timf3
Newbie RV’er
Posts: 2
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Post by timf3 on Jul 15, 2021 12:36:59 GMT -5
Good afternoon
We recently purchased our first TT for my family. It’s a 2011 KZ Spree Superlite. We went to the dealership to pick it up and everything was fine there. Now to preface this I tow an open equipment trailer most of the year. It’s only about 20’, so this one is about 32’ and a big box behind me. But, we’re driving home from the dealership we bought it from and I notice in my driver side mirror that my rear axle wheel seemed a little wobbly when I bent slow around the turn. I even made mention to my wife of this. But as soon as I got to full speed which was around 50mph it seemed to smooth out. I also told my wife that maybe it was my nerves getting to me, slight paranoia since I have not towed anything large before. But not two minutes later the rear wheel fell off. Now I’ve seemed to read that this is an issue with trailers in general, nothing that happened all the time, but enough where there is plenty of information to find on the internet about it. Thank God the wheel flew off and didn’t hit and kill someone driving behind me. I called the dealership immediately and tried to talk to my salesman who didn’t really seem to care and basically brushed me off and sent me to the service desk. That guy also barely seemed to care, but did send someone to pick up the trailer. It is currently back at the dealership getting every stud and lug replaced. They are also trying to see if we can get a new rear skirt since that got severely damaged. The dealership will also be dropping the unit off. My issue is basically I’ve driven my own open trailers for about 15 years. Never once having a wheel fall off. Getting a flat absolutely, also that was on a set of tires that I knew I needed to replace and did so after I got that flat. But how do a calm my nerves literally the very first time I drove this trailer a wheel came off. It just makes me extremely nervous to trust it in the future. I even made sure I basically bought the best sway hitch they had to offer just to put my mind a little more at ease while driving.
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Post by Soleman on Jul 15, 2021 19:46:24 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum and congrats on the new rig,
I'm sorry to hear you had troubles with your new trailer and glad to hear nobody was hurt!
Sounds like your Dealer is taking care of the immediate issue though.
I recommend you do a search on this forum for a PDI Pre-delivery Inspection - check list.
I know this is after the fact and buying a used trailer there probably isn't much they will cover in warranty. But if you are a do it yourself type of person, then at least once you're done with the check list you will feel more at ease knowing that you checked everything you could.
If you don't do it yourself, I would take it to someone other than the guy you bought it from for the inspection.
I hope all goes well and you have safe travels,
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Post by lynnmor on Jul 15, 2021 20:20:08 GMT -5
You cannot put any trailer in service, new or used, until you completely service the brakes and bearings. As you found out the hard way, these things are cheap and everyone involved is only concerned about the profits. Of course the rest of the trailer is suspect, but those things that involve safety needs addressed first. Usually you can get them home to do the work, but you didn’t even have that much LUCK.
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Post by Edd505 on Jul 15, 2021 20:29:37 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum and congrats on the new rig, I'm sorry to hear you had troubles with your new trailer and glad to hear nobody was hurt! Sounds like your Dealer is taking care of the immediate issue though. I recommend you do a search on this forum for a PDI Pre-delivery Inspection - check list. I know this is after the fact and buying a used trailer there probably isn't much they will cover in warranty. But if you are a do it yourself type of person, then at least once you're done with the check list you will feel more at ease knowing that you checked everything you could. If you don't do it yourself, I would take it to someone other than the guy you bought it from for the inspection. I hope all goes well and you have safe travels, This is good advice and wheels falling off is not common. I have pulled 5W's from 28-36ft 100K w/o issue but I do my maintenance. The wheel fell off for lack of wheel bearing maintenance, tire replaced and lugs not torqued, or that wheel /axle damaged hitting something I'd have to see pictures. Obviously the dealer didn't do a very good inspection before they sold it to you. If your not mechanical have a friend over when it's delivered and check the wheels and axles. |
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Post by jfspry58 on Jul 15, 2021 22:46:53 GMT -5
Congratulations on the new rig and welcome to the group! Sorry you had trouble on your first trip, but as Edd said above, there had to be a pre-existing issue. I’ve been towing 5th wheels and travel trailers for 20+ years plus every other imaginable kind of trailer for longer than that and have never lost a wheel. Now rear axles/wheels on trucks... that’s a whole ‘nother matter! But seriously, as was previously stated, be sure to check everything over carefully, especially the bearings and brakes and service everything as needed. Then do this on a regular basis and you should be fine. Safe travels and best of luck in the future!
