Thanks....

Right now, I'll just wait to see all my options, after they are presented.
I hear so much about cheap build, etc, but also, I see more trailers on the road than those sitting in repair shops.
I'm thinking if it was that big of deal, we'd see a lot more of issues like mine?
We don't read many post saying I'm having a great time, no problems, etc....
Kinda like we don't see much GOOD NEWS reported in the media

 

I tend to believe this is accurate, although keep in mind there's an interesting combination happening here: Lippert axles are often the least-expensive option out there, trailer manufacturers will often use the least expensive parts in order to maximize profits etc., camp trailers are often overloaded. While debates continue over whether this is because owners overload them or because manufacturers don't design enough cargo capacity into them, the end result is that they run around overloaded. They also are subject to the limited maintenance practices of many of their owners. Combine all of this together and a reputation can be easily built.

That having been said, I've seen a lot of them go a long way . . . often with a little bit of regular maintenance.

Always an option. If you do, I suggest Dexter axles.

Definitely true.

 

Did you keep the springs inflated properly? I'm joking. Leaf springs have a shackle on one end to allow movement. If they are arched down or up or are flat, bumps, loads, etc. will still move them up and down because the shackle allows that movement. Whatever they are talking about here doesn't make sense. You'd have to put so much stuff in there that it sagged down through most of the travel of the shackle. By then the tires would have given out, and probably would have spent time rubbing inside the wheel wells.

Sounds like a tactic. Demand proof.

Is it in their hands loaded similarly to how you've used it? If so, tell them such and that they should weigh it. If not, weigh whatever you don't currently have in there, tell them to weigh it and add your number to their number. This is also a tactic. Yes I know, they'll say "just because this is how you say it was loaded doesn't mean you never overloaded it". Fine. Let them. Then disagree and require proof of overloading.

Did you drive that road like a Top Gear presenter?:



If you reasonably slowed for bumps etc. then it should survive without issue. Especially so new and unloaded. If you were telling us that you drove this crazy road for 20,000 miles I'd say different things.

Even in the episode of Top Gear that the picture came from, the springs were fine at the end (if they were still attached) and all of the axle damage caused failures after an extreme amount of abuse after a previous life of service with prior owners before the BBC bought them.

Start thinking that way and they start to win. Part of how these tactics work.

I suggest calling the extended warranty company yourself and asking them if the claim has been submitted yet, then follow up as necessary.

You can upgrade axles without changing tire size. Your trailer is modern and the axle dimensions are common. Also, you won't have to upgrade if they fix what they should fix.

Last I heard there is nothing wrong with your frame. No need worrying about that. The majority of frame failures that I've seen is from probably overloading the front of the trailer (sometimes on a stiffly-sprung tow vehicle) and having the tongue fold.

Many. If they fix it, you could start by getting them measured for alignment including wheel angles etc.

I don't think these would help your situation.

In summary, this appears to be them applying tactics in order to get our of repairs. This increases their profit margins. I recently saw a report where RV manufacturers are complaining that they can't find enough people to build RVs, and what few they do find don't take well to constructive criticism and leave for the RV manufacturer up the street. I bet if they paid more they'd have more people building stuff for them. I bet if they paid more they'd have people working for them who care and/or put up with constructive criticism. But then there I go again eating at their profit margins again. My advice: Everything they say keep in mind that they need to try that on the next guy and repair yours.

 

I am a real slow and steady driver, I will pull over once I get 5 vehicles behind me, etc.
I stay at 55 on the interstate, the milage is better and so are my nerves

I am still waiting to hear back from them at this point.
My gut feeling is its being taken care of under the extended warranty as I have heard no "Well, what do you want us to do?" hopefully.
If not, then I'll go get it and take it elsewhere, and live and learn, and oh Yeah....spread the word on the INTERNET

I can do most of my own repairs, and I believe I could do this upgrade as well.
I am just getting to the point in life I'd rather not.

Thanks, guys, for all input and advice!

Added: Here is a picture under the trailer, not all that good, but can you tell if that spring looks flat?

 

That one spring pack that you can see in that picture isn’t flat at all, it is showing a pretty normal looking profile. But it’s not on the obvious problem axle………

 

Agreed. Spring pack looks arched. I think you would have to work a little harder to kill a spring pack.

