My wife and I purchased a 2008 Heartland Razor Toyhauler in August of 2009 from Leo's RV in Gambrills, Maryland. We have had several "minor" problems that were either taken care of by Leo's or that I was able to fix myself.
That having been said, we have now run into what we feel is a major problem. We camp regularly up in Gettysburg, PA and were on the DC beltway coming home two weekends ago when the right rear tire quite litterally exploded (I was looking out the right sideview mirror when it went, while changing lanes). On further examination, the tire had completely de-treaded itself all the way around. Since this was only the 4th trip we have taken with the rig, I thought that this type of failure was extremely odd....almost like the tire had been a recap. However, that was not the case.
We called for roadside assistance from our insurance company and were on our way within a couple of hours on the spare.
The following day, I purchased a replacement tire and asked the folks here in southern Maryland where I do business if they could tell what had caused the failure. They said, to them, it looked like something had, quite litterally cut the tire down. I couldn't figure that one out until I changed the tire.
Both of the U bolts holding the axle were loose and, after changing the tire, the right rear tire has now moved inboard of the forward tire by approximately 1.5 inches to 2 inches and the opposed is true on the other side of the axle (left is out the same amount). Additionally, I had to cut out a rather large piece of sheet metal that had been pretty thoroughly mutilated. Additionally, the rear axle now appears to be bent.
What I now believe happened is that, for some reason, the axle worked loose and started moving side to side and that, at some point it contacted the sheet metal beneath the RV, which then cut down the tire, resulting in a catestrophic failure. Obviously, with my handicapped son, wife and three Jack Russells in the tow vehicle, we are extremely lucky, this having happened on the beltway.
What I am now curious about, after reading several other pieces on Heartland 5th wheel axle problems, if anyone else has experienced a similiar situation and what had to be done to fix the problem. And, I honestly have no earthly idea why/how the axle got bent and that is very plainly visible.
Would appreciate any comments, similiar experiences and the right fix for this problem.
Thanks,
That having been said, we have now run into what we feel is a major problem. We camp regularly up in Gettysburg, PA and were on the DC beltway coming home two weekends ago when the right rear tire quite litterally exploded (I was looking out the right sideview mirror when it went, while changing lanes). On further examination, the tire had completely de-treaded itself all the way around. Since this was only the 4th trip we have taken with the rig, I thought that this type of failure was extremely odd....almost like the tire had been a recap. However, that was not the case.
We called for roadside assistance from our insurance company and were on our way within a couple of hours on the spare.
The following day, I purchased a replacement tire and asked the folks here in southern Maryland where I do business if they could tell what had caused the failure. They said, to them, it looked like something had, quite litterally cut the tire down. I couldn't figure that one out until I changed the tire.
Both of the U bolts holding the axle were loose and, after changing the tire, the right rear tire has now moved inboard of the forward tire by approximately 1.5 inches to 2 inches and the opposed is true on the other side of the axle (left is out the same amount). Additionally, I had to cut out a rather large piece of sheet metal that had been pretty thoroughly mutilated. Additionally, the rear axle now appears to be bent.
What I now believe happened is that, for some reason, the axle worked loose and started moving side to side and that, at some point it contacted the sheet metal beneath the RV, which then cut down the tire, resulting in a catestrophic failure. Obviously, with my handicapped son, wife and three Jack Russells in the tow vehicle, we are extremely lucky, this having happened on the beltway.
What I am now curious about, after reading several other pieces on Heartland 5th wheel axle problems, if anyone else has experienced a similiar situation and what had to be done to fix the problem. And, I honestly have no earthly idea why/how the axle got bent and that is very plainly visible.
Would appreciate any comments, similiar experiences and the right fix for this problem.
Thanks,
