184BS Issues with Dexter Axle and Lippert Frame

[dannyk1113]

Hey All, New to the forums. I've been dealing with Jayco in regards to the dexter axle for the past 1 month and am getting no where. Getting really frustrated. This travel trailer is only 6 months old for 2021 184BS. I noticed the huge negative camber on the passenger side of the travel trailer after my last camping trip. Driver side also has indentations to the frame caused by the U bolt assembly for the leaf spring. It's only about 1.5 inch gap from the axle to the structural framing. Opened up a case with Jayco, Dexter, and Lippert. Lippert said it had nothing to do with their framing. Dexter said it may be due to overloading or some BS reason. Out of good will, they will send new axle with leaf spring. No point to install axle on a damaged frame. Jayco should be honoring there 2+3 year warranty. Also, have goodsam extended warranty. Dealer won't be available till January 2022 to see the travel trailer and to provide camber measurements for Jayco. Without measurements, we can't move forward. Not Jayco problem. Dealer said they don't have equipment to do frame repair or swaps. Has to go back to manufacture for repairs. This whole debacle won't get resolve till next year camping season at this rate. Really close to filling for a lawsuit against Jayco. It's a Jayco product. I bought a Jayco, not Dexter or Lippert. Some sort of engineering and R&D has to go into this. Any advice?

Thanks All!

[ARoamer]

From your photo your spring looks bad, there is no arch in it. Could be a bad heat treat / soft spring, or more likely it is overloaded. How much weight is actually on it? Are both sides identical with no arch?
Cargo Carrying Capacity is 860# for that unit.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating 4,300#.

[dannyk1113]

You are correct. Looking at the photos, there is no arch on the leaf spring at all for both sides. It can't be overloaded since there isn't much inside the RV. No potable, black or gray water ever stored. Only typical bedding, kitchen items, air beds, sleeping bags, tools. Never over the maximum weight. I doubt I even have close to 800 lbs in the travel trailer or come close to it.

Based on my conversation with the dealer, it looks like not enough leaf springs on the overall axle.

[Route 66 Traveler]

Just a thought, but flipping the axles might solve the problem. Looks to me like the axles should be under the springs, not on top.

[ARoamer]

Flipped axle or not I believe there should be more arch in those springs. With the stuff coming out of the factory now days I wouldn't be surprised if it has the wrong springs and axle.

[dannyk1113]

All is right. I just double check on label attached to the axle and it is rated at 3700 lbs. The maximum loaded weight on it is 4300lbs per jayco website. So the axle is definitely under designed. This is entitled the frame or axle manufacture problem, it is Jayco.

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by dannyk1113

snip......So the axle is definitely under designed....snip

Unfortunately axles are often rated below a TT's GVWR..., unfortunately on some TT's to darn close. RV manufactures subtract the projected 'loaded' tongue weight value because it's supported by the TV, not the TT axle(s).

Bob

[dannyk1113]

But going on strictly the cargo weight, it's definitely exceeded. Tongue weight corresponded to the hitch, receiver, etc. It will obviously carry the load onto the vehicle as well.

I would like to know what is everyone's axle load capacity vs actual weight of travel trailer. Leaf springs looks under rated as well.

Would everyone agree this is under rated? I am trying to escalate this matter to jayco service manager.

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by dannyk1113

But going on strictly the cargo weight, it's definitely exceeded....snip

Just curious, how does the yellow sticker (as-shipped) "Cargo Capacity" compare to the published 860lbs?

Bob

[dannyk1113]

GAWR - 3,700
GVWR - 4,300

That's what stuck onto the sticker on the side of the TT.

[Rustic Eagle]

Appreciate the follow-up.

I did a little dealer web site surfing and found two SLX 7 184BS units stating "weight of cargo should never exceed" 571lbs and 678lbs respectively. Of course unit configuration (west/east coast, etc.) comes into play.

I've always found it interesting how much some 'web site/brochure' specs can very from 'as-shipped' specs/limits.





I understand your time-line frustration, lead times for parts and/or service in the RV industry is a nightmare.

Bob

[Grumpy]

Originally Posted by dannyk1113

Would everyone agree this is under rated? I am trying to escalate this matter to jayco service manager.

You have to deduct the tongue weight carried on the tow vehicle. So the axles would be rated correctly. As was said the margins are close, but that is how they've been designed for years.

