11-2015, 07:59 PM
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#17
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Mod free 5er
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Concord, NC
Posts: 24,702
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brother Les
His post is just fine, FR is a volumes based company and stiffing a lot of people with a facade of class and cost and then installs sub-par junk parts and pieces.
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Didn't say his post was not fine, just said if I had the same opinion of FR products, I would get rid of it and buy SOB. I don't like FoMoCo products and therefore don't buy them. Had 2 didn't like them so the 2nd one left in 1964!
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04-11-2015, 08:21 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: MA
Posts: 1,830
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FR in my opinion does a great job of window dressing. The units look the best at the shows. What is underneath is where the questions arise.
__________________
2015 HW296
2006 HW256 (previous pup)
2013 Chevy Tahoe
Equalizer WDH 10000#
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04-11-2015, 08:29 PM
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#19
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Mod free 5er
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Concord, NC
Posts: 24,702
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vinmaker
FR in my opinion does a great job of window dressing. The units look the best at the shows. What is underneath is where the questions arise.
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Well, I guess I am an odd ball, I am perfectly satisfied with my FR product. I got what I paid for and what things I don't like, I change.
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04-11-2015, 08:30 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Waynesville
Posts: 14,428
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Quote:
Originally Posted by retamaman
I will try to post photos again. Apparently I am computer challenged. To answer the question re Alco and Lippert. Lippert uses Alco axles, Lippert does the assembly. The spring hanger from the frame is cracked and must be replaced.
Mike
Sent from my iPad using Forest River Forums
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Without Pics you have (Lost Me)? Sheared bolts,welding hangers,replace bearings/seals, where are the Pics? Youroo!!
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