ktmrfs wrote:
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.
:R
Let me rephrase things.
Niether Lippert or Dexter sells
DIRECTLY to the general public (and you could add in AL-KO for good measure to this statement).
DEXTER FAQS
"AXLES - Can I buy axles directly from Dexter?
All Dexter axles are manufactured specifically for each customer order. Since there are literally tens of thousands of size and option combinations, we do not stock any axles. Therefore, every order must be set-up to produce. While we do sell axles direct, it is generally less expensive to purchase small quantities of axles through our distribution network. Because they buy in volume, they can supply axles at a more reasonable price than factory-direct due to set-up and freight costs. There is a complete list of Dexter Axle authorized distributors on our web site. Those coded with "AB" stock bare axle beams and can provide complete axle assemblies with a very short lead-time."In other words, Dexter does not STOCK premade axles, if you WANT to buy DIRECTLY from Dexter YOU will pay a setup fee and WAIT until Dexter inserts YOUR small order in between production runs of BULK purchases.
It is better that you buy/order through the distributor network if you want an axle faster and cheaper than ordering direct so therefore they are NOT setup for the CONSUMER to buy factory direct.
Lippert…
LIPPERT STORE"These are the most commonly ordered axle assemblies and beam assemblies from Lippert Components. There are 1,000's of different assemblies that LCI makes. If you don't see the correct size, feel free to e-mail or call us to order the size that's right for you.
Due to the shear mass of available axles, we currently do not sell them online at this time. You may call our service and warranty department to order entire axle assemblies."
In other words, You will HAVE to CALL/CONTACT them with YOUR SPECS, they will sell it IF they have a match "in stock" otherwise they will MANUFACTURE TO YOUR SPECS..
Al-KO
AL-KO"Because our experience crosses every industry that uses trailer axles, we can bring to your organization the quality, delivery, design, and cost requirements that you require, regardless of complexity. We have the resources necessary to accomplish the most demanding goals and the most discriminating customer. We are truly an extension of your plants. We are a resource that can gain your company a competitive advantage in an industry that is mature. If you have a project that needs a technical person to answer some questions or you need a team of people on site for a value analysis workshop, we are your answer. We have worked with some of the largest consumers of these products in the world consuming hundreds of thousands of axles and we can still make 1 axle if that is the requirement. In a world of options, AL-KO Axis, Inc. works everyday to make the option clear.
Let our team work for you... AL-KO Axis, Inc. the customer focused company."
Key words is
“gain your COMPANY a competitive advantage..” In other words BULK PURCHASING…
In all cases the axle manufacturers WILL attempt to “help” you as a “END consumer” but that IS NOT their primary focus nor goal. Their primary focus is LARGE BULK PURCHASES, the end consumer is encouraged to use distributers to purchase through.
Your axles ARE custom manufactured TO the specs which the TRAILER MANUFACTURER gives. Your axle BEAMS have very specific dimensions (spring perch is critical) which can and do vary from trailer frame to trailer frame so it is hard to find exact off the shelf axles which will fit without some modifications.
In many cases you may find some axles to have similar dimensions which will work with only a few minor adjustments.
I HAVE had contact with Dexter in the past, was told I “could” order parts from them but it would be cheaper AND faster to purchase from their “distributor” network. They were correct, I was able to buy drums elsewhere for HALF of the price Dexter quoted me over the phone..
Keep in mind that it IS the trailer manufacturers engineering dept that designs and specifies the frame and running gear. They bear the responsibility of the running gear specs, NOT the axle manufacturer..
Everyone seams to love to crucify a component manufacturer for a supposed “defect” because their name is attached to that component..
In the case of the OPs original post at the beginning of this thread it is not a defect of the axle manufacturer which caused blown wheel bearings.
It was the fault of the LAST PERSON WHO TOUCHED THE BEARINGS (IE “serviced” them).
Trailer axle bearings can be easily OVERTIGHTENED, they are by design do not need zero lash and the castle nut is designed to only have a few adjustment positions. Setting the bearings is a simple procedure where if the castle opening does not match the cotter pin hole at zero lash you simply BACK OFF the nut slightly until the castle opening matches the cotter pin hole. This often results in a small amount of bearing lash (in/out movement) which is acceptable for trailer axles.
Second issue is often too much grease or too little grease. There IS a sweet spot for amount of grease on the bearings.. Too much and it blows out the seal loosing grease which can lead to bearing failure and contamination of the brakes. Too little the bearings overheat and fail..
Repacking by hand is by far the BEST way, messy but works best.
Per Dexter
HERE if you FOLLOW their procedures you will not have a bearing failure..
I tend to prefer DIY my own, for my sanity, but I grew up wrenching on cars with my Dad who taught me well.
