Under rated axles.

Chudster · 08-26-2019, 03:25 PM

I have a 2017 32’ Jayco TSBH and have owned it since new. I was heading home from a camping trip last weekend and I had a bearing go on the rear axle drivers side. I keep the axles greased and I am OCD when it comes to maintenance on the TT. I wouldn’t think that I would lose a bearing on a 2 year old camper. It ended up damaging the hub beyond repair. I went under the camper to look at the axle and see who the make was and so forth. Turns out they are 5200lb axles. The only problem with that is the GVWR on the camper is a few pounds shy of 11,000lbs. I got to looking a little bit closer and there are dents on the frame rails where the axles have hit before and it actually smashed the electric brake line in the process. I don’t ever go anywhere with the tanks full and I don’t have a whole lot of weight in the camper. Has anyone else had this problem where the axles are under rated for the camper right from the factory? What should I do? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Isaacs · 08-26-2019, 03:40 PM

My (much smaller) trailer has a similar situation. When Jayco built your trailer, they figured that about 1650 pounds (15%) would be tongue weight and carried by the tow vehicle. This leaves 9350 pounds to be split between the two axles so they think that's just fine. I know it sucks, but they'll do anything to save a buck.

As for your dents on the frame rails, I can't answer that. Perhaps you hit a pothole and the axle that was just barely big enough couldn't handle it. You can try complaining...

smithmdsmith · 08-26-2019, 03:41 PM

I'll tell you what you'll get from the manufacturer:
The axles aren't under-rated. Trailer gross weight of 11,000 lbs should have a tongue weight of 1,100 pounds. 11,000 - 1,100 = 9,900. Your axles are rated for a combined 10,400. 10,400 > 9,900. You're good.

That said, I would like a little more margin, too. Unfortunately, I'm in the same boat with a gross trailer weight of almost 11k and a pair of 5200lb axles on my 2013. That said, I haven't seen any of the issues you're talking about on mine.

DavidJay · 08-26-2019, 03:46 PM

It is not uncommon for RVs to have axles that very close to maximum load rating but no manufactures would quote a gross vehicle weight above the component rating. That would be a recipe for lawsuits.

In your case the tongue weight (from the Jayco website) is 800 pounds. 10950 - 800 = 10150. 10150 / 2 = 5075. So it is close, but still within the supplier’s specification.

**Midnightmoon** · 08-26-2019, 03:56 PM

Install 6K minumum axles this time around.

jpgale · 08-26-2019, 06:44 PM

I have the 5200 axles as well but my GVWR is just under 10k

bono · 08-26-2019, 07:45 PM

I will be swapping 3500 lbs axles to 5200 lbs. My trailer is 7500 lbs gross. Tires and axles have marginal capacity. I don't want to think about whether or not I can put sth on the left or right side of the trailer not to overload axle or tire.

sciencenerd · 08-27-2019, 09:53 AM

Correct me if I am wrong, but I think that having axles that are rated for much more weight than the GVWR of the trailer are also not good. Since the trailer is not heavy enough to "bow" the axles down, it will result in excessive wear on the outside of the tires.

GarlicDude · 08-27-2019, 10:49 AM

I think this tongue weight issue is just an excuse to make trailers cheaper for the manufacture, in my opinion it's Bullbleep!

bono · 08-27-2019, 10:54 AM

I am still debating whether I should go with 4,400 lbs vs 5,200 lbs axles. I have not seen a lot of reports of people having problem with overrated axles. However, I am aware that usually trailers have underrated axles.

Grand Design started putting 4,400 lbs axles on their similar floor plan trailer to my 28DSBH, since a lot of people had problems with the axles. Maybe 4,400 lbs is a better option indeed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sciencenerd

Correct me if I am wrong, but I think that having axles that are rated for much more weight than the GVWR of the trailer are also not good. Since the trailer is not heavy enough to "bow" the axles down, it will result in excessive wear on the outside of the tires.

eagle55 · 08-27-2019, 10:55 AM

Is anyone concerned about the effects of installing heavier springs will do to the ride? Probably not an issue on smooth highways, but rougher roads a too heavily sprung trailer might shake things apart inside. Heavier axles I can see, but heavier springs I would worry about here in my area.

