2011 Axle broke! Need info!

offshoreboater · March 15, 2021, 04:46:04 PM

My new-to-me 2011 Camplite 13QBB blew its Torflex bushings over the weekend and left me stranded. I'll post more details later. But in the meanwhile, does anyone have the specs on the axle? I have a rather poor picture of the label that I'm going off of now. It seems to be a Dexter #10, Hub Face of 72.25, Outer Bearing? Of 62.25, and at down angle of 10DT. Is this right? How long is it? What are the hub and brake specs? Thanks to anyone who can help!

offshoreboater · March 15, 2021, 04:48:52 PM

Sorry for posting same photo twice. I meant to post this instead.

Merlin · March 15, 2021, 08:17:24 PM

Wow, that's awful! Post a clear photo of the axle label and folks on here will be able to help you out. If you can get the axle number from the label, you can also get all the relevant info from Dexter or etrailer.com. I can't read enough of the label right now. I do know you can buy the entire axle assembly with hubs installed and ready to go from etrailer.com. You just have to know the axle model number. Was there any other damage to the trailer or tires or wheels?

Edit: Now that I've looked at the posted photos more carefully, I wonder if there is another label on the axle with the model number and weight rating? Look carefully on both sides of the axle and post anything that's there. And I also see the ruined tire. Looks like a bad day all around.

What's the history of the trailer?

offshoreboater · March 15, 2021, 08:59:15 PM

Thanks Merlin. I'll put up photos of the axle as soon as I get back to it, should be this weekend. Right now the trailer is parked 2 hours away. I don't know much about the trailer. I was hunting for one for just over a year. We found this one at Indian Valley Camping Center in Pennsylvania. It appears as though it spent quite a lot of time parked in a field if I were to guess.

Helpful hint for anyone else who owns one of these: rats and mice can easily get on top of the black tank and get into the trailer through the large opening of the toilet pluming passing through the floor. It is not sealed around at all. Ask me how I know.

I'm learning a lot about the trailer quickly!

PDX David · March 16, 2021, 02:10:26 AM

This is axle label on my 2016 CL 16TBS

I note it has same 2264248 number as yours, but not sure if that means yours has the same 2,500 capacity. Also, there is a serial number stamped in the axle itself. From this number (also on my label) Dexter can give you all the specs on the axle.

On a road trip through Alaska a couple of years ago I experienced some tire issues which led me to discover my trailer was built with an undersized Dexter Torflex axle (2,500#). Should have been one rated at 4,500#. Replaced under warranty, but such a hassle. Whole story here: https://www.livinlite.com/forum/index.php/topic,983.msg4298.html#msg4298

Two lessons learned from my experience.

Don't believe the trailer stickers about maximum loaded weight.
Crawl under and look at the sticker on the axle to confirm maximum load rating matches that of other stickers on trailer regarding load capacity.

Double check the weight rating labels on your trailer to confirm the trailer was built with the right size axle.

If you come to believe the axle was underrated for the trailer, you need to follow up with the folks that now own the brand: KZ-RV.com and pursue a warranty repair. It took a few calls and emails to get them to accept that this was a manufacturing error that exposed me to significant risk and make good on replacing with a proper size axle (4,500# in my case) and new/bigger tires and rims.

Good Luck.......David

Pinstriper · March 16, 2021, 11:34:20 PM

Back in the good ole days, that trailer would have a pair of 3500's

offshoreboater · March 17, 2021, 06:38:05 PM

I'll check the axle as soon as I get it back. Right now it is parked at a less than positively reviewed mega-dealership. I dropped it off out there of desperation, as at the time (a Friday night) I had to identify someone that would take it in the middle off the night and was willing to do the work. They were the only ones I could find at that hour that were willing to take it. Im grateful I could leave it there, but after we really talked they can't even think about starting the work for another month. It will likely be over 6 weeks. So, I have a plan to get it on Sunday. It's a little crazy, but desperate times...

offshoreboater · March 17, 2021, 06:41:34 PM

Pinstriper, yes thank goodness it is a "good ol days" trailer. That's why I bought it! At some point I'd like to put up a YouTube video "tour" of it, as they don't get enough credit in my opinion. At least not in comparison to the Airstreams, Scamps and Casitas out there.

Merlin · March 17, 2021, 10:07:33 PM

I assume that's a bracket you plan to put over the broken axle to get clearance for the tire to tow it yourself? Hmmmm............

