Axle alignment - what to do?

Originally posted by kymooses Originally posted by Budward Forest River cheaps out and uses an undersized axle IMO. Google "Forest River axle problems" sometime and see the hundreds of complaints about this. I fixed mine- http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5018&KW=axle&PN=4&title=179-axle-issues I just completed a 10,000 mile trip with no sign of axle bending which started showing up within 1000 miles on their original axle. If you replace the original axle with the same thing, about $700 in parts it will happen again.  If you have an alignment shop bend it back it will happen again. For about $1200 you can get a new appropriate axle and new higher rated tires and wheels that will stand up. I plan on asking for the $1200 it cost me to do this right but expect that to be denied. Sometime this winter I plan on reinstalling the original axle so a dealer can request a warranty replacement and we'll see where that goes. What is your goal of putting the original axle back on?  Just to get a warrantied replacement of the same axle you already have replaced because you didn't like it? Bit confused what you'd gain?  Wouldn't it just be the same axle that you took off?

Goal?  To get FR to admit they do not use a heavy enough axle.

It was not a case of "not liking" the axle- it is undersized for the application.

Once the dealer contacts them about warranty replacement as I said "we'll see where that goes".
If they agree to replace it I plan to ask for reimbursement instead-  will cost them the same either way.  If they refuse to compensate then yes, by all means they can send a new axle and pay labor to replace it.  I'll then test it to see if the same problem returns.

Originally posted by Bill-GA Budward,  are you there? I could really use some info on the new axle you got .... Thanks,  Bill

Dexter does not sell axles by part number-    you have to give them the specs to order one.
IOW they require certain measurements to make one- this is all detailed on their site.
If your axle currently is a Dexter you can contact them with the serial number and they can supply those specs to you.   Of course you need to order the higher capacity with your old measurements.

Budward,  are you there?

Originally posted by Budward Forest River cheaps out and uses an undersized axle IMO. For about $1200 you can get a new appropriate axle and new higher rated tires and wheels that will stand up.

Originally posted by Budward Forest River cheaps out and uses an undersized axle IMO. Google "Forest River axle problems" sometime and see the hundreds of complaints about this. I fixed mine- http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5018&KW=axle&PN=4&title=179-axle-issues I just completed a 10,000 mile trip with no sign of axle bending which started showing up within 1000 miles on their original axle. If you replace the original axle with the same thing, about $700 in parts it will happen again.  If you have an alignment shop bend it back it will happen again. For about $1200 you can get a new appropriate axle and new higher rated tires and wheels that will stand up. I plan on asking for the $1200 it cost me to do this right but expect that to be denied. Sometime this winter I plan on reinstalling the original axle so a dealer can request a warranty replacement and we'll see where that goes.