|
03-02-2013, 10:32 PM
|
#1
|
Montana Fan
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: West Sand Lake
Posts: 267
M.O.C. #10232
|
New Company Opportunity !!
I have no idea how Dexter Axle got to be #1! Maybe it's because there is no competition that I know of. Wouldn't it be nice to have a company come along and manufacture axles with heavy enough and high quality wheel bearings that don't need annual service (or any service for that matter) (Dexter Never-Lube ???) More on that later. Think about it,,,, when was the last time you had to re-lube the wheel bearings on your tow vehicle? When was the last time you had to lubricate the suspension on your tow vehicle? Wet bolts anyone? I think vehicles lost them in the 1930's. Some company should have a field day putting Dexter out of business or at least make Dexter come up to the plate and make suspension products that are maintenance free. EVEN AS AN OPTION. When buying a new unit, if the dealer said " We have a heavy duty option for your unit that will eliminate most maintenance but will cost $500" I'd say "ADD IT". A new company could make axle, suspension, brake, and wheel bearing assemblies MUCH more robust and reliable with little or no maintenance. Again - at least as maintenance free as the suspension on our trucks.
Now I'm almost done... The Never_Lube bearings, poor design, two bearings that are too close together to provide lateral support (my opinion) I had to replace all of my "Never-Lube" bearings on my last unit - Big $$$$. This is just my observation.
|
|
|
03-03-2013, 02:02 AM
|
#2
|
Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
|
From the suspension point of view it's here now in IS. The problem is you can't get them or hydraulic disk brakes as an option from Keystone.
__________________
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.
|
|
|
03-03-2013, 03:05 AM
|
#3
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Lake Gaston
Posts: 8,773
M.O.C. #12156
|
Dexter does make heavier axles with sealed bearings. Unfortunately Keystone does not use them.
__________________
Mike and Lorraine
2002 3655 FL, 2005 3650RK
2010 3665RE, 2015 3910FB
F350 crew cab dually 6.7
|
|
|
03-03-2013, 03:18 AM
|
#4
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Salem
Posts: 7,552
M.O.C. #2283
|
If you went to Keystone or almost any other trailer manufacturer and told them you had a better axle but it cost more they would tell you to have a nice day and come back when you had a better axle that cost less.
Lynwood
|
|
|
03-03-2013, 03:28 AM
|
#5
|
Montana Fan
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: West Sand Lake
Posts: 267
M.O.C. #10232
|
[quote]Originally posted by mlh
If you went to Keystone or almost any other trailer manufacturer and told them you had a better axle but it cost more they would tell you to have a nice day and come back when you had a better axle that cost less.
Lynwood
Yup, I agree 100%. That is the problem. I don't think the manufacturers realize how much of a PIA it is for us to maintain the suspension systems and that many if not most of us would pay a little more for a more maintenance free system.
|
|
|
03-03-2013, 04:16 AM
|
#6
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 908
M.O.C. #7915
|
Follow the money.
|
|
|
03-03-2013, 06:49 AM
|
#7
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Kelowna
Posts: 1,475
M.O.C. #6237
|
Th reason they tell you to repack the bearings every year is that most RV sit for extended periods of time and the bearings siting like that will develop flat spots. Most people who only use their RVs on weekends in the summer and holidays but if you use yours a lot then every couple of years is OK.
|
|
|
03-03-2013, 07:21 AM
|
#8
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Sebring
Posts: 3,659
M.O.C. #9969
|
A comment on the Never-r-Lube Bearings: We had Mor/ryde put them on our 2955 when we did the IS & Disc Brake upgrade after the 2011 Fall Rally. I talked to the Tech and asked his opinion on them. His feelings were that they were OK on medium weight units such as our 2955, but he felt they would not hold up on bigger and heavier units for the reasons mentioned above by Bob. So when we have the IS added to our SOB in May we'll stay with the conventional bearing setup.
__________________
Michelle & Ann
2018 Chevy 3500HD High Country DRW 4X4 Crew Cab w/Duramax/Allison, Formally 2010 Montana 2955RL, Now Loaded 2016 SOB, Mor/ryde IS, Disc Brakes & Pin Box, Comfort Ride Hitch, Sailun 17.5 Tires.
|
|
|
03-03-2013, 07:24 AM
|
#9
|
Montana Fan
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: No. Attleboro
Posts: 338
M.O.C. #6002
|
My opinion is that to put 7k axels on a unit that has a GVWR of well over 15k is absolutely insane. I agree, someone would have a field day if they came out with something better, and more appropriate.
|
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Threads |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|