Bent/Warped Axles??

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by dannyabear

While on the subject of axles, how and where do you place jack to change tires on a torq flex axle?

I jack between the axles with a bottle jack and an adaptor I made to make sure the jack stays under the frame.

[Ditchooker]

my tires were wearing like that when i first purchased my trailer, and bent axles was the culprit. Lippert swapped the axles, but said tough luck on the tires, so FR stepped up and replaced the tires (4) as well. Found this within 6 months of ownership and in less mileage.

End of last season found a couple of loose wheel bearings from the axle re and re. This spring before heading out, I decided to check and repack everything, and to my surprise, my straight axles when replaced were replaced with EZ lube spindles, however they didn't change the bearing caps and the caps were almost worn through on the grease fittings. Nice of them to mention that :P

[KE7ONE]

Greetings to Everyone that replied,

I went under the trailer after reading all of the great comments and sharing of experiences, and found out that the axel is rated for 3500 Lbs. UNFORTUNATELY, THE TRAILER GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT IS 3895 LBS.!!!!!!!


I think I'm gonna have me a little talk with the dealer first, then maybe see what can happen...

[KE7ONE]

From gljurczyk,

"What is the recommendation on cold pressure rating for your unit or tires on the sticker? There should also be a sticker on the axle someplace that will tell you what they are rated for. Is this a duel or single axle unit? "




It is a single axel, 50 psi tire pressure recommended. See my last post, I think I found out what the problem is....
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[Witch Doctor]

Originally Posted by KE7ONE

From gljurczyk,

"What is the recommendation on cold pressure rating for your unit or tires on the sticker? There should also be a sticker on the axle someplace that will tell you what they are rated for. Is this a duel or single axle unit? "




It is a single axel, 50 psi tire pressure recommended. See my last post, I think I found out what the problem is....
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Just read it, thanks sounds pretty simple 3500 lb axle with a dry weight of 3800 lbs.I think something is wrong. Good luck. I would also check your tire cap for weight at 50 psi.....

[BigJohnD]

KE7ONE, Just because the axle isn't rated at GVW doesn't mean it's under rated. Axles on some trailers don't always add up to gross weight, as everything does not sit on the axles. Fine example, our rig. 2 - 7k Dexters, so 14k. GVWR is 15,500. On the CAT scale, I've got around 6k on each axle, and 2800 lbs on the pin, so we're within the GVWR.

Your tongue weight is in there somewhere. Not saying this is your problem, just saying that axle rating does not always equal gross weight.

[OldCoot]

3800# dry wt should have from 380# to 570# tongue wt which would make the 3500# axle within 80# to 270# of it's max capacity.

[BigBaron]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

3800# dry wt should have from 380# to 570# tongue wt which would make the 3500# axle within 80# to 270# of it's max capacity.

Isn't that wonderful? Just enough axle to pass. NO safety factor at all.
My 2007 Starcraft has a GVWR of about 1,800 lbs., yet it has a 3,500 lb. axle.
I think that is inexcusable, but when folks like FR and CW rule the roost, this stuff happens.
I bet they saved $100 on the build cost, maximum.

[Ditchooker]

Unfortunately mine is the same way. 3500lb axles x2, but have a max GVW of 7700 lbs. with the original 14" tires also rated 1750lbs max load. luckily I had enough room to go to a larger 14" tire with more capacity.

[dannyabear]

Originally Posted by Ditchooker

Unfortunately mine is the same way. 3500lb axles x2, but have a max GVW of 7700 lbs. with the original 14" tires also rated 1750lbs max load. luckily I had enough room to go to a larger 14" tire with more capacity.

What brand and size did you go to?

[Ditchooker]

They are Hercules power STR in a 215/75/14. Although they are made in China, they had very few complaints that I could find. So far they wearing much better, and run much cooler. This will be my second season running with them.

Its not much more capacity, but the alternative was to go to a 15" rim and tire set up. The Kumho 857's are not available in Canada, and the Maxxis were only available in 15" locally when I was looking.

