Obsolete al-ko 8k axles on dynamax 38rl

[Mike LaMarche]

I sent this text to Chris Bennett at Dynamax service dept via email on 4 may 2017.
anyone else with this problem??? I read a post where a member had Lippert obsolete axles. Now I have AL-KO obsolete axlex. This is crazy. Forest river should do better.
We own a 2015 Trilogy .
I want to bring to your attention and hopefully the attention of management at Forest River.
Our 2015 Trilogy was built using AL-KO 8K ST-80 axles which are no longer available or supported by the parent company of Dexter Axle
To be the owners of this 5th wheel for the past 27 months that is actually only 3 model years old and to find out that major components (axles) are obsolete is very disheartening.
I am diligent in the performance of maintenance and upkeep to ensure that my RV will provide years of enjoyable use and hopefully trouble free service.
I have towed this RV 14723 miles in the past 27 months. I check brakes and wheel bearing on an annual basis. It is time for me to do my annual check and after 14723 mile it is time to replace the brake linings and any worn parts in the wheel and braking system. Let me tell you how SURPRISED I was to find that the braking system that DYMAMAX FOREST RIVER installed on this unit is OBSOLETE!!!!!!!!!! And I can't get replacement parts.
NOW THE RV IS SETTING IN MY YARD AND I CAN'T GET REPLACEMENT PARTS, THAT MEANS I CAN'T USE MY RV.
Great forethought on your part.
AL-KO has been bought out by Dexter Axle and the entire axle assembly has been discontinued along with the supporting parts.
How to heck is an owner supposed to fix this problem??????
To quote from the Dexter Produce Bulletin # 379 : The St-80 axles can be replace with Dexter D72 axles ( which I have no idea what that would cost) , and Dexter alternative replacement axles and parts may not meet the 8000 lbs capacity. Ain't that just wonderful. How about Dynamax and Forest River put some heads together and figure out what the solution to this major dilemma is. I'm sure I am not the only Trilogy owner that has or will face this dilemma now or in the future. And even though this unit is out of warranty and brakes are not covered by warranty I think the manufacturer of these units must take some responsibility for this oversight in design and assist owners in correcting this costly problem. I intend to post this info on the FROG Forum so other owners are fully aware of this concern.
I look forward to hearing from management at Dynamax and Forest River.
Please let me know who you send this forward to at Forest River.

[KyDan]

Last time I checked etrailer.com Entire new brakes including back plate, shoes and magnets assembled were significantly cheaper than trying to get individual parts.
I'm guessing you're fine. What do you need? Just because AL-CO doesn't offer parts there are aftermarket parts.

[SeaDog]

Might be time to upgrade to disc brakes just a thought

[Mike LaMarche]

thanks.. already checked with etailer, no gots.

[wahoonc]

Welcome to the real world?

The RV industry purchases parts from suppliers. Suppliers come and go, as well as discontinue parts on a regular basis. I suspect the FR did not know that Al-Ko was going to bet bought out by Dexter and the product line discontinued. Happens all the time unfortunately. If I find a product I like, I usually buy several of them because you can be damned sure that there will be a "New and Improved" model coming out shortly and while it may be "new", improved it ain't!

Brakes is brakes is brakes as long as you get the right size, unless Al-Ko was using something really strange.

Aaron

[KyDan]

Come on guys, this man needs brake parts. They're out there!

[Thumper7]

I know this doesn't help you find your parts but I'll second a suggestion already made. About 2 months ago, I upgraded to disc brakes and 17.5 H rated tires. I got everything from Ron Russell at Performance Trailer Braking. They come to you for the install. It's the best upgrade I'll ever be able to do to our Trilogy.

[Mike LaMarche]

Brakes ain't brakes. according to Dexter the replacement brake linings are unique. A simple 12 X 2 brake lining won't do the job. I already contacted Ron to arrange a disk brake install.

[KyDan]

Well this thread sure didn't land where I thought it would at the beginning!

We're glad to hear you have a $olution on the way but it sure is puzzling
what kind of "special" brakes are on that al-co/dexter axle??
You should have some awesome stopping power when the job is done!

[Mr Havercamp]

So the solution is to go out and drop a couple of Grovers on disc brakes? I too find it hard to believe that brake parts can not be found somewhere or something else can not be cross referenced.. AL-KO made millions of axles over the years.

[510Rick]

Ive always had good luck bringing samples to Six Robblees and they have been great about getting me what I need . Maybe you could check with them before you drop the coin on a conversion .

[KyDan]

Originally Posted by Mr Havercamp

So the solution is to go out and drop a couple of Grovers on disc brakes? I too find it hard to believe that brake parts can not be found somewhere or something else can not be cross referenced.. AL-KO made millions of axles over the years.

I hear ya!
I know the disk brake retrofit will give wonderful stopping power but
$heesh- how "special" can electric brake shoes be???
It sort of sounds like a cop out on the AL-CO/Dexter folks saying their
brakes are special so when they drop them no other parts will do.

[jrminiquad]

See if you can purchase brake components from Axletek. Their parts are knock-offs of most Dexter components.

www.axleteknology.com

A few years back our company started a division producing air ride suspension axles and I started buying some components from Axletek as Dexter's prices were going through the roof.

We sold that division five years ago but you may also be able to buy stock brakes from Timbren in Canada, who purchased our axle division.

[donniedu]

You can always take the existing shoes to someone who actually does reline brake shoes. Thete are dozens of friction rebuilders in the country.

[Iwannacamp]

Originally Posted by donniedu

You can always take the existing shoes to someone who actually does reline brake shoes. Thete are dozens of friction rebuilders in the country.

Just remember these are OFF-ROAD linings.. a lot of them won't do/can't do autos.

[donniedu]

Originally Posted by Iwannacamp

Just remember these are OFF-ROAD linings.. a lot of them won't do/can't do autos.

Off road linings? I dont think so!
They are going to be a standard friction material just,like is used on millions of cars and trucks around the world. There is nothing special about trailer brake material. But if your concerned, a few phone calls to friction rebuilders will get you the true answer.

[SeaDog]

I can see this thread getting wild before the brakes are applied LOL

[830hvacman]

I was thinking of Ron as I read the comments in this thread. I just installed disk brakes on my SOB using 7k axles w/ G614's. Disk brakes are the only way to truly "Stop" these rigs in the 16K GVWR and over range. In fact I was backing in my parking spot at home and the breakaway got hooked on the hitch and the truck could not and did not back it up.
You will be impressed with the newfound braking ability once you go that way.

Ron (Titan Guy) and his installers really do an awesome job and they do come to you. I less than an 8 hour day, you will have some awesome stopping ability.

Good Luck and Safe Travels!!
Ken

[gauchoverde]

After several issues with the alko axle/brake/suspension system I chose to install the Moryde independent suspension system with disk brakes.Big bucks but money well spent. Alko still owes me for the installation of the axles replaced under warranty.

[Tom48]

Originally Posted by 510Rick

Ive always had good luck bringing samples to Six Robblees and they have been great about getting me what I need . Maybe you could check with them before you drop the coin on a conversion .

We used to have a local shop that would reline any shoes then cut the drums and radius the shoes to exact fit. He retired and the neighborhood went to heck, but surely there are others who can re-line brake shoes.