Axle Replacement

[Beaver]

My local RV dealer is recommending replacement of both axels and all tires on my 2017 Escape 19, saying that the rubber inside one axel is compressed. Has anyone else experienced this problem? Apparently this rubber replaces what would normally be springs on the trailer.

[Ron in BC]

A number of us have had axles replaced, usually because of damage or defect resulting in the axle not being in alignment.

Your situation sounds quite different and not one anyone has posted about.

Without some data I'd be curious how your dealer came to that conclusion and what Dexter's opinion about it is.

Who's expected to pay for this double axle replacement, you or Dexter?

Ron

[splitting_lanes]

I’ve had one axel replaced because one tire was wearing out much fast than the others. It lasted 5-6 thousand miles to bald. My axel was a manufacturing defect, so Dexter paid for a new one. These Dexter axels should last 10-15 years (or more). Ron is right on target with his reply.

[Donna D.]

Be kind. If you can't be kind, be quiet.

[Donna D.]

It's pretty normal for torsion axles to finally die... but it takes 15-20 years. I replaced the one on my 1988 Scamp... and it was 17 years old. What did the RV dealer due to measure travel? Or was that done? Travel is when the axle actually moves and that happens at the wheels.

[CharlesinGA]

With the trailer sitting on the ground you measure from the center of the spindle to the wheel well edge or other place on the trailer directly above the spindle. Then you jack the trailer by the frame and allow the axles to drop until they stop. Make more measurements and figure out the difference. This difference, found in Dexter articulation charts for a #10 axle is between 2 and 2½ inches, depending on the loading of the trailer (starting measurement) and down angle that the axle was manufactured with. See the second page of the link below, I think it was page 20 (excerpted from a larger manual).

If the shop did not measure the droop they have no way of knowing if something is wrong with it.

Is your trailer perfectly level when towing? Torsion axles operate independent of each other and if the trailer is tongue high when towing, this puts more weight on the rear axle, wearing those tires more, and making the trailer handle better (more tongue weight). If the trailer tows tongue low, this puts more weight on the front axle, and wears the front tires more, and makes the trailer less stable, as there is less tongue weight.

Airstreams have torsion axles and suffer the same issues.

Charles

http://www.dexterpartsonline.com/fil...%20Catalog.pdf

[Doug2000]

It is reasonable to expect 10 years from any rubber product before hardening and rot becomes an issue. 6 years seems a little soon. I suspect the RV dealer is trying to up sell you on a new trailer or new axles. I would only replace the axles if the trailer was sitting way lower than normal or if I wore a tire in under 5000 miles. It's not all bad, comes with new bearings and brakes, less to worry about next year.

[BravoDeltaRomeo]

We are currently looking at an Escape 19 that a shop says both torsion axles need replacing. The seller is going to fund this as well as a set of tires. I'll get to posting more about the trailer, our camping experience, after we take ownership. I have been using the site for a few weeks to research thigns, idea for mods and get a general feel for the Escape RV.

My question is, what does a random group of forum members online say on the idea of the trailer being safe to drive for a short camping trip, a couple hundred kms each way, paved with both axles "needing repair". My research says, drive away, monitor tire wear, vibration etc.

Thanks for any help you can offer.


MEASURE TORSION AXLE, TIRE WEARING
TORSIONAXLE AXLE SHOP 2200.00

LABOUR-AV LABOUR 0000 416.00
SHOP SUPPLIES MISC 30.00
BOTH TORSIONS BENT, REQUIRES REPLACEMENTS. LEAD TIME 4 TO 6
WEEKS ON ORDERS. MAY REQUIRE MODIFICATIONS DURING
INSTALL, LABOUR MAY VARY SLIGHTLY WHILE INSTALLING[/spoiler]

One tire shows wear, no other signs of damage or concern. I would asssume it's safe to drive or the shop wouldn't have let him drive it away with it.

[GinoandLinda]

Originally Posted by BravoDeltaRomeo

My question is, what does a random group of fourm members say on the idea of the trailer being safe to drive for a short camping trip, a couple hundred kms each way, paved with both axles needing repair. Only 1 tire shows outter wear.

One tire shows wear, no other signs of damage or concern. I would asssume it's safe to drive or the shop wouldn't have let him drive it away with it.

Depends on the definition of short and how bad the axle, most likely the spindle, is bent. That said, We pulled our 5.0 with two bent axles over 800 miles. When we arrived at our destination, cords were showing on one of the tires. I will never do that again.

[BravoDeltaRomeo]

Originally Posted by SageRpod

Depends on the definition of short and how bad the axle, most likely the spindle, is bent. That said, We pulled our 5.0 with two bent axles over 800 miles. When we arrived at our destination, cords were showing on one of the tires. I will never do that again.

240km each way, main hiway, no off roads or gravel.

