Axles on the 365 SAQ

[rbcdp98]

Hello all. Im wondering if any one here have had any problems with the 6K axles on there 365. I have read the threads about how they should have 7k axles and I agree, but im stuck with My 6k axles unless I want to bring my unit from Maine to Indiana and pay $2500 to have the factory install them. I was told this by Wayne Bigler of Forest River after I weighed my unit and found that I'm only 500 lbs under the trailer axle ratings when loaded with no water on board.

[TURBS]

Did you deduct your pin weight in that figure ?


turbs

[Rufinit]

what does your yellow gvw sticker say?

[rbcdp98]

My cat scale ticket was 11,500 on the trailer axles.

[rbcdp98]

My gvw is 14400. Leaves about 1200 in cargo capacity.

[golfmedik]

If you read all of the posts about this in this and Sandpiper forum, you will see that not all the units are really heavy. It depends on the options that each unit has. As far as the axles, try getting your dealer involved. If they won't, then you can do it yourself for under $2500. Buy the axles direct, or have a dealer order them for you, then go to Tredit Tire - Tires and Wheels for RVs and Trailers and buy you 5 wheels and then switch your tires to the new wheels. You will save quite a bit off of the $2500 in travel expenses. Funny thing, at my dealer the other day and my salesman asked me did I see anything funny with the newest Sandpiper they had on the lot....I noticed immediately that it had 7k axles under it!!

[Rtazz17]

Just had mine replaced by forest river... Sent them an email over my concerns of 6k axles and they replaced with 7k under warranty. No questions asked.

[rbcdp98]

Who did you email. My unit is now out of warranty by 30 days so I dought they will do anything. I had emailed a number of months ago with no luck

[Rtazz17]

I cant even remember. He was in the 365saq dept... My brother has the same fifth wheel and got his changed to 7k axles as well previous to me. So having that info I emailed forest river myself and was given the ok to have it done under warranty. Seems some people have luck with this issue and others not so much but Im happy it was done. Def " feels " better towing. More planted is my best description. Felt good b4 but better now.

[rangerbob2926]

who are you kidding i had the extended warranty and they wouldn't cover repairs they have the worst warranty dept. i've ever delt with and i've been rving for close to 40 years i would never reccomend forest river to anyone i've had more issues with this 5th wheel than all of my previous rvs put together good luck

[inspectorgf]

I just weighed mine after we unloaded it for the winter so most of the clothes are off all food and drinks off no bikes just the stuff in the under storage and antifreeze and mine was over 12000 on the axles, I don't think i want to know what it weighs when we're loaded for a 2 week trip. I have not had any issues yet but sure doesn't make me feel real comfortable. I think it's crazy they don't put at least 7k axles on a trailer that big, but never thought to look at axles when i purchased the trailer just asumed they would build it to be safe. I guess asumption is a huge mistake.

[rbcdp98]

Wow. That is crazy. I would contact forest river and send them a copy of your weigh slip. And see if they would do anything for you. Good luck

[supercab79]

Pressure and perseverance Wayne is a joke get online and look up the Sandpiper CEO and call and leave messages for him everyday.

Good luck ill try and find the contact # I used and pm it to you.

[JRRoden]

I am with rangerbob! Forest river is the worst brand I ever owned and as soon as I can get rid of mine I will!

[golfmedik]

What bothers me is that they know there is a problem with the units and they continue to build them that way. Talk about negligence!!!! and liability!!! And now it seems they are shifting the blame to the dealers saying "they should've known better and ordered them with the bigger axles"!!! Funny thing is guys, I can buy a 7K axle for about $30 more than an 6K axle, so how much do you think it would cost THEM to do it right from the start??????

[Helmsey]

Talk to someone other than Wayne. I spoke with him first and got about the same response you did. I talked to another member on the forums via PM and he sent me the contact he worked with (thanks for that by the way Golf) and as I posted in my thread about this issue it has been sent to the warranty department at FR to start the process for getting them replaced.
And for what its worth, the new 365SAQB has the 7k axles under it.

[Ole Bear]

Hi. I am a newbie and my wife and I are searching for our first fifth wheel. We have a 2010 2500 Chevy crew cab Duramax diesel with Allison transmission. We are looking at a 2011 Forest River Sierra 345 RET. Can anyone give us any information good or bad on this unit.

[rbcdp98]

So any of you guys have to bring your unit to the factory for replacement. I'm being told I would have to.

[golfmedik]

Originally Posted by rbcdp98

So any of you guys have to bring your unit to the factory for replacement. I'm being told I would have to.

A couple of them did. Or actually had the factory send someone to pick it up and deliver it back. Mine being in late December and early January, they shipped the axles to my dealer and they put them in. Takes less than a 6 hours to do. Took more time to change my Goodyear G614s to the new wheels than it did to change the axles.
What I believe they are saying is that if you don't, they at least offered. I didn't play that.

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by rbcdp98

So any of you guys have to bring your unit to the factory for replacement. I'm being told I would have to.

Who told you this? The dealer or the factory?

If the dealer, they may feel like they're not up for the job. (When my unit went back to the factory for a slideout issue, it was because my dealer didn't have the capability to pull the slide out to see what was going on.)