Replacement Wheel Wells, Freedom 1610

[PlaiderPillar]

We recently purchased a 1997 Rockwood Freedom 1610 that is in great shape, except that the wheel wells sustained damage along the way and wore through the back portion of the wall. Looking for replacements. We’re very new to this, so thanks in advance for your help and patience! Geraldine, or pop up, thanks you too!

[flyerdp]

A dealer will sell them or you can order from Forest river direct. I don't know if they will have the exact one due to the age of your camper but they do sell them.
try:
Britney Sutterby

Parts Specialist, Plant 10A

Tent Campers & Hardsides

Office: (574)-642-8943 | Direct: (574)-642-8963

Rockwoodcustomerservice@forestriverinc.com

Flagstaffcustomerservice@forestriverinc.com

Home | Forest River Inc., A Berkshire Hathaway Company

[PlaiderPillar]

Thank you so much! Yay! Geraldine will look so fancy! Very much appreciated.

[Reverse_snowbird]

Welcome to the forum!

You're smart to get that repaired because you don't want water from the road being thrown into the trailer through that hole.
That damage could have easily been caused by a blowout. You have checked to make certain that the wheel isn't hitting the wheel well?

[PlaiderPillar]

Thanks! Grateful to be here. I thought blowout too, except but both wheel wells are worn through like that, equally on both sides. It could have been overloaded, but it looks like the wheels/axle are slightly offset in the wheel wells. Maybe the axle was mounted 1 inch too far back? Tires are 1 inch from the wheel well at back, 3 inches at front, which makes me think things are just slightly offset. We had the bearings re-packed, and had them check the axle to make sure it wasn’t bent. All OK! I think our plan is to remount the wheel wells and aligned them in the axle a little better. It’s very slight.

[Reverse_snowbird]

Originally Posted by PlaiderPillar

Thanks! Grateful to be here. I thought blowout too, except but both wheel wells are worn through like that, equally on both sides. It could have been overloaded, but it looks like the wheels/axle are slightly offset in the wheel wells. Maybe the axle was mounted 1 inch too far back? Tires are 1 inch from the wheel well at back, 3 inches at front, which makes me think things are just slightly offset. We had the bearings re-packed, and had them check the axle to make sure it wasn’t bent. All OK! I think our plan is to remount the wheel wells and aligned them in the axle a little better. It’s very slight.

Both wheel wells are worn through equally? That is worrisome. At this point, your idea to remount them to align with the axel is your best choice. You certainly need more room between the wheels and the wheel wells. I wonder if it was like that from the beginning.
How's the clearance from the tire to the top of the wheel well? Could you have a flattened leaf spring?

[PlaiderPillar]

I don’t think the springs are collapsed, though I’m no expert! The wheel wells look equally off, 3” front and 1” back, with the top about 2”. I would think if the springs were collapsed the low point would be at the top of the wheel well. I really think the axle might just be off-center a little. And upon inspection, I don’t think I can just re-mount those wheel wells farther back. They are flush with the cut out in the side of the body, so they would be shifted in the scoop. Ideally, I’d like to find slightly bigger ones, I guess, or I need to move that axle. Ugh.

[PlaiderPillar]

Bear with me…first foray into adjusting axles and leaf springs. Is there anything that can be done to adjust the leaf springs to lower the entire axle? Can you swap for slightly longer shackles, which would increase the space between the wheel wells and the tires? I’m guessing shifting the axle isn’t an easy feat.

[Aussieguy]

wheel looks off center in photo ?



are they the correct size wheel /tires ? etrailer suggests 175/80-13


you can measure your liner and see if one of these will fit
https://www.etrailer.com/s.aspx?qry=...eel_Well_Liner

[dward51]

And in that last photo the springs looks to have flattened a good bit (the photo with no concrete block at the tire). I would go ahead and replace both springs (you do it as a pair) as it's not very expensive. Age of the springs could also be a factor.

Also some people "flip" their axle so the axle is on the bottom of the springs. There are changes made to the perch (where the axle sits against the spring, as you have to weld a new one on the top side of the axle. You can't just turn the axle over as there is a slight built in bend where the center is slightly higher than the two outer edges. This in intended to be there and is the camber for your wheel alignment (not adjustable). Double check your model though, as a pop-up may use a straight axle with not bend. If so, just flip and go. It sort of looks like a straight axle in your photos to me, but look up the axle model (should be stamped on the axle) to verify. If you can't find info, try a long straight edge or tight string to see if there is any slight bow/bend in the center of the axle.

Keep in mind that flipping the axle will also change the way the trailer tows and raise the center of gravity and overall height. Your steps may not be tall enough in some situations, etc.... May not be a huge factor with a pop-up, but just be aware of it.

Also one other negative for raising the overall height of the trailer might be decreased gas mileage when towing. It is from raising the height to be be more in the windstream behind the tow vehicle and the resistance from that front edge hitting the wind. From what I've read in pop-up forums, it's about a .5 mile per gallon penalty on average.

A plus of raising the body of the pop-up is it gives you more clearance in those wheel wells and you can go to a larger diameter tire for increased load range and increased durability (does not increase your weight carrying capacity, but having tires rated well above the trailer weight rating not just "at" it are less likely to blow out - hence more durability).

Here is a video of a guy doing a flip by welding on new axle perches for his 1997 Rockwood Freedom.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zsej472fKFU

[PlaiderPillar]

Thank you all so much! Extremely helpful! Where do you recommend I go for new springs, and maybe whole assembly (U bolts, shackles, etc.)? I can’t thank you enough!

[Mike91]

You may want to make sure that those are the right wheels and tire sizes. They look very large which would cause them to rub when you hit potholes and bumps.

Good luck.

[PlaiderPillar]

Originally Posted by Aussieguy

wheel looks off center in photo ?



are they the correct size wheel /tires ? etrailer suggests 175/80-13


you can measure your liner and see if one of these will fit
https://www.etrailer.com/s.aspx?qry=...eel_Well_Liner

Thanks for tire info. Yes, they’re off center. I think advice here is correct: I need new leaf springs. Tires are 5.30-12. Does that seem right? And thank you for the liner info! I’ll check it out.

[PlaiderPillar]

That’s, All, for setting us straight! Geraldine will have new wheel wells and leaf springs, and hopefully be on the road! You’re the best!

[SailorSam20500]

Originally Posted by PlaiderPillar

Thank you all so much! Extremely helpful! Where do you recommend I go for new springs, and maybe whole assembly (U bolts, shackles, etc.)? I can’t thank you enough!

Any trailer shop should be able to work on that. You don't need a RV dealer/repair shop, places that do contractor or other work trailers will do and probably faster and at lower cost! I'd check around your local area and see who gets recommended.

[PlaiderPillar]

I called a bunch of trailer places around here…either they wouldn’t work on it, or they were booked up. My dad and I decided to swap them and now she has new leaf springs, shackles, and wheel well liners!