Bottom damage

[richclover]

We just got home from a bucket list 5200 mile road trip towing the 2018 Coleman bumper pull.  10K/1K Equalizer hitch. 

As usual we hit some rough pavement.  Some was unexpected and really bad. Enough to make me think broken spring or shackle or blown tire.  We were lucky.

We also had multiple encounters with interstate bridges.  The crossings that want to launch the whole rig into the air.  Recovery on the other side feels like a roller coaster.  I found damage to the plastic covering the underside of the trailer.  Above the tires.  Torn through above the front tires, barely scuffed above the rear.

The trailer was built on LCI frame, etc., and the axles are already under the springs.  It's been suggested that I use Gorilla tape for a temporary fix and find a shop to install a 2 inch lift on the axles.

Any thoughts?

 

[Hfx_Cdn]

    Way back when, we had similar problems with our 19 foot PUP.  What we did was have an additional leaf spring placed on the axle on both sides.  That took care of the problem.

Ed

 

[Patnsuzanne]

We had similar damage after our trailer was towed down the New Jersey Parkway on just one tire. We were following the wrecker (a long story, but suffice to say you don?t want to break down there) and could see it smoking.  I patched it with duct tape until we could get back home. Then I pulled it off, cleaned it up good and put a layer of Eternabond tape on it. It?s still holding two years and almost 20000 miles later.

 

[lynnmor]

The springs look rather flat, they may be fatigued or overloaded.  Get the measurements for new springs and install new if that will help.

 

[DonPam]

Springs look flat. Looks like your rig is a 2018. Lippert will likely replace them under warranty if you nicely show them good photos.

 

[Lou Schneider]

Have you talked to Dutchmen about this?  It seems to me if the wheels and tires are stock, having the tire hit the top of the wheelwell is a design flaw and should be fixed under the warranty.  The top of the wheelwell should be above the travel limit of the suspension so the tire can't hit it.

Some trailers have rubber stops attached to the frame to limit the axle's upward travel.  Or the wheelwell is designed properly so the tire can't hit it.

Raising the trailer 2 inches is a patch at best and there's no guarantee it will solve the problem if you hit a larger bump.

 

[Rene T]

Have you talked to Dutchmen about this?  It seems to me if the wheels and tires are stock, having the tire hit the top of the wheelwell is a design flaw and should be fixed under the warranty.  The top of the wheelwell should be above the travel limit of the suspension so the tire can't hit it.

Unless the trailer was grossly overloaded. That's what they'll say.

 

[richclover]

Unless the trailer was grossly overloaded. That's what they'll say.

The camper was loaded heavy for the trip, waste tanks empty and water tank with about 255#, which I cut in half before departure. Vietnamese-made wheels rated at 1780#. Axles rated 3500#. GVWR 7600#.

Local Flying J scales: 1080# tongue wt. 6780# on the axles. 7860# gross.

So about 7750# gross after I drained fresh water.

Heavy, but I don't think unreasonable?

I weighed the trailer, fully loaded, the day before we left.

We bought the trailer, new, last April from a Camping World dealer ( Blaine Jensen RV), in Kaysville, UT.  I?m not sure about any remaining warranty.

Opinions vary on a ?fix?, but upgrading the springs seems to be the preferred solution.

 

[richclover]

    Way back when, we had similar problems with our 19 foot PUP.  What we did was have an additional leaf spring placed on the axle on both sides.  That took care of the problem.

Ed

Upgrade springs have been ordered.  5-leaf to replace 4-leaf.  5000# plus load rated.  Just the extra leaf will get me a little more clearance.

Local tire shop (Big O Tires), is doing it.

Won?t change the load limits on the axles, 3500#, but might solve the problem.

 

[richclover]

Upgrade springs have been ordered.  5-leaf to replace 4-leaf.  5000# plus load rated.  Just the extra leaf will get me a little more clearance.

Local tire shop (Big O Tires), is doing it.

Won?t change the load limits on the axles, 3500#, but might solve the problem.

New springs installed yesterday. Made in USA (AAA Spring and Truck Parts). Noticeably more curved and raised the trailer by 2-3? at least. I now have about 5? clearance above the tires.

The trailer was 2? nose low, measured front and rear on the frame, and is now 6? nose low. I?ll be adjusting the WD hitch