Centreville Trailer Parts

Trailer Axle Alignment/Tire Wear Made Easy

travel trailer axles problems

TRAILER AXLE ALIGNMENT MADE EASY

Fix mysterious trailer tire wear problems.

Does your trailer eat tires? Are you frustrated because no one knows why? If you’ve checked all the obvious things, it’s possible the axles are out of alignment on the trailer. If you are needing to replace those tires we have a huge selection of  trailer tires & wheels  in our parts department, but first check out the alignment of your trailer to get the most out of your trailer tires.

Tools Needed

You can find the problem at home with tools you probably already have, a  tape measure  &  straightedge . For a straightedge, a good straight 2×4, or a piece of steel/pipe will all work, just make sure whatever you choose is straight by sighting down the edge. Use something about 8 feet long if you can. In these examples, we used angle iron. Hold the straightedge up against the bulge of the tire(s) as shown:

MULTI-AXLE TRAILER AXLE ALIGNMENT CHECK

In the case of a multi-axle trailer, you are looking for all of the bulges of the tires to make contact with the straightedge, or to be very close, say within 1/8″. If there are larger gaps between the bulges & the straightedge, it indicates a bent axle, a bent spindle, or a bent wheel. (Check for a bent wheel by jacking the tire off the ground and giving it a spin. If it’s bent, you’ll see it wobbling) You can sort of read those gaps to identify what the problem is.) You can also learn how to identify what is right so you don’t spend money fixing a problem that doesn’t exist. Here’s an example of using the straightedge to find a bent axle spindle just by reading the gaps between the straightedge & the bulges of the tires.

When this trailer goes down the road, it is sort of skidding that one tire, causing heat to build up & friction to wear the rubber. Friction will wear the tread down, & the heat will eventually cause the tire to de-laminate & fail causing blowout or tread separation.

Use the straightedge & a tape measure to find out if your axles are in alignment to the trailer. Here are some illustrations to teach you how to use the straightedge & tape measure to figure out why your tires may be failing due to mis-alignment of the axles.

COMMON ALIGNMENT PROBLEMS

Using the following diagrams you can determine your trailer axle alignment problem and get the proper parts to fix your trailer.

Bent Spindle

travel trailer axles problems

If you need trailer spindle parts, search our parts department for  trailer axle spindles .

Bent trailer axle.

travel trailer axles problems

Determine which axle is bent using your straightedge and tape measure.

If you need to replace or repair a trailer axle, our parts department features  trailer axle assemblies  &  trailer axle repair parts .

travel trailer axles problems

Bent or Out of Alignment Trailer Frame

travel trailer axles problems

Trailers with mis-aligned frames can cause numerous problems. Trailers that “dog track” down the highway are impossible to back up & are often mis-aligned.

Trailer axles out of alignment.

travel trailer axles problems

Shifted axles on a trailer is common on boat trailers because the axles are frequently attached to the frame using U-bolts that can shift during assembly, maintenance or just during everyday use. Our trailer parts department carries a variety of  trailer suspension parts  to get you fixed up & working again.

SINGLE AXLE TRAILER AXLE ALIGNMENT CHECK

The only difference here is that we aren’t comparing the alignment of the tires to each other, but we are comparing the alignment of the tire to the trailer frame to make sure it runs parallel to the frame. Use your same straightedge as before:

travel trailer axles problems

Measure from the straightedge to the frame in front of the wheel & record the measurement. Next measure from the straightedge to the frame in back of the wheel & compare the two measurements. Both dimensions should be the same.  Do the same on both sides of the trailer  to complete your trailer axle alignment check.

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December 1, 2016 by: Jarrett

Camper in Training: Camper axle issues

Tires and brakes are a vital part of any camper. They are what make constant contact with the road as you are rolling down the highway. If these are not working properly the chances that you are going to encounter an unsafe situation exponentially increases. That is why I always check tire pressures and condition as we are hauling the camper. I check the tire pressure each day when cold and then inspect tires for bulges or wear spots each time I fill up with gas. My dad (a professional UPS Driver ) always impressed upon me the importance of monitoring the condition of tires, and thus I have always been a bit crazy about having a good set of tires and keeping them well-maintained. So before our big West trip in 2015, we put new tires on the camper. But by the beginning of the 2016 camping season, after only 8,000 miles in 2015, the rear camper tires were completely bald on the inner edges. And I’m talking frighteningly bald:

travel trailer axles problems

Thus there was no doubt we needed two new tires installed for the 2016 season. While we did not do as many miles in 2016 (around 5,000) I noticed this fall that there was still significant tire wear so I began to do some research. Since we have a Keystone Passport that has the “wide axles” (or sometimes called spread axles) I was growing suspicious that they were not in alignment. From what I was reading in RV forums, people with the spread axles were chewing through rear tires, especially if a camper axle was not aligned.

So when we learned that we were headed to Texas, which is more than 3,000 miles round-trip, I knew that I had to have a qualified dealer look at the camper and get her road-worthy. So I reached out to Boyer RV in Erie, Pa., and Service Manager Dan Boyer made arrangements for me to bring the camper in for work under lead technician, Brian. Both Dan and Brian were great to work with and they spent the better part of a morning not only diagnosing the problem but answering my plethora of questions so that I could pass along what I learned. So I will give you the short version and then the longer version with all the details, pictures, diagrams, and videos.

travel trailer axles problems

Short Version:

Both axles were out of alignment because they were bent and needed to be replaced!

Long Version:

8:00 a.m.: Boyer RV opened for the day and I met with Sarah, one of the service managers, to get checked-in.

8:10 a.m.: I met up with Brian and as soon as he saw the old tires and looked at the axles he knew something was significantly wrong and suspected that the axles were bent. Here is where I started to ask some questions about what might cause this type of problem. Brian walked me to the max weight sticker on the camper and showed me that each axle is a 3,500 poud capacity (thus 7,000 pound total) but the camper is allowed to have 7,200 pound total capacity. Brian said the extra 200 pounds is transferred to the tow vehicle. This is a major benefit of the spread axle design that allows the weight of the camper to be more evenly distributed. However, this is also where the problems begin. Brian shared that there are two major issues with spread axles at this weight rating:

  • When the camper goes around turns the rear axle has to “slide” a bit and pivots around the front axle, thus causing excess wear on the rear tires. Brian said that with spread axles you can expect to go through two sets of rear tires of every one set of front tires.
  • If a camper is overloaded (or even near the weight capacity) and you go over a curb, hit a major pot hole, or back into a curb stop, the extra weight placed on the rear axle can easily bend the rear axle. (This is yet another reason that you need to read our post on Weight Matters .)

8:30 a.m.: Brian pulled the camper into his shop and got it up on jacks. We soon discovered that the suspension components were experiencing excess wear. We learned this by pushing in and out on the tires and watching the amount of excess play in the spring components. This was another sign that something was not right.

