FYI Axel Failure

Gdetrailer wrote:

69 Avion wrote:

1stvee wrote:
FYI-Has anyone had this problem? I purchased my 2011 Cruiser RV 24SD ViewFinder new. Used it about 3000 miles each year 2011 & 2012. I pulled & packed the wheel bearings each year. Jan 2013 had my local dealer pull wheels, inspect the brakes/bearings & repack bearings all 4 wheels. Near the end of a 3500 mile trip 9/12/2013 the right front bearing failed. It destroyed everything, even caught fire. After 2 days beside the road I got it patched enough to limp 150 miles to a Camping World. After 5 days of good intentions and some poor follow up. I was told a new Lippert axel could take up to 2 weeks to receive or I could stay in a hotel for another 3 or 4 days while the spindle was locally replaced. Each option was $700 plus. I called a little Trailer fabricator and repair shop about 25 miles away, Accutrak Mfg. Corp. Los Lunas, NM. The owner, Robert said he was very familiar with the Lippert axel problems. The next day for just over $500 Accutrak installed complete new Dexter axel assy. (axel hubs brakes bearings complete).
Here is a RUB. The Leppert axels under my trailer has ID Tags showing they are 2800 LB load cap. The Dexter replacement is 3500LB. Robert said he had stopped using Leppert axels a few years back, but did not elaborate. In all fairness to Lippert. Because I am clearly out of warranty I did not try to get any restitution from them. However as soon as I can recoup from the almost $2000 total cost of this failure I am going to replace the other 2800 LB Lippert axel with a 3500LB Dexter assembly.
1stvee

That is what I would do. A lot of "quality" axle manufacturers don't start giving you decent spindles, hubs and bearings until you get to the 3,500# rating. I had a local axle manufacturer take a Flexiride axle system and de-rate it to 2,000# by installing the rubber with about 1/3 of it removed from the center. This allows for the rubber torsion axle to "give" more, but also gave me the heavy duty axle components.

By the way, Lippert strikes again. You would think that with all the bad info on the internet, most educated buyers would refuse to buy anything with Lippert components.

Not really.

Lippert like Dexter manufactures the axles to the SPECIFICATIONS GIVEN TO THEM BY THE MANUFACTURER OF THE TRAILER.

Niether Lippert or Dexter sells to the general public.

The axle tags specify the MAX weight allowed for the entire axle/wheel assembly which is including the wheels. It is taken as a full assembly and the weakest component of that assemble mandates the max load available.

For instance, my Dexter axles have a tag of 3300lbs but yet the axle is in the 3500 lb "class" of axles and uses brakes and drums for 3500 lb axles.

Lippert gets a bad name more so since they manufacture so many axles when it is actually the manufacturer of the entire trailer SPECIFYING the axle weights..

Dexter, Alko, lippert axles are readily available to the general public. Most any axle shop can and will sell you a Alko or Dexter axles. Pick the weight rating, give them all the dimension they need and you'll get anything from an axle tube with stubs to an axle assy with springs, brakes, drums installed.