Cost to replace axles on 2800BH

[therealmkc]

Hey all... new to the forum! We bought a 2018 2800BH in late 2018 used (seller took one trip in it and decided it wasn’t for them). We’ve always had issues with sway when towing, even though we’ve had the setup reviewed by the dealer, etc. and we’ve also noticed uneven tire wear so something seems amiss. We just took it in for service and asked them to look at this and also the leafsprings on passenger side (they were flattened out for some reason).

I just heard back from the dealer and they said 3 of the 4 spindles were bent and recommended the following:

Replace both axles, morryde cre300(upgrade suspension to OEM), leaf springs,U-Bolts, and shackle kit is $4236.89 (parts,labor, freight included) tax extra.

Couple questions:

1) Do you think bent spindles could be source of my sway issues? Seems like the uneven tire wear for sure would be caused by this?
2) This price seems high to me! Should I look for another place to do this work or is this the going rate? (We had to put a new transmission in our Yukon on the last camping trip, this hobby is getting expensive!)

Thanks for any insight or suggestions you all may have on this.

[J Maguire]

Hey all... new to the forum! We bought a 2018 2800BH in late 2018 used (seller took one trip in it and decided it wasn’t for them). We’ve always had issues with sway when towing, even though we’ve had the setup reviewed by the dealer, etc. and we’ve also noticed uneven tire wear so something seems amiss. We just took it in for service and asked them to look at this and also the leafsprings on passenger side (they were flattened out for some reason).

I just heard back from the dealer and they said 3 of the 4 spindles were bent and recommended the following:

Replace both axles, morryde cre300(upgrade suspension to OEM), leaf springs,U-Bolts, and shackle kit is $4236.89 (parts,labor, freight included) tax extra.

Couple questions:

1) Do you think bent spindles could be source of my sway issues? Seems like the uneven tire wear for sure would be caused by this?
2) This price seems high to me! Should I look for another place to do this work or is this the going rate? (We had to put a new transmission in our Yukon on the last camping trip, this hobby is getting expensive!)

Thanks for any insight or suggestions you all may have on this.

Those would be nice upgrades but not all of them are necessary, if you're pulling that trailer with the Yukon you mentioned I would consider a stiffer and greater payload tow vehicle.

Also consider a TPMS (tire pressure monitoring system) to make sure that your tires are at the correct pressure all the time.

[therealmkc]

if you're pulling that trailer with the Yukon you mentioned I would consider a stiffer and greater payload tow vehicle.

I'm very interested in this comment actually... When we lost our transmission last year, we rented a Chevy 1500 Truck and it seemed to tow much better than the Yukon in terms of sway. I was trying to figure out if the difference was the stiffer suspension... I assumed so, but didn't understand the reasons behind it.

[J Maguire]

I'm very interested in this comment actually... When we lost our transmission last year, we rented a Chevy 1500 Truck and it seemed to tow much better than the Yukon in terms of sway. I was trying to figure out if the difference was the stiffer suspension... I assumed so, but didn't understand the reasons behind it.

You didn't mention the year of the Yukon, regardless, I'm assuming shorter wheel base and a softer rear end than an appropriate tow vehicle. Even the difference in towing for me was substantial moving from the F150 to the F250 in regards to control. You're pulling a lot of trailer for that truck. Yukon suspensions are made to keep passengers comfortable in regards to suspension but that trade off is felt when towing. My F250 for instance is stiff and less passenger friendly than the F150 but more capable and confident because of this stiffness. An older Yukon would be less capable than a newer one as well. Trucks meant for towing have heavier steering components, bigger brakes, etc.

You may need a few components cleaned up under the trailer but that tow vehicle is likely being controlled by that trailer in many circumstances.

[CoChris]

I'm very interested in this comment actually... When we lost our transmission last year, we rented a Chevy 1500 Truck and it seemed to tow much better than the Yukon in terms of sway. I was trying to figure out if the difference was the stiffer suspension... I assumed so, but didn't understand the reasons behind it.

