Likes to tow
Senior Member
We purchased our 2017 27RL Reflection new and have pulled it thousands of miles across the country in the past 8 years. I've learned a few things the hard way. Nothing beats experience and I've gained some valuable knowledge.
The first major problem I had was losing a wheel. After packing wheel bearings one spring we traveled to Colorado and other sites closer to home. No issues until the last trip of the season. One wheel totally sheared all the lug bolts off at the drum. I have no idea where along this 90 mile trip it happened but I was not aware of it until we reached the campground. Knowledge gained.....carry a torque wrench and constantly keep your wheels tightened to the appropriate torque. You will not feel or hear a loose wheel like you will on the vehicle you are ridding in. Lugnuts can become loose!!
Early this season we were heading down the WV Turnpike and I suddenly realized the trailer was rolling along rather sideways!! I stopped at the next exit and discovered the front axle was not in alignment. The bolt that runs through the springs and actually centers the spring to the axle had sheared off and was missing! The spring had actually slid apart and the axle slipped back 6 inches. I come to the realization that the u-bolts were not tight and through the thousands of miles we have pulled this trailer it allowed the pin or bolt that holds the springs together to wear thin and brake off. Now there was nothing to keep the spring centered on the axle. Luckily some good people stopped to help. They drove to a hardware store and purchased a grade 8 bolt and we were able to pull the springs back in alignment, put the head of the bolt down into the hole on the axle and then tighten everything back down I checked all the other U bolts on the other springs and two were rather loose!!!! These u-bolts are supposed to be torqued to 70-90 lbs depending on their size. It's critical they remain tight! If the axle and springs are allowed to shift then the pin in the springs can wear out!!!
So here is some very good information. Carry a torque wrench and check your bolts everywhere on the trailer. Get the torque specs and keep an eye on things as you travel. An over tightened bolt can break or stretch. A loose bolt will eventually shear off. Goodsam road service was totally unwilling to help. All they could do was dispatch a tow truck. They could not offer a phone number to a local RV tech or emergency road service. I explained that the trailer would not roll but they said all they can do is tow it or change a flat tire.
You are on your own when traveling. Carry spare springs, jacks and tools. You may end up fixing it yourself!!
The first major problem I had was losing a wheel. After packing wheel bearings one spring we traveled to Colorado and other sites closer to home. No issues until the last trip of the season. One wheel totally sheared all the lug bolts off at the drum. I have no idea where along this 90 mile trip it happened but I was not aware of it until we reached the campground. Knowledge gained.....carry a torque wrench and constantly keep your wheels tightened to the appropriate torque. You will not feel or hear a loose wheel like you will on the vehicle you are ridding in. Lugnuts can become loose!!
Early this season we were heading down the WV Turnpike and I suddenly realized the trailer was rolling along rather sideways!! I stopped at the next exit and discovered the front axle was not in alignment. The bolt that runs through the springs and actually centers the spring to the axle had sheared off and was missing! The spring had actually slid apart and the axle slipped back 6 inches. I come to the realization that the u-bolts were not tight and through the thousands of miles we have pulled this trailer it allowed the pin or bolt that holds the springs together to wear thin and brake off. Now there was nothing to keep the spring centered on the axle. Luckily some good people stopped to help. They drove to a hardware store and purchased a grade 8 bolt and we were able to pull the springs back in alignment, put the head of the bolt down into the hole on the axle and then tighten everything back down I checked all the other U bolts on the other springs and two were rather loose!!!! These u-bolts are supposed to be torqued to 70-90 lbs depending on their size. It's critical they remain tight! If the axle and springs are allowed to shift then the pin in the springs can wear out!!!
So here is some very good information. Carry a torque wrench and check your bolts everywhere on the trailer. Get the torque specs and keep an eye on things as you travel. An over tightened bolt can break or stretch. A loose bolt will eventually shear off. Goodsam road service was totally unwilling to help. All they could do was dispatch a tow truck. They could not offer a phone number to a local RV tech or emergency road service. I explained that the trailer would not roll but they said all they can do is tow it or change a flat tire.
You are on your own when traveling. Carry spare springs, jacks and tools. You may end up fixing it yourself!!
Been there, not fun. Wise advice.