Jay
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Post by nvguy on Jul 15, 2021 22:52:40 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum, and very sorry to hear of this lousy start.
Short answer is this does not happen often. Don't let this scare you off.
In all my years (10) in the RV biz the dealership I worked for had one wheel come off a customer's coach. After that anytime wheels were removed a second tech double checked the first guy- my work included and I was the working foreman.
Ask the service department a yes or no question: Did you remove the drums, inspect and pack the wheel bearings?
If the answer is no, either you or you and a mechanically experienced friend or a shop you trust inspect and pack the bearings.
If the answer is yes (and they seem truthful) either you or you and a mechanically experienced friend give things a quick review. Jack it up, make sure the bearings and brakes are adjusted correctly.
Retorque the wheels, recheck them after about 50 or so miles and any time a wheel is removed.
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Post by laknox on Jul 16, 2021 9:49:47 GMT -5
Good afternoon We recently purchased our first TT for my family. It’s a 2011 KZ Spree Superlite. We went to the dealership to pick it up and everything was fine there. Now to preface this I tow an open equipment trailer most of the year. It’s only about 20’, so this one is about 32’ and a big box behind me. But, we’re driving home from the dealership we bought it from and I notice in my driver side mirror that my rear axle wheel seemed a little wobbly when I bent slow around the turn. I even made mention to my wife of this. But as soon as I got to full speed which was around 50mph it seemed to smooth out. I also told my wife that maybe it was my nerves getting to me, slight paranoia since I have not towed anything large before. But not two minutes later the rear wheel fell off. Now I’ve seemed to read that this is an issue with trailers in general, nothing that happened all the time, but enough where there is plenty of information to find on the internet about it. Thank God the wheel flew off and didn’t hit and kill someone driving behind me. I called the dealership immediately and tried to talk to my salesman who didn’t really seem to care and basically brushed me off and sent me to the service desk. That guy also barely seemed to care, but did send someone to pick up the trailer. It is currently back at the dealership getting every stud and lug replaced. They are also trying to see if we can get a new rear skirt since that got severely damaged. The dealership will also be dropping the unit off. My issue is basically I’ve driven my own open trailers for about 15 years. Never once having a wheel fall off. Getting a flat absolutely, also that was on a set of tires that I knew I needed to replace and did so after I got that flat. But how do a calm my nerves literally the very first time I drove this trailer a wheel came off. It just makes me extremely nervous to trust it in the future. I even made sure I basically bought the best sway hitch they had to offer just to put my mind a little more at ease while driving. Man, I feel for you. Were it me, I'd be talking to them about simply returning the rig, since you now have no confidence in it, and in them as a dealership, and are wondering what =else= they either missed, covered up or bandaided. "Trying to see if we can get a new rear skirt" is probably b.s. There are several companies that make replacement skirts (and probably provide new OEM product), so it shouldn't be too much of a problem. If they claim they can't find one to match, then insist on them buying =both= skirts, so they match. This is 100% their fault and they need to make it right. Also, I'd like to see both old axles, as well as the wheels. If there's any damage to any of the wheels, then they need to be replaced, too. Lyle |
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timf3
Newbie RV’er
Posts: 2
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Post by timf3 on Jul 18, 2021 19:38:30 GMT -5
Thank you all very much for the input. I truly appreciate it. I’ll let everyone knows how it goes when they drop it off at the end of this week.
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Post by Chuck on Aug 15, 2021 1:01:08 GMT -5
timf3 Welcome to the Kz Form an family  Congratulations on the new rig and welcome to the from! I'm not sure if I would let them deliver the trailer to me if I'm reading your post correctly, I would pick up the trailer an ask them to torque every wheel nut in front of you .... Since they were at fault for not checking your wheels I believe they should fix your trailr at no cost to you ... I agree with nvguy one home I would get a friend who knows trailers or take it to a shop an have them recheck everything including wheel bearings, if a dealer can't check wheel nuts to be ok they can't be trusted to do the job right the second time .... Safe Travels  Chuck |
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