2020 190 Bent Lippert Axle
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Forum Name: I need HELP!!!
Forum Discription: Perplexed/need help with a problem - ask here
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14751
Printed Date: 28 Apr 2024 at 9:17pm
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Topic: 2020 190 Bent Lippert Axle
Posted By: kcisland
Subject: 2020 190 Bent Lippert Axle
Date Posted: 21 Jun 2021 at 11:13am
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Hi all! I got my first TT (190) last May before the heavy Covid hit. Since then have been on 5 trips including Yellowstone and various lakes around Washington. After years of tenting it's finally time to have some luxury during my fishing trips. Searching the forums it appears to be a common issue with the bent axle and given that the carrying load is only 289 pounds, I may have exceeded it but I am not sure. I have asked the dealership where I bought it to put in a warranty claim but an not holding my breath as my warranty is two months past the one year mark. Both tires are 1" out of plumb...  A string line pulled tight across the axle shows only a 1/16" gap in the center...   My question is what is the best option of the solutions found here in the forum if there is no warranty help?
Am I missing anything as far as issues? Is it best to stick with a torsion axle? Keith |
Replies:
Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 21 Jun 2021 at 3:07pm
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Your first option would be the least expensive assuming the axle tube is what's bent and not the spindles, the trailer shop should be able to tell you. But I would recommend my version of reinforcement as it requires no welding, just a slightly bent steel angle and 4 ubolts.
I would skip your option 2. If your axle is not fixable then I'd go with your option 3 or the equivalent Lippert version. The tire and wheel upgrade is a good thing, the OEM tires and wheels on mine didn't have any more capacity than the axle, and you are only as good as your weakest link. A leaf spring axle has advantages but to my knowledge no one has yet done that mod so you would be on your own for the engineering. ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
Posted By: JR
Date Posted: 21 Jun 2021 at 3:36pm
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You might want to check into your warranty information because if my memory serves me correctly the warranty on the Lippert axel is 2 years and your dealer should assist you in making a claim. Good luck. ------------- Jay 179/2019 |
Posted By: kcisland
Date Posted: 21 Jun 2021 at 4:51pm
Thanks for your insight sir, much appreciated!
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Posted By: kcisland
Date Posted: 21 Jun 2021 at 4:52pm
I will definitely check my paperwork. During a phone discussion with the dealer on where to send my photo documentation they mentioned the 1 year.
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Posted By: JR
Date Posted: 21 Jun 2021 at 6:25pm
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You might want to check out this link" https://lci-support-doc.s3.amazonaws.com/forms/oem_axle_and_running_gear_standard_warranty_effective_1_1_2017_final.pdf "Which I believe gives the Lippert limited warranty (I have not given this a full study) on its axles and parts to the axle. Your dealer should be very involved with representing you in this claim. Hope this helps. ------------- Jay 179/2019 |
Posted By: Colt
Date Posted: 22 Jun 2021 at 11:06pm
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A 1/16" bow *up* in the middle could easily be inside manufacturing tolerances. Plus, a bow up in the middle would camber the tires out at the top, not in. A 1" positive camber on a 26" O.D. tire calculates a reasonable 2.2 deg pos camber. Are you sure something is bent? If so, it's not the center beam. ------------- John '16 R-Pod 180 |
Posted By: kcisland
Date Posted: 22 Jun 2021 at 11:29pm
Hmmm...I am definitely in negative camber per my pic so something is bent - 1" on the passenger 3/4" on the drivers. I thought the axle was supposed to be more 1/4" to 3/8" upward camber? At any rate the dealer has contacted Lippert, sent me a request for more information (toe in/ toe out dimensions), and more photos. I will be sending these in tomorrow. We will see... Keith |
Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 23 Jun 2021 at 9:57am
The axles are shipped with a crown of around 3/16 inch at the center. They definitely flatten out when bent. That is because the loads at the cantilevered ends where the wheels are places an equal load on the axle along it's full length between the frame attachment points. L0ots of discussion and analysis of this issue on this forum and elsewhere. Read the multiple threads on this topic from a couple years ago by myself and others. Of course, it could Also be that the spindles are bent. A good trailer shopp will be able to evaluate. ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
Posted By: kcisland
Date Posted: 29 Jun 2021 at 8:03pm
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Good news! My Dealer initiated the warranty claim with Lippert and
it is being covered! As I am 240 miles away from where I bought it would have been
a pain for me to drive it over just for photo documentation, so I took photos
of everything they wanted including Toe In/Tow Out dimensions and sent the finals over
on 6/23. Today 6/29 I received a call
that the axle will be covered and a new one will be sent out. As an afterthought I sent an email to the dealership asking if they would transfer the warranty coverage over to a Forest River dealer local to me to avoid me driving for 4 hours. Not sure how the labor is covered in a warranty claim – if Lippert reimburses the dealer or they absorb it. We will see how they answer. I will definitely be doing the support mod once the new axle is installed. |
Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 30 Jun 2021 at 8:54am
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Great! Keep us posted. And get an actual loaded scale weight on your trailer/tongue/axle so you know where you're at going forward. ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |