Tire wear, bent axle, replace or trade

[flguppie]

On our summer trip we returned with tires wearing out on the inside edges. The axle on the unloaded trailer were flat across. The dealer bent the axle so it bowed upward when empty. He said if that didn’t work I would need new axles and should go stronger (currently 3500 lb ea. On dual axle and tt is 6000 lb gvwr, see RV in sig). We just returned from a 300mile trip with inside tire wear on new spare. So issue remains. Which begs the question: 5 year old RV. Do I replace the axles or trade for a new RV? Has anyone had axle issues before? Cost to replace two axles and all 5 tires?

[spike99]

Axle replacement is a simple DIY task - using simple auto mechanic tools.

Like all my trailers (RV, utility, Boat, snowmobile, canoe/kayak, etc.), I simply buy new axles (do +2 up size) and up size their leaf spring packs as well. Dry fit, then get your local welder guy to weld on new leaf spring saddles. Lots of online info on how to measure "hub face to hub face" and how to install new / better brake wiring - from factory linear design to much better STAR design. Stuff like this is easy DIY.....

Note: For 2 of my factory bought trailers, I got their axles 1" longer (that's 1/2" longer on each side) as well. Thus, much better fix - compared to factory design. Your trailer may need slightly longer axle (for better position of its wheel inside its fender cavity) as well.....

[westend]

donn0128 wrote:
Take it to a compentent commercial trailer shop and let them do a proper alignment.

X2
They may discover the axles are bent or that the installation was incorrect. A new axle is not that expensive, ask the trailer shop guys.

[drsteve]

JCR-1 wrote:
Lets face it. American made trailers today are on par with Chinese quality.The axles they use barely meet specs and the build quality has an expiration date of only a few years.. Cant always blame the Chinese as American made products in many cases these days are in the same category.RV is one !

Sadly, the RV makers are building what they know will sell. Many folks only do a few days of camping per year, and they want the cheapest RV they can buy, for the most part.

[JCR-1]

Lets face it. American made trailers today are on par with Chinese quality.The axles they use barely meet specs and the build quality has an expiration date of only a few years.. Cant always blame the Chinese as American made products in many cases these days are in the same category.RV is one !

[Lynnmor]

bob2194 wrote:

How did the brakes hold up for you.? For me they seemed ok but did not put that many miles on them maybe 2500

I travel roughly 10,000 miles per year. The brake lining isn't the problem, they last longer than the ridiculous brake magnets. More precisely, the magnets eat into the armature face requiring the drums to be faced or replaced all too often. If I get a new trailer, disk brakes will be installed, I've had enough of the junk.

[bob2194]

I bought the brakes and bearing sets from etrailer. The garbage Chinese bearings failed, so I had to do it over again with quality Timken bearings.

That sucks! I traded that trailer 2 years later, with no problems. How did the brakes hold up for you.? For me they seemed ok but did not put that many miles on them maybe 2500

[Huntindog]

GrandpaKip wrote:

Huntindog wrote:

GrandpaKip wrote:
When I bought our camper, I made sure the axles would be more than adequate.
3500 pound axles, 3880 pounds on the factory sticker, 6000 pounds gross, over 2000 pounds cargo capacity
Fully loaded, we’re around 5000 pounds.
I’m really surprised how many people do not do their homework before spending a fair amount of money. Well, maybe not.

Axles are so easy and cheap to upgrade, that it is not an overriding concern for me.
Other factors that are harder to change take priority.... Obviously if there is more than one TT that are equal except for axles, then the better axled one would win... That is not usually the case though.

With today’s campers, I would also be concerned about overloading a frame that had a low cargo capacity.

Many still buy their frames in bulk runs
IOW the same frames for several models
You can get Avery stout frame that way
But your concern has merit
When selecting a tt......Itpays to do your homework

[GrandpaKip]

Huntindog wrote:

GrandpaKip wrote:
When I bought our camper, I made sure the axles would be more than adequate.
3500 pound axles, 3880 pounds on the factory sticker, 6000 pounds gross, over 2000 pounds cargo capacity
Fully loaded, we’re around 5000 pounds.
I’m really surprised how many people do not do their homework before spending a fair amount of money. Well, maybe not.

Axles are so easy and cheap to upgrade, that it is not an overriding concern for me.
Other factors that are harder to change take priority.... Obviously if there is more than one TT that are equal except for axles, then the better axled one would win... That is not usually the case though.

With today’s campers, I would also be concerned about overloading a frame that had a low cargo capacity.

[Huntindog]

delete

[Atlee]

I have a little excess capacity with my trailer. 2 3500# axles equaling 7000#. The GVWR of the trailer is 6500#, so even including the tongue, I'm still over by 500#.

GrandpaKip wrote:
When I bought our camper, I made sure the axles would be more than adequate.
3500 pound axles, 3880 pounds on the factory sticker, 6000 pounds gross, over 2000 pounds cargo capacity
Fully loaded, we’re around 5000 pounds.
I’m really surprised how many people do not do their homework before spending a fair amount of money. Well, maybe not.

[Huntindog]

GrandpaKip wrote:
When I bought our camper, I made sure the axles would be more than adequate.
3500 pound axles, 3880 pounds on the factory sticker, 6000 pounds gross, over 2000 pounds cargo capacity
Fully loaded, we’re around 5000 pounds.
I’m really surprised how many people do not do their homework before spending a fair amount of money. Well, maybe not.

Axles are so easy and cheap to upgrade, that it is not an overriding concern for me.
Other factors that are harder to change take priority.... Obviously if there is more than one TT that are equal except for axles, then the better axled one would win... That is not usually the case though.

[GrandpaKip]

When I bought our camper, I made sure the axles would be more than adequate.
3500 pound axles, 3880 pounds on the factory sticker, 6000 pounds gross, over 2000 pounds cargo capacity
Fully loaded, we’re around 5000 pounds.
I’m really surprised how many people do not do their homework before spending a fair amount of money. Well, maybe not.

[Lynnmor]

bob2194 wrote:
I also orderd new self adjustable brakes 4each and 4ea bearing set from etrailer. Total cost 250. I did it in the driveway with out any help. Super easy job.

I bought the brakes and bearing sets from etrailer. The garbage Chinese bearings failed, so I had to do it over again with quality Timken bearings.

[bob2194]

I went to an axle shop showed them a picture of axle tag. They ordered a axle cost 125.00 and installed in about 2 hours. That was on a terry 33 ft trailer I also ordered new self adjustable brakes 4each and 4ea bearing set from etrailer. Total cost 250. I did it in the driveway with out any help. Super easy job.