jvantassell wrote:
For now I have to take what Lippert pays for. I’ll upgrade to something better when I get back. Do you also have a White Hawk with the widely spaced axles? I know there is a Lippert upgrade to a 4,400 lb axle but is that going to solve the problem ?
It has 14” wheels and the distance between hubs is 42”.
I’m thinking of getting the Jay Flight 28RL. Same floor plan but axles are close together and the gross weight is 8800 instead of 7500 on a trailer whose factory weight is 6800 instead of my 6130.
One thing I can say is that the spread axles are subjected to more lateral (sideways) forces in tight turns on pavement because each axle has an increased turning radius compared to the more common closer axle spacing (with tires a few inches apart). Next time you do a tight somewhere (like say a CG), stop part way through the turn, get out and look at the camber change on the wheels. I think you'll be shocked at how much the wheel camber is forced to change and the increased possibility of the axles getting bent. Maybe one axle is always being subjected to a lot more camber change than the other??
I think the spread axle design is just a marketing gimmick. I know I'd never get them. It can also be harder on the tires too with the tread being dragged across the pavement. I would rather have a TT with 15" wheels too.
Hard to tell from the photos, but it looks like the distance from the U-bolts to brake backing plate is a bit more than normal?? Compared to ours at least... If so, that would cause the axle tubes to bend more. Maybe that's normal on that model TT tho.
Sorry to hear you have to go through this sort of thing. Hope it all works out in the end.
BTW, have you googled Jayco axle issues or problems? A number of threads come up but didn't read them. Also, maybe the Jayco forum could have some info?