[Ditchooker]

Also forgot to mention they also have a "L" speed rating as well (75mph)

[steveh326]

my 2013 salem 27rkss is in the shop right now for repairs. I bought the trailer new less than a year ago when the 2014's came out. it has about 2-3000 miles on it. both axles bent, all 4 leaf springs bad. all 5 tires bad. dry rot and big bubbles on sidewalls.

dropped it off about 3 weeks ago for repairs, and told them I HAD to have it back by now because of a trip I have to take... it's not gonna be ready and now it's going to cost me $500 for hotels for the trip plus the inconvenience of not having my unit with me.

just my wife and I, and the trailer has NEVER been overloaded. it appears FR is using too light weight components on these units.

to say I am unhappy with both FR and my dealer now is an understatement. I talked to the GM of the dealership and also the Forest River rep late Friday, they promised to get on it Monday morning but I leave Wednesday and fairly confident there is no way it will be fixed by then. I think I am done with FR products, and possibly this dealership as well.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by steveh326

my 2013 salem 27rkss is in the shop right now for repairs. I bought the trailer new less than a year ago when the 2014's came out. it has about 2-3000 miles on it. both axles bent, all 4 leaf springs bad. all 5 tires bad. dry rot and big bubbles on sidewalls.

dropped it off about 3 weeks ago for repairs, and told them I HAD to have it back by now because of a trip I have to take... it's not gonna be ready and now it's going to cost me $500 for hotels for the trip plus the inconvenience of not having my unit with me.

just my wife and I, and the trailer has NEVER been overloaded. it appears FR is using too light weight components on these units.

to say I am unhappy with both FR and my dealer now is an understatement. I talked to the GM of the dealership and also the Forest River rep late Friday, they promised to get on it Monday morning but I leave Wednesday and fairly confident there is no way it will be fixed by then. I think I am done with FR products, and possibly this dealership as well.

Replacing both axles and springs is less than an 8 hr job. In fact, in a properly equipped shop, 2 mechanics could do it in 3 hrs or less.

[steveh326]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

Replacing both axles and springs is less than an 8 hr job. In fact, in a properly equipped shop, 2 mechanics could do it in 3 hrs or less.

I went up to talk to the service manager face to face this morning. IF he can get parts on Monday he said he can have it fixed in time. he will call me at 10am Monday to let me know the status. I have to go ahead and find a hotel room for a week just in case, and hope I can cancel it later.

[BigBaron]

Originally Posted by steveh326

I went up to talk to the service manager face to face this morning. IF he can get parts on Monday he said he can have it fixed in time. he will call me at 10am Monday to let me know the status. I have to go ahead and find a hotel room for a week just in case, and hope I can cancel it later.

It sounds like you need to file a complaint with the NHTSA(?) and so does everyone else that has had this problem.
I know from now on I'm going to check the axle rating on any new trailer I buy.

[steveh326]

picked up my trailer from my dealer today. Forest river upgraded my axles, springs, wheels and tires under warranty. they even popped for aluminum wheels instead of the painted steel ones. Could be my imagination, but it feels like the trailer tows easier now. Bad news is they did not make the deadline for my trip, so I had to stay in a hotel which cost me $500 for the week vs staying in the camper for free. other fly in the ointment is a small dent in the siding that was not there when I dropped the trailer off. Dealer is going to order replacement panel and repair the siding this fall after I finish with the trailer for the season.

wife and I are camping this coming weekend. I was in love with my trailer before all this, now not so much. only time will tell if my confidence and love for the camper returns.

[Rivnut]

Kow how you feel, I was in love with this new trailer, but after the sloppy factory work, not so anymore. It's my last one anyway.

[dmazzone]

have 2014 xlr thunderbolt 300x12, have bent back axle, want them to upgrade but don't think they will, have two 6000lb axles this unit should have been higher on the axles. you put on golf cart or one motorcycle you are stressing the axles. Sold as toy hauler oh yeah you can put two full dresser in there. This is not the case. Warrantee will replace but to keep family and traveling public safe should have a 7000 lb or higher axles on this unit. Like always, will it take someone to die before Forest River admits it is building units and selling for use that they can't handle safely.

[Rivnut]

can you offer to pay the extra for upgraded axles. I would just do it anyway if they are not going to help.
rivnut