Rob Keeble
Member
- Messages
- 12,633
- Location
- GTA Ontario Canada
Well I am kinda down now and trying to get motivated to do anything. Got up nice and early this morn. Tried not to jinx my day by posting in the Friday post.
Plan was to take the travel trailer and park it in the winter storage place, get the cover on and say bye bye till next year.
Had everything planned, even made up polystyrene covers with hotmelt glue during the week one evening to be able to protect the cover we put on from tears from gutters (which on ours are not removable).
Bought a piece of 2x 12 x12 pressure treated last night had it cut in half and parked the trailer on this to keep wheels and tires out the mud.
This trailer is basically brand new only bought it end of last season in PA. So this year is the first season we have had any use from it.
I went to an unbelievable amount of trouble to make sure we were not over loading it or my vehicle etc even bought a tong weight scale (very worthwhile purchase btw).
Here I am reading about Carols trailer woes thinking well at least I have a new trailer and my tires are good etc.
So this morning I position the trailer in the field on the 2x12x6 get the jacks down, put the corner protection pieces up and get the cover on. The cover has straps that go under the trailer. A couple go between the wheels.
That's when I discovered my issues and boy what a shock I got. Touch wood someone has been looking out for us. We are just so lucky we did not have a catastrophe on our holiday.
1) First I see the rear two tires look pretty worn by comparison to the two fronts on both sides. Now picture this I am kneeling in a field of wet long grass and mud so not quiet got my head under the trailer......yet.
2) Then I had to reach a strap that Linda had thrown through and when I did I noticed wear on the inside edge of the rear wheel. Well that led me to check all tires and what do you know the rear two tires are both incredibly warn for the distance we have done. I am talking needing replacing. Then three at least of the tires are worn on the inside so badly that they are ready to burst. I did not even bother checking the third at that stage I was so in shock I was shaking at the thought that i did not spot this while on the asphalt drive at home. Last time i was under the trailer there was no sign of issues. But that was before our long trip to Boston and back.
I know its not from overloading or incorrect loading because i have been fanatical about what we have in it etc and we travel with nothing in any of the tanks. Most of the weight is from front row wheel to hitch.
I figure we got ourselves a lemon now i know why the deal was so great and the guy saw me coming.
I don't know what the issue is exactly did some quick searching and its possibly a bent axle as well as mis alignment ie toe in and camber.
But now we need at least 3 new trailer tires these are pooched you would not believe the wear, and its going to have to go into a shop that understands trailers. Fortunately the place i store it at is a trailer specialist place. They do box trailers and fit them out so i will get them to check it out in the spring.
But man you don't expect this from a new quality item. Pretty disappointed both with manufacturer, trailer place and myself for not spotting it.
But between Carols experience and now this, I got the message loud and clear. Chalk it up to learning curve. Does it ever stop.
Sorry but what little sense of humor i have has escaped me today.
Plan was to take the travel trailer and park it in the winter storage place, get the cover on and say bye bye till next year.
Had everything planned, even made up polystyrene covers with hotmelt glue during the week one evening to be able to protect the cover we put on from tears from gutters (which on ours are not removable).
Bought a piece of 2x 12 x12 pressure treated last night had it cut in half and parked the trailer on this to keep wheels and tires out the mud.
This trailer is basically brand new only bought it end of last season in PA. So this year is the first season we have had any use from it.
I went to an unbelievable amount of trouble to make sure we were not over loading it or my vehicle etc even bought a tong weight scale (very worthwhile purchase btw).
Here I am reading about Carols trailer woes thinking well at least I have a new trailer and my tires are good etc.
So this morning I position the trailer in the field on the 2x12x6 get the jacks down, put the corner protection pieces up and get the cover on. The cover has straps that go under the trailer. A couple go between the wheels.
That's when I discovered my issues and boy what a shock I got. Touch wood someone has been looking out for us. We are just so lucky we did not have a catastrophe on our holiday.
1) First I see the rear two tires look pretty worn by comparison to the two fronts on both sides. Now picture this I am kneeling in a field of wet long grass and mud so not quiet got my head under the trailer......yet.
2) Then I had to reach a strap that Linda had thrown through and when I did I noticed wear on the inside edge of the rear wheel. Well that led me to check all tires and what do you know the rear two tires are both incredibly warn for the distance we have done. I am talking needing replacing. Then three at least of the tires are worn on the inside so badly that they are ready to burst. I did not even bother checking the third at that stage I was so in shock I was shaking at the thought that i did not spot this while on the asphalt drive at home. Last time i was under the trailer there was no sign of issues. But that was before our long trip to Boston and back.
I know its not from overloading or incorrect loading because i have been fanatical about what we have in it etc and we travel with nothing in any of the tanks. Most of the weight is from front row wheel to hitch.
I figure we got ourselves a lemon now i know why the deal was so great and the guy saw me coming.
I don't know what the issue is exactly did some quick searching and its possibly a bent axle as well as mis alignment ie toe in and camber.
But now we need at least 3 new trailer tires these are pooched you would not believe the wear, and its going to have to go into a shop that understands trailers. Fortunately the place i store it at is a trailer specialist place. They do box trailers and fit them out so i will get them to check it out in the spring.
But man you don't expect this from a new quality item. Pretty disappointed both with manufacturer, trailer place and myself for not spotting it.
But between Carols experience and now this, I got the message loud and clear. Chalk it up to learning curve. Does it ever stop.
Sorry but what little sense of humor i have has escaped me today.