As Brian began to take the wheels and tires off he used a small battery to “lock up” the brakes. This is where we ran into the next issue. Even though the brakes were locked, one of the wheels would keep spinning and two others would spin way more than they should. Brian said each tire should only spin about 2-3 inches and no more.

I asked what causes this and what you should do, and Brian shared two things:

  • “Ez-Lube” axles really do not do a very good job getting grease into the hubs. Brian showed me a set of hubs off a 2015 unit that had the breaks “burn up” because they did not have enough grease in them. Brian highly recommended having a technician take them apart and pack them with grease every time you have new tires put on.
  • Brakes must be adjusted regularly (this is something that I definitely had not heard before). He suggested that this be done at least as often as tires are replaced but optimally this should be done annually.

9:30 a.m.: Next it was time to take measurements to determine what was wrong with the axles. This a pretty complex process that involves measuring in many different directions to determine if the axles are square with themselves, each other, and the entire trailer. Below is a picture of Brian starting the process and the diagram of all the measurements. Then I will follow it with a video explaining the different issues that could be present. After the video will be some more definitions.

travel trailer axles problems

  • Camber: Measured at top and bottom of each hub; it determines if there is a slight arch in the axle (which is what you want).
  • Outside Center: Each axle is measured at the midpoint in the front and back. These numbers should be the same; if not the axle is tracking either towed in or towed out.
  • Ball to front hanger: This measurement is taken from the ball mid-point to the front axle hanger attach point. These should be the same or the frame is bent and there are major issues.
  • Cross measurement: Taken from the front hanger on one side to the back hanger on the other side. This is done twice creating an X. These should be nearly identical and assuming the Outside Center numbers are the same (indicating the axles are NOT bent) then the axles are out of line.
  • Hanger measurements: These four measurements need to be the same or it indicates one of two things: The axles are not aligned or there is frame damage.

10:15 a.m: After determining the axles were damaged, Brian worked on options to get the camper rolling again. While he did that, I spent some time with Scott in the sales department dreaming about making other changes. 🙂

Scott showed me a Grand Designs Imagine 3150BH . I am very impressed with the build quality of Grand Designs, but with better construction comes added weight. Although the 3150BH is within our tow limits, it’s just barely. Scott worked up some prices that were very appealing but unfortunately for now, that beautiful 3150BH will have to stay in Erie for another family to enjoy.

11:00 a.m.: Brian and I sat down to talk through the options for getting our camper back on the road.

Option 1: Replace the current 3,500 pound axles with new 3,500 pound axles that have new brakes and spring hardware, thus replacing and/or fixing all the current issues with the camper. In this option we would use the same chrome wheels and current tires. Final price: ~$1,100. (ouch!)

Option 2: Replace the current 3,500 pound axles with new 6,000 pound axles, new brakes, new springs, new white spoke wheels and new tires.Final price: ~$2,300. (double ouch!)

Option 3: Replace the current 3,500 pound axles with new MOR/ryde independent suspension axles , new wheels, and new tires. But since this option is significantly more, we didn’t even talk price. (A definite no.)

We decided–due to the number of other issues that we have had with this camper and our hope to upgrade to another one in the next few years–to go with Option 1 since we would not get a return on our dollar with Option 2 or 3 at the time of trade-in.

11:30 a.m.: Brian took a few more measurements and ordered the parts. He hopes that they will be in in the next two weeks so we can have enough time to pack for our big trip to Texas. Keeping our fingers crossed!

A few final thoughts:

  • A really big THANK YOU to the great folks at Boyer RV Center in Erie, Pa., for allowing me to go behind the scenes with them to dive into this axle issue. They were great to work with and have earned our future business!
  • I will definitely be scrutinizing axle capacity before purchasing our next camper, as well as paying close attention to the weight rating of the axles.
  • Campers have lots of moving parts that need to be properly maintained: We HIGHLY suggest you find a good dealer and have them go over your rig annually if you travel the kind of miles we do.
  • Know your camper’s weight capacities and DO NOT EXCEED THEM!

If you have more questions, please leave a comment and I will do my best to answer them. Also if you have had similar experiences with problematic axles, we would love to hear about it in the comments section as well.

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December 5, 2016 at 10:20 pm

I’m finding this post very worrying :). I mentioned on Instagram that we had tire wear that looks an awful lot like yours. We just put new tires on (after only 3000 or so miles on the old ones); the tire place said the alignment was way off and seemed to think that explained it….now I’m just hoping they’re right! But I spent half the day looking at new trailers online just in case ;). We can tow 10,000 pounds with our van, and I kind of feel like we’re dealing with all the disadvantages of a super lightweight trailer even though we could have gone with something bigger. Anyway–fingers crossed your new axles come in on time and nothing interferes with your big trip! And thanks for taking the time to detail everything so thoroughly….I e-mailed this link to Dave so he can obsess over the technical details.

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December 6, 2016 at 12:38 pm

We hear you! It seems lightweights are prone to a lot more problems…unfortunately our van can’t tow 10,000 because that would have opened up our market more. It leaves us in a bit of a predicament. :/

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The engineer answers: should i flip my trailer axles ehh ….

“Flipping the axle” is a colloquial way of saying “lifting my RV.” It’s an aftermarket procedure used to gain ground clearance. There are a lot of misconceptions about this procedure, the biggest of which is that you actually flip the axle. Don’t do that.

Let’s run through the pros and cons of flipping your axles, and whether you really need it to improve ground clearance.

What Is Flipping a Trailer Axle?

To clear up a common misconception, you don’t actually flip the axle. You’re not turning the axle upside down or anything like that. If you’ve read my quick tip on tire care, then you know that an axle is built with camber, and it is intentionally bowed upward. So the axle stays in the same orientation; you’re just re-installing the axle tube below the leaf springs to gain 4-6 inches of ground clearance. 

The phrase “flipping the axle” is usually applied to leaf spring suspensions.

  • The standard method for attaching leaf springs is underslung, where the leaf springs run below the axle tube.
  • The alternative method is called overslung, where the leaf springs sit on top of the axle tube. That’s what happens when you have the axle “flipped.”

travel trailer axles problems

“Flipping an axle” usually means going from an underslung to an overslung configuration. You will gain ground clearance equal to the thickness of the axle tube, the leaf springs, and the spring seats, usually 4-6 inches total. 

Torsion axles can’t be flipped. However, both Dexter and Lippert offer torsion axle lift kits with spacer blocks. These spacer blocks are bolted between the axle brackets and the mounting hangers and will raise the RV by 2-4 inches. You can also order a replacement torsion axle with high-profile spring seats, which add an extra 1” of clearance.

Public Service Announcement: There are some people, even trailer shops, that actually think flipping an axle literally means installing it upside down! If you come across one of these shops, like this poor RV owner here, make like a banana and split! 

Other Options Besides Flipping the Axle

If you’re hunting for extra ground clearance, there are options besides flipping an axle.

