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new fifth wheel purchase

Brandon327
Explorer
Explorer
What is the good and the bad on the sandpiper? I am looking at a 265SAQ.
2013 gmc 3500 hd cc Drw 4x4
2016 Dutchmen voltage 3990
14 REPLIES 14

Salenbailey
Explorer
Explorer
Thanks for the reply. Has anyone had success with them replacing the issue? Is the info that Camping World told us accurate? Still trying to understand the issues and your link is helpful.

texasclarks
Explorer
Explorer
Salenbailey wrote:
Here is the full story so far.....
We took our RV into Camping World for yet again another leak--this time in the back tank on the outside of the RV. During inspection, Camping World noticed that one of our axle's brake lines had been severed by the U bolt for the axle. The tech also noticed that the U bolt was hitting the pipe for the propane line. Both items have been fixed out of safety and necessity but now Forrest River is refusing to pay stating that we are overweight. We move our RV from Thousand Trails campsites every three weeks and weigh it at a state scale. To our knowledge we were not over weight. Camping World informed us that the cause was due to the axle, the tire, the springs, and the hub are all underrated for the weight of our trailer. They said it should have never left the factory with this size axle. They explained it like this, our trailers dry weight is 12,513 + 1,603 for carrying capacity. Our axle is rated at 6,000 but they thought our hub was rated for 5,200. If we go by the axle, we have 12,000 which means we are supposed to have 2,116 on our hitch. Camping world said that is OK but it is maxing out our pin weight if that is even the case and is an eventual safety concern. However, if we go by the hub weight, we are at 10,400 which means the pin weight would be over max at 3,716. Camping World made the comment that at that weight, we should be hauling with a semi which is not necessary or needed for the weight of our RV. They also commented that inside our rig must feel like an earth quake of 10.0. This would cause the life of this RV to sink fast which I think is the reason for many of our problems. We are still not done with the underrating though. Our springs are also a problem and a major reason for the 10.0. We only have 4. Yes, I said 4. Looking at other RV's in the area, that is a huge difference compared to their 6 for similar sized trailers. Take the Sabre for example, a cousin of Forest River, the model 36QBOK-7. This model's dry weight is less than ours (11,416) but they have 8 lug hubs, 6 springs, and I am assuming their axle is appropriate. They have a carrying capacity of 3,200, twice that of our model! I hate to think what would happen if we utilized the storage and features of our model, like a washer and dryer. We don't have the weight to be able to use this.
Sorry for the long story still in the making. Has anyone else had or noticed these issues? If so, how did your story end?


You are not the only one who has noticed the axle issue. You should look at THIS THREAD over at the Forest River Forum on a similar problem.
Posts are for entertainment purposes only and should not be construed as endorsement or recommendations. YMMV!

Steven & Stacie, plus 2 ('02 & '07)
'04 Suburban 2500, Quad Seats, 8.1L, 3.73
'09 Rockwood 8313SS

Texas not just a State, but a State of mind!

cruz-in
Explorer
Explorer
Unfortunately using marginally rated axles is not an uncommon occurrence in this industry.
2011 Monaco Vesta
Interesting Coach
This particular one was the prototype.

Salenbailey
Explorer
Explorer
Here is the full story so far.....
We took our RV into Camping World for yet again another leak--this time in the back tank on the outside of the RV. During inspection, Camping World noticed that one of our axle's brake lines had been severed by the U bolt for the axle. The tech also noticed that the U bolt was hitting the pipe for the propane line. Both items have been fixed out of safety and necessity but now Forrest River is refusing to pay stating that we are overweight. We move our RV from Thousand Trails campsites every three weeks and weigh it at a state scale. To our knowledge we were not over weight. Camping World informed us that the cause was due to the axle, the tire, the springs, and the hub are all underrated for the weight of our trailer. They said it should have never left the factory with this size axle. They explained it like this, our trailers dry weight is 12,513 + 1,603 for carrying capacity. Our axle is rated at 6,000 but they thought our hub was rated for 5,200. If we go by the axle, we have 12,000 which means we are supposed to have 2,116 on our hitch. Camping world said that is OK but it is maxing out our pin weight if that is even the case and is an eventual safety concern. However, if we go by the hub weight, we are at 10,400 which means the pin weight would be over max at 3,716. Camping World made the comment that at that weight, we should be hauling with a semi which is not necessary or needed for the weight of our RV. They also commented that inside our rig must feel like an earth quake of 10.0. This would cause the life of this RV to sink fast which I think is the reason for many of our problems. We are still not done with the underrating though. Our springs are also a problem and a major reason for the 10.0. We only have 4. Yes, I said 4. Looking at other RV's in the area, that is a huge difference compared to their 6 for similar sized trailers. Take the Sabre for example, a cousin of Forest River, the model 36QBOK-7. This model's dry weight is less than ours (11,416) but they have 8 lug hubs, 6 springs, and I am assuming their axle is appropriate. They have a carrying capacity of 3,200, twice that of our model! I hate to think what would happen if we utilized the storage and features of our model, like a washer and dryer. We don't have the weight to be able to use this.
Sorry for the long story still in the making. Has anyone else had or noticed these issues? If so, how did your story end?

