U bolt concerns

[beatcop49]

I just purchased a 2015 Reflection 308 Travel Trailer...haven't even picked it up yet. I've been reading of some of the hiccups and issues, most which do not bother me. I have read about a few issues with the axle U Bolts. My wife is a travel nurse and we are currently on contract, 2500 miles from home. We are trading in our current travel trailer for the new Reflection. We have to have this trailer to live in...we do not have time to leave it for days at a dealer for repairs. I was wondering if this U bolt problem is specific to the 5vers or is it general to all Grand Design products, and if so, has it been resolved.

 

[huntr70]

There are no recurring issues with any U bolts on Grand Design products...

 

[Justaguy]

huntr70, I was hoping you would see this and comment. It is good having someone in your position commenting on stuff like this.

Thanks.

 

[beatcop49]

I appreciate it. That was my only real worry. I'm kind of excited about picking it up. We've been in a 23 foot TT since May of last year.

 

[agoutdoors]

I just purchased a 2015 Reflection 308 Travel Trailer...haven't even picked it up yet. I've been reading of some of the hiccups and issues, most which do not bother me. I have read about a few issues with the axle U Bolts. My wife is a travel nurse and we are currently on contract, 2500 miles from home. We are trading in our current travel trailer for the new Reflection. We have to have this trailer to live in...we do not have time to leave it for days at a dealer for repairs. I was wondering if this U bolt problem is specific to the 5vers or is it general to all Grand Design products, and if so, has it been resolved.

So far, it appears that I am the only one that has had an axle become dislodged from its mount (likely due to the U bolts not being tight enough), hopefully that means its an isolated situation. It would be easy to have a mechanic put a torque wrench on them to make sure they are at the manufacturer's specified torque rating. Lippert Components makes the frame and axle assembly for GD on the 5th wheels, so check to see who is doing the travel trailers when you get there, but I am going to guess that its the same company.

 

[Sirsea]

This is our fourth camper in about 6 years and I always check the torque on the lug nuts, shackle bolts and axle u-bolts as soon as I get it home and after the first 100 miles. Surprising how often you have to tighten some of them until you get a couple thousand miles on the rig. After that I check torque settings before every trip, along with air pressure, etc.

 

[Bigtime]

Just today I completely lost the hex head correct track bolt that holds the spring in the shackle that is welded to the frame. We were very lucky that the axle wrapped forward and not backward so that I could still tow and make it to a dealer for repair. Just happened to notice that my trailer was dog legging behind me and started to sway a lot. All I can say is thank goodness for 4 seasons RV in Kansas as they had me fixed and back on the road in no time.

 

[scott42blue]

Bigtime
There is a recall on some GD Toy Haulers. My 355 TH was one them. It involves the exact bolt you are talking about. GD came across with flying colors on mine. Overnight shipping, payed for everything. I could not have asked for anything more. Contact then with your VIN #. If yours is part of recall I bet $ 100 they will take care of it.
Good Luck
Scott

 

[minnow101]

I just checked the bolts on our new 27RL and a couple of the nuts on the U bolts, I could tighten a quarter turn or so. Other's were tight as could be.

 

[arhayes]

Are the torque specs for the correct trak and shackle bolts in the owners manual? Don't have mine handy, but I do know the specs on my wheels. Have a 380TH. Thanks.

 

[Bigtime]

Bigtime
There is a recall on some GD Toy Haulers. My 355 TH was one them. It involves the exact bolt you are talking about. GD came across with flying colors on mine. Overnight shipping, payed for everything. I could not have asked for anything more. Contact then with your VIN #. If yours is part of recall I bet $ 100 they will take care of it.
Good Luck
Scott

I know that the dealer who fixed me never asked for any money. Just told him when I purchased it and he covered it under warranty. I will call GD tomorrow about the recall though because my tires are pretty worn from the small tow that I had to make to get it to the dealer. Thanks for the info.

 

[Bigtime]

Are the torque specs for the correct trak and shackle bolts in the owners manual? Don't have mine handy, but I do know the specs on my wheels. Have a 380TH. Thanks.

The specs are not in my owners manual. I had to look in the manual for the actual axle and they are 30ft lbs for shackle bolts and 50ft lbs for U bolts. I haven't looked at new rigs
But does the 380 come with 3 axles for 2015 just like the 385 now does?

 

[arhayes]

Thanks. Found them. Forgot I'd saved the Lippert manual from the thumb drive onto my laptop.


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[arhayes]

One was labelled a 2015 when I bought it last August, but it has the 2 heavier duty axles


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[arhayes]

SRI - Mine - not "one"


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