After reading the article in FMC, Nov. 09, I have several concerns about our 2008 Cayman. I would appreciate input on the following:
1) How does one determine what type of chasis and rear trailing arms are on RV? I can't find it in the literature orsales agreement.
2) Is an inspection of the trailing arms really necessary? If so, what repair shop or rv service center can be considered competent and trustworthy?
3) Is a replaement really necessary even if no cracks are found? We live several hunddred miles from a Source Manufacturing service facility and parts would have to be shipped. Given that each replacement arm weighs 110 lb plus the cost, this sounds like very expensive proposition.
4) Are rear trailing arms more likely to crack if towing? What about towing weight?
According to my information, there are THREE different suspensions under the R4R and RR4R chassis over the years. ONLY ONE IS AFFECTED.
The recall affects Rear Suspension Trailing Arms ONLY ON THE R4R and RR4R CHASSIS with the "Monaco Gold" or sometimes referred to as "R-Way" suspension. It is an in-house copy of the Neway suspension. It does NOT include any suspension systems made by Neway or Reyco.
The recalled R-Way arm goes UNDER the rear axle and is made of 3" square tubing. They are on either side in the rear. The rear air bag is bolted to the rear/back end of the trailing arm. The center of the trailing arm is bolted to the rear axle with a large u-bolt and plates and the front is bolted to the frame. The cracks happen on the upper or lower portion of the center of the trailing arm where the u-bolt holds it to the axle.
You can identify the Reyco rear suspension (NOT AFFECTED BY THE RECALL) by the trailing arms that go over the axle rather than under.
If you have the FOUR air bag suspension and your trailing arm goes OVER the AXLE= Reyco= no problem.
If you have the FOUR air bag suspension and your trailing arm goes UNDER the AXLE= Neway OR R-Way= MAY, repeat MAY. BE SUBJECT TO THE RECALL/problem.
If the trailing arm is 3" square tubing, it is R-Way and is part of the recall. The Neway was used basically from 2000 thru 2002 and those arms are identified by the fabricated weldments using multiple pieces of plate welded into a box assembly (Not tube) and is NOT part of the recall-- there are no problems with this design
Monaco had a previous recall on the trailing arms because of bad welds. IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THE ARMS REPLACED UNDER THIS EARLIER CAMPAIGN ARE STILL THE OLD DESIGN THAT ARE SUBJECT TO BREAKING-- I.E. THEY ARE THE 3" SQUARE TUBE DESIGN. They need to be upgraded just like the original trailing arms.
The trailing arm allows the rear axle to move up and down using the air bag to cushion and limit the movement. A lot of stress is placed on the pivot point at the arm on the axle.
The recall essentially includes any R4R or RR4R Monaco Roadmaster chassis produced after the 2002 model year. This change was made as a running change and it is possible that some very late 2002 models could be effected.
NHSTA didn't think they could do anything because Monaco is out of business and the "new" Monaco appears to be under no legal obligation to accept responsibility.
The arm's crack, allowing excessive rear suspension movement AND CAN BE DANGEROUS, as the arm holds the axle in place front to rear.
Monaco doesn't supply the parts any more. The new supplier is: Source Manufacturing in Portland: 541-935-0308 . They say their arms are 3 to 4 times stronger than the original
Over on Irv2.com, there is an extensive discussion re; the rear trailing arm issues, and what to look for. Here's a link to that thread. I manage a small frontend and alignment shop in Orange County, CA, and we have replaced several sets of the defective trailing arms, and are an authorized dealer for the Source Engineering replacement arms.
Under no circumstances, allow anybody to convince you that they are able to weld and reinforce the existing arms. You will literally be throwing good money into the wind.
See ya out there!!
Hooliville member #128
Gary & Lynne.
'04 Dolphin 5320 WH-22 370W Solar
22' Mighty Mover Trailer, 60W. Solar.
Sand Sprite 4. 2.3L EFI sand buggy
'04 Polaris Predator
'84 Jeep CJ.
Golden Lab "Annie" for both of us
Offline
Online
