North Point 383FKWS tires

[USNMA1]

I have a problem, looking for guidance. I have a new 2020 North Point. Was a class A guy until this past year.

This is the problem. Just brought my unit from the Jayco dealer after some service repairs. When I went to level it I discovered a severely/abnormal worn tire on the driver side rear axle. Having a hard time finding anyone too even look at it until Spring.

The roadside service said it appeared to be an axle issue and Les Schwab also believes it to be an axle issue. The only place that even does axles on Fifth Wheels is located 68 miles away in Kalispell Montana and they do not do alignment that has to be done at a different location in Kalispell and they can not do anything until Spring because the facility has to be open to the weather to accommodate fifth wheel repair.

Stuck in Montana!!!

[JFlightRisk]

How do you feel about snow??

[Midnightmoon]

The tire wear you are describing sounds very much like the results of a bent axle.

If you haven't done so already, I would first contact your selling dealer and Jayco customer service (Assuming that your unit is still under warranty) and explain the situation. They may have the ability to help guide you through the repair process.

[USNMA1]

That would take an entire new thread to talk about the North Point being used in the winter 😳

[USNMA1]

Been there done that with Jayco. Not much help there. They made a notation in my file it may be Spring before it can be accessed.

But you are right the common belief by roadside service and Les Schwab was a bent axle. I only have 6000 miles on the trailer.

[USNMA1]

I purchased the unit Jan 2020. Took delivery in Mar 2020 and it was in service the entire time except for about 6 weeks use, and I still have repairs pending.

[USNMA1]

[USNMA1]

[Midnightmoon]

Yes sir. That is definitely a bent axle. Are there any mobile RV repair people in your area? They may not take that job. But, they may know someone that will.

It wouldn't be covered under warranty without advanced approval of Jayco. But, it would at least get you back on the road.

[USNMA1]

That thought did cross my mind. I know I have to pay up front, and request reimbursement. The problem is if I can get a mobile repair to do the job they can not do an alignment. The tires are $260 just for the tire. Already burned through first tire and if I do not get an alignment after the axle install I’m looking at possibly my replacing more tires.

Good suggestion to get me on the road. Fortunately I’m retired, it will just delay my trip. Couldn’t imagine if I had a schedule to keep.

[CAG]

Firstly determine the axle manufacturer. Then contact them. There are many cases of warranty repairs where they ship the new axle to the closest location for an install.



I would contact them before starting out and ending up with a blown tire on some Reservation with no cell coverage and no shoulder on the road to pull off.

[USNMA1]

Never thought about calling axle manufacturer. Still doesn’t solve getting it aligned after new axle.

Just found out they are special order tires. Two weeks to get a new one from Goodyear.

[USNMA1]

I already have to drive 30 miles for cellphone coverage.

[CAG]

Originally Posted by USNMA1

Never thought about calling axle manufacturer. Still doesn’t solve getting it aligned after new axle.

Just found out they are special order tires. Two weeks to get a new one from Goodyear.

If the axle is the issue, I doubt that you are going to have to have an alignment. If the problem is the axle, the alignment problem is probably moot.

[CAG]

Originally Posted by USNMA1

I already have to drive 30 miles for cellphone coverage.

That sucks!

[klassic]

You can tell if it’s a bent axel by looking at it.
Arc up, frown, is good
Arc down, smile, is bad

[Lake Huron]

If the front axle is not giving any abnormal wear, an alignment is easy. That rear axle is flat out bent on the driver side. The whole rear axle needs to be replaced. Repair for a mobile tech is easy. Lift the trailer off the frame, NOT THE AXLES, that is how they get bent. Once the frame is supported with the wheels off the the ground, take a simple measurement on the right side from the center of the front axle to the center of the rear axle. Write down that measurement. Remove the rear axle and install the new one using the center to center measurement you wrote down for both sides. Tighten everything back up and recheck the measurements. As long as the center to center is the same on the left side and the right side, alignment is good.

[USNMA1]

Didn’t realize once the rear axle was replaced an alignment would not be needed...that changes things a bit.

The rear axle looks like a frown after a stroke. It curves upwards but the slant on the drivers side is a bit different than the passenger side (not a perfect frown). It straightens out before reaching the hub.

[Lake Huron]

The curve, or frown, in the axle is normal. They are curved that way from the factory. Each axle is curved a specific amount depending on the weight capacity of the axle. This way when the weight of the trailer is sitting on it the spindle ends sit flat, or level, to the ground and you dont have premature tire wear like you got. People.dont realize that you can bend the axle by lifting the trailer up off the axle instead of lifting off the frame. Nasty potholes in the road wreak havoc with them too.

[Big1]

Wow, I am sorry for your misfortune and I hope that you get this resolved.