Veebyes
Bermuda & Maryland
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Joined: 11/24/2003
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I am happily driving along TX hwy 90 today, now some 2500 miles into a 10,000 mile trip when way in the back goes BOOOOM & I look in the mirror to see bits of tire flying off the right side rear trailer wheel. We come to a halt. Fortunately 90 is a very quiet highway & this is a curbside blowout.
The mystery is why did it happen. The tires are not old & they are good quality & good condition. Early in the trip I noticed some wear on the inside tire same axel other side. Put that down to underinflation I rectified it. Basic alignment test, fist between the tires each side showed to be same.
Jacked up blown wheel &, looking for a cause, noticed u bolts on the left side with space between u bolt & axel. HMMMMM, not good. Found u bolt nuts to be loose on each axel.
A nut was missing from one of the u bolts on the left side the result was the axel going out of alignment, tire getting hot & BOOM, bits of tire splattered across the road.
So be sure to crawl under your trailer & check your nuts at least once a year.
Boat: 32' 1996 Albin 32+2, single Cummins 315hp
40+ night per year overnighter
2007 Alpenlite 34RLR
2006 Chevy 3500 LT, CC,LB 6.6L Diesel
Ham Radio: VP9KL, IRLP node 7995
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hallock5
Texas
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Joined: 01/30/2012
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For a minute, I thought this was a WebMD post..
2008 Jayco Eagle Superlite 28.5RLS
2002 Ford 4x4 SuperCab 7.3 (Jr International) Diesel
Sad to say, time to sell to a good home.
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Wills250psd
walnutcove NC
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Joined: 08/13/2011
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I saw the title, checked first as I just woke up from a nap, then read the post showee was I relieved every thing was OK. 
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DutchmenSport
Between Anderson, Pendleton, & Lapel, Indiana
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Joined: 10/10/2006
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Wow! Glad you're OK, but when I saw the title of your post I got VERY concerned. Just bought a bag of nuts ... you know ... mixed nuts ... Walnut, Pistachio, Peanut, ect ... I was thinking ... OH MY GOSH! Another E.coli break-out or food recall! Phew, am I happy! I do love my "nuts"!
FYI, I do check the underside of my camper about 4 times a year. I also paint the frame (underside) every 2 years also and watch for rust and cracks.
DutchmenSport
2005 Chevy Silverado 3500 Dually Duramax 6.6L V8 Turbo
Century Truck Cap Commercial /Toolboxes
Northeast Outfitters Canoe
2006 Keystone Springdale Model 263DBL
Weight 4985, Carrying Capacity 2575, Hitch 560, Length 30'
Width 8', Height 10' 6"
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Mootpoint
Somewhere in North America enjoying the life!
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Joined: 07/31/2006
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A wheel came off a TT on an overpass above us once, popped over the rail and bounced in front of us, surprise, went high enough that we drove under it and it then landed on the car behind us. Quite a mess but no one was hurt, my laundry requirements for the day changed though.
Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.
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dqdick
Council Grove, KS
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Joined: 11/17/2011
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When we were at the Montana forum Dexter presented and I asked what to torque them too. They told me they were set at the factor and not to worry about them. I told them I had checked with my manual and all the bolts were at least 3 turns loose. They told me that wasn't possible and so I asked how many folks in the room had checked theirs and found them not to be tightened. 3/4 of the room raised their hands and most of the rest hadn't checked. My rig was brand new by the way.
Dick and Joyce
2010 Montana 3665RE
Dodge 2500HD Maxi Cab Laramie Edition
Diego, Norm, & Bitsy
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rjsurfer
North Carolina
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Joined: 10/19/2007
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I learned the hard way about checking the nuts on the U bolts, lost one tire and axle just a few months after getting camper. I check them now before every trip.
Dexter's statement "They were set at the factor and not to worry about them" is complete BS, they should be ashamed of themselves.
Ron W.
03 Dodge 2500 SRW,SB,EC
2008 Keystone Cougar 245RKS 5th Wheel
DRZ-400SM
DL-650
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1100Sabre
Missouri
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Joined: 06/04/2006
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I check torque on lugs before it leaves the driveway. After every trip I crawl under and give everything a visual. I am going to take a wrench with me when I go under the next time and check U-bolts. Another thing to check are the backing plate bolts. AL-CO had to spend a lot of money for their share of the repair to mine several years ago after I discovered the backing plate bolts had never been tightened!!
2009 4X4 Chevrolet Duramax/Allison 3500HD Crew Cab DRW
2007 Sportsman Sportster KZ 33P Toy Hauler
"It's not the destination, it's the journey."
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Dusty R
Charlotte Michigan 48813
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Joined: 04/05/2003
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Those U-bolts have self locking nuts on them. So, they were never tightened at the factory. I have a 20' flat bed that I found that way after pulling it 3-4000 miles.
Dusty
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John&Joey
Some Location
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Joined: 05/20/2007
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Just checked my nuts and they're still there. One does seem to be lower then the other. Hope it doesn't give out and cause a problem.
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