I would double check with Heartland. Never heard of a Bighorn with 3500 lbs axles. Each spring is rated for 3500 lbs and with 2 to an axle equal 7000 lbs. double check. I think you are going Backwards here.
Now a bent axle????
- Thread starter Hemifish69
- Start date
I would double check with Heartland. Never heard of a Bighorn with 3500 lbs axles. Each spring is rated for 3500 lbs and with 2 to an axle equal 7000 lbs. double check. I think you are going Backwards here.
travelin2
Pennsylvania Chapter Leaders-retired
I believe a BH 270 is a Pioneer TT model not a Bighorn
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Hemifish69
Member
This is my axle tag
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The picture uploaded with poor resolution. It says 3500.
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Youll be good to go based on your tag.
Hemifish69
Member
I'm not understanding what you're saying here
danemayer
Well-known member
A Pioneer BH270 travel trailer has a GVWR of 7,700 lbs. That's the max weight it's spec'd for, fully loaded, and that weight should never be exceeded.
Short of getting actual weights, you can estimate that 10-15% of the GVWR rests on the hitch and the remainder on the axles. So about 770-1105 lbs on the hitch and 6595 - 6930 lbs on the axles. A pair of 3500 lb axles should support 7,000 lbs. So there's not much margin, but your max allowable weight is less than the axle rating.
One potential problem is if you're not towing level. Towing nose high or nose low can shift the weight between axles, overloading one and perhaps exceeding the spec. But it seems more likely that you got an axle with weak metal. The dealer said no, but you should discuss with the axle manufacturer directly. They're the ones who say yes or no to the dealer. Depending on what the dealer showed them in the way of pictures or how they described the problem, could have influenced the answer.
Call the axle customer service directly. Have pictures ready that show each axle, so that the problem is clearly seen. Have pictures of the labels so they know exactly which axle you have and can probably trace back to a production run. If it's a metal problem, you're probably not the first to have a problem and they may look at the label and recognize the problem.
Short of getting actual weights, you can estimate that 10-15% of the GVWR rests on the hitch and the remainder on the axles. So about 770-1105 lbs on the hitch and 6595 - 6930 lbs on the axles. A pair of 3500 lb axles should support 7,000 lbs. So there's not much margin, but your max allowable weight is less than the axle rating.
One potential problem is if you're not towing level. Towing nose high or nose low can shift the weight between axles, overloading one and perhaps exceeding the spec. But it seems more likely that you got an axle with weak metal. The dealer said no, but you should discuss with the axle manufacturer directly. They're the ones who say yes or no to the dealer. Depending on what the dealer showed them in the way of pictures or how they described the problem, could have influenced the answer.
Call the axle customer service directly. Have pictures ready that show each axle, so that the problem is clearly seen. Have pictures of the labels so they know exactly which axle you have and can probably trace back to a production run. If it's a metal problem, you're probably not the first to have a problem and they may look at the label and recognize the problem.
Hemifish69
Member
The dealer set us up on hitch alignment when we bought the trailer. Nothing changed there, and it's still level.
It also rarely travels with anything heavier than a 50% black tank and clothes for 3 people, so not sure how I could have overloaded it.
As far as calling Dexter, at some point I'm going to place a price on my time. It's guaranteed that by the time I chase them around and best case they agree to replace it, schedule at the approved service center will put this rig out of commission for the season.
I put in for 2 lippert 6k axles and five 6 lug trims at a local trailer parts dealer. I'll be doing this myself. I may regret it, like some other projects (a lifted big motor swap golf cart comes to mind). But I'll make it work.
I appreciate the inputs. Thanks.
I'm also not the person dexter and heartland will ever want to give my opinion on their products.
It also rarely travels with anything heavier than a 50% black tank and clothes for 3 people, so not sure how I could have overloaded it.
As far as calling Dexter, at some point I'm going to place a price on my time. It's guaranteed that by the time I chase them around and best case they agree to replace it, schedule at the approved service center will put this rig out of commission for the season.
I put in for 2 lippert 6k axles and five 6 lug trims at a local trailer parts dealer. I'll be doing this myself. I may regret it, like some other projects (a lifted big motor swap golf cart comes to mind). But I'll make it work.
I appreciate the inputs. Thanks.
