wrong trailer axles

[JVJR]

Wondering if anyone else has seen this issue. We recently had a tire failure on our 2006 Forest River Cherokee. In shopping for tires, I realized that this trailer has the wrong tire size and load range, and wrong size wheels, according to certification decal on outside of trailer. Further research shows that it also has under weight rated axles. The trailer has GVWR of 10840, decal specs 5080 pounds per axle. The OE tags on the axles show 3500 lb capacity.
In e-mail communication with FR, they claim to be looking into this, but feel that the axles may have been changed. I have filed complaint with NHTSA, but I am curious if there are others out there, who are having tire issues due to this unsafe situation. Thanks for any input or advice. I did buy this unit used, but axle tags are also dated 1/05, which would be right for the build date of trailer.

[JVJR]

My plan is to upgrade to heavier axles. Big question is who bears the cost. I understand that as 2nd owner, I cannot prove nothing has been changed, but I feel that date of axles shows they are most likely the ones it was built with. In reading other posts on other forums, this is not the first time FR has rolled out units with incorrect axles, or tires. I will continue to update as info is available.Thank You.

[dodge_guy]

My 07 Cherokee has a GVWR of 11,200 lbs. it came with load range "D" tires on 5k lb 6 lug axles. My trailers dry weight is 7100 lbs. either someone swapped out the axles for the wrong ones (doubtful, but not impossible), or more probable is that is how it was built! And seeing as how the axles have an 05 date code it is very reasonable to believe those are the axles it was built with!

Regardless, they need to be swapped out with the right axles and you need to step up to 15" wheels and "E" rated tires.

[time2roll]

tvman44 wrote:
On a 10,840 lb trailer, 3500 lb axles is about right. App. 20% of the weight is on the tongue not the axles.

my trailer is 7880 GVWR. 2x 3500 axles, pin 880.

Can't imagine 10,000+ GVWR on two 3500 axles.



For the OP: I would replace axle/tire combo with full GVWR capacity. Just a matter of who will pay.

[Oaklevel]

If you are not the original owner it would be hard to prove that a previous owner did not change the axles and or rims. Looks more that way if they are different sizes.

A lot can happen to a trailer since 2006

[JVJR]

Except that 10840 pounds with 7000 pounds of axle works out to approx 38% tongue weight or about 3840 pounds. I dont think any trailer geometry works out like that. The certification decal clearly shows max cap. of 5080 per axle, with larger tires and heavier load range.

[fla-gypsy]

FR should replace with a correctly sized axle. My el cheapo 10k GVWR came with 5200 lb axles.

[wa8yxm]

I just read another thread (yesterday) about tires wearing on the INSIDE, this trailer had DEXTER axles.. I replied that the axle may have been overloaded.

IF that was not you, You need to search for that thread for it sure sounds like the same issue to me.

Beyond that I've not personally had, nor seen, that problem.

[Walaby]

tvman44 wrote:
On a 10,840 lb trailer, 3500 lb axles is about right. App. 20 percent of the weight is on the tongue not the axles.

Even using your numbers (which are high for tongue weight), the axles are too light. 20 percent of 10840 is 2172. 10840-2172=8688 which is 1600lbs MORE thant the 2x3500 axles.

Nope not about right.

Mike

[Walaby]

My Forest River (Prime Time) Lacrosse has dual axle weight rating of 8800 lbs. Total GVWR of 9700 lbs, and two 4400 lb axles.

Yes, I believe yours are underrated for the trailer you have. Only question becomes was it sold that way (since you are not first owner) or were the axles replaced by chance. Forest River should be able to answer that. I asked for the original manufacturers equipment listing from PrimeTime and they responded in like 24 hours with the whole listing, including axles and their rating.

Mike

[tvman44]

On a 10,840 lb trailer, 3500 lb axles is about right. App. 20% of the weight is on the tongue not the axles.

[Chuck_thehammer]

right to the Edge, then the Edge moved.

my concern.. is WHAT is your Real trailer weight?

mine is off by 800 pounds.. Empty

7,500 to 8,300... the 8,300 is what it scaled at.

[camp-n-family]

My dads FR fiver came with the under rated axles and tires as well. Only one of a long list of problems. The axles bent and caused uneven tire wear. He replaced the axles and FR gave a pro rated refund for the tires.

[FrankShore]

Yet Forest River continues to churn them out by the hundred of thousands

Forest River Owners Group

[Grit_dog]

Huh, one trailer with axles that are significantly under capacity and another with 2 different size rims?
Must be the worlds crappiest camper mfg.