Dexter 4400 bent axle replacement

[Richard Shore]

We have a 2021 Grand Design 2600 RB travel trailer with a bent Dexter 4400 lb axle. We are travelling in California and the shop we are trying to help us replace our axle has been trying to get assistance and a quote for replacement from Dexter with no follow up or definitive answer. If no response by Monday will try Grand Design. I know several posts suggest upgrading to 5200 pound or even 6000 pound axles which we are prepared to consider. No 4400 pound axle replacements to be found. Any advice would be appreciated.
Richard

 

[Hoopy Frood]

From what I've read Grand Design seems unlikely to increase the carrying capacity of your axles. But if you could show clear evidence that the present hardware is clearly not capable of safely carrying the load, then perhaps they'll acquiesce. IMO replacing the present axles with ones of increased capacity, may be show as an acknowledgement that the OEM suspension hardware was undersized to begin with. I would think the company would be unwilling to be put in that position. But I've been wrong before.

 

[SSROSS]

If you go to Dexter’s web site they have a warranty section you can fill out and they will get back to you. They have sent me four axel assemblies so far for free, the only problem is they keep bending. I asked that they send me larger axels and they said they can only send what the trailer had originally. I tried to get Grand Design to let Dexter send me larger axels and they told me Dexter specked the axels on my trailer and would not ok larger axels. So then I called Dexter and said we needed larger axels and they said they couldn’t do that because Grand Design specked the axle size and it would void my warranty if they sent larger axels. I finally bought Dexter 7k axle assemblies and installed them and so far no problems. They build these trailers with axels that have very small margin of extra capacity if any, and then they bend. I know the Dexter axels have a 5 year warranty so I think you can get them to send you another axel but it will take a week or so to get it. But like Hoopy Frood said neither company is willing to admit the mistake on axel size.

 

[huntindog]

If you go to Dexter’s web site they have a warranty section you can fill out and they will get back to you. They have sent me four axel assemblies so far for free, the only problem is they keep bending. I asked that they send me larger axels and they said they can only send what the trailer had originally. I tried to get Grand Design to let Dexter send me larger axels and they told me Dexter specked the axels on my trailer and would not ok larger axels. So then I called Dexter and said we needed larger axels and they said they couldn’t do that because Grand Design specked the axle size and it would void my warranty if they sent larger axels. I finally bought Dexter 7k axle assemblies and installed them and so far no problems. They build these trailers with axels that have very small margin of extra capacity if any, and then they bend. I know the Dexter axels have a 5 year warranty so I think you can get them to send you another axel but it will take a week or so to get it. But like Hoopy Frood said neither company is willing to admit the mistake on axel size.

This is also true for other companys. I have upsized axles on other trailers, just to get the larger bearings/brakes as they are often undersized as well.
My present Momentum is the first time I had the opportunity to upgrade the axles as a factory option. I have not heard of any other manufacturer doing that.... So IMO GD is better than the others in some models in this respect,

 

[SSROSS]

No doubt it is a problem industry wide after talking with a couple of frame shops in my area. I think most manufacturers figure 75% of these trailers are going to be used a few times a year and not a lot mileage will be put on them. So the few of us that tow them all over this country on some pretty rough highways find if you want longevity you need to beef up the suspension. What they need to do industry wide is offer an upgrade for customers that intend to live full time or want to put some serious mileage on them. I know I would have been interested in a product upgrade like that.

 

[Second Chance]

Thread moved to Axles, Brakes & Suspension.

Unless you have documented proof that an under-rated axle is the reason the axle is bent, I doubt seriously that GD will do anything about it. The most common cause of a bent axle is curbing - and it's very difficult to prove you didn't curb (and relatively easy to prove you did by marks on the tires). What does the shop think about the cause? I would not hesitate to install the 5,200 lb. axles. You don't want to go too heavy on springs, though, or it will create a very rough ride for the coach and increase the wear and tear on it. Also consider having the spring hangers beefed up/reinforced.

Rob

 

[Richard Shore]

Thanks for responses. It is a rear axle which is difficult to curb. On a previous trailer I curbed a front axle and the evidence was pretty obvious. I will talk to the service shop about a warranty claim. If I go the warranty route I will look at an axle upgrade when we return home and have time to find the most cost effective option. I am leaning towards 6000 pound axles and replacing both.

 

[Hoopy Frood]

What is the GVWR of your trailer, and what is your actual scaled weight? I agree that the 5,200 lb. axles would be a good upgrade.

 

[Second Chance]

Thanks for responses. It is a rear axle which is difficult to curb. On a previous trailer I curbed a front axle and the evidence was pretty obvious. I will talk to the service shop about a warranty claim. If I go the warranty route I will look at an axle upgrade when we return home and have time to find the most cost effective option. I am leaning towards 6000 pound axles and replacing both.

IMHO, 12,000 lbs. of axle capacity on a trailer with a GVWR 7,850 (with a little over 900 of that on the hitch) is money not well spent.

