Bent Axle - Bigfoot

[Perryb67]

Bent the axle on our 2016 25RQ Bigfoot with only 14,000 miles total since new.

We have a 2016 25RQ Bigfoot, and don’t load it down with needless stuff. How many others have bent their Bigfoot 25RQ axles?

To go to a stiffer axle you have to change wheels to a 6 bolt pattern, but use the same tires. Did any of you install the >5,000# axle?

A replacement axle installed is $500. Two new >5,000# axles are around $2,000, with new brakes and wheels.

The trailer’s wheelbase is wider than our truck’s wheelbase. Two days from home, on a extremely narrow, two lane tar road in Cuirve River State Park in Missouri, we met another camper, pulled slightly to the right and fell off the tar. Pulling it back on was probably where the axle bent. Wheel is fine, but tire was quite scrubbed. It was bald 300 miles later, but made it to a Discount Tire and the inside tread was bald. Bought a sacrificial tire that made it home. Yes, we have TPMS for all the tires.

Lucky we saw it after waking up our last morning and were only 200 miles from home. A couple days earlier we were in Inverness, Florida finishing our 6 week fall trip to listen to Oldwave and his friends play at the Louie Blue Festival in Tennessee, then to Smoky Mountains, Cumberland Gap, Blue Ridge Parkway, and friends in Florida.

We have around 3-4” of snow here at home, still snowing with blowing snow, and I have to winterize the camper today.

Perry

[Kevin A]

Sorry to hear about your axle! Just curious…does the $500 cover axle and installation? How are you handling the foam under the trailer over the axle? What type of place would do the repair? Thanks. I worry about my 35+ year-old axles on our Silver Cloud!

[Iowa Dave]

Hi Kevin
The next time you’re in our country and if you’re in Anamosa, you might want to come west on 151 and on the east side of Marion, stop at Anchor Frame and Axle. They are a very good heavy trailer frame shop that’s been around for many years. We used to buy suspension repair kits for our heavy trailers in the parks as well as spring hangers, and other components. Just a thought that wouldn’t take you much time to check out maybe a shade over an hour and the estimates are free. Best of Luck
Iowa Dave

[FRED SMAILES]

Having worked part-time in a frame shop I agree with Dave☝️. At least take pics to the shop and get an opinion and rough idea of repair cost.

[Perryb67]

Originally Posted by Kevin A

Sorry to hear about your axle! Just curious…does the $500 cover axle and installation? How are you handling the foam under the trailer over the axle? What type of place would do the repair? Thanks. I worry about my 35+ year-old axles on our Silver Cloud!

Originally Posted by FRED SMAILES

Having worked part-time in a frame shop I agree with Dave☝️. At least take pics to the shop and get an opinion and rough idea of repair cost.

There is no need to touch the undercarriage of our 25RQ, or remove the plastic sheet under our insulation.

I'm taking it to Kullot Trailer Parts & Service near Rochester. 90% of his work is maintaining/replacing axles. I've been going to him since moving to Lanesboro in 2016 and have only heard positive reports for his business. Every year our camper goes to him for bearing repack, brake inspection, and setting the brakes (I DON'T want auto setting brakes, nor does he trust them after seeing many problems). He will not straighten axles and has seen many axles go back to the bent position over time (memory effect). YMMV.

I have sent an email to Grant at Bigfoot. We have a 2 3/8" axle, but there is a 3" axle that Grant has installed on newer Bigfoots. I'm hoping we can install this 3" axle without breaking the bank.

Unless he finds something else wrong, the phone "estimate" is for a new axle, moving the existing brakes from the old axle to the new axle, and two hours labor.

Enjoy,

Perry

[buellfire]

Perry,

Sorry this happened to you, but glad you made it home safe! Any idea what year Bigfoot switched to the 3" axle on the newer Bigfoot 25?

[Kevin A]

Thanks for the replies and the suggestions. Best of luck, Perry!

[Perryb67]

Originally Posted by buellfire

Perry,

Sorry this happened to you, but glad you made it home safe! Any idea what year Bigfoot switched to the 3" axle on the newer Bigfoot 25?

No idea. Grant hasn't gotten back to me, but they may only have been installed on those who purchased the front storage.

Enjoy,

Perry

[CharlesinGA]

The next logical step up in axles are the 4400 lb axles, but you would require both new hubs and brakes as the bearings are different (thus different spindles). I think the 3500 lb axle is built in the larger size also, and that is what I suspect BF is currently using. The 2-3/8 tubes are the same as on my 2008 21RB. Just be aware that going to the larger tube size will LOWER the trailer by a small amount, about a quarter inch (one half of the diameter increase).

4000 lb axles use the same inner and outer bearings as 3500 lb models, but stepping to 4400 lb axles involves different bearings.

Are you sure the wheel is not bent? I know pictures can be deceiving, but the center cap does not look square with the wheel, but does look square with the one behind it.

I upgraded to six lug hub/drums on my stock axles when I installed new wheels, anticipating installing heavier axles someday.

Personally, I think the 20 hole "modular" wheels are not very attractive, and given that the clear on mine was turning white, I seized the opportunity to upgrade to a better looking and stronger wheel.

Charles

[Perryb67]

Originally Posted by CharlesinGA

The next logical step up in axles are the 4400 lb axles, but you would require both new hubs and brakes as the bearings are different (thus different spindles). I think the 3500 lb axle is built in the larger size also, and that is what I suspect BF is currently using. The 2-3/8 tubes are the same as on my 2008 21RB. Just be aware that going to the larger tube size will LOWER the trailer by a small amount, about a quarter inch (one half of the diameter increase).

4000 lb axles use the same inner and outer bearings as 3500 lb models, but stepping to 4400 lb axles involves different bearings.