Salenbailey
Explorer
Explorer
beamer861 wrote:
Just bought our second sandpiper today. First was 08 sandpiper 316BHT never had one problem. Bought 2014 sandpiper 376 BHOK today and love it so far.


We have the same RV. We love the design but have had many issues since we picked it up. The most troublesome problem was recent. We took our camper to camping world to have them look at a leak and fix a few of the warrantied problems when they found that we had a bolt cutting into the propane line and we had no breaks on the back axel (they were cut through by the RV). They also mentioned the axel system/ set-up is under rated for this RV. I could go into more detail but don't want to say to much bad yet. Still fighting with Forrest River to do the right thing but so far, no luck. Just pay close attention to your weight and axel set-up (including the hitch).

beamer861
Explorer
Explorer
Just bought our second sandpiper today. First was 08 sandpiper 316BHT never had one problem. Bought 2014 sandpiper 376 BHOK today and love it so far.
08 Forest River Sandpiper 316BHT
08 Ford F-250 Twin turbo

rmoparman
Explorer
Explorer
Have 2000 Forest River sandpiper. Been great trailer accept front and rear fiberglass delamination.There is a lot of Forest River products like the wildcat have same problem. Sorry:?

WoodGlue
Explorer
Explorer
Thanks for the ForestRiver info!

WoodGlue
2002 Land Rover Discovery II
2014 Lance 1685 - Loaded - 4 Seasons - Solar - 2 AGM's
When Hell Freezes Over - I'll Camp There Too!
Lance Travel Trailer Info - Lance 1685 Travel Trailer - Lance 1575 Trailer

carpetguy2
Explorer
Explorer
Nice trailers .Which ever you choose
2007.5 chevy 3500 ltz CC LB Duramax
2016 Open range 3x378
Some other toys too

carpetguy2
Explorer
Explorer
To what I found out and looking its a few more upgrades.And more money.
2007.5 chevy 3500 ltz CC LB Duramax
2016 Open range 3x378
Some other toys too

Brandon327
Explorer
Explorer
What is difference In the Sierra and sandpiper?
2013 gmc 3500 hd cc Drw 4x4
2016 Dutchmen voltage 3990

pgboone7607
Explorer
Explorer
We have a Sierra 355re which is the sister brand of the Sandpiper and love everything about it. Bought it last month and used it for 5 days so far. No problems at all
2012 Ram 2500 W/ 6.7 Cummins Short Bed
2013 Sierra 355RE
Reese 20K Slider
Me, 1 wife, 2 kids, 2 Labs ( they dont travel) and 1 shihtzu that does.

carpetguy2
Explorer
Explorer
Forest River Sandpiper.Just purchased one my self.and got a great deal I couldn't pass up
2007.5 chevy 3500 ltz CC LB Duramax
2016 Open range 3x378
Some other toys too

WoodGlue
Explorer
Explorer
Who makes the Sandpiper? It's not a familiar name to me.

Thanks,

WoodGlue
2002 Land Rover Discovery II
2014 Lance 1685 - Loaded - 4 Seasons - Solar - 2 AGM's
When Hell Freezes Over - I'll Camp There Too!
Lance Travel Trailer Info - Lance 1685 Travel Trailer - Lance 1575 Trailer