  • If you have a leaf spring suspension, you can add a leaf, change the shackles, or re-weld new spring hangers. These are all changes that must be performed by a skilled mechanic.
  • If you have a torsion axle, you can install simple bolt-on spacer blocks, as I mentioned above.
  • If there’s room in the wheel wells, you can install a larger tire with a bigger diameter. 
  • Some RVs can be raised by inserting and welding structural steel tube between the frame main rails and the axle hangers (which also better distributes the load from the axle hangers to the chassis). This fundamentally changes the chassis design, however, and so it’s not something I can recommend carte blanche. 
  • If you have the opposite problem and are wishing to lose ground clearance, you might need a drop axle. 

Advantages of Flipping a Trailer Axle

Example of an overslung RV leaf spring suspension.

9 times out of 10, when someone wants to flip an RV axle, it’s because they want extra body ground clearance. 

  • When you want to navigate rough roads while boondocking and dry camping , the extra ground clearance can help you clear ruts, humps, potholes, and breaks.
  • If you have a low-clearance trailer, the extra ground clearance can protect your tanks, sewer valves, jacks, and other underbelly equipment from road damage.
  • If you own a large pickup truck , the extra ground clearance may keep your trailer coupler better aligned with the pickup truck without the need for a drop ball mount.

Will Flipping an Axle Improve My Ground Clearance?

First of all, you should know that flipping an axle from overslung to underslung doesn’t really change the clearance from the ground to the axle tube. So you can’t go driving over larger speed bumps or big boulders.

However, flipping the axle does change the body ground clearance, that is, the clearance from the ground to the RV body and frame. This will improve your departure, approach, and break-over angles. If you find yourself often scraping the bumper, extra body ground clearance will often solve that problem. 

Disadvantages of Flipping a Trailer Axle

  • The entry steps will be higher. 4-6 inches might not sound like much, but consider that the average step height is about 7 inches. You’ll probably need a new entry step after flipping the axles.
  • Jacks need a longer reach. You might unpleasantly discover that your stabilizer jacks or tongue jack doesn’t reach the ground without a Leaning Tower of Pisa stackable blocks beneath each one.
  • Toy haulers will have a steeper ramp. Can your toy still drive into the garage at a steeper angle?
  • You might be too tall for overpasses and garages. Have you considered the effect of the extra height on storage options or traveling? Garage doors typically come in 10’, 12’, and 14’ height – will the extra ground clearance push you above a standard size? If you’re towing a big tow hauler or 5th wheel, will you be taller than the legal limit in your area (usually 13- to 13.5-feet)? 
  • You might lose visibility. If you’re towing a teardrop, pop-up, expedition, or other miniature travel trailer, then raising the camper might kill your rearward visibility.
  • You might need to reinforce your suspension. Flipping an axle generally extends the “lever arm” from the spring hanger to the axle centerline. That puts more stress on the spring hangers, which are welded to your frame. They may need to be reinforced with V-braces or gussets. 
  • You might lose fuel economy. A taller RV will catch more of the wind, which will further decrease your fuel economy. It’s not likely a major hit, but every mpg counts!
  • You might increase trailer sway. This concern is so important I wrote an entire section on it. Just keep reading …

Will Flipping the Axle Increase Trailer Sway?

travel trailer axles problems

When you install a lift kit or flip the axles, you’re raising the center of gravity. Pretty much any vehicle dynamics engineer will tell you that raising a vehicle’s COG is the worst thing you can do for vehicle handling. So yes, it has a negative impact, generally making the trailer more prone to sway, yaw, and roll. The taller position will also expose more of the RV sidewall to crosswinds, which can further induce trailer sway.

Will the deterioration in handling be noticeable? Eh, I can’t answer that for you. It really depends on the RV. But I can give you some rules of thumb. The narrower an RV compared to its width, and the closer an RV to its GVWR, the more noticeable the detriment will become. So the trailer sway problem is worse on 5th wheels, toy haulers, and mega-sized travel trailers. Essentially, if your RV is prone to sway now, it will only get worse. If you want to know more about the physics of underslung vs overslung axles, I invite you to check out an excellent article on the subject at MechanicalElements.com. 

So short answer, yes, flipping the axle will increase the risk of trailer sway. Whether it will have a significant real-life detraction is unknown. Ask the RV manufacturer, and seek feedback from other RVers with similar rigs who have gone before.

How to Flip an RV Trailer Axle (not DIY!)

Don’t try to flip an axle yourself! That’s a good way to get squashed flat like a bug. The trailer has to be completely supported by the frame for the axle to be removed, and the stabilizer jacks should NEVER be used for this purpose.

Both straight, drop axles and tandem axles can be “flipped” to an overslung configuration. 

The actual “flipping” of the axle is relatively straightforward for a professional mechanic. Common mistakes include reusing the old hardware and cutting off the old spring seats. As Reg DeYoung writes for RVWest, “Another issue for do-it-yourself folks is using a torch to cut the existing axle saddles or spring perches off with an acetylene torch to be used for the new axle position. If the axle tube is burnt through the integrity of the axle will be compromised. Lastly, you should never use the existing U-bolts to complete an axle flip. It is advisable to put new U-bolts and torque to the manufacturer-specified torque settings.”

All axle manufacturers also provide over-under conversion kits. Don’t trust someone who wants to cut off the old hardware and re-weld it somewhere else. Purchase the conversion kits and have your mechanic follow the instructions to the letter.

For more enjoyment, I leave you with this video on how to install a Dexter over/under conversion kit:

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Prevent RV blow out damage: Common Travel Trailer tire and axle problems

July 24, 2016

We are in the dog days of summer here, and also the height of vacation and RV season. Naturally, here at Coach Specialists here in Dallas Texas, we have been seeing a slew of RV’s and travel trailers with blowouts and damaged caused by blowouts.

When a tire blows on a travel trailer RV or coach, it often does some significant damage to the wheel wells. Damage like this is not always avoidable, but it can be somewhat preventable. The key is to recognize some common ailments before they become tire throwing problems for you when on your next RV trip. Here is what you need to look for to keep your travel trailer from becoming a tire throwing monster on your next outing:

