Bent Rear axle

[boatman22]

I had a bent center axle on my Toy hauler. Out of warranty by about 1 1/2 years. The tire was wearing bad on the inside is how I noticed. Called Dexter and gave them the ser# of the axle. They got back with me the next day and said they would replace it with a completely new one no-charge, as customer goodwill. I had a new one within two weeks and it was complete with springs and brakes. Give them a call they have great customer service.

[boatman22]

Here is a link to the warranty claim form that I sen to them:

https://www.dexteraxle.com/contact-u...nty-claim-form

[Mike134]

Originally Posted by boatman22

I had a bent center axle on my Toy hauler. Out of warranty by about 1 1/2 years. The tire was wearing bad on the inside is how I noticed. Called Dexter and gave them the ser# of the axle. They got back with me the next day and said they would replace it with a completely new one no-charge, as customer goodwill. I had a new one within two weeks and it was complete with springs and brakes. Give them a call they have great customer service.

Thanks for the info. I found mine the same way with the inner edge of the tire worn bald

[5picker]

Originally Posted by babock

It's not another name for a spindle.

This is what I always thought a kingpin was. It's the vertical shaft that allows the spindle assembly to pivot(steer) on certain types of suspensions.

Correct!
The part the bearings fit to is a SPINDLE.
A king pin is used in axles that have steering capabilities. Trailer axles do not steer. They have no king pins.

And ependydad, you are also correct, the pin on a pin box that attaches a 5th wheel to a hitch is often referred to as a king pin for its its similarity of allowing rotation and its vertical plane positioning.

[Lee Pedrick]

Ok ,,I'll try a pic. I have 23 but I'll just show one.

[Lee Pedrick]

Theres the pic! What an adventure. Have not heard backfrom Dexter yet.

[Lee Pedrick]

Thank you Bama Rambler for your help.

[Bama Rambler]

You're welcome. It helped me as well, as now I see the issue.

[khogle2]

I think Dexter has a quality problem. Helpful warranty but otherwise need help

My new box trailer went from Michigan to Utah. I then noticed a metallic noise at low speed with the drivers window down. Upon inspection, the backing plate bolts (not lug nuts) to one of the wheels were gone. The others loose. Not long before the wheel would come off. It also wrecked the electric brake system on the axle and shorted the breakaway switch.

Dexter couldn’t have been more helpful. The trailer dealership was not helpful at all and were actually uncaring about it.

Not close to the same problem but an indication of another item to keep your eye on.

[dward51]

That photo almost looks like they flipped the axle when the perch was welded on at the factory. To me it looks like the normal bend that should be in the opposite direction. Either that or they stuck the stickers on the wrong tube and it was really for a trailer with an underslung setup and is now flipped without a correct perch for the springs. Does the other sticker in the middle of the axle read right side up or is it upside down (not the Nevr-a-just sticker, the other one), and are the stickers facing the rear or front of the trailer?

[Oaklevel]

Originally Posted by 5picker

Correct!
The part the bearings fit to is a SPINDLE.
A king pin is used in axles that have steering capabilities. Trailer axles do not steer. They have no king pins.

And ependydad, you are also correct, the pin on a pin box that attaches a 5th wheel to a hitch is often referred to as a king pin for its its similarity of allowing rotation and its vertical plane positioning.

Sorry to continue this but this is spot on.

King pins were usually on older or vehicles with straight front axles. For me I had over the years many pickups with king pins.

Am interested in hearing what the OP finds out on his axle from Dexter.

[Feel Swift]

You have to love the RV Industry and their BS.


1- Apparently someone at Dexter installed the perches on the wrong side of the axle. It passed through any inspections before shipping.


2- Apparently these were shipped to LCI who installed them on the frame they fabricated (According to the OP's original post). That seems strange but this whole industry is strange. If that was the case it then made it through any of LCI's inspections before shipping, if there are any.


3- Finally Coachmen does the build. Its not noticed by the line workers. It should jump out like a sore thumb as the build starts with the frame upside down. It makes it through that and all the inspections Coachmen says they do.



Evidently the below is total BS.

[Lee Pedrick]

Update. Dexter axle just sent me a claim number and ask what parts I think I might need. I answered back, so when I hear something I'll update!