Rob

 

[Richard Shore]

The GVWR is 7850. I estimate our weight between 6500 and 7000. We are two with no pets. Carry no water in tanks and most heavy items in truck eg. bbq, fire pit, spare propane tank, compressor and golf clubs and cart.

 

[Richard Shore]

Thanks for that response. I know the 4400 pound axle is obsolete now and even grand design (in a earlier post I found) is recommending replacing the 4400 with 5200.

 

[Second Chance]

The GVWR is 7850. I estimate our weight between 6500 and 7000. We are two with no pets. Carry no water in tanks and most heavy items in truck eg. bbq, fire pit, spare propane tank, compressor and golf clubs and cart.

[MENTION=53052]Richard Shore[/MENTION] -

That just reinforces the point I'm trying to make.

Here are a few forum tips:

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Rob

 

[huntindog]

FWIW; I had a 2010 Palomino Sabre 30DBBS,
It came with 5200# axles. When I had trouble with them, I moved up tp 7000# axle/springs. That gave me heavier duty tubes, larger bearings and larger brakes. One of the best things I did to that TT.

 

[SSROSS]

Second Chance is right about GD not doing anything about the axel problem that is why you have to go directly to Dexter. It was real easy with Dexter, I made a simple little jig that allowed me to put a 2 foot level on my rims with the trailer setting on the level pad I have at home. It was real apparent the tires were tilted in over a 1/4” in two feet at the top. I took pictures of all four tires and sent them in to Dexter and a week later two new axle assemblies were at my house.

 

[Nuffsaid]

To the OP, what type of bend does your axle have? Consider finding a large truck alignment shop that can straighten the axle for you. I just straightened an axle on a customers snow mobile trailer and I don't think he did anything to it, so my guess is that the rear axle was impropperly assembled. The tires were toed in 3/8 inch. I was able to straighten the axle to where the toe in is only 1/16. This trailer had 5200 lb axles. Just out of curiosity do you know what the diameter of your axle tubes are? 2 3/8 or 3 inch? 3 inch are usually standard on 5200 lb and up with 5200 and 6000 lb axles having a 3/16 tube wall thickness and 7000 lb axles have 1/4 wall thickness normally.

 

[huntindog]

To the OP, what type of bend does your axle have? Consider finding a large truck alignment shop that can straighten the axle for you. I just straightened an axle on a customers snow mobile trailer and I don't think he did anything to it, so my guess is that the rear axle was impropperly assembled. The tires were toed in 3/8 inch. I was able to straighten the axle to where the toe in is only 1/16. This trailer had 5200 lb axles. Just out of curiosity do you know what the diameter of your axle tubes are? 2 3/8 or 3 inch? 3 inch are usually standard on 5200 lb and up with 5200 and 6000 lb axles having a 3/16 tube wall thickness and 7000 lb axles have 1/4 wall thickness normally.

IMO, I would put the alignment money towards beefier axles. Dexter and Lippert will make you pretty much whatever you as far want as far as tube size and thickness. It doesn't cost much more either. It does take some time. Or you can get a stock size of whatever you want. I think that if an axle bent once in service that it will probably bend again if straightened.... And as has already been mentioned, a lot of trailers can benefit from an axle upgrade

 

[Scott'n'Wendy]

The tires were toed in 3/8 inch. I was able to straighten the axle to where the toe in is only 1/16. This trailer had 5200 lb axles.

Sounds like the perches were welded on in the wrong spot. Shouldn't have any toe in.
5200 pound axles?!? Big enough axles for 10 sleds..lol

 

[powerscol]

Go to a 6k heavy wall axle like I did on my 220RK. Dexter can custom make them.I did the replacement myself Theses folks helped me a lot had good prices and great customer service. The are a Dexter dealer and stock a lot of stuff. https://ironbeartrailer.com/ They are just outside of Denver CO., but can ship anywhere. Going this way also get you better bigger brakes. You can keep your same rims if you order the correct hub bolt pattern. Your stock axles are light wall - stay away from them. Even the stock 5200 lb axles have the same light wall (0.16" thick)

 

[Nuffsaid]

Sounds like the perches were welded on in the wrong spot. Shouldn't have any toe in.
5200 pound axles?!? Big enough axles for 10 sleds..lol

Perches were in proper location, trailer usually has 6 sleds. Trailer still had original tires and right rear tire was worn badly and left rear wasn't much better. I put my alignment tool, Quick Trick on the hubs and found the large toe in. Customer is a friend and he told me that he has never hit anything with his trailer. Typically if an axle is toed out it is from an impact. In this case I would say the axle wasn't jigged up correctly during manufacture. It happens

 

[Richard Shore]

The RV service provider I am dealing with has sent multilple emails and made several phone calls to Dexter about replacing my bent 4400 pound axle on my 2021 Grand Design travel trailer. They got an initial response after several days but have been waiting for a week for a follow up response from Dexter on ordering a replacement axle or complete axle with hubs, etc. We are travelling and can’t wait any longer so are having a replacement axle provided through an axle manufacturer that our RV service provider has had good experience with. I will definitely be complaining to Grand Design and Dexter not that I anticipate this having any result.