The seller knew 1 was in need of repair as he noticed one tire wearing out (I'll rotate that one to the other side), but the shop is saying both. Because he's deducing the full amount of parts/labour and tires, I won't say no to new axles.

[GinoandLinda]

All I can say is if you decide to go on the trip, check your tire(s) frequently. I thought we had plenty of tread before we left. By the time we got to our destination, the tire was shot.

[BravoDeltaRomeo]

Originally Posted by SageRpod

All I can say is if you decide to go on the trip, check your tire(s) frequently. I thought we had plenty of tread before we left. By the time we got to our destination, the tire was shot.

For sure. Based on the condition of the front axle tires, no tire wear shown. I have a tire tread gauge for my truck, so I'll be able to check them accurately.

I have lined up a second shop (ove I have dealt with in the past) to give an opinion on it as well. They offered to look at it a few things:

"We can look at the axle and leaf and shackles from the exterior, but if you want the bearings done or inspected you are looking at $60 per wheel"

[Ron in BC]

Throw a straight edge horizontally at the wheel center point and see if the end closer to the second axle is noticeably further away or closer than it should be. If the two wheels appear to be parallel to each other I wouldn't worry about it for a short trip.

I'd like to know what standard the shop applied before claiming that both axles needed replacement.

Ron

[GinoandLinda]

Originally Posted by BravoDeltaRomeo

For sure. Based on the condition of the front axle tires, no tire wear shown. I have a tire tread gauge for my truck, so I'll be able to check them accurately.

I have lined up a second shop (ove I have dealt with in the past) to give an opinion on it as well. They offered to look at it a few things:

"We can look at the axle and leaf and shackles from the exterior, but if you want the bearings done or inspected you are looking at $60 per wheel"

I would check tire temperature as well. We traveled in the dead of winter and it sounds like you will be traveling in the summer. With the axle bent, your tire will be spinning on a different axis than it will be pulled. It’s a recipe for friction and heat build up.

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by BravoDeltaRomeo

"We can look at the axle and leaf and shackles from the exterior,

An E19 doesn't have leaf springs and shackles. Does this shop know anything about torsion axles?

Ron

[BravoDeltaRomeo]

Axle issue aside, I am super excited to get into an Escape!

Originally Posted by Ron in BC

An E19 doesn't have leaf springs and shackles. Does this shop know anything about torsion axles?

Ron

The shop was unaware of what trailer we were discussing. I had just told them it was a Dual Axle. They are reliable Hitch, Wiring, WDH, trailer repair shop.

Originally Posted by SageRpod

I would check tire temperature as well. We traveled in the dead of winter and it sounds like you will be traveling in the summer. With the axle bent, your tire will be spinning on a different axis than it will be pulled. It’s a recipe for friction and heat build up.

I have a Thermoworks IR gun to test BBQ/Smoker surface temps. I'll bring that along too. Thanks for the tip! Luckily, it's end of June trip and being in Candada, it may be -5 (kidding, but it shouldn't be scorching hot)

[iamunique127]

There are many local RV and axle/spring shops here in Winnipeg. Personally I don't bother with the RV dealers.

I use a family-owned and operated trailer shop that has been around since I was a boy. I feel they've survived over 60 years by knowing what they are doing. The last time I dealt with them I was surprised by the affordability of the service I received.

If you are interested in checking them out, you can find all their contact info here: Metro Centre Trailers. They are now located a short drive south in Niverville, MB.

I find the owner very receptive to helping me any time I contact them. They stock common trailer parts.

[BravoDeltaRomeo]

Originally Posted by iamunique127

There are many local RV and axle/spring shops here in Winnipeg. Personally I don't bother with the RV dealers.

I use a family-owned and operated trailer shop that has been around since I was a boy. I feel they've survived over 60 years by knowing what they are doing. The last time I dealt with them I was surprised by the affordability of the service I received.

If you are interested in checking them out, you can find all their contact info here: Metro Centre Trailers. They are now located a short drive south in Niverville, MB.

I find the owner very receptive to helping me any time I contact them. They stock common trailer parts.

The shop the seller had quote was Penner Trailer. The shop I may get a second opinion on safe to take to Rushing River is Bells Trailer Hitches. I'm not one for going back to dealerships (RV or vehicle) unless it is for a warranty item.

The reason Bells is it's close and we are on a tight timeline. If t doesn't work out for the first trip, I will definitely look at Metro. I believe my Father-in-law has dealt with Metro.

[iamunique127]

Both Penner and Bell’s are quality shops too.

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by Ron in BC

I'd like to know what standard the shop applied before claiming that both axles needed replacement.

Ron

I was wondering the same thing.

Having had axles including one on my 5.0TA that showed tire wear on the sides of the tread, and on other trailers as well, where all were all fixed by an axle shop aligning them.

My first thought, wrong or right, is that they are either not able to do this work or are looking to make more money reselling axles. And why both?

I guess it doesn't matter if someone else is paying the bill.