Wheel just fell off!!!!

[wilco]

Hi folks,

I am still traumatized. On may way back today to Santa Rosa, CA from a weekend trip, the rear wheel, tire and everything fell off without warning. The whole thing lasted about 2 seconds. This is a 2004, 28-foot Safari. This was on a twisty mountain, so luckily I was only going about 30 mph. I was able to get the truck and trailer safely off the road. I spent about a half hour looking for the wheel as it had gone off into the adjacent creek.

I unhitched and left it there. It was obviously some kind of wheel bearing failure. In addition, underneath the trailer and the bottom part of the outside, including the aluminium siding is damaged. This is one of the 2004 trailers that was recalled. In January of this year I drove it 175 miles to my dealer, Toscano's in Los Banos, who inspected the wheel bearing grease and said everything was fine. I will call them tomarrow to find out what they are going to do.

If anyone has any advice let me know.

thanks

Wilco

[Tin Hut]

Sorry you had that happen Wilco. You just discovered one of the advantages to having a tandem axle trailer or damage could have been worse. One thing that definitely comes to mind is how often the lug nuts were checked and torqued. I've checked mine after pulling for 25 miles or so after having the bearings serviced and have found some of the lug nuts under-torqued. I believe the manual says 20, 50, 100 miles (something like that) they should be checked after having the wheels off for any reason. Mine are aluminum though, I'm not sure what your Safari specifies. If the lugs were fine and it was the bearings it'll be interesting on how you get that resolved. I'm glad you kept it under control with no injuries.

[safari57]

Wow, what a scary thing to have happen. Thank heavens nothing but parts were hurt. They can be fixed. It will be interesting to find out what the dealer says the problem was. I'd be taking a LOT of pictures before they get into it, and during if you are able to. A good record to have for your own needs.

I torque my lug nuts before every trip, and take the torque wrench with me and check them about every second day, particularly when we are on winding roads. A habit from years ago after I lost a wheel on my car shortly after a garage had installed new tires, and it put me end over end down an embankment and hospitalized for a LONG time. I don't just check the trailer, I do the car and particularly the back wheels that have a load on them. Have I ever found a problem???? No, but I like to think it's because I do check them religiously.

Keep us posted on the problem determination. Stuff happens and it's fortunate that in the overall scheme of things this was a minor one and you will be around to camp again.

Barry

[john hd]

tire and everything fell off without warning

was the spindle still intact? or did it snap off?

would be interesting to see the inside of the hub if you ever find it... i would like to hear about the condition of the cotter key and castle nut.

on edit was this a streetside or curbside wheel?

john

[Janet H]

Did you purchase this trailer new? There was a recall/problem with the grease used to pack wheel bearings in some of the 2004s. here's a link to a thread about it - but there are other threads as well - use the search tool and search red bearing grease... you will be amazed at what you find. Glad everyone was OK.

[Mike Lewis]

Wilco---A little word of advise before going ballistic with the servicing dealer. I would get an opinon from another mechanic before taking it back. If is obvious after that the dealer is at fault then you can be firm when asking for compensation. It's also possable like some have already mentioned that wheels lugs came loose which are your responsibility to maintain. If that's the case you'll need someone to do the repairs. The last thing you want to do is acuse them of something they didn't do.
Pieman

[wilco]

Hi,

thanks for responses. For clarification, the rear curb side tire, wheel, lug nuts and wheel drum all came off as a unit. All the lug nuts are there and tight. The spindal with wheel bearing is still on the trailer. A small part of the wheel drum broke off and I did not recover it. I did purchase the trailer new in April 2004. I found the wheel about a half hour after it came off and the wheel drum was still hot. The tire on the wheel that fell off is not damaged and is still full of air.

Wilco

[safari57]

Take pictures of it for sure. And as advised, get someone other than the dealer to take a look as well. I know of several instances where folks re-use cotter pins or don't tighten the castle nut properly after having checked or repacked the wheel bearings. Obviously this was not a lug nut issue if they are still attached. However, it could be anything from poor work, poor quality parts, all the way through to something completely out of the blue that caused it. It's the old seek first to understand what the heck happened, then make sure it is fixed and that it can't happen again, then if some one is responsible, make sure they step to the plate and make good on their obligations.

Good luck and keep us posted on the outcome. And again, what a blessing no one was hurt!
Barry

[Cedars]

This talk of making sure lug nuts are tight brings me to caution.... make sure they are correctly torqued! Over tightened lug nuts will wreak as much havoc as loose ones, and cause just the same type of experience as described! Ask me how I know! At least, I know it happens on big trucks..... and man! can those suckers roll a loooooong way!

Elizabeth in Iowa

[axleman]

Originally Posted by wilco

Hi,

thanks for responses. For clarification, the rear curb side tire, wheel, lug nuts and wheel drum all came off as a unit. All the lug nuts are there and tight. The spindal with wheel bearing is still on the trailer. A small part of the wheel drum broke off and I did not recover it. I did purchase the trailer new in April 2004. I found the wheel about a half hour after it came off and the wheel drum was still hot. The tire on the wheel that fell off is not damaged and is still full of air.

