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Need new tires ALREADY!

panamacamper1
Explorer
Explorer
I puchased a new Shadow Cruiser 280qbs, it has 205/75/14 load C tires.
I have maybe 1000 miles on them and I always check the tire preasure before trips.
My unit (unloaded) is around 5,200lbs and (loaded) around 6,600lbs. I know you have to run tires at max psi(50) to get full use of 6 ply on tires. It has double axles and each axle is measured at 4,555lbs.
I need to take her in and see if the axles are out of allignment or bent. Is this under warrentee if I am still with-in a year of purchase?
What tires would you recommend?

UPDATE: This is after I did the rotation of the two rear axle tires. Remember I have maybe 700 to 800 miles on these tires. TT was brand new.

Bald on the inside (original left rear axle tire)

Bald on the inside (same tire) picture the other tire bald on the outside.

tread burned off the outside edge, this is from the tire before i rotated them, so it is bald on the outside

These are the tires that I have
70 REPLIES 70

profdant139
Explorer II
Explorer II
I have a 2012 Fun Finder X-139 -- had the same problem, with the same wear pattern on one tire. The warranty covered it. My dealer chalked it up to a bent spindle -- he put on a new axle. We will see how the tires wear!

(Edit: other than that, the Fun Finder has been a great trailer so far --we travelled 5000 miles in it last year and spent about 80 nights of camping in it. Just got back from a week in the back country of the Sierra.)
2012 Fun Finder X-139 "Boondock Style" (axle-flipped and extra insulation)
2013 Toyota Tacoma Off-Road (semi-beefy tires and components)
Our trips -- pix and text
About our trailer
"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single list."

c3saving
Explorer
Explorer
2011 and they are the 3500 lb axles

Clonefan
Explorer
Explorer
What year is your Shadow Cruiser? Which axels did you have under it?

Glad I returned mine.

c3saving
Explorer
Explorer
Well, I'm joining the club with the axle problem. We recently took a 1500 mile trip. The tires have a total of 3700 miles on them. The inside of the treads are gone. We are within two to three weeks of the warranty expiring. We took it into the dealer and they are working the issue. I documented the tire wear as we traveled, so I had pictures. I spoke with Lippert and they are requesting pictures of the axles, axle serial numbers, and a picture of a level on the axle. I presume to see if the axle is bowed.

InTheDogHouse
Explorer
Explorer
Thanks CarolinaHokie. They are reattaching my sub-flooring right now. When they get the floor done, they will get the axles upgraded. I have to say, the service department may not be very quick, but they do look after their clients.

CarolinaHokie
Explorer
Explorer
Sorry InTheDogHouse, and welcome to the club. I am glad your camping season was not interrupted.

InTheDogHouse
Explorer
Explorer
Dropped off the 280QBS at the dealer and right next to it was a 280QBS with 5200# axles on it. When I questioned the service manager, he informed me that they replaced the axles on that one last year. It was back, because it was still wearing the rear tires in an abnormal pattern. I was told that they would make sure that my axles were upgraded and the tires replaced, just like they have done with the previous units they have had to repair.

Just remember when dealing with the RV Dealer, they didn't build it, and they only get paid to fix the problems if the factory approves the repairs. That said, you want to find a Dealer who will stand up for you too.

InTheDogHouse
Explorer
Explorer
I just finished our last camping trip of the year, which put us at 1200 miles on our brand new 280 Shadowcruiser. When I arrived at the campground, I noticed that the rear tires were tilting in on the top. I checked from the rear and you can see the axle bowed down. I will be taking the unit back in this weekend. I am hoping that I can get the heavier axles upgrade, as I don't intend to go through this a second time.

CarolinaHokie
Explorer
Explorer
It seems like there are 2011 and 2012 models with this problem. When we bought our 2013 I guess I kinds assumed they would have fixed it, but they haven't. It is exactly the same! Hopefully the poor warranty guy at Cruiser will be tired of fixing this problem!

mawheel
Explorer
Explorer
I have a 2012 Shadow Cruiser 280QBS that had the axle issues that have been already stated. I spoke with Cruiser RV directly and they did take care of the issue by getting the axle manufacture involved. The axles were replaced with a 5200lb axle(s) and they replace the tires.

Based on the comments and the speculation to why this occurred, I will provide my 2 cents. We didnโ€™t discover the axle issue until my family went on an extended vacation with a total of 2300 miles through the West Virginia Mountains and up and down the east coast. Prior to this trip we did short trips (avrg 400mile) with very little grade or winding roads. I believe under very normal condition the axles were rated properly. However, no trailer is really towed under normal conditions. I found the total length of the trailer plays a big role in how the axles perform. Since the weight of the trailer during winding road and hill driving shifts more to the rear axle, the 3500 lbs axle is not able to take the weight. Design flaw...yes. I think that a trailer under 30 ft total weight would do just fine, but this trailer goes 32ft. As far as tire wear, please keep in mind that the trailer is not stocked with radial tires. I would invest into radial tires. Also I took off the stocked stabilization jacks and put a more durable set on.

With all this said Cruiser did everything right to get this fixed no cost to me. The trailer otherwise is enjoyed by the family. Since 2012 was the first year for this model, I took a risk buying only because of the unknown science manufacture take in rating. I think Cruiser has fixed their initial design flaws and still have the best value for a QBH.

CarolinaHokie
Explorer
Explorer
C3Saving, I will bet you a case of beer, or whatever, that given another 1000 miles, your tires will fall apart just like mine!

My is still in the shop, but it appears the light at the end of the tunnel in getting it fixed. I hope!

Try to put some more miles on this so you can get it fixed in the off season!

Ill post some pictures of my tires at about 2000 miles:

heres one of our tires:



Here's another!

youth4him
Explorer
Explorer
c3saving wrote:
I would have to agree with you that we hit something with reference on the rub IF it were only on one tire. I was shocked to find the same rub patterns on the tire on the opposite side of the axle. It looks like it a couple of plastic strap patterns. There are no slits on the opposite tire. At least not yet. Puzzling, uh. I do agree.... I will probably have a fight that we hit something.


Good luck, I would take the same position, just bizarre and hard to explain, but let us know if you do figure it out.
KD

Trip of a Lifetime Blog - 12000 Miles, 100 Days, 34 States, 4 Humans, 1 Mini Daschund...FUN!
2007 GMC Yukon XL Denali - 6.2L, 6-speed

c3saving
Explorer
Explorer
I would have to agree with you that we hit something with reference on the rub IF it were only on one tire. I was shocked to find the same rub patterns on the tire on the opposite side of the axle. It looks like it a couple of plastic strap patterns. There are no slits on the opposite tire. At least not yet. Puzzling, uh. I do agree.... I will probably have a fight that we hit something.

youth4him
Explorer
Explorer
You can figure out if the tires are adjusted correctly, get 2 people, and take a tape to the top and bottom of the hubs (brake assembly), and see if they are the same.

What you show there appears to be some sort of damage from hitting something, or at least that's what I'd guess the tire guys will say. It looks like you hit something. The cheap tires may have a propensity towards splitting vs. creating a bubble like a radial would do. It just seems it would be almost impossible to get a single location rub like that any other way, but I'd be interested to know.
KD

Trip of a Lifetime Blog - 12000 Miles, 100 Days, 34 States, 4 Humans, 1 Mini Daschund...FUN!
2007 GMC Yukon XL Denali - 6.2L, 6-speed