 

Yes, that is the front axle....
Here is the rear one, right side.
This wheel here was the one the person pulled me over for.

Hard to see, sorry, but maybe enough?

You can see some inside wear on the tire, that is since new, prolly over 5K on it, and just back weeks ago from Pudget Sound to Yellowstone and back. no problem noted on that trip.

 

Yeah all the springs look good to me. Wear like that can be from a bent axle, like if the wheel is steering outward a little. Here's the thing though, unless you took it somewhere that can measure it accurately right after purchasing it, you don't know if it has a defective axle or if the axle was damaged while maneuvering around the factory lot or the sales lot. Or both. Let's say turning tight using a forklift to twist it around, snag a hearty obstacle, voila'.

 

UPDATE:
Been an uphill road, but progress is being made.
The adjuster came out for the extended contract coverage to view the trailer.
I guess he wouldn't go up under the trailer on a "creeper" to see the damage.
The service manager and service advisor both asked for him to go under and take a look at how the springs failed, causing the axles to bend, and damage under the coach.
He agreed the suspension failed, and was covered, but NOT the axles because of a clause in the extended warranty contract that says it does not cover bent axles.
It seems he is misinterpreting the intention of that clause, it's for when a person causes the damage by hitting a curb, etc, it's not covered, not when covered components fail under the trailer causing them to bend....
I called the company myself, and the "agent" I spoke to agreed but could not add any additional input as the claim was still active and not settled yet.

For the most part, CW has been good, the service advisor, GREAT...she is not about to let this go.

Not sure how this event came about. I pulled it over 3k miles to Yellowstone and back, stayed in the KOA at West Yellowstone for a week.
Pulled great, no issues, etc.
Parked in in my driveway for 3 weeks, took off to the coast here less than a tank of fuel away, and a concerned motorist behind me flagged me down because he feared the trailer had a MAJOR issue with the wheels bowing out in turns/curves.
When I pulled over and we went to look, the trailer was straight, and it all looked OK, he didn't understand it either. He had taken picture/video with his phone, as he followed me, that is how concerned he was, however it was very hard to tell by looking at that small screen, etc...
Then on the way to CW taking it in, again, I made a lefthand turn at an intersection, and the car behind me pulls me over.
I pull into a parking lot and park on a slight angle, and you could see the wheels on one side, "inside the turn radius " bowing out on the bottom, in on top...it looked not right at all....

Hopefully all will be well, just doing paperwork and ordering parts now, then they can fix it.

 

Whatever happened with your claim? Inquiring minds want to know! Is the West Yellowstone KOA you stayed at the one about 5 miles west of West Yellowstone? If so, I've driven past it a few times but never stayed there. If interested in a boondocking site near there, let me know.

I looked up this thread because I came across some new information about bent axles. My hunting partner took his 3 year old Northwoods Arctic Fox fifth wheel to a trailer suspension specialty shop (that's all they do) because the tires are wearing bad and he wanted to get it aligned. The shop determined that the front axle is bent. My friend thought that the tire shop that he took the trailer to had jacked up the trailer under the axle (not under the leaf springs). However, the owner of the suspension shop disagreed, saying that it was due to turning too tight. Unbeknownst to the shop owner, my friend lives in a house that is the last house before the circle on a cul-de-sac street. So every time the trailer goes to his house it gets turned real tight. Probably not 90° but getting close to it.

As a side note, trailer axles are supposed to have an upward arch, like a frown. If your trailer axles are smiling, you're not going to be. Jacking up under the middle of the axle would increase the arch, not decrease it. The more weight added to the trailer, the less arch you'll see in the axle. I would really like to know what the OEM arch measurements are supposed to be (unloaded and loaded). That might help an owner to know if the axle is in or out of spec.

 

After much wrangling and excuses we got it fixed, and it was determined that the axle was installed upside down, and it caused the rest of the supporting suspension stuff to fail, etc. After we got it back months later, we traded it in and all the wiser purchased a new trailer and it wasn't at CW......As far as spread axles, I will never buy anything with them, especial if they are located directly mid trailer, the wheel scrub puts such a strain on already marginal hardware. I like axles further back, and I will take the tongue weight, WHICH, I think makes for more stable pulling anyway, if you have a BIG ENUFF truck to carry it.

 

Thanks for the update. I agree with you on spread axle configurations.