Horrible tire wear in 2 years

It is nice to see Lippert covering most of the cost, but it was their lack of engineering and being "cheap" that caused the problem to start with. The difference in using good axles and a stronger frame can't cost more than $250 when they are building the trailer. You would think that they would start with a good foundation and go from there. Instead, they go as cheap as possible and hope folks don't complain.

thrillhouse wrote:
I just got great news from Lippert, after 5-6 days of speaking with them and sending them pictures of the axles, tire wear, and springs they have decided to send me new axles with 3 inch tubes instead of the 2 3/8 inch that was on the camper and upgrade my springs from 1700 lb to 2200 lb springs. They're paying for most of my tire cost as well.

The exact words from the rep I worked with at Lippert "you're out of warranty, but once we saw the pictures of the axles and how bent they were we HAD to do something"

I'm still disappointed that Forest River refused to acknowledge my existence as I feel that they're just as at fault.

Anyone else that experiences similar issues I encourage you to contact the axle manufacturer, it actually was a very pleasant experience once I contacted the right person.

Yes, that's great to hear that Lippert is standing up and helping you. Especially considering it's "mostly" the fault of the RV manufacturer, because they are who specs out the axle for the application. The axles in question would likely have worked just fine under a lighter trailer.
Kudos to Lippert.

Very good reason to bypass Forest River products at upgrade time.

Good to hear Lippert is stepping up. Hope it goes quickly for you now.

I just got great news from Lippert, after 5-6 days of speaking with them and sending them pictures of the axles, tire wear, and springs they have decided to send me new axles with 3 inch tubes instead of the 2 3/8 inch that was on the camper and upgrade my springs from 1700 lb to 2200 lb springs. They're paying for most of my tire cost as well.

The exact words from the rep I worked with at Lippert "you're out of warranty, but once we saw the pictures of the axles and how bent they were we HAD to do something"

I'm still disappointed that Forest River refused to acknowledge my existence as I feel that they're just as at fault.

Anyone else that experiences similar issues I encourage you to contact the axle manufacturer, it actually was a very pleasant experience once I contacted the right person.

That's good news that the root of the problem has been discovered. Welcome to the dark side of TT ownership... Some of us have similar stories too unfortunately, so you are not alone. Google "undersized Lippert axles" and you will find lots of info. and personal experiences, like this one for ex. iRV2.com

On the tire and axle rating, you need to deduct the tongue weight. If the GVWR is 7675 lbs and say TW is 12% (normally in 10-15% range), the load on the axles & tires is 6754 lbs. That's cutting it pretty close on the axle ratings. However, if one side is heavier, the tires on that side could be overloaded and if one axle carries more weight than the other, an axle could be overloaded. I would say that the axles should have been the next size up.

Forget about FR, esp. if outside the warranty period. Don't count on the dealer to help on anything at this point whatsoever either. The usual process is that a factory doesn't get involved anyway and you will get a redirect straight to a third party supplier like Lippert anyway. I would get together enough supporting paperwork from the axle shop along with serial numbers on the axles and info. on the tires. I would ask them to put in writing what they find the cause to have been. Send it to Lippert and follow up by phoning them. Also try contacting the axle manufacturer. Maybe you'll get lucky.

If you upgrade to 4K axles, I think you can still use the brake/hub assemblies and 5-bolt wheels, but needs to be checked. If not, the cost would obviously go up a fair bit (if having to pay for all the work).

I had the same thing happen. There seem to be a LOT of crappy axles out there, and a lot of very marginally engineered suspension/tire systems being produced too.

My Milan 18CK is a 7K max trailer, and I was around 6,200 lbs most of the time. Axles bent, probably from desert dirt road travel. I had purchased the trailer 2 years old but no miles, so no warranty to bother with. I found a truck/trailer parts distributor who sold me two new Al-Ko axles in the 3" tubing option with the 3500 lb spindles. That allowed me to swap the axles only, keeping the brakes, hubs & wheels, but end up with a beefier axle. I think I spent about $300.00 on the axles and new u-bolts/hardware/shipping and if I recall correctly, about $500.00 to change it all out plus new tires.

I have put plenty of miles on the beefed up setup, including at least two desert trips a year for 3 years now and no tire wear.

Hold onto the repair bill. Also, get a written statement from the repair outfit with their outlook on the axles. Ask for reimbursement from FR. If they don't pay up, ask the dealer. The axle mfg. may also have something to worry about with this and may ship you two upgraded axles. If you get no help from anyone, it's time for small claims court filings and the dealer is the one that sold you the inferior product.

Good luck with this.

gmw photos wrote:
It's a sad state of affairs when the OE manufacturers use barely adequate, or inadequate equipment, and then won't back it up. Going to be pretty hard for us consumers to get them to change though, because so many of the companies do it.
Having said that, if the trailer were mine, I'd go ahead and pay for the correct axles myself, and pursue getting FR to pay me back later, with an understanding that it's not likely to happen.

Life is short, and some of these kinds of issues just need to be put behind us so we can get on with it. My opinion only.... I'm sure some will come on here now and call me names, and blame me for supporting bad behavior of the OE's and the dealers. Whatever....those guys want to fight it out with the dealer, have at it.... I'm going traveling.


Bottom line is for the OP is that we know for certain, before buying another trailer in the future, he will crawl around under it and take a close look see at the axles. Live and learn.

This is exactly where I'm at, I'll wait today to see if the dealer decides to make good, if not I need to just move on. I've waited 10 months already and I fully intend to use my trailer this year. But yes, I now know exactly what to look for if I ever buy a new trailer again, check the axles!

It's a sad state of affairs when the OE manufacturers use barely adequate, or inadequate equipment, and then won't back it up. Going to be pretty hard for us consumers to get them to change though, because so many of the companies do it.
Having said that, if the trailer were mine, I'd go ahead and pay for the correct axles myself, and pursue getting FR to pay me back later, with an understanding that it's not likely to happen.

Life is short, and some of these kinds of issues just need to be put behind us so we can get on with it. My opinion only.... I'm sure some will come on here now and call me names, and blame me for supporting bad behavior of the OE's and the dealers. Whatever....those guys want to fight it out with the dealer, have at it.... I'm going traveling.

Bottom line is for the OP is that we know for certain, before buying another trailer in the future, he will crawl around under it and take a close look see at the axles. Live and learn.