  • Excessive heat – A travel trailer tires’ worst enemy is heat. Common preventable Heat can result from under- or over-inflation, driving faster than the tire’s speed rating or from overloading the tire with more weight than it is designed to handle.The first thing you need to check before going on a long trip in the high heat is tire pressure. It takes about five minutes and can save you thousands in RV repair costs.Next re-acquaint yourself with the tires load and speed ratings. Add up the total tire capacity and compare to the loaded trailer’s gross weight.With a travel trailer pulled behind a Pick Up truck or SUV at typical highway speeds of 70-75 mph on interstates, a standard trailer tire is typically rated for 65-mph. What you really need a tire with an M speed rating (up to 81-mph).
  • Axle alignment issues – Beyond simple tire fixes, one thing that will wear out a trailer tire quickly is having axles that are out of alignment. Now this is one of those issues that you might not notice when looking at your travel trailer. Because the misalignment might be slight. But if a trailer’s suspension is really out of alignment, has a bent spindle or badly sagging springs, it can become a tire throwing monster on a long highway drive.Closely inspect your trailer’s suspension. Over a couple of years, leaf springs do wear out and lose their weight-carrying capacity and this can lead to more motion from the overall system than with new springs. There are other wear and tear items such as shackle straps that can wear. You can diagnose worn shackles by inspecting for mounting holes that have become enlarged or egg-shaped. If a combination of components in a trailer suspension are worn you can end up with excessive motion and axles that come out of alignment.
  • Porposing- One big tire blowing problem when pulling your rig is porpoising. This is when you hit something in the road such as a pothole and the trailer just keeps bouncing up and down like a dolphin in the ocean, and seems like it will never settle down.One often over looked, but potential cause for the porpoising is the movement of water in the tanks. Water is pretty heavy and once set in motion it tends to keep moving.
  • Overloading your trailer. Trailers and the vehicle they are being pulled with both have a specific safety rating for weight. But how often do you really weigh all the stuff that you are putting in your RV before heading out the road. Let me tell you, it can add up very fast. If your total trailer weight is near the maximum for your weight distribution system, then it may be unable to steady the trailer. Check that your actual TW is near the middle of the weight distribution system’s operating range.
  • Tires coming into contact with each other- On a tandem or a triple axle trailer, if the front and rear tires or middle and rear tires make contact with each other then some part of the suspension could be broken or worn so much that it allows a lot of movement. You will want to inspect the suspension components for anything broken or signs of severe wear. Usually the wear you will see is egg-shaped holes instead of round holes where the springs hang.
  • Wrong tire size- It is possible, if you bought your unit used, that the previous owner put the wrong tire size on it. It might not be apparent sitting on the ground, but when hitting a bump the tires could come in contact with each other. If the suspension is fine and nothing is broken then the tire size may be too large for the trailer. Check the trailer for the plate that lists the correct tire size for your RV.

Hopefully these tips will prevent a major blow out for you on your next trip.

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Everything You Need to Know About Trailer Axles

Aug 29, 2023 | TRAILERS

trailer axles

Trailer axles are an essential part of any trailer, but they are often overlooked and underappreciated. Choosing the right trailer axle can make a huge difference in the overall performance and safety of your trailer. However, with so many types of trailer axles available, it can be overwhelming to choose the best one for your needs. In this blog post, we will explore everything you need to know about trailer axles, their types, and what factors to consider when choosing one.

Types of Trailer Axles

Trailer axles can be categorized into three main types; Straight, Drop, and Torsion. Straight axles have a fixed angle and are the most common type of trailer axle. Drop axles are similar to straight axles but are custom-designed to lower the trailer’s height for easier loading. Torsion axles work differently and have rubber cords inside them that absorb shock and provide better suspension. Torsion axles are ideal for trailers that transport fragile goods as they are less likely to bounce and damage the goods.

Axle Capacity

Axle capacity is the weight capacity a trailer axle can support. It is crucial to choose a trailer axle with the right capacity for your needs. Overloading your trailer can lead to axle failure, which can be dangerous and costly. It is always better to choose an axle with a higher capacity than your trailer’s weight to ensure optimal performance and safety.

Axle Materials

Trailer axles can be made of various materials, including steel and aluminum. Steel axles are more affordable and commonly used in most trailers. However, they are susceptible to rust and corrosion, making them less durable in the long run. Aluminum axles, on the other hand, are more expensive, but they are more durable, lightweight, and less likely to corrode, making them ideal for trailers that transport goods long distances.

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travel trailer axles problems

Choosing the right brake type is critical for your trailer’s performance and safety. There are two main brake types; electric and hydraulic brakes. Electric brakes are more common and less expensive than hydraulic brakes. They are ideal for small trailers and light loads. Hydraulic brakes, on the other hand, are more expensive but offer better control and braking power, making them ideal for larger trailers and heavier loads.

Maintenance

Just like any other part of your trailer, trailer axles require regular maintenance to ensure optimal performance and longevity. Some basic maintenance activities include greasing the axles, regular inspections, and proper storage after use. It is essential to follow the manufacturer’s maintenance guidelines to avoid problems and ensure your trailer performs at its best.

travel trailer axles problems

The Fascinating Process of Making Trailer Axles

Blog Introduction: Trailer axles might not be the most glamorous parts of a trailer, but they are certainly essential components that dictate how well the vehicle can perform and how much weight it can carry. The process of making trailer axles is an intricate and fascinating one. From selecting the right materials to applying advanced technologies, it takes a lot of expertise and precision to create a reliable and durable axle that can withstand various road conditions. In this post, we’ll delve deeper into the process of making trailer axles and look at each step in detail.

Blog Body: When it comes to making trailer axles, one of the first steps is selecting the right material. Most axles are made of high-strength steel that can withstand heavy loads and resist bending and twisting. The steel is typically rolled and shaped into the desired size and dimension through a process called cold drawing. This involves pulling the metal through a die, which compresses and shapes it. Once the steel has been drawn to the right size, it’s cut to the desired length and surface-finished to remove any rough edges or imperfections.

The next step in making trailer axles is heat treating. This involves heating the steel to a high temperature and then quenching it in oil or water to harden it. The heat treatment process also helps to improve the steel’s resilience and flexibility, making it less prone to cracking or breaking under pressure. Once the steel has been heat treated, it’s ready for machining. Machining involves milling or drilling the steel to create the hub, spindle, or other components that make up the axle. This requires precise measurements and cutting tools to ensure that the parts fit together properly.

After machining, the axles go through a process of assembly and inspection. This involves attaching the spindle, hub, brakes, and other components to the axle, using bolts, welds, or other methods. The assembly process must be carefully executed to ensure that all parts are aligned and connected properly, as any misalignment or looseness can cause the trailer to sway or veer off course. Once the assembly is complete, the axle is inspected thoroughly for any defects or errors. This may involve using specialized tools or instruments to test for things such as integrity, balance, and straightness.

The final step in making trailer axles is coating and finishing. This involves applying a layer of protective coating or finish to the entire axle, which helps to prevent rust, wear, and corrosion. The coating or finish may be applied through a variety of methods, such as painting, electroplating, or powder coating. Once the coating or finish has been applied, the axle is cured or dried to ensure that it adheres properly. The finished axle is then packaged and shipped to the manufacturer or distributor, where it will be installed on a trailer.

Know Your Trailer Axles: A Guide to Different Types of Trailer Axles

When it comes to towing, one of the most critical components of a trailer is its axle. An axle plays a vital role in stabilizing a trailer while in motion, carrying the weight of the trailer, and determining its maximum load capacity. There are different types of trailer axles available in the market today. Each type has its unique features and specifications that make it suitable for specific types of trailers.

