Cruiser RV axles.. Could my axle be one of the problem ones?

mike_mn wrote:
I am curious if Lippert followed through and provided an Axle/Tire replacement?

I am in the middle of dealing with this same situation where after 10 days of owning a 2015 model Puma 30DBSS and ~400 miles traveled on my first trip, Lippert is saying they are denying warranty, that I must have ran into a curb or pothole on the left REAR axle bending the spindle...How would one run into a curb fast going in reverse fast enough to bend a spindle on this? I am sticking to that it came from the factory this way and will keep providing that same message to my dealer, Puma and Lippert until I get the answer necessary to move forward. Free replacement axle, tire and installation. Am I wrong here?

Anyways, I am just curious if they ended up following through on sending a free axle and covering the labor at your dealer?

After much debate and discussion, they finally agreed to replace the axle. They originally agreed to replace it on warranty - but if they determined that the damage wasn't due to mfgr'ing defect, they were going to charge me for the part, install, shipping, etc. I refused that deal - not a fair deal. I was 100% at their mercy and you and i both know how that would end up. I sent documentation, and showed them that i hadn't even used the unit prior to bringing it in for repairs and stood my ground. They finally agreed to replace at nor burden to me.

My dealer did nothing to help me. They sat on it for weeks, and when i kept pushing me, they kept making excuses about the delays. Then they called and told me that Lippert had denied the claim - so i called Lippert directly. Lippert told me that the claim hadn't been completed and they were still waiting on pics and backup from the dealer. Back and forth for a week straight, after the dealer had the unit for 4 weeks already. I was very angry. Lippert finally agreed to the repair, and the dealer never ordered the part. Fast forward 2 weeks, i called for a status, and the dealer had no idea what i was talking about.

We're at a few months now - and still no axle. Funny you sent this post, i have a reminder set to call them in the morning for a status. That phone call won't go well for someone, and its not me. Im sure its sitting there, they just haven't called me.

I'm so happy i didn't buy at this dealer. RV World of Georgia - Avoid them at all cost. Service dept is one of the worst i've ever dealt with in my life.

I am curious if Lippert followed through and provided an Axle/Tire replacement?

I am in the middle of dealing with this same situation where after 10 days of owning a 2015 model Puma 30DBSS and ~400 miles traveled on my first trip, Lippert is saying they are denying warranty, that I must have ran into a curb or pothole on the left REAR axle bending the spindle...How would one run into a curb fast going in reverse fast enough to bend a spindle on this? I am sticking to that it came from the factory this way and will keep providing that same message to my dealer, Puma and Lippert until I get the answer necessary to move forward. Free replacement axle, tire and installation. Am I wrong here?

Anyways, I am just curious if they ended up following through on sending a free axle and covering the labor at your dealer?

BigSkyFamily wrote:
I bought a new '13 260BHS this spring and like it so far. No major issues in about 2,000 miles of towing. After I bought it I read about the axle problems. My trailer has 3,500 pound axles under with a loaded GVW of 7,540 pounds. Subtract 10% tongue weight and it's under the axle weight rating by a couple hundred pounds. I view this as too damn close to the limit to have a good safety margin.
My trailer is at the dealer right now to see if they can get the manufacturer to send us the larger axles for it.
The service guy said that the 2012 models with the white front were a nightmare and they had a lot of them with bent axles. He said they have had zero problems with the 2013 and up trailers with the grey colored front.

My tires are wearing evenly, and I'm sure that the manufacturer is going to tell me to get lost. But it is worth a try.
I like our Shadow Cruiser so far, but it just "feels" cheaply constructed.
The slide out motors seem like they work awefully hard to get the slide in and out. The electric awning motors also seem like they barely have enough power to get the job done.

We bought a 5 year extended warranty so we'll keep it long enough for the warranty to run it's course. After that I think we'll trade it in. Bottom line is I don't think I'll buy another Cruiser product.

I'm curious if you have actually weighed it ? If so, how many pounds on the axles ? If I read that right, you really are loaded to 7540 pounds.
The reason I ask is, I looked at the specs for your trailer. They show a dry weight of 4855. If you are typical of many folks, that means it likely weighs approx 6000 pounds ready to go camp. A 13% tongue would leave about 5220 on the axles, which is about 75% of the axle capacity. Sounds like a reasonable reserve to me, and since you are getting even tire wear, that indicates normal operation.

