Posted 2012-10-08 9:07 AM (#147507) Subject: broken axle yikes!
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 373 Location: Texas
A friend was heading to our NATRC competitive trail ride this weekend when they felt a bit of a bump and shake, and pulled over. Wheel on trailer at wrong angle,and they found they had broke the front axle. Went back down road to see if they hit something, and could not find a thing, and had not seen anything in road. Friends came and got horses, and they limped the last 30 miles to camp on the two rear wheels, and one front that was still somewhat working.
Lots of calls and discussions with manufacturer which is only a couple hours from where trailer is "broke", (sparing all the details) and it sounds like it will get fixed quick enough this week for them to head to next ride.
But still the puzzle of HOW they broke a 8000 pound axle? Upon more examination, they saw a scrape and some rubber under trailer... then they looked under truck, and you guessed it, the spare was missing. They had tires rotated days before, and it sounds like the spare was not attached as it should be, and it fell out from under truck, and took out axle, bend propane line, but missed holding tanks. I did not want to think about what could have happened with a possible broke propane line, and sparks from an axle.
So, advice? I know I will add checking spare to my walk around, and double check after it has been put under truck at a tire shop.
Posted 2012-10-08 9:12 AM (#147508 - in reply to #147507) Subject: RE: broken axle yikes!
Elite Veteran
Posts: 720
FWIW- The current LP bottles' valves are designed to shut down in case of a rupture. They will flow LP at a regular volume, but close when something tries to draw too much- like a ruptured line. At least that's what my LP service guy told me. So at least that isn't a major cause of concern.
broken axle yikes!