[Zenar]

Originally Posted by Rustic Eagle

Appreciate the follow-up.

I did a little dealer web site surfing and found two SLX 7 184BS units stating "weight of cargo should never exceed" 571lbs and 678lbs respectively. Of course unit configuration (west/east coast, etc.) comes into play.

I've always found it interesting how much some 'web site/brochure' specs can very from 'as-shipped' specs/limits.





I understand your time-line frustration, lead times for parts and/or service in the RV industry is a nightmare.

Bob

My brochure was off by 400lbs!

[ttavasc]

As Grumpy and others have pointed out in many cases the axle rating is less than the GVWR rating of the trailer with the expectation that a sufficient amount will be carried by the tongue either hitched to the tow vehicle or supported by the tongue jack. My 2015 195RB had a 3500 axle with a 3750 GVWR. The yellow-sticker as-delivered "empty" weight was 3015 which was ~200 more than the web site "empty" weight. I had 735 of cargo capacity as a result. Fully loaded (at least as much as I was willing to load it up) we usually had ~450 on the tongue and 3300 on the axle. Given the close margins the CAT scale is your friend and I highly recommend that you spend some time weighing the fully loaded combination to make sure you know what your margins actually are.

[16WhiteColly]

Should be more arch for sure, but I only see two leaves, my 3,500 lb. axle has at least three.

[ttavasc]

I see the same 3 leafs in one of the OP's pictures that I had on my 195RB. Mine was a Baja model so the axle was below the springs. Regardless, I agree that the spring is too flat given the angle of the spring hanger brackets. I would also expect there to be a bump stop above the axle as well to reduce the potential for damage to the frame/axle if you bottom out. Below are a couple of pics from my 195RB for comparison.

[gunafulltime]

Originally Posted by ttavasc

As Grumpy and others have pointed out in many cases the axle rating is less than the GVWR rating of the trailer with the expectation that a sufficient amount will be carried by the tongue either hitched to the tow vehicle or supported by the tongue jack. My 2015 195RB had a 3500 axle with a 3750 GVWR. The yellow-sticker as-delivered "empty" weight was 3015 which was ~200 more than the web site "empty" weight. I had 735 of cargo capacity as a result. Fully loaded (at least as much as I was willing to load it up) we usually had ~450 on the tongue and 3300 on the axle. Given the close margins the CAT scale is your friend and I highly recommend that you spend some time weighing the fully loaded combination to make sure you know what your margins actually are.

X2 Exactly.

[Lake Huron]

The engineers that design these things are total and complete idiots. All they care about is the financial bottom line. What's a few extra dollars to put bigger springs and axles in ANY of these??
My Northpoint for example, 13.5k empty and 16k max loaded. Add your propane tanks and a few extras from the factory and I got 2k left for water and cargo. Seems like a lot compared to you guys smaller travel trailers. Regardless, they put 7k axles and springs under it. Really??? Like how much more money is it to put a little overkill in it and install 8k axles and springs?? Now they are spending and wasting more time and money due to a federal recall on these.
Back to your issue, again, who thought it was a good idea to give a trailer 600-700# capacity?? Dont put one item in that trailer and 3 grown men standing inside it will have it overloaded. That's REAL smart thinking on engineers part.
I have to agree with everyone above, it looks like your spring(s) are junk.
You need to take everything out and get an empty weight ticket punched. Go back home and load it up like you normally would and get a loaded weight ticket and compare.
As far as the dealer jerking you around about getting measurements, that's all bullcrap too. It'll take less than 10 minutes to complete and can be done right there in their parking lot.

[Extreme]

Originally Posted by Route 66 Traveler

Just a thought, but flipping the axles might solve the problem. Looks to me like the axles should be under the springs, not on top.

As mentioned above, the axles are mounted wrong. Never seen an axle mounted above the leaf springs. Doesn’t make any sense.

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by Extreme

snip...... Never seen an axle mounted above the leaf springs. Doesn’t make any sense.....snip

Actually RV 'underslung' axles (leaf pack on bottom) are not uncommon and have been around for a long time. There are a few reasons for an underslung application (ie; lower entry heights, drop-axle mounting, etc.) ....., but overslung axle applications seem to be more prevalent with RV through-frame slides and other clearance requirements...., especially with heavy units.

Bob