Axel Documentation

[Bob Landry]

I didn't receive any type of service or maintainence information with my new Outback on the axels. What should I have gotten in the information packet. The tech doing the walk-through really glossed over the axel info and lubrication, like he may not have been very knowledgeable about it.

[Handysam]

Bob we received a very non informative pamphlet on our axles, but this being our third camper I'm used to it. I don't have the info with me right now, but I will see what I can find. It doesn't sound like your very happy with your Outback so far. I've seen you over on the other forums as well. Just remember, take one issue at a time. Happy Camping. Sam

[ktmracer]

mine was in the packet with all the manuals for OEM supplied stuff. was full of axle and brake info along with a manual for the dexter "bearing buddies".

[DAF]

You can download the full manuals from the axle manufacturers websites

Dexter: http://dexteraxle.com/home

Lippert: http://www.lci1.com/

My Springdale has a Lippert chassis and Dexter axles

[Festus2]

Bob Landry:
While there was no service or maintenance information included with our 5th, there was a fairly comprehensive 45 page Owner's Manual for the Alko axles - including some information on brakes and tires. In the back of the Manual, there were a couple of pages set aside for "Service Records" but these were blank.
I somehow doubt that any information about the servicing (lubrication, adjustment, etc.) of the axles and suspension system would be included. Like many, I am assuming that the axles were properly lubed at the factory or ??? prior to delivery.
In any case, I am taking the 5th in shortly for a complete inspection of the suspension and brake system as well as a thorough tire check before we head out.
I think in today's world where print material is becoming almost obsolete, we can expect fewer and fewer printed owner's manuals. The magic words seem to be "Go to our website where you can download the Owner's Manual".
If you are looking for and expecting perfection in your new RV, you may be disappointed. Remember, these units come off plant assembly lines by the thousands and attention to detail - like making notes for the consumer about when the axles were lubed - isn't part of their strategic plan.

[Bob Landry]

It doesn't sound like your very happy with your Outback so far.

Actually, I'm not at all unhappy with it. I just wish they had used a little more foresight relating to the range vent issue. That's the one thing that is annoying simply because I think it's not only a comfort/comvenience issue with not being able to vent out heat and cooking odors, but also from the potential hazard of having window trim and plastic mini-blinds in such close proximity to a stove burner. If I were the design person for this trailer, I would have done something about that, if for no other reason, liability issues. If there is an incident relative to that area and they have had repeated comments and complaints from consumers about , that could potentially be very costly to them, however, that's not my problem.(Unless I have a kitchen fire)

My electrical issue turned out to be an oversight on my part and closer inspection showed it not to be an issue.

I did have to repair a kitchen drawer support, but things like that are not unexpected and along with being capable enough to do the repair, I saw some opportunity to strengthen some areas that needed it with very little additional effort. I did the same thing with my previous trailer and it's all just part of the RV game.

The only thing left to resolve is getting some information on the trailer axles simply because if there is any needed maintainence needed, I would like to know what it is. I'm confident that a call to Keystone will bring that to solution.

[Handysam]

Bob maybe I just read your post in such a way that led me to believe your not happy with it. I'm glad you are. Keep us informed on your contact with Keystone. Happy Camping, Sam

[Bob Landry]

We just got back from our second outing in the new trailer. I guess it's the first since the first one was actually a "shakedown" night close to the dealer. All went well with no electrical or mechanical issues.
I did notice one thing. After unning the AC for a few minutes, I noticed condensate dripping down the side of the trailer and puddling by the front step. I thought thata little strange since there are gutter spouts on all corners, and during the first night, the trailer was unlevel towards the street side and the AC condensate was dripping out of a spout on that side. I looked up and behind the awning attachment, I saw a spot of daylight in the gutter molding. I didn't have a ladder to look at the top side, but I'll do that tomorrow. It looks like a couple of possibilities. Either Keystone installed remnants when they put the gutter on and left a gap in it, or they broke it during manufacture and didn't stop the prod line to replace it. Either way, it's not right. Aside from the pool of water that accumalates around the front step, and the black streak that will eventually show up on the side of the trailer, the drip runs right over the outside electical outlet that's located close to the fromt door. I'll take photos of it and email to Keystone and see what they have to say. All in all, it looks like a pretty well built unit and pulls well. I don't have my anti-sway installed yet, pending getting the WD hitch adjusted correctly, so when getting passed by a big rig, there were a couple of instances of the tail wagging the dog, but all of that will be resolved soon.

[Festus2]

Experienced the same problem when we first bought it home from the dealer--- two sections of gutters, with a tiny space between the two, running the length of the unit. The dealer is too far away and rather than get into a potential prolonged hassle with the dealer or with Keystone to get this problem solved, I simply put some expoxy in the space plus a thin coating of silicone ----- problem solved in a few minutes!
It's "not right" but sometimes, it is far easier, faster and less stressful to take care of these "small" problems yourself. And you know that the fix has been done properly.

[Bob Landry]

Experienced the same problem when we first bought it home from the dealer--- two sections of gutters, with a tiny space between the two, running the length of the unit. The dealer is too far away and rather than get into a potential prolonged hassle with the dealer or with Keystone to get this problem solved, I simply put some expoxy in the space plus a thin coating of silicone ----- problem solved in a few minutes!
It's "not right" but sometimes, it is far easier, faster and less stressful to take care of these "small" problems yourself. And you know that the fix has been done properly.

I'm kinda thinking that way also. I'll call the dealer and see what their version of "the fix" is and make a decision from that. I havn't had a chance to inspect the type of attatchment they used, but I'm not excited about doing anything that would affect the integrity of the attachment method, especially of it goes through the rubber roof and sidewall. Your silicon method does have merit, since if I do notice it dripping again, it's easy enough to reapply. Being in the marine repair business, I know what my customers would expect, or should I say demand, and what quality of work needs to be done for a specific situation. The tech that did the walkthrough on my new trailer was a nice guy, but just talking to him for a few minutes and asking a couple of questions, left me wondering how much of this stuff they actually just do on the fly and hoping for a good result. I'm not sure that the dealership wouldn't have the same attitude as production line people, that would be just get it done and move on to the next job. It's sad that craftsmanship has come to that, but it's the real world. They all work on schedules and time incentives and usualy work for a supervisor who gets bonuses based on numbers. On the other hand, when you work for yourself, you have the option of taking the time and doing whatever it takes to have a happy customer. that equates to repeat customers, which is where the bread and butter really is. The RV builders really don't care much about that because there are always potential customers to replace the lost ones, and business goes on. That is until they run out of potential customers. It happens. Business go under because of the bean counters and the "so-called "efficiency experts", then they scratch their heads wondering what happened.