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06-15-2019, 06:10 PM
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#1
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Raymond
Posts: 57
M.O.C. #17519
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Broken Axle
Was leaving for Sebago Campground in Maine today on the road for 30 minutes going 55 after setting the cruise control, when I looked out the window and saw smoke. My kids said they heard me say Fu..,Fu..,Fu..Fu.. I then saw my tire passing me on the drivers side I swerved to keep it from hitting me as it passed in front of me and into the woods. My first thought was the lug nuts or a bearing failure. I got off the road to look and the axle sheared right off. I never hit anything and the break was clean metal not rusted. I spent 5 hours with progressive trying to find someone who could tow me. I requested a flat bed trailer as the RV dealer told me not to let them just try to tow it. I believe I'm at 13,500 pounds. The guy that finally showed up with a tow truck couldn't even lift it off the ground. I had to tow it myself to his Fathers house that was 1/4 mile down the road. It's a 2004 34 foot Montana Fifth Wheel
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06-15-2019, 06:37 PM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: 1000 oaks
Posts: 949
M.O.C. #19630
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WOW!
Just WOW!
__________________
2011 2955RL Gen-Y Executive Kingpin
2022 GMC 2500HD Duramax/Alison
4X4 Crew Cab/Standard bed.
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06-15-2019, 07:04 PM
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#3
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
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That's not good! We use Coach-net for our road service provider and they will get you a flat bed and/or a wrecker if both need to be towed.
__________________
Dick, Joyce, Diego, Picatso and Gustav
2017 3720 RL, and 2013 HC 343RL
Pullrite Hitch, IS, Disk Brakes, 3rd AC, Winegard Traveler, Bathroom door mod, Dometic 320, couch for desk swap, replaced chairs, sun screens, added awnings, etc.
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06-15-2019, 07:24 PM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: westminster md
Posts: 2,318
M.O.C. #17894
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This makes me one step closer to the Mor ryde IS
__________________
2018 Chevy 3500 LTZ Dually Diesel 4x4 CCLB
2011 Montana 3455 SA. 6 point level up. Disc brakes. Curt Q24 Hitch. 5 step glow steps
Progressive EMS. Valterra tank valves. Sailun G637 tires. ARP fridge control. All led lighting. Mor Ryde IS
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06-15-2019, 08:23 PM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: McKinney
Posts: 7,159
M.O.C. #6433
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In all these years of following RV forums I have never seen any thing like that. Spindle breaking off due to a seized or over heated bearing, yeah. But never an axle break off.
Broke right at the U bolt. And looking at that it appears the nuts on that one were tightened down much farther than the inside one. Wonder if someone overtightened that U bolt and weakened the axle tube? But that is pure speculation with no basis on fact.
__________________
Bill & Patricia
Riley, our Golden
2007 3075RL (recently sold, currently without)
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06-15-2019, 08:50 PM
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#6
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Site Team
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Oro Valley
Posts: 3,923
M.O.C. #20477
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Looks like the collateral damage was not bad.
__________________
Zack and Donna plus Millie and Ranger
2018 3160RL
"Life is too short to stay indoors, enjoy the ride!"
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06-15-2019, 08:58 PM
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#7
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Raymond
Posts: 57
M.O.C. #17519
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BB_TX
In all these years of following RV forums I have never seen any thing like that. Spindle breaking off due to a seized or over heated bearing, yeah. But never an axle break off.
Broke right at the U bolt. And looking at that it appears the nuts on that one were tightened down much farther than the inside one. Wonder if someone overtightened that U bolt and weakened the axle tube? But that is pure speculation with no basis on fact.
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Well I put those leaf springs on myself so maybe I did tighten them too much.
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06-15-2019, 09:09 PM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Olympia
Posts: 1,058
M.O.C. #9441
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Looks like a lot of salt damage. Either road salt or parked by salt water. Not something you want to happen when rolling down the road.
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2020 Ram 3500, 2022 Luxe 38GFB,2500w Solar with Victron equipment, Gen Y Pinbox
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06-15-2019, 09:10 PM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Catoosa
Posts: 778
M.O.C. #18384
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Looks like that's pretty thin wall thickness on that axle. How close to max weight are you? 15 years of crashing into pot holes on our fine roads can sure take a toll on equipment. I have never seen a 5th wheel on a flat bed, that would be 16 or 17 feet tall. I wonder if wreckers are exempt from weight and height regulations. Glad no one was hurt.