Camper trailers are transported all the time to/from dealers and buyers/sellers. Ask at the dealership where it's at now for a recommendation on a transport company to haul it for you. They will winch it up on the trailer, take it wherever you want it to go, and pull it off. WAY safer!

I have no idea about collateral damage from the axle breaking, but if everything else is intact and you have the tools like a torque wrench and jack stands, it's a job you could do yourself in your driveway. As I mentioned earlier, the axles are available as complete units for bolt on installation.

When I visited the Wakarusa, Indiana factory in 2014 there were rows and rows of various capacity axles siting out in the fields ready to install. I could see how a capacity mix up could occur, so when you replace the axle make sure it's high enough capacity and don't just automatically put in the same one (which may be wrong). There is a sticker on the tongue that gives the trailer GVWR and that's determined in part by the axle rating. If the sticker on the tongue indicates 3000lbs (per the specs on the original LL web site) and you have a 2500LB axle (per PDX David's surmise) you have the wrong axle. I'm eager to see the weight rating sticker on the axle.

Pinstriper · March 17, 2021, 11:26:57 PM

Quote from: offshoreboater on March 17, 2021, 06:41:34 PM
Pinstriper, yes thank goodness it is a "good ol days" trailer. That's why I bought it! At some point I'd like to put up a YouTube video "tour" of it, as they don't get enough credit in my opinion. At least not in comparison to the Airstreams, Scamps and Casitas out there.

I was actually commenting on the 16 that was mentioned, LOL.

But hey, while you're at it, now is the time to go dual axles on your 13 !

offshoreboater · March 21, 2021, 10:00:11 PM

Success! I put a lift block under the collapsed side of the axle this morning and drove two hours home with it. Took it slow, check the bolts and lugnuts on the spare constantly. It worked really well, the trailer was only slightly higher on the lifted side than the "normal" side. As soon as I got it home I pulled the numbers of the axle. I'll try to order a new one tomorrow. Plus two new tires.

Merlin · March 22, 2021, 11:11:29 AM

Glad you got it home safely. Be sure to get an axle of the correct capacity and don't assume LL used the right one.

LoneWolf04 · March 23, 2021, 01:52:40 PM

Glad you got it home safely!

I think this is a warning to anyone looking at purchasing or has any type of camper. I just pulled my bearings to clean/inspect/repack and check the brake condition over the weekend since I bought this camper used last fall. I found out several interesting things when comparing all numbers on the trailer frame, to the axles installed, to the brakes.

1) My 2013 16DB says 5k lb max GVWR. 2500 lb per axle.

2) My factory axles still with the livin lite / dexter stickers with correct build date indicate I have 3k lb alxes.

3) At some point the brakes were replaced and upgraded from 3k lb brakes (10" x 1 3/4") to 3500 lb axle brakes (10" x 2 1/4") and drums to accommodate the wider shoe. Whether it was intentional or the place it was serviced only stocked the more common 3500 lb components, not sure. All components are the same (bearings, seals, magnets, etc.), except for the wider shoes and drum.

Just found a lot more interesting things that I was expecting while doing a deep dive. These are used campers at this point and parts have been changed, so be aware of what you have and should have and what has been done to your specific unit.

offshoreboater · March 23, 2021, 05:40:08 PM

I pulled the info from the axle called Dexter. It's a 2,500lb axle. And yes, it is the axle that LL installed on the trailer, I confirmed that as well. So, even in 2011 LL installed an axle that isn't up to the GVWR of the trailer. 🤬

Ordered a replacement today through a local company. Got a 3,500 lb axle and went with a 32 degree down angle.

Merlin · March 23, 2021, 08:34:02 PM

Quote from: offshoreboater on March 23, 2021, 05:40:08 PM
I pulled the info from the axle called Dexter. It's a 2,500lb axle. And yes, it is the axle that LL installed on the trailer, I confirmed that as well. So, even in 2011 LL installed an axle that isn't up to the GVWR of the trailer. 🤬

Ordered a replacement today through a local company. Got a 3,500 lb axle and went with a 32 degree down angle.

Well, at least you now know why it failed. I don't think LL or subsequent owners of LL should be allowed to get away with a serious safety defect like this. I hope you file a report with the NHTSA and also contact KZ RV. As far as I'm concerned they owe you an axle plus installation. With a safety defect this serious, it's not a warranty issue, it's a potential recall issue.

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/VehicleComplaint/

https://www.kz-rv.com/contact-us/contact-customer-service.html