Manufacturers typically state a gross vehicle weight rating ( GVWR ) on trailers as a max number based largely on the axle assemblies ( axle, tire and brakes ) can carry. For instance, my gooseneck equipment trailer has 7K axles, so it is "rated" for 14,500 gross.

That I agree with. We love our 280.. a LOT.. minus the axle issue, its perfect for us.

However, i do notice the same about the slideout and the awning..

BigSkyFamily wrote:
I bought a new '13 260BHS this spring and like it so far. No major issues in about 2,000 miles of towing. After I bought it I read about the axle problems. My trailer has 3,500 pound axles under with a loaded GVW of 7,540 pounds. Subtract 10% tongue weight and it's under the axle weight rating by a couple hundred pounds. I view this as too damn close to the limit to have a good safety margin.
My trailer is at the dealer right now to see if they can get the manufacturer to send us the larger axles for it.
The service guy said that the 2012 models with the white front were a nightmare and they had a lot of them with bent axles. He said they have had zero problems with the 2013 and up trailers with the grey colored front.

My tires are wearing evenly, and I'm sure that the manufacturer is going to tell me to get lost. But it is worth a try.
I like our Shadow Cruiser so far, but it just "feels" cheaply constructed.
The slide out motors seem like they work awefully hard to get the slide in and out. The electric awning motors also seem like they barely have enough power to get the job done.

We bought a 5 year extended warranty so we'll keep it long enough for the warranty to run it's course. After that I think we'll trade it in. Bottom line is I don't think I'll buy another Cruiser product.

You've just figured out the RV manufactuers secret, put the bare bones minimum on the unit and let the consumer deal with it.

I bought a new '13 260BHS this spring and like it so far. No major issues in about 2,000 miles of towing. After I bought it I read about the axle problems. My trailer has 3,500 pound axles under with a loaded GVW of 7,540 pounds. Subtract 10% tongue weight and it's under the axle weight rating by a couple hundred pounds. I view this as too damn close to the limit to have a good safety margin.
My trailer is at the dealer right now to see if they can get the manufacturer to send us the larger axles for it.
The service guy said that the 2012 models with the white front were a nightmare and they had a lot of them with bent axles. He said they have had zero problems with the 2013 and up trailers with the grey colored front.

My tires are wearing evenly, and I'm sure that the manufacturer is going to tell me to get lost. But it is worth a try.
I like our Shadow Cruiser so far, but it just "feels" cheaply constructed.
The slide out motors seem like they work awefully hard to get the slide in and out. The electric awning motors also seem like they barely have enough power to get the job done.

We bought a 5 year extended warranty so we'll keep it long enough for the warranty to run it's course. After that I think we'll trade it in. Bottom line is I don't think I'll buy another Cruiser product.

Glad it was handled so swiftly..

Im waiting for mine to be mfgred.. Will keep thread updated.

When my Cruiser was less than one year old (2010 model) I noticed one of the tires on the rear axle was wearing on the inside.

This is what I found.

Bad Axle


This was on Good Friday. I called Cross Roads and they got me in contact with Lippert. I emailed this picture and a couple others. Lippert stepped up to the plate and had a tech with a new axle at the campground I was in early Monday morning. I was back on the road by 2 pm.

I was at the Meteor Crater campground so it was a little remote.

I was impressed by the quick service but still not impressed by the workmanship I see on their frames mainly the welding.

After they had removed the old axle and stripped off the backing plates I was very surprised how thin the tube is. It took very little effort to pick up the axle tube.

DatacomGuy wrote:
After writing an email in reply kindly turning down their offer to maybe repair it, LCI has stepped up and said they will repair under warranty.

Thanks to all the replies. Really helped guide me in the right direction on how to handle..

Way to go hold their feet to the fire until they step up and do the right thing.

Now if we could only get the same thing happening with the camper manufacturers.

After writing an email in reply kindly turning down their offer to maybe repair it, LCI has stepped up and said they will repair under warranty.

Thanks to all the replies. Really helped guide me in the right direction on how to handle..