Bent Axle?

[TxLoser]

On my fifth wheel I notice the right front tire is wearing fast on the outside edge. Also the space between the two right tires is great than that of the left side. Is this a mounting thing or axle thing?

[Marcm157]

Pictures would help quite a bit but based upon your description it sounds like an axle alignment issue. Has it always been like this? Just noticing it now? Have you hit anything? Curbs, large pot holes etc???

[TxLoser]

Just measured and on the worn tire side I have 1” less space between the tires. I’ll attach a photo of the worn tire as well.

I noticed early on the few times I used X-Chocks that one side seemed tighter. I kind of assumed the terrain or something else was causing it. Last trip out I noticed the tire starting to wear but it was minimal. Now after traveling from Texas southern Colorado and into Wyoming it’s more pronounced.

[Colorado]

Check the suspension for wear, cracks, loose bolts, check the equalizer holes for wear.

[TxLoser]

Will do. Won’t be surprised by what I find. I found my all outriggers to only be hand right yesterday.

[TxLoser]

Got an update from my dealer today. They found a number of broken zirks from the factory which meant that some welt bolts never had grease and they want to replace all the wet bolts saying they’re damaged. They want to try this first, and then go after the axles. So, we’ll see. Now it’s just waiting game for the one or two people working at jayco to get the pre-authorization to them. I can’t imagine damaged bolts would cause this, but I’ll go along with it for now.

[SkyBound]

I had tire wear just like that on my trailer. It turned out to be a bent axle. I replaced both axles with heavier beam axles and have never had a problem since.

[mokurt]

There must be a way to check axle/hub alignment.

I would question the worn bolts also, they just travel with the suspension.
I don't see how the bolts could make the tire camber out like in the pic.

[TxLoser]

I agree. I’ll push it further if they get back to me at the end of everything telling me all is good. It must be very slight whatever the case since I drove from South Dakota to Texas on the new tire with zero visible wear.

[muckinfuss]

Originally Posted by mokurt

There must be a way to check axle/hub alignment.

A carpenter's square placed on pavement and set to examine plumb vs the wheel goes a long way to checking if there's any camber. Shouldn't be any. As one previous post indicated, the measurement between tire tread on same side wheels where the treads are closest will give the quick read on whether there's an issue with axle parallel and perpendicular to the pulling axis of the trailer. A bent hub to axle relationship will show as a wobble when the wheel can free wheel elevated. This is what many would consider a bent axle. It can also look identical to that wobble if the rim itself has been damaged so that it no longer rotates around the imaginary center plane. There is one more measurement that can give an indication of an issue and that is to measure the axle at three locations along its length...in the center, and inboard about 10 inches from the backing plate. Measure the distance from the pavement to the bottom edge of the axle. Can show a bend. Of course, tire pressure at same and all tires of same size and model are necessary before any measurements are taken.

[TxLoser]

Thanks. Lots of good info, and gives me some good things to ask the dealership as well.

[TxLoser]

Just chatted with them again. Bent axle as was first suspected. Waiting on parts.

[Cincinnati Kid]

Interesting. I just searched "bent axle" here and found your post. I have the same exact thing going on, same wear, same situation with different space between tires- even the same tire worn exactly the same way!. It took me a little while to realize what it thought it was and I just today contacted both Jayco and Dexter and sent pictures. Waiting for a response from them. I prefer to get repairs done at the factory, if possible instead of the local dealer. Question- Are they covering it under warranty?

[TonyCO]

I have a 2019 267BHSW. Camping about a year and half and noticed tire wear. Long story short rear axle bent and all four leaf springs completely flat. I hit the Cat Scales regularly and have never been overloaded. Round and round with Jayco. Bottom line they do me a favor and get Dexter involved. Ha.

As a good faith deal Dexter says I can send the parts out to them (my cost) in Indiana and they will decide if it’s a manufacturer’s defect. No thanks. Jayco says it’s not there problem and won’t help me.

Reality is I think it is a Jayco problem. I have seen five other 267’s and they all have flattened leaf springs. IMO this trailer is under engineered and Jayco could care less. We really loved this trailer and I purchased a Rocky Mountain and Baja for the boondock capability. I hope Jayco helps you out. Please keep us informed. Good luck.

[Big1]

Originally Posted by TxLoser

Just measured and on the worn tire side I have 1” less space between the tires. I’ll attach a photo of the worn tire as well.

I noticed early on the few times I used X-Chocks that one side seemed tighter. I kind of assumed the terrain or something else was causing it. Last trip out I noticed the tire starting to wear but it was minimal. Now after traveling from Texas southern Colorado and into Wyoming it’s more pronounced.

Attachment 59669

Ouch! So did you ever get it taken care of? Maybe I should check mines when I go out there tomorrow.

[TxLoser]

Getting a new axle. They’re making me pay labor as it’s a he said she said on how it bent. My guess is it bent during delivery. A curb or something. Good luck proving that. Not ideal, but I’ll take it. Hopefully be up and running in a week or so.

[Cincinnati Kid]

Originally Posted by TxLoser

Getting a new axle. They’re making me pay labor as it’s a he said she said on how it bent. My guess is it bent during delivery. A curb or something. Good luck proving that. Not ideal, but I’ll take it. Hopefully be up and running in a week or so.

Dexter offered me a new axle too. I'm still working with Lippert (The Lippert person I spoke with has been very helpful, but no decision yet) and Jayco to coordinate the install, frame repair, and alignment. I won't wait around forever to get them to to act. Everything has been documented with them, so next week, if I don't get a positive response, I'll take it to a large truck/trailer shop, get it fixed right, and then go back to Jayco for reimbursement. Still staying positive, but we need to get this thing on the road.

[Case79]

I’m going through the same challenge as TxLoser except my right front tire is wearing on the inside, I also have a larger gap between the right side tires than the left by 1/4 inch. I have been doing the Jayco Dexter and Lippert dance for months now. Just got the unit ie Eagle HT 30.5 CKTS back from the dealership. They installed, at my expense , a new axle that Dexter had supplied out of the kindness of their cold hearts because it was determined bent. However the axle replacement didn’t correct the alignment problem. Earlier in this process measurements were taken of the frame and hangars etc and reported to Lippert and they said a 1/4 inch misalignment is within specifications. So the dance has started again, I have a hard time accepting a 1/4 inch misalignment.

[Puddle Pirate]

Originally Posted by TxLoser

On my fifth wheel I notice the right front tire is wearing fast on the outside edge. Also the space between the two right tires is great than that of the left side. Is this a mounting thing or axle thing?

Take it to a big truck alignment center and have them do the trailer axle alignment on the 5th wheel axles

[Case79]

I’m still trying to get Jayco, Dexter or Lippert to stand up and help. It’s still a warranty issue. If I can’t get it settled I’ll probably end up going to an alignment place. I live in Michigan so there has to be an alignment place somewhere close