Spring Axles

Spring axles are considered the most common type of axle used in trailers. They are known for their robustness and versatility, making them ideal for most types of trailers. Spring axles consist of an axle tube and a spring suspension system. The springs absorb the vibrations and shocks that come from the road, providing a smoother ride for the driver. They are relatively less expensive and require low maintenance. Spring axles are ideal for light to medium-duty trailers.

Torsion Axles

Torsion axles work differently from spring axles. They use rubber cords that absorb vibrations and shock from the road. The rubber cords act as a spring and support the weight of the trailer. The result is a less bumpy driving experience that is ideal for heavier trailers. Torsion axles are more expensive than spring axles and require periodic maintenance. However, their smooth and consistent ride makes them a popular choice for luxury RVs and high-end trailers.

Drop axles are a popular choice for trailers that need extra ground clearance such as custom off-road trailers. They have a unique design where the spindle is attached underneath the axle, lowering the center of gravity and providing more clearance. Drop axles can support heavier loads due to the increased clearance and are well suited for off-road terrains. The downside, however, is that they can be expensive to install and maintain.

Straight Axles

Straight axles, also known as solid axles, are a common feature in heavy-duty trailers such as car haulers, utility trailers, and equipment trailers. They consist of a straight bar with two hubs at either end to support the weight of the trailer. Straight axles are cost-effective and require relatively low maintenance. However, they can be noisy and produce a bumpy driving experience.

Independent Suspension Axles

Independent suspension axles provide superior ride quality and handling. They are known for their ability to absorb shock and maintain stability during sharp turns and uneven terrain. Independent suspension axles are a popular choice for luxury travel trailers, horse trailers, and boat trailers. Although they are the most expensive type of axle, they offer unmatched performance and durability.

travel trailer axles problems

Why Trailer Axles are Important for a Safe and Smooth Ride

Trailer axles may not be the most obvious part of a trailer, but they are crucial to the safety and functionality of the entire system. Trailer axles are what support the weight of the trailer and its cargo, and they also help distribute that weight evenly across the wheels. When trailer axles are properly installed and maintained, they can make a huge difference in how smoothly and safely your trailer rides down the road.

Weight Distribution

One of the primary functions of trailer axles is to evenly distribute the weight of the cargo across all the wheels. Without axle support, all the weight rests on a single point, making it difficult to balance the load. This can lead to far-reaching problems like uneven tire wear and handling issues. Therefore, trailer axles are engineered to support the weight of the trailer and its cargo evenly, so you can maintain stability and control while driving.

Smooth Ride Quality

The suspension of a trailer is tied to its axles, which, when functioning properly, prevent the trailer from bouncing around on the road. Even the slightest failure in the axle system can cause an unpleasant and bumpy ride that can damage the cargo and the trailer itself. On the other hand, when trailers are well-maintained, the axles perform flawlessly as the primary component to a smooth and consistent ride.

Toughness and Durability

Due to a trailer’s various applications, axles must be engineered with longevity and toughness in mind. A trailer encounters constant pressure from rocks, potholes, and other hazards on the road. Therefore, the axle system must be designed to withstand wear and tear without compromising its performance or stability. By choosing high-quality trailer axles, you can be sure that your trailer can handle whatever job it’s designed for.

Versatility

Trailer axles are not a one-size-fits-all. Several types of trailer axles are available, each with its unique properties, depending on what the trailer is used for. Specialized axles exist for things like sport or utility trailers, which typically have a single axle. Meanwhile, cargo trailers often have paired axles that provide more support and stability. It is essential to match the right type and size of the axle to the trailer you own to ensure the best performance.

Proper Maintenance

Any system without proper maintenance can quickly fail, and trailer axles are no exception. By following proper maintenance, you can ensure maximum durability and optimum performance. Routine inspection and servicing can catch small problems before they become significant issues. This simple but crucial approach helps in preventing trailer accidents and enhancing safety, which is important to avoid needless downtime and damage due to incorrect maintenance.

Dexter Axle

When it comes to axle companies, Dexter Axle stands tall above the rest. With a reputation for quality and reliability, it’s no wonder they’re the biggest name in the business. And with such a vast array of products and services on offer, it’s easy to see why. Their mounting hardware is top-notch, making installation a breeze, and their inner bearings are second to none.

Their spring center is always on point, and their drum brakes are among the best in the industry. Best of all, Dexter Axle’s inner bearing and leaf springs are built to last, ensuring that your vehicle moves smoothly and safely over any terrain. So if you’re in need of new axles, be sure to look to Dexter Axle first – their superior bolt pattern and easy-to-replace parts make them the go-to choice for any vehicle owner.

travel trailer axles problems

Choosing the right trailer axle can be overwhelming, but it is a crucial decision that can affect your trailer’s performance and safety. Understanding the different types of trailer axles, their capacity, materials, brake types, and maintenance requirements can help you choose the best one for your needs.

Always consult with a professional if you are unsure or need assistance in choosing the right trailer axle. Remember that maintenance is key to keep your trailer functioning correctly and safely, so make sure you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines. By paying attention to your trailer axle, you can prolong your trailer’s longevity, reduce downtime, and avoid costly repairs.

Interstate Haulers

When it comes to hauling your trailer, there’s no need to look further than Interstate Haulers . We are the go-to experts for country-wide trailer hauling, providing you with a service that delivers your trailer to any destination across the USA.

Our customers highly recommend us for our exceptional service and competitive pricing, making us the best choice for your trailer hauling needs. Whether you need to transport your trailer for a personal or business project, we’ve got you covered. Contact us today and let us handle the hauling while you sit back and relax.

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Travel trailer brands to avoid

8 Worst Travel Trailer Brands to Avoid Today [2024 Update]

Buying a travel trailer is a big investment, and you want to make sure you’re getting the best bang for your buck. But with so many brands and models on the market, it can be tough to know where to start. And with so many options to choose from, it’s easy to be drawn in by the promises of a slick-talking salesman.

But beware: not all travel trailer brands are created equal. Some brands have a reputation for shoddy construction, poor customer service, and frequent breakdowns. In this guide, we’ll reveal the worst travel trailer brands to avoid. So if you’re serious about buying a travel trailer, steer clear of these brands at all costs.

If you’re serious about buying a travel trailer, it’s important to do your research and avoid these worst travel trailer brands. This following comprehensive guide will help you make an informed decision.

1. Forest River Travel Trailer

2. keystone travel trailer, 3. jayco travel trailer, 4. coachmen travel trailer, 5. winnebago travel trailer, 6. fleetwood travel trailer, 7. gulf stream travel trailer, 8. thor hurricane rv, rushing to a deal, skipping the legwork, being unsure about the requirements, ignoring the tow weight, 2. towing capacity, 3. size and floorplan, travel trailer brands to avoid purchasing in 2024.

Since there are a lot of different opinions for the question: “Which are RV brands to avoid?”, to provide a fair answer, we conducted a survey to Camping is our life  – a reliable Facebook group for RV campers with more than 128,000 members, in which there were appropriately 3,000 respondents.

