On our summer trip we returned with tires wearing out on the inside edges. The axle on the unloaded trailer were flat across. The dealer bent the axle so it bowed upward when empty. He said if that didn’t work I would need new axles and should go stronger (currently 3500 lb ea. On dual axle and tt is 6000 lb gvwr, see RV in sig). We just returned from a 300mile trip with inside tire wear on new spare. So issue remains. Which begs the question: 5 year old RV. Do I replace the axles or trade for a new RV? Has anyone had axle issues before? Cost to replace two axles and all 5 tires?

Hard call. It looks like a very nice, well cared for trailer.. If you disclose the axle issue, how much are you really going to get for it?New Axles....I'd get a second opinion about why the tire(s) are wearing on the inside edge....Possible reasons: - the axles could simply be out of alignment...or maybe you are overloading it, or maybe the tires just need balancing????If you like the trailer, I'd do some more research before dumping it or pouring lots of money into a new axles "maybe fix."If you don't like the trailer or just have the, "new trailer bug," like we all get at times, then I'd go for a new one..Good luck with your decision.

Take it to a compentent commercial trailer shop and let them do a proper alignment.

Never heard of a dealer that had the equipment or know how to do a proper axle alignment. If they're Lippert axles then I'd switch out to Dexter. Or like said find a real axle alignment shop. If you really like the TT then me personally I'd switch to Dexter.3500# are enough. Thats 7,000lbs total minus your TW (700lbs?) That would give you a cushion of 1700 lbs when loaded to GVWR.

3,500 lb axles are thin and easily bent. I replaced the bent from new junk on my KZ with custom made heavier axles from Dexter. Axles are rather cheap and not hard to replace. Replacing the entire trailer might just get you the same marginal stuff.

Lynnmor; How much were the Dexter axles? I need to find a good trailer/axle shop to inspect and advise, but I would love to know what I’m looking at for replacing axles.

Tire wear, bent axle, replace or trade | Good Sam Community

spike99
Explorer
Jan 17, 2019
Axle replacement is a simple DIY task - using simple auto mechanic tools.

Like all my trailers (RV, utility, Boat, snowmobile, canoe/kayak, etc.), I simply buy new axles (do +2 up size) and up size their leaf spring packs as well. Dry fit, then get your local welder guy to weld on new leaf spring saddles. Lots of online info on how to measure "hub face to hub face" and how to install new / better brake wiring - from factory linear design to much better STAR design. Stuff like this is easy DIY.....

Note: For 2 of my factory bought trailers, I got their axles 1" longer (that's 1/2" longer on each side) as well. Thus, much better fix - compared to factory design. Your trailer may need slightly longer axle (for better position of its wheel inside its fender cavity) as well.....
westend
Explorer
Jan 15, 2019
donn0128 wrote:
Take it to a compentent commercial trailer shop and let them do a proper alignment.

X2
They may discover the axles are bent or that the installation was incorrect. A new axle is not that expensive, ask the trailer shop guys.
drsteve
Explorer
Jan 15, 2019
JCR-1 wrote:
Lets face it. American made trailers today are on par with Chinese quality.The axles they use barely meet specs and the build quality has an expiration date of only a few years.. Cant always blame the Chinese as American made products in many cases these days are in the same category.RV is one !

Sadly, the RV makers are building what they know will sell. Many folks only do a few days of camping per year, and they want the cheapest RV they can buy, for the most part.
JCR-1
Explorer
Jan 15, 2019
Lets face it. American made trailers today are on par with Chinese quality.The axles they use barely meet specs and the build quality has an expiration date of only a few years.. Cant always blame the Chinese as American made products in many cases these days are in the same category.RV is one !
Lynnmor
Explorer
Jan 15, 2019
bob2194 wrote:

How did the brakes hold up for you.? For me they seemed ok but did not put that many miles on them maybe 2500

I travel roughly 10,000 miles per year. The brake lining isn't the problem, they last longer than the ridiculous brake magnets. More precisely, the magnets eat into the armature face requiring the drums to be faced or replaced all too often. If I get a new trailer, disk brakes will be installed, I've had enough of the junk.
bob2194
Explorer
Jan 15, 2019
I bought the brakes and bearing sets from etrailer. The garbage Chinese bearings failed, so I had to do it over again with quality Timken bearings.

That sucks! I traded that trailer 2 years later, with no problems. How did the brakes hold up for you.? For me they seemed ok but did not put that many miles on them maybe 2500
Huntindog
Explorer
Jan 14, 2019
GrandpaKip wrote:
Huntindog wrote:
GrandpaKip wrote:
When I bought our camper, I made sure the axles would be more than adequate.
3500 pound axles, 3880 pounds on the factory sticker, 6000 pounds gross, over 2000 pounds cargo capacity
Fully loaded, we’re around 5000 pounds.
I’m really surprised how many people do not do their homework before spending a fair amount of money. Well, maybe not.
Axles are so easy and cheap to upgrade, that it is not an overriding concern for me.
Other factors that are harder to change take priority.... Obviously if there is more than one TT that are equal except for axles, then the better axled one would win... That is not usually the case though.

With today’s campers, I would also be concerned about overloading a frame that had a low cargo capacity.

Many still buy their frames in bulk runs
IOW the same frames for several models
You can get Avery stout frame that way
But your concern has merit
When selecting a tt......Itpays to do your homework
GrandpaKip
Explorer II
Jan 14, 2019
Huntindog wrote:
GrandpaKip wrote:
When I bought our camper, I made sure the axles would be more than adequate.
3500 pound axles, 3880 pounds on the factory sticker, 6000 pounds gross, over 2000 pounds cargo capacity
Fully loaded, we’re around 5000 pounds.
I’m really surprised how many people do not do their homework before spending a fair amount of money. Well, maybe not.
Axles are so easy and cheap to upgrade, that it is not an overriding concern for me.
Other factors that are harder to change take priority.... Obviously if there is more than one TT that are equal except for axles, then the better axled one would win... That is not usually the case though.

With today’s campers, I would also be concerned about overloading a frame that had a low cargo capacity.
Huntindog
Explorer
Jan 14, 2019
delete
Atlee
Explorer II
Jan 14, 2019
I have a little excess capacity with my trailer. 2 3500# axles equaling 7000#. The GVWR of the trailer is 6500#, so even including the tongue, I'm still over by 500#.

GrandpaKip wrote:
When I bought our camper, I made sure the axles would be more than adequate.
3500 pound axles, 3880 pounds on the factory sticker, 6000 pounds gross, over 2000 pounds cargo capacity
Fully loaded, we’re around 5000 pounds.
I’m really surprised how many people do not do their homework before spending a fair amount of money. Well, maybe not.