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2015 3100RL legacy...2005 Ford F-250 CC SB. Tows like a charm! 4/19 Updated to 2017 Chevy 3500 CC SB SRW -hope it tows as well as my F 250 did!
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06-16-2019, 05:24 AM
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#10
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Arlington
Posts: 1,522
M.O.C. #18081
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Theunz
Looks like that's pretty thin wall thickness on that axle. How close to max weight are you? 15 years of crashing into pot holes on our fine roads can sure take a toll on equipment. I have never seen a 5th wheel on a flat bed, that would be 16 or 17 feet tall. I wonder if wreckers are exempt from weight and height regulations. Glad no one was hurt.
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Wreckers are not exempt from height restrictions and permits. Their liability is high. Our appointment is September can’t get here soon enough.
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06-16-2019, 05:31 AM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Hixson
Posts: 3,436
M.O.C. #11397
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dadnjesse
Well I put those leaf springs on myself so maybe I did tighten them too much.
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These should not be "tightened" but should be torqued.
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2018.5 Montana 3791RD
Full Timers 9/1/2010 through 1/16/2020.
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06-16-2019, 07:14 AM
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#12
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Northport
Posts: 624
M.O.C. #12724
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It would be interesting to take the wheel and drum off the backer plate to see if bearing or something about brakes came apart to lock wheel up.
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Paul Northport,AL W4XH
2013 358 RLT Mountaineer
2008 Silverado Duramax
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06-16-2019, 07:26 AM
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#13
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Upstate NY
Posts: 1,788
M.O.C. #14547
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Years back we had an axle failure not too far from where the OPs came apart. In my case it was a big/heavy p'up. The cause was a poor weld - insufficient penetration and worse, a weld void on the bottom side then to top it off, the bumpy Maine road we were on ......
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Dave W
2014 Montana High Country 343RL (Sold!)
2011 Ford 6.7 Lariat CCLB (Went to PU Heaven)
2019 F150SC XLT SE Sport,w/full tow package
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06-16-2019, 07:30 AM
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#14
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Montana Fan
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Livermore
Posts: 492
M.O.C. #17391
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Glad you are ok and no one got hurt except your wallet. When you get home I would replace the other axle just to be safe.
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06-16-2019, 08:01 AM
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#15
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Raymond
Posts: 57
M.O.C. #17519
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I think I'm just going to fix it then trade it in on a newer unit
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06-16-2019, 08:33 AM
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#16
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Montana Fan
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Lakewood
Posts: 387
M.O.C. #24110
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Wow, glad no one got hurt in the whole ordeal.
__________________
2023 Jayco North Point 310RLTS
2022 GMC Denali Ultimate DRW
Retired Army MSG
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06-16-2019, 10:09 AM
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#17
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Tyler
Posts: 186
M.O.C. #20704
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DANG! Wow! Sure looks like thin axle tubing! Just DANG! I wish I hadn't seen this. Glad everyone is OK.
__________________
Maxwell and Beverly Dow
2018 3730FL 2020 Ram 3500 Dually SWB
"Prairie Schooner"
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06-16-2019, 10:11 AM
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#18
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Tyler
Posts: 186
M.O.C. #20704
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Quote:
Originally Posted by psomers
It would be interesting to take the wheel and drum off the backer plate to see if bearing or something about brakes came apart to lock wheel up.
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Since they saw smoke first, that would be my bet.
__________________
Maxwell and Beverly Dow
2018 3730FL 2020 Ram 3500 Dually SWB
"Prairie Schooner"
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06-16-2019, 07:27 PM
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#19
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Gardnerville
Posts: 1,252
M.O.C. #17163
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Axles not enough for weight?
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06-16-2019, 11:37 PM
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#20
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Rancho Santa Margarita
Posts: 633
M.O.C. #13025
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If this is the only problem you are having with the trailer I would consider buying a couple of new axles and be done with it. I think the newer rigs are not built as well. My older trailer meets my needs!
__________________
Russ and Linda, So. California
2004 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD, D/A, SRW, SB
2005 2955RL, Pullrite Superglide 16K hitch. Bridgestone Duravis R500 tires. EZ Flex Equilizers with wet bolts.EMS HW50C, Disk brakes
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