According to the survey’s result, here are what we got for the query what RV brands to avoid:

What travel trailers brands to avoid in 2023:

  • Forest River t ravel trailer brand: 45%
  • Keystone  t ravel trailer brand: 26%
  • Jayco travel trailer brand: 15%
  • Coachmen travel trailer brand: 5%
  • Winnebago travel trailer brand: 3%
  • Fleetwood travel trailer brand: 2%
  • Gulf Stream travel trailer brand: 1%

The rest 3% came to some other brands: Coleman, Thor,…

Why? Outdoor Fact did some more research on these brands trying to figure out the main reasons why they’re on the list of worst travel trailer brands to avoid.

Please note that: 1. We’ve not maintained any order here. So, the lists are not for travel trailer ratings best to worst brands. 2. Not only the craftsmanship, but the experience of buyers with customer service is also taken into account to evaluate the brands. 3. Not all products of these companies are low-quality and obviously their customer service can be improved day by day. All these listed brands have a few units that run well and a large number of customers highly appreciate. 4. If you’re a first-time buyer and you’re interested in any models from these RV manufacturers, you should have someone with experience come and checked with you. Of course, you should always go after a product that suits you the most even if it comes from a brand in this list.

Let’s check out the result now:

Forest River Travel Trailer to avoid

Forest River RV, which is currently owned by Berkshire Hathaway, is a large American manufacturer of recreational vehicles. Its inventory includes travel trailers, fifth wheels, pop-up campers, and a few other variations of RVs.

Though it used to be the most credible name in the RV industry, Forest River has slowly lost customer’s trust due to various reasons. There are a lot of complaints regarding leakage in the interior which lead to reductions of performance on the field. In addition to that, the issues of sinking floors present a major worry for people that travel around the year. Finally, the customer service of Forest River seems apathetic while receiving feedback from RVers and that kind of treatment steadily turn away many loyal clients.

Although communities still hope that Forest River would eventually address its shortcomings, it’s a good idea to get your recreational vehicle from another brand. Until the brand manages to put a stop to the growth of negative reviews, you should exclude all of its models from your shopping list. It’s simply unwise for you to invest on Forest River RVs knowing that you likely have to deal with a plethora of frustrating troubles. So save yourself a headache and just pass over vehicles that come from the brand.

keystone travel trailer to avoid

Starting the journey in 1996, Keystone is a latecomer in the RV industry as being one of the well-known manufacturers of towable RVs in North America. The company produces travel trailers, toy haulers, and fifth wheelers.

Providing customers with spacious, fuel-efficient recreational vehicles, they are however structural and technical issues which make Keystone receive a lot of complaints from RV owners as one of the travel trailer brands to avoid. Most RVers frown upon the mediocre quality as well as the finishing of the furniture. They claim that the cabinet doors fall off the hinges within short periods of time.  Additionally, the control board of the vehicles proves difficult to manipulate which give substandard experiences.

Aside from that, the website of Keystone itself is a pain to navigate and that give people a fairly hard time searching for relevant information. The helpline of the brand offer negligible assistance to the consumers and that makes people feel Keystone is unreliable in terms of post-purchase support. Despite the fact that the brand already earns fame in less than a decade of operation, it needs to pay more attention to quality control. Before Keystone completely patch up the drawbacks of its vehicles, it’s far from ideal as one of the  travel trailers not to buy .

Talking about the experience with Jayco, customers tend to share different opinions. While some have been satisfied with their purchase, there are reportedly a great deal of RV owners complained about their Jayco travel trailer as a big waste of money. Jayco RVs feature a wide array of built-in facilities and facilities that appear quite attractive at first glance. However, such things usually fail after a while and that lead to huge maintenance expenses. Obviously, no one likes to foot the repair bill if the vehicle breaks down repeatedly.

Common issues include water leakage, improperly installed ventilation, missing fixtures,… A couple of RVers even claim that the toilet seat of Jayco RVs is shoddy. With multiple unhappy consumers, it’s clear that Jayco cut corners while assembling its recreational vehicles to reduce manufacturing cost. Aside from its stellar appearance, models from Jayco have nothing else to offer besides disappointment. Although certain integrated features perform adequately, RVers deserve more consider the money they have to pay to purchase the vehicle.

Coachmen travel trailer brand to avoid

This is a rather well-known brand that has been in the business since the 1960s. They have introduced a wide range of recreational vehicles to the market. For most of the time, Coachman products are fairly good and will match a variety of customer demands. However, it seems that that later Coachmen RV has run into several issues that considerably reduce their usefulness in the field. The biggest customer complaint is that the product quality is not as good as it used to be. That’s the reason why Coachmen is in this travel trailer brands to avoid list.

Most of the Coachmen RV problems take place in the interior which greatly impact the user experience with the vehicle. The drawer and the slides are fragile and flimsy so they cannot hold too much weight. Leakage is another notable issue as well which can quickly degrade the floor.  In some models, leaking can be spotted around the vent, the shower and the sink. The problem will even get worse if you use the RV in rainy and humid weather. This makes the time you spend inside the RV to be stressful and extremely inconvenient.

The fridge upgrade in several Coachmen RVs has also lead to a rather annoying problem. After installing the new fridge, the wiring is left exposed with the wires ends visible. It’s serious enough that a recall has to be announced to fix the issue. Beyond that, you can face several technical difficulties while using the vehicle on the road that make it one of RV brands to avoid. The Coachmen Recreational Vehicle is surely not the worst thing you can get out there. But if you want to buy one of their recent models, do examine it carefully and know exactly what you are dealing with .

>> Read more:  Best RV Short Queen Mattress  <<

Winnebago travel trailer brand to avoid

For a brand that has been around for quite sometimes, Winnebago does have some excellent products for you to check. Yet quality is a criterion that cannot be found on every Winnebago product. The market demand for a high number of RV seems to make the brand to scale back the quality control for increased production. Many instances of damaged walls and bent panels have been noticed in normal operations. Interior components frequently become loose and require tightening. Lighting system tends to fail unexpectedly without warning.

Plenty of other drawbacks have been reported which substantially lower the brand attractiveness in people’s eyes. Contacting customer service usually results in unsatisfied answers and little action from the brand. These are the reasons why Winnebago is named on the list of travel trailer brands to avoid.

Fleetwood travel trailer brand to avoid

Fleetwood is another long-running brand that has operated for more than six decades. Their products used to offer respectable performance with tight post manufacturing exams. However, as time went by, recent Fleetwood models have shown many defects and shortcomings. As a whole, the brand RV quality has dropped quite a lot from before. Customer spoke about the low quality of interior that it degrades very fast. Compare to other RV brands, the inner portion of the Fleetwood RV age much faster.

