Safety Issue!! Cracked axle hanger

[david2015]

I don't really know what the stock trailer looks like... is the blue component the actual lift kit, and everything else is part of the basic trailer?

Thanks,

David

[david2015]

Question:  What is that little scabbed-on piece of scrap that I have highlighted in the red box?

Please tell me that it is not part of the stock trailer...

[david2015]

That blue component does not provide much in the way limiting its lateral distortion.  Viewed down the long axis, it looks like a nice, regular rectangle bar.  However, when you push on the side of the trailer, that piece will distort into more of a non-orthogonal parallelogram.  

Sure, it probably won't distort by much, but without something like an x-brace inside the blue bar, it will distort some.

The matching surface on the axle cannot really distort very much in this manner, so it would be reasonable for the LL engineers to not build to handle distortion of that component.

I can't thank you enough for sharing your experience here!  I have learned quite a bit of useful information because you decided to contribute your experience to the group.

Best,

David

[daplumbr]

[quote source="/post/15507/thread" timestamp="1443278388" author="@david2015"]Question:  What is that little scabbed-on piece of scrap that I have highlighted in the red box?

Please tell me that it is not part of the stock trailer...

[spot1]

On our CampLite 11, the Dexter mounting brackets are the same width as the trailer frame. Looks like an aluminum rectangular tube cut out for the Dexter mounting brackets to bolt into and the aluminum cut out tube is welded on the frame. Everything looks solid with no weld cracks. Probably have close to 20,000 miles on this trailer weighing in at 2000 pounds ready to camp, 300 pounds tongue weight, with 2200 pound capacity Dexter axle.

[a href="http://s657.photobucket.com/user/vstromklr/media/2015/IMG_8556_zpsfans0aqz.jpg.html"]

[img style="max-width:100%;" src="http://i657.photobucket.com/albums/uu299/vstromklr/2015/IMG_8555_zpsxhn10iov.jpg"][/a]

[david2015]

It looks like Bill's axle bracket on the trailer lines up perfectly well with the mounting bracket on the axle.

It is possible that the trailer frame didn't match the trailer, and that the factory scabbed on that little part instead of rejecting the frame or axle.

I can't imagine an engineer intentionally designing in a piece like that.


David

[daplumbr]

I agree on the assessment of that scabbed in piece of boxed aluminum. That looks weird, like something didn't line up right on that VRV and they assembled it anyway. On my Camplite, the frame and axle mount line up like on Bill's. I can imagine that extra welded on piece not being perfectly squared up and placing extra stress on a weld when the bolts were tightened. It's a really critical joint to get right!

[joanne]

[quote timestamp="1443278388" source="/post/15507/thread" author="@david2015"]Question:  What is that little scabbed-on piece of scrap that I have highlighted in the red box?

Please tell me that it is not part of the stock trailer...

[ulrich]

I can assure you that the blue steel tube used in the lift is incredibly stiff and has virtually no lateral distortion. That little aluminum  "stabbed on piece of scrap" is indeed a factory installation by LivinLite. I can only imagine that it was an afterthought to make up for a design mistake. The problem is with a poor design, and an even poorer fix.

As for the water tank, they were very good about sending me a new one, although all the fittings are in the wrong spots and it cannot be mounted without considerable modifications to the tank.