The suspension (shocks, springs and geometry) are probably totally different between a Yukon and a 1/2 ton pick up (and between a 1/2 ton and a 3/4~1 ton).

Tires will also make a huge difference in towing control. Stiffer sidewall tires (like LT vs P metric, and heavier load rating) will give more stability. Of course, the down side is a stiffer ride.

Chris

[NB Canada]

Hey all... new to the forum! We bought a 2018 2800BH in late 2018 used (seller took one trip in it and decided it wasn’t for them). We’ve always had issues with sway when towing, even though we’ve had the setup reviewed by the dealer, etc. and we’ve also noticed uneven tire wear so something seems amiss. We just took it in for service and asked them to look at this and also the leafsprings on passenger side (they were flattened out for some reason).

I just heard back from the dealer and they said 3 of the 4 spindles were bent and recommended the following:

Replace both axles, morryde cre300(upgrade suspension to OEM), leaf springs,U-Bolts, and shackle kit is $4236.89 (parts,labor, freight included) tax extra.

Couple questions:

1) Do you think bent spindles could be source of my sway issues? Seems like the uneven tire wear for sure would be caused by this?
2) This price seems high to me! Should I look for another place to do this work or is this the going rate? (We had to put a new transmission in our Yukon on the last camping trip, this hobby is getting expensive!)

Thanks for any insight or suggestions you all may have on this.

Poor loading (Inadequate tongue weight) causes sway

Yes of course it is expensive. Where they make their money
You can do it your self. Get the parts from e trailer


2021 Imagine 2400 BH
2018 GMC Sierra 4x4 crew

[NB Canada]

Others would know because I know nothing about it but wouldn’t a timbren axle less swap be cheaper?

Or a torsion system

They appear to be 800 a kit. Unsure what else would be needed or if they even work but eliminating axles would be nice


2021 Imagine 2400 BH
2018 GMC Sierra 4x4 crew

[geotex1]

Given the suspension damage and behavior you describe, you are most likely camping overloaded.

Are you handy or have handy friends? If so, this is totally DIY. Personally, I wouldn't be caught dead buying from etrailer because you can go to a brick and mortar trailer shop and order everything up for less money and not get hosed on shipping because of their regular deliveries from the manufacturers. Your axle label contains everything they need to get an identical replacement. You may need to take a hard look at your weights, gear, and packing to see if upgraded suspension should be considered.

It's a lot of labor, and that's where much of the cost lies.

[2ACDogs]

Given the suspension damage and behavior you describe, you are most likely camping overloaded.

Wondering how overloaded a trailer would have to be to bend spindles? The 2800BH has a payload of around 1600 lbs, a full fresh water tank would be about 400 lbs so still 1200 lbs to GVWR.

[geotex1]

Wondering how overloaded a trailer would have to be to bend spindles? The 2800BH has a payload of around 1600 lbs, a full fresh water tank would be about 400 lbs so still 1200 lbs to GVWR.

Keep in mind the fundamental flaw of suspension ratings - based on ideal conditions and not the dynamic loading of the real world... I would actually wager the spindles aren't bent but the axle tube lost its crown and there's no longer a horizontal alignment spindle to spindle. All tanks full is a big number. Couple inches nose hose transferring hitch share back to the axles... Lots of factors.

Last year I helped camping friends sling an entire replacement suspension under a Heritage Glen 300BH after a 12,000 mile trek around America. Never exceeded cargo capacity, WDH set perfectly. The culprit was the roads traveled! Way too harsh for the stiff suspension. Both axles lost their camber and springs lost most of their arch. Ate brand new Goodyear Endurance tires, and outboard bearing absolutely cooked! If you know how to do the calculations, scare yourself by computing the loads associated with a hard bounce at speed. Not necessarily air between rubber and road, but where the load is mostly removed by the unloading due to the bounce and then gravity bringing it back rapidly.