In operation, the RV battery sometimes refuses to be recharged which may render many functions of the vehicle completely useless. You could end up stranded in such situation. You soon have to replace with an RV battery on the market for better and stable performance. Not to mention the black water tank is prone to leaking even in the newer models. When being contacted by the customer, the company is commonly unresponsive.  All of those complaints about Fleetwood make it one of the worst travel trailer brands to avoid.

Gulf Stream travel trailer brand to avoid

The last name we would like to refer in the list of worst travel trailer brands to avoid is nothing but  Gulf Stream . It is a once highly sought after brand due to their popularity and admirable performance. But there are plenty of problems that need to be addressed in later products. Leaking and rusting are the issues that really get the ire of the customer. They greatly degrade the RV interior and lower your comfort while you are using the vehicle. Certain components are incorrectly installed or just illogically placed. The customer service is quite responsive though they might charge you extra fees to deal with the problem.

Hurricane RV brand to avoid

Most people never heard about this brand, and you’d better stay away from it. People that ever come into possession of a Thor Hurricane product have encountered a lot of issues. Brand new Thor Hurricane RV is said to be assembled of less – than – new components. To say the least, you can think that you own a collection of well-used parts than a complete RV. That being said, the quality of the brand product is definitely not up to specs. A wide range of operation difficulties, structure weakness and malfunction features can be found all over the vehicle.

Many recalls have been announced since the company foundation three decades ago. Fire hazard, improper awning installation, failing BCC and ineffective parking brake are several prominent problems that have been fixed. Some of the Thor Hurricane RVs are eve release with incorrect weight rating which can make the entire thing to uncouple if you load the vehicle with too much weight. For most of RV buyers, Thor Hurricane is one of worst RV brands to avoid.

>> Find out about Best time to buy a Travel Trailer, click here ! << 

What to Avoid When Purchasing an RV?

Buying a recreational vehicle (RV) is one of one of the biggest purchase decisions that people make in their lifetime. With so many options available, it’s easy to end up picking the wrong model. Making a wrong purchase decision is a part of our life. We often buy the wrong shoes, clothes, or gadgets. However, the difference, in this case, is buying the wrong RV will be a costly mistake. So, what to avoid when purchasing an RV? Besides the travel trailer brands to avoid shown above, let’s learn what steps you should follow to avoid a poor buying decision:

travel trailer brands to avoid

You should be researching and taking notes because purchasing an RV involves lots of money. It’s an investment too because used vehicles have good value in many secondhand car markets. Avoid the RV shows because the salespersons push the buyers to make a hasty decision. Don’t be caught up in that excitement only to find out later that the trailer is the wrong size, type, or too expensive.

There are so many brands and manufacturers to choose from. So, it requires some effort on your part to find the best product. Find out information online about the make and model and read the related forums to dig out the best deals. Attend local RV shows, request brochures from the companies, and take factory tours, if required. These will help you learn more about all the available options.

Video: If you are an RV first-time buyers, watch this to know more about the worst travel trailer brands to avoid and other useful tips!

What do you need the RV for? A small travel trailer is enough if your plan is to go camping in the state parks or exploring the scenic backroads. However, it will feel small and cramped when you are looking for a cross-country adventure with one or two friends. In that case, a large motorhome will be the best choice.

You should never do it because it determines how much the RV can pull and can take the weight of extra gear. It refers to the total weight that a vehicle can two and it varies from one model to another. If your RV has a low tow capacity, you can’t use it for long trips and carrying much stuff.

buying a recreational vehicle

Travel Trailer Buyer’s Guide

Similar to other purchase, calculating the budget is the first and foremost task while shopping for the ideal recreational vehicles. Nowadays, new models go as high as $20,000 while old ones tend to revolve around $10,000. Generally speaking, unless you have specific criteria, it’s unnecessary to grab premium recreational vehicles that might strangle your financial capability. One way to determine the budget is to make a list of wanted features, filter out suitable models and then decide the average amount of money you have to spend

For trailers, it’s of utmost importance that you need to learn the towing capacity. There are a total of two weight ratings listed on the owner manual: Dry Weight and Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. Between the ratings, you should be concerned with the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating as it tells you the weight of the loaded trailer: stowed gears, full water tanks and more. Furthermore, assess the hitch on your vehicle to make sure that it’s able to tow the trailer without incidents. Replace the hitch at once if its weight rating is incapable of handling the trailer.

Comfort is one of the top priorities for RVs and it’s quite hard to make yourself comfortable if your RV lacks interior space. Take into account the number of people, the length of your travel and so on in order to ascertain the amount of room you need. For conventional trips, you and your family could get by just fine on basic models. On the other hand, if you travel extensively, it’s strongly recommended that you pick a sizable vehicle that possesses slide-out sections, upgraded cabinets, …  

Everyone wants to buy from a reputable RV dealership but there are certain travel trailer brands to avoid. One or two hours of scouring through online information will give you a good idea about the best and worst make and models in the market. Check the google reviews, ask in reputable forums , and if possible, contact the company’s customer service to see how professional they are in handling customers. You can also choose a comparatively new brand if it offers warranty on their sold units and has a good selection of parts and accessories.

By avoiding the  worst travel trailer brands  listed above and closely follow the steps, you can narrow down your search range and will eventually manage to make a wise and informed purchase. Remember that buying from a top-notch manufacturer can save you plenty of hassles.

Want to buy an RV, here are some tips for you.

Last Updated on January 1, 2024

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Carlos Perry

Carlos Perry’s passion for outdoor activities can be traced back to 5 years ago when he spent a significant time to conquer beautiful pristine lands and experience different cultures with his best friends. Currently working as a blogger, he takes pride in providing comprehensive contents about camping knowledge, survival skills based on his own experience. A lot of his work was published on well-known travel magazines like: Travel+Leisure, Thrillist

60 Comments

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The title to this is TRAVEL TRAILERS to avoid….Number 1 was travel trailers and the rest were Motorhomes. Gulf Stream, for you info, has not made the style of motor home for several years.

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Hi Kenneth, Thank you very much for your supporting comment. 1. It’s true that Gulf Stream have no longer manufactured that motorhome model >> Good info provided 2. FYI, 4/5 are travel trailers. As the title says, here we mainly focus on travel trailer brands to avoid (Worst RV brands in general). The problem is that we inserted the wrong picture that make you misunderstanding it. I’ve changed the photos to better explain the topic. If you have any question, feel free to ask! Thanks

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Puma trailers, I have a 2022 year model that was bought in April of 22, seem right after I had it for a year , two of the theee slide outs are leaking, seems that they use tape to hold the two pieces of roofing material togeather, and the also to tape it to the end of the slide which, the tape degraded in both areas and let water seep in , causing both of the roofs to rot and break down. Returned to the dealer and was told that it only had a year warranty on the roof, to which I replied the roof is rotted, so it’s been leaking for months. I was given a 20,000$ repair bill, to fix something the builder should have honored and repaired. Stay far far and away from Forrest River products, crap products that are held together with tape. I have mailed their customer service twice , with no reply’s. Thanks for any input.