Are you sure the wheel is not bent? I know pictures can be deceiving, but the center cap does not look square with the wheel, but does look square with the one behind it.

We found the damage when we awoke on Monday and saw the wheel in daylight. We carry an Andersen Rapid Jack, and raised the camper to inspect the wheel/tire after I observed the bent axle at our campsite. The wheel spun with no wobble, the bearings were properly tight, and the wheel spun smooth.

We then traveled 10 miles to Discount Tire in the Quad Cities, and had them install a sacrificial tire. They said the wheel looked fine, but the axle is bent. The tire survived the 220 mile trip home with about 50% of the inside tread still intact.

I take the trailer to Kullot Trailer today. Since we have no camping plans until we leave for the southwest next January it won't be replaced until the end of next week.

I'm still waiting for Grant to send me his advice. We will consider our options once Kullot inspects the trailer and Grant gives his opinion. Since the trailer has only gone 14,000 miles on this axle, and the cost ($500) is minimal, we will be either going with a 2 3/8" stock or a 3" heavy duty replacement if the additional cost is within reason. I've easily been hauling trailers for well over 200,000 miles and this is our first bent axle.

Thanks,

Perry

[Raspy]

I know they cost more, but the 5200 lb axles are very tough. Much stronger than the 3500 lb axles. And they will go right into the same place easily with new U bolts that you'll be getting anyway. They also have 12" brakes and larger bearings. Your axles bent too easily on a bump that was a normal driving hazard, and could happen again.

It's easy for me to spend your money, but you might consider the upgrade.

[Perryb67]

Originally Posted by Raspy

I know they cost more, but the 5200 lb axles are very tough. Much stronger than the 3500 lb axles. And they will go right into the same place easily with new U bolts that you'll be getting anyway. They also have 12" brakes and larger bearings. Your axles bent too easily on a bump that was a normal driving hazard, and could happen again.

In an hour I'll be taking the trailer to Kullot. I'll get a better idea of the cost for larger axles in the next day or so.

What we encountered was not a "normal driving hazard".

Thanks,

Perry

[CharlesinGA]

Perry, please consider posting this same info on the BOCI forum, as there will be a number of interested people over there.

Charles

[ThomasC]

Originally Posted by buellfire

Perry,

Sorry this happened to you, but glad you made it home safe! Any idea what year Bigfoot switched to the 3" axle on the newer Bigfoot 25?

My 2020 with the front storage has 3" tubes. Let us know what was bent, the tube or the spindle.

[Perryb67]

The snow is now melted and I was able to go underneath the camper and inspect the axle. It is bent between the frame and the brakes. There is not a mark on the wheel, so only the axle needs replacement.

I received a couple of emails from Grant at Bigfoot and had a great talk yesterday with Darin, the owner of Kullot Trailer Parts and Service. Grant advised against any axle over the current 3”, heavy duty tube axle and said, “The 5200 set up completed has heavier springs, different bolt pattern and too heavy of spring. The heavy spring will shake the heck out of your trailer”.

Darin refuses to install any axle heavier than the 3” heavy duty that Bigfoot currently installs, for the same reason Grant advised, the needed springs will be too stiff and the camper will shake too much.

Darin has made this change on other trailers before. Since we’re changing from 2 ⅜” axle to a 3” heavy duty axle, and keeping our brakes, he has to make two plates that aren’t available individually. He feels the cost will be below $600. Unless it’s in stock in the Twin Cities, will take a month to get the axle, so he felt the camper won’t be available till some time in early December. We usually only camp once for a couple of days in November anyway.

One reason we purchased a Bigfoot: it’s built to last. It won’t last as long if it shakes down the road.

As always, YMMV,

Perry

[Raspy]

I don't know why they would insist on replacing the 3500 lb springs you have, with the 5200 lb springs, just because you changed to 5200 lb axles. Yes, the 5200 lb springs are stiffer and the 3500 lbs springs will ride better. But it is not the springs that are the problem, its the weak axle.

Of course, if it was a utility trailer and designed to carry 10,000 lbs, the springs would have to be heavier, but in your case, it is the axles that are the issue.

Oliver went through a supply chain problem at one point and switched to 5200 lb axles from the original 3500 axles. Everyone got bigger brakes and bearings in the deal. But as far as I know, they never went to the stiffer springs.

Also, trailer leaf springs are known to occasionally break. Since yours have some miles on them and have gone through a severe shock, be sure to inspect for deformity or cracks in the springs and hangars.

[buellfire]

Happy that Perry is well on his way to repair. I asked the question when did the change to 3” axle tubes happen which is still unknown, I crawled under our 2021 25b25rt and I found two 3” 3500lbs axles.

[buellfire]

[buellfire]

[CharlesinGA]

Originally Posted by Raspy

I don't know why they would insist on replacing the 3500 lb springs you have, with the 5200 lb springs, just because you changed to 5200 lb axles. Yes, the 5200 lb springs are stiffer and the 3500 lbs springs will ride better. But it is not the springs that are the problem, its the weak axle.

Of course, if it was a utility trailer and designed to carry 10,000 lbs, the springs would have to be heavier, but in your case, it is the axles that are the issue.

Oliver went through a supply chain problem at one point and switched to 5200 lb axles from the original 3500 axles. Everyone got bigger brakes and bearings in the deal. But as far as I know, they never went to the stiffer springs.

Also, trailer leaf springs are known to occasionally break. Since yours have some miles on them and have gone through a severe shock, be sure to inspect for deformity or cracks in the springs and hangars.

I was thinking the exact same thing. All of the springs are the same width, you simply fit a new axle with new spring plate and u-bolts to it. The springs never get disconnected or removed. Both axles have to be replaced as the different diameters cause the springs to be uneven.

Charles