Introduction

[Danny L]

Hi, I am Danny L and a new member to this forum from North Carolina. I have recently begun the possibility of purchasing a fiberglass RV. One question I have is about tire blow outs. I recently read a post from a gentleman who said that the axle on his rv broke and the tire blew. The result was a very serious accident. Do any of you have concerns about this happening, or am I being overly concerned?


Thanks for any advice. Danny L.

[DavidG]

Originally Posted by Danny L

Hi, I am Danny L and a new member to this forum from North Carolina. I have recently begun the possibility of purchasing a fiberglass RV. One question I have is about tire blow outs. I recently read a post from a gentleman who said that the axle on his rv broke and the tire blew. The result was a very serious accident. Do any of you have concerns about this happening, or am I being overly concerned?


Thanks for any advice. Danny L.

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Tire blowouts are a common occurrence on trailers if you run on old tires or tires with the wrong pressure or that are not inspected regularly or are carrying excessive loads. Axle failure is rare and can usually be prevented by proper maintenance. Wheel bearing failure is a possibility and can cause loss of a wheel. I have never heard of an accident caused by axle failure. Maybe the gentleman with the 'axle failure' was speaking in general terms about anything on the axle? David in Fresno and Sonora

[John in Michigan]

Danny L, would really be interested in knowing the specifics of incident you mentioned. The axle shouldn't fail as long as properly maintained, i.e., replace tires that are worn damaged or older than 5-7 years, have the wheel bearings serviced and axle spindles inspected on a regular basis.

[mary and bob]

I've read about axle problems on big travel trailers, such as bent or misaligned causing excess tire wear and failure. Also leaf spring issues like shackle wear. I recall a thread here about a Scamp 19 losing it's axle due to mounting failure.

[Dave Fish]

If you think about it, the axle and hubs/brakes are the only mechanical parts of the trailer. While "things" do happen, they are rare and can usually be prevented with regular maintenance.

We had to replace the axle on our Casita after a tree almost cut it in half. That damage was not obvious but diagnosed over time by unusual tire wear. We did not let it go long enough to cause a flat or blow out, so no additional damage was done.

What I'm saying is, don't let this concern keep you from acquiring a trailer and enjoying the adventure. Once you find the one that suites you, just do regular maintenance and be observant as you travel.

[JBB]

Before we go out on any trip, my husband conducts a through inspection to make sure there isn't a problem!

[gordon2]

Originally Posted by Danny L

...I recently read a post from a gentleman who said that the axle on his rv broke and the tire blew. The result was a very serious accident. ..

Yes please do provide a link to that post. Axle failures are uncommon.

Tire failures, on the other hand, do happen. Sometimes due to manufacturing defects but most often due to owner neglect. Proper tire and wheel maintenance along with replacement every 5-7 years will prevent the vast majority of problems but the problem is that many people dont pay enough attention to their tires and wheels. I also advocate the use of a TPMS as a further bit of insurance against unexpected failures.

There will always be some risk involved when traveling so proper insurance is also a good idea, but I have the idea that I will never use it because I work very hard to prevent accidents. I would not let the small amount of risk slow you down.

BTW, if you are near Charlotte / Stateville and want to see a Scamp and maybe have someone talk your ears off about the pros and cons of the brand, send me a PM.

[Jon in AZ]

I agree that axles generally don't just break. There was an unusual situation involving Scamp axles in the early and mid-2000's. It was not the axles but the frame attachment that failed and improper installation at the factory was to blame. Actual failures on the road were rare; most were caught in inspections and repaired. I would certainly inspect the frame and axle mounts carefully on any used trailer, and especially a Scamp 16' or 19' of that vintage.

Threads about the Scamp issue:
http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...ers-31032.html
http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...ets-55260.html
http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...mps-78830.html

Bearing failures can also cause serious damage and occasionally accidents. Regular bearing maintenance is part of trailer ownership. Unlike automobiles, trailers tend to sit for long periods, which is hard on running gear.

Tire blowouts are most often a failure of the tire itself and caused by age, poor maintenance, or road hazards. They are are a serious concern and cause accidents and serious trailer damage. Single axle trailers are more vulnerable to catastrophic loss of control in the event of a blowout.

Good tires and regular maintenance (including daily pressure checks when traveling) improve your odds considerably. Use of a TPMS on the trailer can give additional warning and peace of mind.