Axle bend
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9992
Printed Date: 01 May 2024 at 7:22am
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Topic: Axle bend
Posted By: Carolavan
Subject: Axle bend
Date Posted: 19 May 2017 at 8:04pm
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More trials and tribulations of the Carolavan. Half way home to South Carolina from Florida, got squeezed by a semi on a left turn, clipped the curb with the driver side trailer wheel. Result - slightly bent axle. Good Sam roadside assistance found us a trailer repair shop so we took it there. Needs a new axle. So we returned home minus the Carolavan. It will probably be a week before they get it repaired and we'll have to drive the five hours back to get it. Hopefully the learning curve will flatten out for us soon. ------------- 2015 R-Pod 179 2016 Nissan Pathfinder Platinum "It's a good thing we are going slowly because we might be going in the wrong direction." Ashliegh Brilliant |
Replies:
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 19 May 2017 at 9:52pm
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Sorry to hear about your bent axle. It is not fun being squeezed by a semi. Hopefully, repairs will go quickly and you can get your Carolavan home without additional incidents. It dows get easier with more experience. part of that is keeping an eye out for situations like you encountered and backing off if needed to avoid getting squeezed..
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 19 May 2017 at 10:00pm
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Carolavan, when you say you were squeezed by a semi while making a left turn, were you able to obtain his insurance info or identify him? Did he leave the scene? You may want to give your insurance company a shout to see if you have some coverage for the axle. Since the trailer was presumably connected to your TV, you may have an uninsured motorist claim if the truck driver disappeared. If there was not contact, it may get a little complicated, but what the heck, it's worth looking into. ------------- Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost |
Posted By: Carolavan
Date Posted: 20 May 2017 at 5:40am
Lost again - I don't think I can blame the semi driver. It was more that I felt like I was in a tight situation and momentarily forgot about the 20 feet of trailer hanging out the back. It was very complicated - GPS was being a little obtuse and I was distracted, so not the trucker's fault. I am a bit concerned that it seems that every time one hits a curb it might ruin a trip and cost a thousand bucks.  ------------- 2015 R-Pod 179 2016 Nissan Pathfinder Platinum "It's a good thing we are going slowly because we might be going in the wrong direction." Ashliegh Brilliant |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 20 May 2017 at 3:37pm
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Part of it is the speed and angle at which the curb is contacted. I have gone over a couple of them, but it was in parking lots at very low speed. I've also hit some significant potholes in our travels. So far, the axle on ours is still in good shape.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 21 May 2017 at 8:37am
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In the words of a famous person: "Opps." You may still want to contact your insurance company. Though it's not likely your collision coverage may help. But on the other hand, you may not want the claim in the loss history. I guess you can find the silver lining in this unhappy situation; you can find a better stronger axle. ------------- Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost |
Posted By: Carolavan
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2017 at 4:59pm
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Update - we are still waiting for an axle replacement. Over 3 weeks now. Is this typical? Do I just have be patient and just let the summer slip by while my trailer sits in a shed in Alabama. The repair shop says they are chasing it as hard as they can. Any clues on how I can get this resolved would be appreciated. After waiting over 3 months to get the fridge repaired this R-pod is really testing our patience. ------------- 2015 R-Pod 179 2016 Nissan Pathfinder Platinum "It's a good thing we are going slowly because we might be going in the wrong direction." Ashliegh Brilliant |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2017 at 5:28pm
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I would ask where they went for a replacement. Do you know what axle your have? If so you can assist it finding a source. To my knowledge Pods use 2 axles, neither is hard to find. Also many FR travel trailers use the same axle. My axle is marked with a Surveyor stencil. Best to be armed with info. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: codycountry
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2017 at 5:42pm
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If you check around there are frame and axle repair places (metro areas especially)
that can bend the axle and set the camber, castor, and toe in for not much money. Way less than labor and parts to replace. I bent a horse trailer axle to look like a U and I took it in to be fixed, and the trailer pulls better and the tires wear better now than before I bent it. I can't recommend a brand name company, but if you check with your local alignment shop they will know who can fix it. Or talk to a semi truck repair place. The dealers sure won't share the info in most cases. They'd rather lighten up your wallet. Torsion axles can only be worked on once or twice due to the rubber inside and the tubing getting kinked from what I hear. Good luck.