Wilco

Just curious:

• Is the castle nut and cotter pin still on the axle as well?
• Are both bearings present?
• What are the conditions of the bearings?
• Did you notice any discoloration?

Regards,
Henry
Ex-Axleman

[Astrodokk]

You may want to try RV Specialists or Sonoma RV Service in Santa Rosa. I've taken my MH to both at diferent times and they are knowledgeable with Airstream...especially the guy at Sonoma RV...he worked at the factory before coming here. Worth the opinion prior to going dealer.

[Buttercup]

I am sorry to hear about your troubles but relieved to know that you had tandem axles. It truly would have been a disaster if the whole thing went to the ground.

As I started reading this thread, my heart sank at the mention of "red grease". But was relieved to see in searching the posts that the issue seems to be one of a lack of grease rather than just red grease.
I repacked with red grease so hence my concern.
Anyway I too would be very interested to see any pictures of the remains if you take any.

[Westfalia]

This does indeeed sound like a bearing failure, and it should be covered under the recall, if your trailer fall within the range of VINs of 515557 through 516568, (not inclusive).

Here is a link the the text of the recall:
http://www.airstream.com/product_lin...ce/recall.html
And to a PDF document of the same recall:
http://www.airstream.com/airstream/p...e102204doc.pdf

Good luck, and sorry to hear about your grief.

[wilco]

Here is an update.

I called Airstream in Ohio who said they would call my dealer and they would handle it. Ohio said the dealer may need to come up (175 miles) and get the trailer. I did not hear from my dealer, so I called them and they said they had not called me because they were busy. He said I needed to bring the trailer to the dealership for repairs and said they did not think it was their fault.

I really don't care who's fault it was, I just want it repaired under warranty. I can't image towing the trailer on 3 wheels on California freeways 175 miles. He said he would check with Ohio to see if they would pay for towing and get back to me.

Does anybody know what Airstream normally does in this type of situation?

thanks for any advise. I am remaining calm.

Wilco

[maxandgeorgia]

Take three deep breaths. . .there, . . .you are a better person than I. I think I would have been quietly, deadly, and very specific with that dealer about his failing in suitability for a dealership and then immediately rung up Ohio and demanded to talk to the top person there. This situation was dangerous and is purely outrageous in all respects! The dealer and AS should be down on their knees grateful that you lived to ask for help from them , and then they should have rushed to make things right again for you with their trailer at whatever cost and inconvenience, hoping to forstall a suit and to insure confidence in the AS product and service line. There, maybe I'd better take those three deep breaths! Good luck

[wilco]

another update.

I went back to the side of the road where I left the trailer (about 10 Miles away) and hitched it up and drove it home. I had a couple of friends follow me. I drove it at about 30 to 35 mph and nothing awful happened. It does bounce more on bumps. To answer some questions, the castle nut and pin are still there and the large inner bearing is still there in tact. There is little left of the outer bearing. Some of it is on the axle and some of it is within the wheel hub that fell off. It appears that the that this outer bearing failed, which was the basis for the recall.

I actually feel better that it is at home. I want to be postive, but I have a feeling this may be long road. I guess I was hoping Airstream would bend over backwards to help me but I don't think that will be the case.
I grew up in the Show-Me-State, so I will believe when I see it.

Wilco

[warbler5]

Wilco,

As the owner of a 2004 Classic that was purchased from Toscano's, I have been following your woes. First, I am breathing a sigh of relief that nobody was injured when your wheel and tire came off and glad to hear that you were able to safely tow your trailer home! Second, I am extremely disappointed to hear how you are being treated by the dealer (MY dealer, as well).

I would be using all my cell phone minutes talking to the folks in Ohio, since the dealer appears to be "too busy" to address a known problem for which they gave you a clean bill of health! Even if this is related to the whole thing of torqueing the nuts at the required intervals after the wheel was removed/replaced, I still feel you should have been given EXPLICIT instructions on the importance of this. This is in no way your fault....this is a brand new trailer, still under warranty.

Please keep us updated on how this is resolved...

[greg176]

it looks like your dealer was too busy to do the job right the first time .The mechanic must have just popped the caps off the hubs and checked for grease (if at all).Torqueing of the wheels wouldn't enter into it.Note also that it is important to remove the hubs at least every year and repack bearings.

[wilco]

Thanks for the continued advise. Here is an update. My dealer knows a mobile RV mechanic in Santa Rosa who is going to look at all 4 wheels and suspension tomarrow, and order the parts through my dealer and install them in Santa Rosa at Airstream's expense. I will then need to tow it to my dealer in Los Banos to repair the body damage. I have talked to Ohio a couple of times and they seem concerned about the problem.
Wilco

[Boondocker]

Originally Posted by greg176

.Note also that it is important to remove the hubs at least every year and repack bearings.

Note taken; makes me sick just thinking about it......