[Mike134]

Originally Posted by dward51

That photo almost looks like they flipped the axle when the perch was welded on at the factory. To me it looks like the normal bend that should be in the opposite direction. Either that or they stuck the stickers on the wrong tube and it was really for a trailer with an underslung setup and is now flipped without a correct perch for the springs. Does the other sticker in the middle of the axle read right side up or is it upside down (not the Nevr-a-just sticker, the other one), and are the stickers facing the rear or front of the trailer?

If the holes for the electric brake wiring are facing forward that would confirm your suspicions

[Lee Pedrick]

Originally Posted by Lee Pedrick

I have a 243rbs coachmen Catalina 2018 TT. The rear axle is bent. Only 2000 mi on it. only had it 1.5 yrs. Bought new. Anyhow, just went thru all the measurement BS with Lippert frames. It has Dexter axles which lippert put on their frame. They are telling me I have to go to Dexter axles for a possible fix. Of course this problem never shows up during the warranty period. So clue me in anyone on whats it going to be like to dead with Dexter. The dealer said they are backed up 3 months just to get it in while telling me its out of warranty.

Dexter is going to send me a new axle. Don't have details yet, will keep you all informed.

[Johnzielinski]

I had a bent dexter axel on rear of my 3850 Cardinal. 2 years out of warranty. Called rep at Cardinal. They sent 2 replacement axels to repair facility. Job done in 1 day. FR covered all expenses. Call Rep at Fr for your division.

[Toad]

Take it to a spring shop cost me 105.00 to get mine straightened

[LawlessFly]

Originally Posted by Lee Pedrick

I have a 243rbs coachmen Catalina 2018 TT. The rear axle is bent. Only 2000 mi on it. only had it 1.5 yrs. Bought new. Anyhow, just went thru all the measurement BS with Lippert frames. It has Dexter axles which lippert put on their frame. They are telling me I have to go to Dexter axles for a possible fix. Of course this problem never shows up during the warranty period. So clue me in anyone on whats it going to be like to dead with Dexter. The dealer said they are backed up 3 months just to get it in while telling me its out of warranty.

Was traveling back from Nova Scotia to Wisconsin and stopped in PA at a campground when I noticed my door side wheel was pitched out. Called a road service operator that came out and pulled the wheel but we couldn’t find anything obviously wrong with bearings etc..Called Service but didn’t get a return so had to leave trailer at the business that came out, which also did repair. Drove back to WI and on my home phone was a message saying Dexter had a production problem and assembled a large quantity of axels wrong. Purchased my trailer June 2019. Dexter told me they would ship new axel to PA. They replaced it paying for installation, two new tires that had worn on inside edge, and service call, $640. They would not pay for my 5 days of travel to go get the trailer..I found out an assembler on that side of the production line put a 6 inch part into the axel instead of the 12 inch part that was needed. Still thinking of reporting them to the NHTSA. It cost me about $800 to go get it. Luckily I wasn’t in Nova Scotia when it happened.

[dward51]

If this is widespread (as it appears to be), why has not Dexter contacted all the affected owners to take care of this dangerous defect? They know who they sold them to, and they know what VIN's that lot of axles went into. Should not be hard at all to identify the units involved. Could it be that it's less expensive to put out the fires as they pop up on a case by case basis instead of a recall.

Report it to NHTSA so they can start logging the complaints and if it is widespread, force a fix/recall.

[pojp58]

Originally Posted by dward51

If this is widespread (as it appears to be), why has not Dexter contacted all the affected owners to take care of this dangerous defect? They know who they sold them to, and they know what VIN's that lot of axles went into. Should not be hard at all to identify the units involved. Could it be that it's less expensive to put out the fires as they pop up on a case by case basis instead of a recall.

Report it to NHTSA so they can start logging the complaints and if it is widespread, force a fix/recall.

I don't think this is Dexter's fault when it comes to reporting. That's not how manufactures work.


They have no idea what campers there axles went on, only who they sent them to.


So they most likely sent this info to the manufactures.

Now if it is a recall the manufacture will contact you. If it is a notification or bulletin then only when someone complains something will be done.


All company's do this.
IMO it sounds like Dexter is steeping up to the plate.