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Posted By: Carolavan
Date Posted: 14 Jun 2017 at 6:14pm
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Apparently it is being made by the Forest River factory supplier, whoever that is. Still no word on when it will be available. I can't exactly take it somewhere else - it has no wheels on it. I guess I am just fortunate that it is only 5 hours from home and not in California or Canada. I am very disillusioned about this whole RV hobby. It is supposed to be fun - instead all I get is frustration and stress - not to mention the rapid and apparently unrestricted outflow of cash. We could stay in some pretty classy hotels for what this is costing us. Grrrrrr. Rant over - for now. ------------- 2015 R-Pod 179 2016 Nissan Pathfinder Platinum "It's a good thing we are going slowly because we might be going in the wrong direction." Ashliegh Brilliant |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 14 Jun 2017 at 6:24pm
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I understand. Dexler and Lippert are the two axle manufacturers that FR uses on travel trailers. The frames are not FR products, they are also supplied by another source. As I have worked thru issues I have found most components come from an outsource. The assembly of the components happens in two locations. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: Carolavan
Date Posted: 19 Jun 2017 at 3:59pm
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Further update. Told by repairer late Friday that the new axle had arrived and would be installed Monday morning. Hightailed it to Alabama Sunday afternoon. Arrived at the repair shop to find that the axle which had taken over three weeks to arrive did not fit. Local supplier is hopefully working like crazy to make it fit as I write. Another night to wait in Alabama - and another motel room expense, gggggrrrrrrrrrr. ------------- 2015 R-Pod 179 2016 Nissan Pathfinder Platinum "It's a good thing we are going slowly because we might be going in the wrong direction." Ashliegh Brilliant |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 19 Jun 2017 at 4:14pm
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Make it fit???? Geez. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: Carolavan
Date Posted: 19 Jun 2017 at 4:28pm
Yeah! They had to cut off the attachment brackets and put them where they should have been. Got their welder in from a day off after a bit of pushing on our part. A bit dodgy but I'm not going to wait three weeks for another one. Apparently the repair shop I was directed to by the roadside assistance folks sent the axle to the local trailer shop they work with, who placed the order with their wholesaler, who placed the order with Dexter - somehow along the way someone got the dimensions wrong. I guess we will never know who, because everybody is in full on ass-covering mode. It will be back on the road before noon tomorrow I'm assured. ------------- 2015 R-Pod 179 2016 Nissan Pathfinder Platinum "It's a good thing we are going slowly because we might be going in the wrong direction." Ashliegh Brilliant |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 19 Jun 2017 at 8:55pm
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Is Dexter okay with this modification? Will it void any warranty? Instead of modifying the bracket, the correct axle should have been ordered. I would not trust a modified axle.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: Carolavan
Date Posted: 20 Jun 2017 at 5:35am
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Stephen - I'm not pleased about it but I can't wait another month for another one. Supply of parts for these things is beyond ridiculous in my experience. ------------- 2015 R-Pod 179 2016 Nissan Pathfinder Platinum "It's a good thing we are going slowly because we might be going in the wrong direction." Ashliegh Brilliant |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 20 Jun 2017 at 9:34am
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The thing is, if they are cutting off the mounting brackets and then welding them, what is that doing to the rubber that provides the suspension? I can't think that the heat of welding would be doing it any good. You might get it on the road only to have it fail, not at the weld, but the rubber that provides the suspension. See this link for how the axle is constructed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzVVqXxbGSA - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzVVqXxbGSA ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: Carolavan
Date Posted: 20 Jun 2017 at 5:45pm
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Thanks for the info Stephen. They cut and welded the brackets as instructed by the manufacturer apparently. But that's all moot now because it still did not fit - not even close. It is clearly the wrong axle. So - the Carolavan remains in Alabama pending arrival of the right axle; hopefully in less than the 28 days the first one took. The repairer is furious because it is taking up a bay in his workshop and he can't move it because it has no wheels. We had planned a family trip to Pennsylvania next week, but that will happen without Carolavan unfortunately. ------------- 2015 R-Pod 179 2016 Nissan Pathfinder Platinum "It's a good thing we are going slowly because we might be going in the wrong direction." Ashliegh Brilliant |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 20 Jun 2017 at 6:01pm
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Karma - somethings happen for the best. I was leery, sure you are too. Hang in there. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 21 Jun 2017 at 2:12pm
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After our experience with repairs, I can sympathize with your frustration. It is better to get the job done right than to get it done fast. Especially when it comes to something as critical as an axle. We missed out on our spring camping. I am getting it ready to go now for an upcoming trip. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: Carolavan
Date Posted: 21 Jul 2017 at 5:04pm
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Update - one more month down and still waiting. Informed today that it will be ready on Monday. I presume they meant the next Monday that comes around. GRRRRRRRRRRR. ------------- 2015 R-Pod 179 2016 Nissan Pathfinder Platinum "It's a good thing we are going slowly because we might be going in the wrong direction." Ashliegh Brilliant |
Posted By: Carolavan
Date Posted: 01 Aug 2017 at 10:49am
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Further axle update. The Carolavan is safely back home finally. We picked it up from the shop in Alabama and drove home yesterday. It took 10 weeks in all - and 3 tries - to get the job right. Cost - a bit north of $2k. And then there was the cost of two trips to Alabama - fueL + 3 motel nights. Call that $500. Insurance may cover some of it. Now to get the air conditioner fixed. It had the E1 communication error during our last trip - way back in May. Since I plugged it in at home last night it has run without the fault so maybe its long period in timeout has taught it a lesson ;-) We can dream eh? ------------- 2015 R-Pod 179 2016 Nissan Pathfinder Platinum "It's a good thing we are going slowly because we might be going in the wrong direction." Ashliegh Brilliant |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 01 Aug 2017 at 12:19pm
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Wow,sound like you have been through the ringer!! ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 02 Aug 2017 at 8:42am
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Glad you got it home and the job was done right (finally). Sorry it took so long. I sympathize. I may need to go through something similar myself. I noticed that the outside edge of the tire on the door side seems to be wearing more than the inside or middle. We just got back from a trip of over 3,000 miles. The tire on the slide-out side does not have any indication of uneven wear.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |