Wolf Pup with a bent axle....

dc326 · 07-19-2011, 11:32 PM

We purchased our Wolf Pup on 6/11/2011 brand new as our starter camper. So far we've been able to take it camping once and after we came back, the left tire looked odd. I put a level to it and it's way out of plumb. As you can see in the photo's.

I've called the dealer and they said that they have had problems with these axles and it turns out ours is bent. Anyone else have problems with their Wolf Pup's or their trailer too??

It's hard to tell, but to me I can see the wheel not straight up and down.

donn · 07-20-2011, 07:48 AM

The only way to tell for sure is to take it to an alignment shop and have it checked.
BTW your photos were deleted for some reason????
RV axles are normally bent. Always bowed up in the middle to allow for loading and proper alignment.

jerry929 · 07-20-2011, 09:05 AM

My point exactly the axles are too close to the ground and will at some time or another hit something and cause damage.

dc326 · 07-20-2011, 09:26 PM

Sorry about the pictures, let me see if this works...

and here's one with a 2' level

jerry929 · 07-22-2011, 08:58 AM

I would return it to the dealer as soon as possible maybe something is loose.

sagegray · 01-20-2012, 08:52 AM

We bought a wolf-pup 2011 have only had one camping trip and got bad tire wear - same thing as youare describing. The dealer in Salt Lake said they had similar axel problems too.

I weighed the camper dry and it is 2870 lbs. the 50 gallon water tank could add another 450 lbs and with gear you can easily exceed the 3500 lb axel and tire capacities. I noticed that the torsion bar suspension is "Bottomed-out" so all the shock is being absorbed by the tire and the Axel....

I am going to start a warranty claim and look for the factory to compensate for this. I feel that the axel and tire is not sufficient for the gross vehicle weight of the camper. Could be a very dangerous thing with a single axel trailer if a "blow-out" or breakage occurs. Not to mention excessive tire wear.

raymymail@yahoo.com Ray Brooks

dc326 · 01-22-2012, 09:39 PM

Fellow Wolf Pup Owners; Do any of your tires resemble mine as posted in #4?

ken0042 · 01-22-2012, 10:18 PM

I just had a look and mine appear to be straight and square to the trailer. I will have to get a better look during the day just to be sure.

Tires also seem to have no obvious wear problems. I have about 1600 km (~1000 miles) on the trailer; and about 300 of those km were with a full tank of water.

Now I have a 2011 16P; I wonder if the problems could be limited to a specific model?

dc326 · 01-22-2012, 11:48 PM

It could be model specific, I have a 17B. I'm glad yours is okay, I hope more chime in and we can determine if it's a fairly isolated incident or model specific.

sagegray · 01-23-2012, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken0042

I just had a look and mine appear to be straight and square to the trailer. I will have to get a better look during the day just to be sure.

Tires also seem to have no obvious wear problems. I have about 1600 km (~1000 miles) on the trailer; and about 300 of those km were with a full tank of water.

Now I have a 2011 16P; I wonder if the problems could be limited to a specific model?

I have a 16-p weighs 2870 dry - if you have a 3500lb axel and tires and you load up you will have a problem...Do you also have about 4" of ground clearance under the axel? be careful and you must keep the tires at max inflation too...

ken0042 · 01-23-2012, 09:15 AM

Ray, where on the axle should I look to see the weight rating?

DC- one thing I noticed that is different from your picture compared to mine; I appear to have a couple of red wires running along the axle towards the wheel. (Probably for the brakes.) Makes me wonder if something is different.

The other consideration; is it possible that because I'm in Canada that the trailer was built differently to satisfy Transport Canada? I don't know; just trying to figure out why I haven't had an issue. It would be nice if we could narrow down what all the affected units are.

dc326 · 01-23-2012, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken0042

Ray, where on the axle should I look to see the weight rating?

DC- one thing I noticed that is different from your picture compared to mine; I appear to have a couple of red wires running along the axle towards the wheel. (Probably for the brakes.) Makes me wonder if something is different.

The other consideration; is it possible that because I'm in Canada that the trailer was built differently to satisfy Transport Canada? I don't know; just trying to figure out why I haven't had an issue. It would be nice if we could narrow down what all the affected units are.

The wires would be for the brakes. I can't imagine anything being built differently between the campers because yours was purchased in Canada.

I'm in communication with Lippert now and I've sent several photos so I'll post back when I find out any more information.

sgharp · 02-01-2012, 09:19 PM

I haven't seen any trouble with my 16p so far. The tires are square with the trailer and no signs of wear. I haven't traveled with water in the tank as I use a campground with water hookups. I've had my trailer for a year now I will keep an eye on it though.

merry camper · 02-14-2012, 02:14 AM

I liked the Wolf Pup on the web, but couldn't find the interior height. Also what vehicles are people using to pull the Wolf Pup (16P)?

sgharp · 02-14-2012, 08:55 AM

I'm 5'9" and have plenty of head room. It's not a really wide trailer though. I just barely fit lying in the bed. I pull mine with a full-size Chevy truck (silervado) and I don't even know it's behind me. I use a brake controller but do Not have a WD hitch. The truck doesn't squat at all when I hook it up.

ken0042 · 02-15-2012, 07:46 PM

Merry Camper- my interior heights are as follows:

Door height- 70.5"
Interior ceiling height- 75"
Interior height; floor to lights and A/C- 73"

There is also a great thead about general Wolf Pup stuff here: http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...-pup-7909.html
(This one is about the axle issue.)

dc326 · 02-21-2012, 07:38 PM

Here's an update. I ended up emailing and speaking to Lippert directly. I'm going to take it back and install another axle. Hopefully this one solves the problem.

sagegray · 02-27-2012, 01:58 PM

Forest River installed a 5200 lb torsion axel and 225x15 Radial 8 ply tires/wheels on my Wolf Pup 16P - Charged a very nominal "Upgrade cost" and now I have about 2" more ground clearance and perfectly straight (very heavy duty axel/brakes/bearings Etc.

Remember when you carry 50 gallons of water it adds 450lbs - You could easily have over 4000lbs of total weight.. I reccommend a good tow vehicle for the Wolf Pup - at least 5000lb tow capacity...

Ray

sagegray · 02-27-2012, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by merry camper

I liked the Wolf Pup on the web, but couldn't find the interior height. Also what vehicles are people using to pull the Wolf Pup (16P)?

I reccommend a tow vehicle with at least 5000lb tow rating for the Wolf Pup...

It is heavier than it says and you can add a LOT of weight 50 gal of water alone weighs 450lb...

padk125 · 05-29-2012, 09:59 AM

had one axel replaced last year, same prob again this year, looking into the 5200 upgrade

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