Bent axle

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   As mentioned above, I still would contact FR and start a claim. Sorry to say there is no 'quick' way about it. FR will take a month doing what-ever they do and send it to Lippert. Then they'll take a month.. Such has been my experience.
Your on spot about how it happens. It's not just if over-weight or crashing through a ditch, much of this is just highway speeds and potholes. I had an engineer run the numbers for me on my issue and was amazed how much force is placed on the axle and frame for just small potholes on the roadways.

In my case it wasn't as much the axle, but the frame not only bent but fractured. If you have not, do inspect closely to determine which it actually is. I do have the extended warranty and the issue was covered. It took over 2 months in all.

I will in Spring add he reinforcement to the axle, much as Stephan has. My frame repair has added strength where needed and do suggest to any and all to reinforce at the axle mount as well. OG ran the numbers of a good way of doing this. 

Wishing you the best for resolving the issue!

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Olddawgsrule Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 20 Sep 2017 Location: New Hampshire Online Status: Offline Posts: 1014	Post Options Post Reply Quote Olddawgsrule Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Bent axle Posted: 14 Dec 2019 at 8:02am
	As mentioned above, I still would contact FR and start a claim. Sorry to say there is no 'quick' way about it. FR will take a month doing what-ever they do and send it to Lippert. Then they'll take a month.. Such has been my experience. Your on spot about how it happens. It's not just if over-weight or crashing through a ditch, much of this is just highway speeds and potholes. I had an engineer run the numbers for me on my issue and was amazed how much force is placed on the axle and frame for just small potholes on the roadways. In my case it wasn't as much the axle, but the frame not only bent but fractured. If you have not, do inspect closely to determine which it actually is. I do have the extended warranty and the issue was covered. It took over 2 months in all. I will in Spring add he reinforcement to the axle, much as Stephan has. My frame repair has added strength where needed and do suggest to any and all to reinforce at the axle mount as well. OG ran the numbers of a good way of doing this. Wishing you the best for resolving the issue!
	Byways no Highways 2017 Tacoma Truck Camper Build 2004 F150 My Overlander

StephenH Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6289	Post Options Post Reply Quote StephenH Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 13 Dec 2019 at 9:30pm
	When ours was replaced (similar bending), I went through the dealer but neither FR nor Lippert covered it so it was out of pocket. That axle turned out to have a bad weld for the brake mounting plate on the door side so it was recently replaced under warranty with Lippert even reimbursing me for the labor costs. If you contact Lippert, the model and serial numbers on the label that is on the axle will give them the specifications needed to replace the axle. The down side is that it will be the same axle rating. If you check out my mods (see link in signature), you can see what I did to strengthen my axle to hopefully prevent another loss of camber problem. Others have used different methods to strengthen the axle, either by reinforcing the whole thing or by bracing the portions of the axle between the frame and the arms. The issue is that there is too much distance between the attachment points of the frame and the arms for the wheels. If those attachment points were closer to the arms, we would not need to have this discussion as the axle would be stronger.
	StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS

offgrid Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Jul 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5290	Post Options Post Reply Quote offgrid Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 13 Dec 2019 at 9:29pm
	A good frame shop should be able to do it. Call around and ask them if they can recamber a trailer axle. You might want to reinforce it as well, there are several methods folks on this forum have used. If you want to get a new axle get the model number off the label on your current axle and call Lippert. You could also ask them if you can get an axle in their next weight range (5200 lb) with the same dimensions, but you would need to buy new brakes and wheels as well as the axle. You might be able to get a Dexter axle built to the specs you need, see if they can work from the Lippert model number or you could get the measurements they need from the old axle.
	1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold

Iceworm Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 13 Dec 2016 Online Status: Offline Posts: 7	Post Options Post Reply Quote Iceworm Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 13 Dec 2019 at 6:39pm
	Hello all, I have noticed more than a few podders over the years that have suffered from the border line proper weight axles on are r-pods. I have an early 2017 179 with about 25000 miles on it with the driver side wheel tilting in at the top. I have never hit any thing not do I over load the r-pod. Though I am very careful to adjust my speed according to the asphalt conditions I suspect that the quality of the roads (frost heaves) here in alaska and the border line axle weight have taken there toll. Has any one successfully had an axle rebent? I don't know of any shops up here doing that. Has anyone purchased a new axle from say lippert or dexter? If so how did you communicate the mounting hardware and location? Or is the best option to go to forest river? It so is there a good contact person to get with to minimize a lot of run around? Thank you for any information.