Lippert axles bent

[Thumper13]

2022 TFQ2413: 4,700 miles, right rear tire down to metal belts, RH fwd tire approximately 1/2 tread left. LH side tires have minimal wear. Dealer found axles "bent" and RH leaf springs flat. We have to pay freight and 1/2 labor, Lippert covering parts and 1/2 labor.

I'm concerned it will reoccur if the axles aren't heavy duty enough for a toy hauler. We haul a KRX 2 seater which is over 2,100 lbs. Since it sits on the RH side and that's where the tires/springs are damaged/worn.

Has anyone had similar issues? Any thoughts or opinions?
.

[tomkatb]

The quality of axles today is not what it was in the past.

My repair guy replaces a lot of them today!

More likely I think the driver clipped a curb somewhere. Surprised the factory helped.

[Tlmgcamp]

First...you are very lucky that you didn't blow a tire while under way if you were down to belts in only 4700 miles. Scrubbing the tread off that quick must have been generating a lot of heat. That could have been messy.

Second, the side-by-side equates to 2/3 of your cargo weight capacity. Not having that concentrated load centered side-to-side is likely going to cause problems as you have found out.

[chriscowles]

Inquire with Dexter whether you can pay for an upgraded axle when getting the warranty replacement. I got a replacement on my Rockwood with torsion axles because it had a bent spindle. They were willing to upgrade for a price but recommended against it because replacement parts would have been very non-standard, compared to the very common 3500# axle we had, and replace it with.

YMMV

[tomkatb]

You are likely close to payload.

Not likely the issue.

[D W]

What axles do you have now?

[chriscowles]

Originally Posted by D W

What axles do you have now?

To whom is that directed?

[BarabooBob]

I had to replace the axle on my FR TT. The TT has a gross weight of 3500 pounds and it came with a 3000 pound axle from the factory. I had a replacement axle built by a local company.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by chriscowles

Inquire with Dexter whether you can pay for an upgraded axle when getting the warranty replacement. I got a replacement on my Rockwood with torsion axles because it had a bent spindle. They were willing to upgrade for a price but recommended against it because replacement parts would have been very non-standard, compared to the very common 3500# axle we had, and replace it with.

YMMV

I took from the OP's post they are Lippert axles.
But, maybe they can do the same with LCI as you did with Dexter.

[Thumper13]

The Stealth is at the dealer, but according to my owner's manual, it has Lippert 5100 axles. And no, I did not hit a curb or anything else.

I forgot to mention, the tire wear is on the outside edges on the RH tires, especially the rear tire.

[chriscowles]

Originally Posted by 5picker

I took from the OP's post they are Lippert axles.
But, maybe they can do the same with LCI as you did with Dexter.

I missed the "Lippert" part but you may be right.

In my case, I have Dexter axles on a Lippert frame.

[Thumper13]

I had to use my spare to get to the dealer. I thought about trying to find an upgrade to the Gladiators to put on the spare, so I only need to buy 3 more to upgrade when the originals wear out. But I suppose I should just buy a Gladiator because the RH front tire is also wearing abnormally and will need to be changed soonish. Makes sense to keep the same brand on all 4?

[D W]

Originally Posted by chriscowles

To whom is that directed?

The OP. He's the one with the problem.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by Thumper13

I had to use my spare to get to the dealer. I thought about trying to find an upgrade to the Gladiators to put on the spare, so I only need to buy 3 more to upgrade when the originals wear out. But I suppose I should just buy a Gladiator because the RH front tire is also wearing abnormally and will need to be changed soonish. Makes sense to keep the same brand on all 4?

Yes, mixing tire brands on a travel trailer can be troublesome.

It's one thing to put on another brand in one spot to get you somewhere but not a good idea for constant travel.

[corn18]

Have you taken the rig to the scales to get actual weights?

[Thumper13]

Originally Posted by corn18

Have you taken the rig to the scales to get actual weights?

No, good advice. I told them what SXS I was running, dealer said I would be fine. If the KRX is too heavy, I doubt they would give me any relief/satisfaction though.

[wheelin14]

Lippert and Dexter axles both use age old standard dimensions so you can swap parts. OP should find a grain elevator, feed mill etc. that has a scale where you can weigh with one side on and one off. Difference may be surprising. While warranty replacement sounds nice an axle shop (not an rv dealer) will likely give better advice on needed upgrades. Our fifth wheel weighs (from memory) about 5900 on the appliance side and 5000 on the other side; and, it came with 5100 axles! We went straight from the dealer to an axle shop for 6,000 lb. axle installation. After weights had wished I'd done 7,000 lb. A few years later the factory jumped them up to 7,000. No idea about Lippert (who keeps it cheap for the rv industry), but Dexter makes 2 to 3 differnt axle tube thicknesses for each size of hub.

[Thumper13]

Thanks for that advice to you and everyone else who has responded

[Pred]

https://www.forestriverforums.com/fo...ml#post2565929

[Mikeytheb]

The curb impact could have easily occurred in transit from factory to dealer - or at dealership while moving it around the lot. Don’t assume there was never a damaging impact because YOU have not had one. Happened to a friend.