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Shouldn’t the title of this be “Brands to Avoid?” Because the worst brands to avoid would be brands that you ought to buy.

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I have a 2018 Winnebago Micro Minnie and find its quality to be excellent. Mine has given no trouble whatsoever and its build quality and materials seem quite satisfactory, if not industry-leading. BTW, I’m a retired professional Quality and manufacturing Engineer with 40 years experience in my profession and have owned several RVs, too.

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I would have to agree with John, we also own a 2018 Winnebago Micro Minnie & the quality is above & beyond anything else that we’ve seen on the market. This is our 2nd Winnebago and I at this point I would not even consider any other brands!

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What are the best brands?

Hi Russ, the Airstream has an unwavering reputation in the market. The distinctive looks, shiny polish, and aluminum work, makes these caravans worth the investment in spite of their high price. Check out this list for your better choice: https://outdoorfact.com/best-travel-trailer-brands/

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Forest River is a brand you listed as worst to buy but would that also includes their R-POD line?

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My Forest River NoBo 19.5 has a kayak rack with a faulty design (per Rhino Rack specifications) they offer no solutions and my kayak rack is useless! No Bo ripped me off here.

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It’s usually all about preference and past experiences. So if someone had a good experience with a forest river they might like forest river. Then a person had a bad experience they won’t like them anymore. It’s like a car. I won’t buy a Pontiac ever again not just because they are out of business but many other issues. I like my Toyota much better.

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Amen! I’ve heard nothing but bad things about Forest River, but I have a friend that’s that’s all his dad has ever owned, so my friend just bought a brand new Forest River for himself and after looking it over, I’m thinking about getting a new Forest River myself.

Andy Knowles well I have an fr3. Lots of little things getting annoying. I’ve had it for three years but I came from tent camping so I have nothing to compare to. All I can say is you need to be a little handy.

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I certainly agree with Any K.. we have owned close to 10 different campers over the years (new & used & different makes & models). We now own a Forest River 26BUD & love it! (no issues whatsoever!) The workmanship is better than most & the floor plan is excellent. I would not hesitate to refer friends or family to buy one. I don’t care if you buy “the best” (whatever that may be based on who may be doing the review) or not but understand, the owners care & maintenance has ALOT to do with how well it holds up over the years.

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Buying trailers from any brand, check it carefully. There will be pros and cons of all travel trailer brands. If buying new go in restroom and stand in shower. Pretend you are taking shower and see how much room you have or see if you have to bend over to shower. Also check toilet for roominess. Other thing I would get a rv with a 15,000 btu ac and have them install a sewer flush as soon as you buy. If buying used get an inspector before purchase. They have a lot of people that do quick fixes to sell. But problems still exist. Find out what your tow vehicle can tow. If it can handle over 5000 lbs you can tow a under 4000 lbs trailer. You have to allow 500 lbs per person in gear. Never max out the vehicle. Just because it says it can tow 7000 lbs doesnt mean it will handle good and the sway is bad.

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???????? yes! What is the best Brands out there? I’ve researched for almost 3 yrs now. I was leaning towards a few, and then heard RUN! lol! First I was told to stay away from Jayco and Forrest River! So I look into the BEST rvs to buy and theres Jayco AND Forrest River listed! Its so confusing sometimes! And yes a list of the best of the best would be awsome! Bumper pull and 5th wheel is what we are looking into. Thank you for the list of bad! But which brand is the BEST to invest ? Lol

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Hi, Been in the business for forty years,your trailer or fifth wheel is only as good as the dealer you bought it from. I suggest to look at a cougar!

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WE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THE BEST TO WORST 5th BRANDS OF RVS!!

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I feel the worst ???? RV brand to avoid is Forest Rivers RVs . The warranty is is a joke no one wants to do repairs under factory warranty that have a hard time getting paid and have to wait forever to get parts. We have a new Avenger ATI and in the first month of owning it the walls are coming apart ,inverter Dead , furnace dead , stereo dead, floor buckling up , screws coming out of window frames , 110 out falling out of walls , and a hole lot more. Called company and all I could get was lying from top executives down. So would recommend not buying any of their RVs unless you are ready to throw your money away.

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I feel like we tossed our money but a good attorney will be your best advise

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If your buying used… DO NOT even consider anything fleetwood. (They’re out of business now) but I’ve never seen a trailer made by fleetwood that wasnt garbage or so rotten it couldnt move. Also… I personally will never buy another with fiberglass siding. I feel they’re more prone to leaks and delamination

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The new Shasta’s because they are not made with the quality of the older models. I am not trying to offend anyone, I love the way it looks but I have seen so many with poor workmanship, 20 or more. They had the name and could have produced a killer camper. I mean no disrespect, just trying to be honest. My friends have all sold theirs and many are still in a shop trying to be fixed, so sad.

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I’ve had 2 made by KZ, one Pioneer, and one Forest River. No real problems out of any other than some very minor items which were covered under warranty.

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Forest River, bad on warranty repairs and will not stand by their product.

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I camp in : hammocks, tents, our Teardrop camper and I have owned in the past a 29ft Mallard and 2 different 24ft Jayco campers. I love camping period. I could care less what I’m sleeping in as it’s only a vessel to rest my head at night so I can get out of it in the morning and enjoy the great outdoors! I see them only as camping gear. Focus on why you camp and less on what gear you choose to get out there. There isn’t a camper on the planet that won’t need something fixed or replaced at some point in time. Camper companies come and go and some are better than others but for the most part they are all pretty good once you get any bugs worked out.

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Forest river was definitely the junkiest camper we ever owned! Our nicest one was an MPG made by cruiser rv. We found the quality of materials inside were better in the MPG

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I would suggest doing some factory tours. We did this after the fact at rally’s we attended and were glad we bought the brand we did. Nothing is perfect, but when you see them being put together and meet the people working on them, you have a clearer picture of what you are gonna get, my opinion. For instance, after a Thor factory tour all the Thor owners were very upset that their units were all glued together and no nails or screws were used in putting them together. Someone didn’t care about the rattling and vibration theses rvs take each and every time they are out.

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We special-ordered a brand new 2019 Keystone and it was put together terribly we were very very disappointed and I’ve had to have a ton of things fixed in the first two weeks of having it was very disappointed are 2004 was built way better they just don’t make things like they used to and build in a rush 4 productivity

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We regret buying our Coleman. Made cheap. Had small roof issue at 8 months old. Black water pipe windy…not as straight as it should be so emptying can be painful.

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Avoid light weight/ feather weight. They are made cheaper in every way, in the name of tow weight. That’s my feeling anyway.

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Seems, your opinion differs from many others! I have read many articles and researched for almost 2 years, and about half the models you said, “Don’t buy” many others rate as some of the best! Such as Jayco, and Winnebago! I have looked at pretty much everything on the market and Jayco, Forest River, and Winnebago are above average in build in their price range!

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