I'm also not the person dexter and heartland will ever want to give my opinion on their products.
Hemifish69
Member
Received 1st axle.
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Got old one out.
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New one in, but lippert defaults to underslung axles. Camber is incorrect for axles mounted under leaf's. Need to get two spring perches and weld to opposite sides, and flip.
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Aaand, before anyone clutches their pearls and worries about trailering with mismatched axles, I held off ordering the second one for the exact reason I had the spring perch problem.
See how it goes before I get second one. In for $608, so far. That's with 3 new rim's, and attaching hardware. Rubber has not been bought yet.
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Got old one out.
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New one in, but lippert defaults to underslung axles. Camber is incorrect for axles mounted under leaf's. Need to get two spring perches and weld to opposite sides, and flip.
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Aaand, before anyone clutches their pearls and worries about trailering with mismatched axles, I held off ordering the second one for the exact reason I had the spring perch problem.
See how it goes before I get second one. In for $608, so far. That's with 3 new rim's, and attaching hardware. Rubber has not been bought yet.
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WillyBill
Well-known member
Hemifish69
Member
Hemifish69
Member
This is a completely custom installation, and not done yet, so bugs are being worked out as it goes.
Remember: the original 3500# axles, of one bent from some unknown event, are going away. I have custom ordered and test fit one of two 6000# axles. The old ones were dexter, the new ones are lippert. (Just like the frame )
In the process I'm gaining bigger axles, bigger brakes, and 8 ply tires. I'm sacrificing 1/2" clearance between the camper and the tire, and gaining 1/2" height. This is because these are 6 lug trims, and I can't get a shorter tire.
I don't expect this to be a show stopping problem, but there are ways around it if it is.
JohnD
Moved on to the next thing...
Not all of us are backyard mechanics...
And, most of us already know not to trust any RV dealership for any kind of service work.
Which is why we go to the right shop when we need things done when it is out of our own realm of expertise.
01cummins4ever
Member
Hemifish69
Member
That's a nope on the springs getting replaced. At least for now.
I inspected them for broken leaf's, and/or losing arch. This trailer wasn't overgrossed, unless clothes, food, and dishes did it. (For two adults and one 11 y/o).
When I contemplated just a straight replacement, I just started to doubt the Mfg's engineering on this trailer as a whole, given my plumbing issues that cropped up over the last year. Also my general impression of the quality of the build.
I find it lacking, to say the least.
So when I run into something like this, if I'm going to do it, then it'll be overkill. My aim is not to go heavier, it's to not have a axle bend again.
It'll also be cool if anyone ever noticed that this rig has 6 lug wheels too.
I inspected them for broken leaf's, and/or losing arch. This trailer wasn't overgrossed, unless clothes, food, and dishes did it. (For two adults and one 11 y/o).
When I contemplated just a straight replacement, I just started to doubt the Mfg's engineering on this trailer as a whole, given my plumbing issues that cropped up over the last year. Also my general impression of the quality of the build.
I find it lacking, to say the least.
So when I run into something like this, if I'm going to do it, then it'll be overkill. My aim is not to go heavier, it's to not have a axle bend again.
It'll also be cool if anyone ever noticed that this rig has 6 lug wheels too.
Hemifish69
Member
Hemifish69
Member
Hemifish69
Member
Hemifish69
Member
Trailer has 2 short trips (1hr to two local campgrounds) on the new axles. Here's what I found:
1. Trailer rear no longer scrapes driveway when leaving or entering.
2. Trailer stability at campsite improved.
3. Bigger brakes. Less gain needed on controller
Of course, I should have expected #1. Even at less than gaining <1 inch of height, due to the taller tires. But a welcome change anyway.
#2 was a surprise. Stiffer tires at a higher inflation made the camper less bouncy when people walked in it.
#3. A plus no matter how you look at it.
1. Trailer rear no longer scrapes driveway when leaving or entering.
2. Trailer stability at campsite improved.
3. Bigger brakes. Less gain needed on controller
Of course, I should have expected #1. Even at less than gaining <1 inch of height, due to the taller tires. But a welcome change anyway.
#2 was a surprise. Stiffer tires at a higher inflation made the camper less bouncy when people walked in it.
#3. A plus no matter how you look at it.
