Lippert axle issue
During a camping trip last week I noticed that the rear axle tires on our TT were toed out. Upon closer inspection I saw that the tires were very worn on the inside edge. Then I saw the axle was arc...
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It seems to me that I see more of these type of posts than would be expected. Lippert seems to feature in a lot of them too. I had both of my axles bend on my 2011 Eclipse Milan 18CK. All four tires had rapid wear on the inside edges. I attributed it to overloading them do to boondocking on very rough dirt roads, Each axle does take an excessive portion of the load at times, but I see reports of axles bending from normal usage too. My axles were also factory installed with the wheels/hubs having more overhang beyond the springs than the maximum allowed. This was a design flaw.
After some research, I elected to replace my "No Brand Name" made in china 3500 # axles with two Al-Ko 3500# axles with their optional heavy duty 3500# 3" (vs. 2 3/8" standard)tubes. 3" is the tube size used with 4000# - 7000# axle sets. The 3500# heavy duty axle uses the same #84 spindle and the square 4 hole brake mounting flange, allowing transfer of the original hubs and brakes to the new axles. They also came drilled and tapped for the "EZ-Lube" option. They also required new 3" axle hangers and U-Bolts/nuts. I installed them "flipped" as I had already done this mod for increased ground clearance.
These axles and the 4 new tires I put on with them have been on the trailer since Aug. 2012 and have stood up to everything, including boondocking on the same roads that bent the original axles, I have put them through.
I chose the Al-Ko axles since they manufacture in Oregon, much closer to me, to save freight costs. You would probably want to get them from Dexter since they are closer to you. Dexter does offer the 3" heavy duty 3500# axle also.
After some research, I elected to replace my "No Brand Name" made in china 3500 # axles with two Al-Ko 3500# axles with their optional heavy duty 3500# 3" (vs. 2 3/8" standard)tubes. 3" is the tube size used with 4000# - 7000# axle sets. The 3500# heavy duty axle uses the same #84 spindle and the square 4 hole brake mounting flange, allowing transfer of the original hubs and brakes to the new axles. They also came drilled and tapped for the "EZ-Lube" option. They also required new 3" axle hangers and U-Bolts/nuts. I installed them "flipped" as I had already done this mod for increased ground clearance.
These axles and the 4 new tires I put on with them have been on the trailer since Aug. 2012 and have stood up to everything, including boondocking on the same roads that bent the original axles, I have put them through.
I chose the Al-Ko axles since they manufacture in Oregon, much closer to me, to save freight costs. You would probably want to get them from Dexter since they are closer to you. Dexter does offer the 3" heavy duty 3500# axle also.