Timber · 08-27-2019, 11:40 AM

A 5200# axle and a 6000# axle are the same axles with different hubs, one of the bearings on the 6000# axle has a little bit larger outside diameter. I can't remember which one it is right now ( inside or outside ).

houstonstroker · 08-27-2019, 12:05 PM

Have you actually weighed your RV? You may be overloaded. Stuff adds up quick.

distracto · 08-27-2019, 12:46 PM

also there is the issue of people having their WDH set incorrectly which stresses the axles

bono · 08-27-2019, 08:39 PM

Is 11 hours a fair time estimate for changing two axles and leaf springs? Sounds steep to me. Is this something to do solo? I watched a couple of YouTube videos and this does not look complicate. I would be only concerned about the brakes, i.e. to make sure to have them working properly.

Atlee · 08-28-2019, 02:20 AM

While I have a different class of TT, and much lighter, a J Flight 23RB, it comes with 3500# axles, but it's GVWR is only 6500#. I have a decent amount of margin of error.

DonaandDon · 08-28-2019, 07:54 AM

x2 on what houstonstroker put. And to chime in on low rated axels, I to thought I was overloaded, as I too torched an axel. Replaced under insurance and then we traded it off for a "residential style" 5r and I grease those bearings every 4-5k miles. OCD? You bet!!

bono · 08-28-2019, 09:37 AM

I am not sure who was asked about weighting the trailer. I did weight the trailer. The max was 7,200 lbs, where gross for my trailer is 7,500 lbs. There is no question that 3,500 lbs axles do not leave any capacity margin. As I mentioned, Grand Design with similar spec trailer started putting 4,400 lbs axles and better springs.

jpgale · 08-28-2019, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bono

Is 11 hours a fair time estimate for changing two axles and leaf springs? Sounds steep to me. Is this something to do solo? I watched a couple of YouTube videos and this does not look complicate. I would be only concerned about the brakes, i.e. to make sure to have them working properly.

I am not sure if 11 hours is a fair time estimate, however I can't see the job being that difficult if you have a helper who can help you. Testing the brakes should be simple really, plug the tow vehicle in while the wheels are in the air (4 heavy jack stands) spin each wheel and have your helper use the manual control on the brake controller.

Given that I recently replaced my 6.0 powerstroke head gaskets this must be easier, and I learnt everything from forums and youtube videos.

schrederman · 08-29-2019, 06:56 AM

I just went through a bent axles situation with my '16 WH 28DSBH. Gross weight 7500 with 3500# axles. I was going to take it in last week for alignment, but discovered a wheel bearing going bad when I greased them... While pretty... metal-flake colored grease is a dead give away. I like Bono's idea of 4400# axles, but I would do it myself. However, this was a great pulling trailer until I hit a really bad joint in I-70 just west of Indianapolis. It had about 30K miles on it before those axles had any problem. I had gone up a load range to LRD with the tires. That means going up from 50 psi to 65 psi on the tires. I wonder if the extra tire pressure didn't contribute to the bent axles. This was 20K miles ago, but I had never hit a road hazard like the one I hit up by Indy. I was under the trailer with my floor jack bending the back axle back up so I could get home.

So, I'm wondering about the tires, and think I'll drop the pressure to 57 psi. And I'm wondering about the heavier axles. It seems that changing the tires made the axle the weak link. So,what would be the weak link it the axles are upgraded... the frame?

Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying anyone's wrong in wanting to upgrade and make their travels better and safer... The manufacturers sell us these things with the unspoken promise that we'll have a wonderful time with them... and we do... until we're broken down on the side of the road. Or... like me... in a Wal-Mart parking lot with a jack under my axle and changing 2 tires that the negative camber had eaten down to the steel belts on the inside. That's not a wonderful time... Keep this thread going, please. There's gotta be a better solution. And, Indiana needs to vote some people in that want the roads fixed...

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