alsimon96
Branson, MO
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Joined: 01/31/2004
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We had a bad experience on the way from South Texas to Missouri. South of Dallas the right front wheel on our Open Road 357 left the trailer. We did not know that it happened and we estimate that we drove another 20 miles with only one wheel on the right side. We discovered the missing wheel when we stopped to eat. Apparently the bearing gave way and allowed the entire assembly to depart. The nut that holds the bearing in place was still there. There was no other damage to the trailer. Lucky for us, I was not driving fast and I had Michelin XPS Ribs on all four wheels. The remaining wheel on the right side held up or we would have had a real mess.
We have a 2005 Open Road 357. We got it in August 2004 so it is 4 1/2 years old. My friends tell me this should never happen. Insurance will cover all but $1000 deductible. The suspension system is the Dexter Torflex with the Never-Lube hubs. My question to all of you is this: Do you think Dexter would have any obligation to cover some or all of my deductible? I have to assume everything is out of warranty at this time but since my friends feel that something like this should never happen, is it possible that they would feel some sort of obligation?
The RV Dealer is going to replace the entire axle. They don't want to take a chance on the spindle because it could have been damaged by the bearing.
Thanks for any comments.
2004 Silverado 2500HD Crew Cab, D/A, 4WD, Timbrens. Bilstein Shocks
2005 Open Road 357, Pullrite Superglide, Morryde Pin Box, Roto-Choks, Prodigy Controller
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cwit
Upstate New York
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Have you a record of having the bearings done sence 2005 if not ????
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georgej
Canby, Oregon
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I beleive that the Neverlube axles have a 5 year/100000 mile warranty on them. Give Dexter a call.
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Drifter_59
Mooresville, NC
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Joined: 11/30/2006
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I had this happen to me on a utility trailer. The bearing froze up and actualy chewed away at the hub until the wheel left the axle...nut still in place (on the axle and behind the steering wheel..LOL). Check the warranty...you may be covered.
Enjoying Life with the 4 legged pal, Dexter (boxer/lab mix).
The Mule - '06 Chev 2500 HD, CC, SB, LT2, 6.0L, 4.10, Bilsteins
The Wagon - '07 JayFlight 30.5 RLS
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marvmarcy
Polson, MT, USA
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I would be concerned about the condition of the other bearings. Replacing the front axle is a good idea, but I would also replace at least the rear bearings. I've always been wary of "never lube" parts in any application. I know of numerous catastrophic failures caused by parts wearing out because of lubricant loss and contamination with debris.
Several of us on the Escapees heavy duty truck forum are replacing the steering drag link on our Volvo trucks after one member had a drag link fail and lost all steering control while on the highway. Volvo had installed "never lube" drag links that have had numerous catastrophic failures. Loosing steering is a serious problem in any vehicle, but especially so in a 80,000lb tractor-trailer on a busy highway.
2001 Volvo VNL42T420, ISX450/1650, super 10sp w/GearMaster
2003 Newmar Mountain Aire 38RLRK (20K GVWR, tandem duals)
Piaggio MP3 400 scooter
RVing since 1979 - Fulltime since 2000 (mostly CO, MT, NC & Key West)
Retired USAF
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Chris
Shelter Bay, Wa
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Joined: 12/19/2000
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Also replace the remaining XPS RIB on that side. It was overloaded for many miles. Get an infrared heat gun and check the tires and hubs when you stop each time. You can also check things like rear diff temps.
I took it on the boat one summer and found a back injector on a friend's boat. One of the exhaust ports was really cold compared to the others.
Use it to check electric motor temps on my RC truck.
Many uses! Harbor Frieght, Radio Shack, NAPA all sell them. Mine is from NAPA.
Chris
My Rig
2001.5 2500 STD CAB AUTO SLT 4x4, CTD 4:10's, Bomb'd to Tow
2005 Cardinal 29WBLX.
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Fire5er
Port Orchard, WA
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Total agree about the need and use of infrared heat gun. Use mine ever stop.
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Bryce88
Manti, Utah
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I bet you will never buy the cheap tires again, I would say you definently got your money worth out of that tire that held all the weight without his buddy rolling in front of him.
2005 28ft Coachmen fiver
2008 Dodge 3500 Quad Cab DRW 6.7 cummins 6 Speed
2005 Kawasaki brute force 750 4+4
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lynndiwagon
Yukon, Oklahoma, USA
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Joined: 01/28/2004
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I had the same exact thing happen. Was coming back from RGV and discovered wheel missing during a rest stop. You're really in a pickle. Can't tow it, can't replace a blow out, etc. I ended up driving about 90 miles on one wheel to San Antonio....really slow. Thinking about the remaining wheel blowing out and the results is very stressful. Had to replace the entire axle because spindle was damaged. I now take that annual wheel bearing maintenance very seriously. I remove each wheel and bearings, clean, inspect, re-pack every year even though they seem OK. Glad you didn't have any more problems. BTW, tires were Uniroyal Laredo's, LT, E rated. Good luck.
Lynn & Diana Wagoner
One Shih Tszu
Two Boston Terriers
2005 Chevy 2500HD D/A
2006 HHII 29.5LKTG
Retired Gov't employee
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ol Bombero-JC
USA
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Joined: 06/24/2004
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Fire5er wrote:Total agree about the need and use of infrared heat gun. Use mine ever stop.
Heat gun is good, but in conjunction with -
Pressure Pro . . you don't wait until you stop!
If the tire still had correct pressure but separated from the rig, you would lose the signal to the PP from that tire.
Since Escapees was mentioned, if you go over there you
will see pics of an "almost gone"!
Bearing failed going down the road, tire caught fire - fortunately
another driver alerted the TV driver and he was able to extinguish fire in time to save his trlr.
Escapees HDT Forum, pics on page 5 of ongoing thread):
"Where is Kechup (Vanilla, Mayo)" by "hjsdds"
~
JC
* This post was
edited 04/03/09 01:03pm by ol Bombero-JC *
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