|
03-02-2016, 10:20 AM
|
#1
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Great Northwest
Posts: 25
|
Brand new trailer, rusty bolts and axle? Am I missing anything?
Hey everyone,
I had posted this inside another one of my threads but wanted to bump it out to the main page for more eyes.
I picked up our brand new trailer on Saturday. When I got home, I noticed that I had missed this during the walkthrough (head was spinning by the end of the 2 hours). I believe this is the leaf spring equalizer...but not sure. The bolts look rusted to me, and the front axle looks rusty and has a slight bow to it, making the wheels looks just a tad un-even to me (possible wobble down the road?).
Am I nuts? Paranoid? It's very possible.
I've already got an appt next week w/ the dealer for a couple of things, but will bring this up. I was hoping for your opinions as I have become extremely skeptical of anyone selling me anything.
Thoughts would be greatly appreciated. I'm happy to post other pics, etc.
Chris
|
|
|
|
Join the #1 RV Forum Today - It's Totally Free!
iRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? Do you need advice on what products to buy? Or maybe you can give others some advice? No matter where you fit in you'll find that iRV2 is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!
You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more!
|
03-02-2016, 10:45 AM
|
#2
|
Senior Member
Gulf Streamers Club
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Cincinnati
Posts: 19,925
|
While the trailer may be new to you, it could very well have been assembled months ago. Manufacturers get trailer frames or chassis to store on their back lot until they have need to assemble a complete RV. On top of that delay, your unit could have been hauled through snow, salt, and rain to the dealer, then it sat on their lot for a long period before you bought it. You might check your documents and build sheets in the RV to get an idea of date of assembly and where it traveled.
Make a detailed list of issues and questions you wish the dealer's service dept. to address. You might also prepare that list in an email to send to the manufacturer. Documentation is key in getting these things fixed in a timely fashion.
Be prepared for a lengthy process that takes some of the shine and pride off of what should be a 'fun' purchase of a recreational vehicle!
__________________
Bob & Donna
'98 Gulf Stream Sun Voyager DP being pushed by a '00 Beetle TDI
|
|
|
03-02-2016, 11:29 AM
|
#3
|
Senior Member
Outdoors RV Owners Club
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Nowhere, now here. Freedom!
Posts: 4,602
|
Axles are bowed to correct alignment issues. A bowed axle is not necessarily a bad thing. Gotta read the tires and see how it tracks.
__________________
ORV 19B Full Timer from '15 to '20, '14 Ram 2500 Diesel and a GSD. Vancouver, WA
de K7NOL 146.52Mhz Safety? (CLICK ME!)
|
|
|
03-02-2016, 01:48 PM
|
#4
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 3
|
Rusty bolts
Hello, just bought a new 2015 trailer ( last years model), it also has some rusted area on the underside. this in normal as they set out in the weather. I plan on cleaning up the rusted hardware then prime and paint. this will help, but being on the underside you will get wear and rust. Just check it out before winterizing it each year and touch up the paint. Only real cure would to use Stainless Steel hardware. Look under your truck and you will also find a lot of rusted hardware.
Take care and have fun.
Steve
|
|
|
03-02-2016, 03:49 PM
|
#5
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Upper Right Ohio.. or?
Posts: 447
|
check the tags,, the outside one and the inside one..
they will have the date the trailer was started to be built and the later date is when it was finished...( Should be)
then the title when it was set to be sold..
mine are 11/03.. second is 1/04.. titled as a 2005... so was sitting a lot . before being sold the first time.
looks like it was towed in snow/salt... so somewhat normal.
__________________
2012 Ford F 250,"XL" 6.2L Gas, 2 wheel drive. 156,000 miles
2005 Coachmen 29FKCS, Front Kitchen... 2005 Honda VTX1800F, 78,000 miles
N.E. Ohio in the Spring, Summer, Autumn.
|
|
|
03-02-2016, 03:55 PM
|
#6
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Rossville, TN
Posts: 407
|
Rustoleum makes spray paint that kills rust, and no primer needed. I've used it on many frames, and springs.
|
|
|
03-02-2016, 04:03 PM
|
#7
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,580
|
The upward bow in the axle is normal. The suspension parts will rust quickly because they are painted poorly. I spray Fluid Film on my springs and anywhere rust might start. If you will be putting a lot of miles on the RV, you will be replacing those bolts with wet bolts.
|
|
|
03-02-2016, 08:21 PM
|
#8
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 9
|
I just picked up my2016 and I have the same crusty bolts. I'm an auto body guy, 20 years worth, and I can tell you, It's all the salt and brine they put on the roads. I'm going to paint mine with PO515.
|
|
|
03-02-2016, 08:53 PM
|
#9
|
Senior Member
Country Coach Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Alberta
Posts: 1,591
|
Surface rust on the steel bolts, springs and axles is not anything to worry about; the function or strength is not affect. From looking at the pictures, the running gear is light - (4 leaf springs).
You do not say what the weight of your trailer is unloaded, and loaded. IF you are close (i.e. more than 75-80% of max for axles/tires, I would consider upgrading the shackles/bolts to a heavy duty wet bolt kit, as mentioned. Dexter makes a product that I have used on my previous trailers. Dexter heavy duty shackle kit, 33" axle spacing - example only - select your appropriate kit.
For now, you should be fine.
Hope this helps - and congrats on the new trailer.
Brian
__________________
Towr: 2007 Country Coach Allure 470 - 37 Sunset Bay Cummins 400 ISL, Coach #31563
Toad: 2016 F150 King Ranch - 3.5L EcoBoost 4x4 Supercrew (curb weight 4,775 lbs)
Toad: SOLD 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee (yes, it has a Hemi) (curb weight 4,720 lbs)
|
|
|
03-02-2016, 09:52 PM
|
#10
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Great Northwest
Posts: 25
|
BrianGlenn, here are the weight specs for this trailer, from their site:
Axle Weight (lbs.) 5,185
Hitch Weight (lbs.) 740
Dry Weight * (lbs.) 5,925
GVWR (lbs.) 9,540
Cargo Capacity (lbs.) 3,615
Everyone, thank you all for your input! It's good to hear that it's ok for now, but something to keep an eye on and most likely upgrade in the future.
I'm sure I'll have many more questions, and you've all been very accommodating and helpful. Thanks again.
Chris
__________________
=========================
2012 Winnebago Access 31RP
2016 MPG 2800QB
|
|
|
03-04-2016, 11:32 PM
|
#11
|
Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 53
|
My new 2016 (Built in mid 2015) has some rusty bolts in the same place on the springs and my trailer has always been in temperate Southern California. It was built here as well. So I'm not concerned it's only surface rust. If it bothers you you can paint them with some rust converting paint and then hit it with some black rustoleum. I haven't done that yet but I might.
As stated above the bowed axles are normal. Mine look like that and after a measured 3000 miles of use with my trailer the tire wear looks perfectly fine.
__________________
2016 PCW Panther Mini 20BBS
2001 F250 CCLB 4x4 V10
|
|
|
03-07-2016, 09:28 AM
|
#12
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 983
|
rusty bolts and axles
Our tt was the same. Lightly sanded where i could, primed with rusty primer(rust-oleum) and gloss black paint. Waited a week then sprayed entire under carriage with a product called " fluid film" avail. At most auto centers...love the stuff. Shake well prior to and during application..good luck and happy camping...
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
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 Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|