Vector - Lanham

Everything looks to be going well. Going to have a local semi-truck axle, trailer outfit fix the axles and, just like you suggest, it is most likely going back to Oliver to be gone over. Jason and the Oliver crew have been good in this matter, just a bit delayed insurance (normal) and being occupied by the rally, which is just a timing thing. I look forward to it being back to mint condition and am glad that it looks like Oliver will do the fiberglass work and check over any other work. Appreciate all the good advice from everyone.

Fellow Oliver Owners: Interested in camping outside Yellowstone at the Yellowstone Edge RV Park? It's a premium park, 30 miles outside Yellowstone NP on the Yellowstone River. There is an open spot from 30 May to 6 June if you call pretty quick. I booked these about 11 months ago, so it may be a good opportunity for ya'all. Due to the left two wheels flying off my Ollie and subsequent repairs, etc., the trailer won't be repaired for a few weeks, minimum. So, this lovely RV park, comes highly recommended from my awesome Aunt Linda, has openings. One closed door may open some camping opportunities for one of ya'all. I have cancelled my reservation 30 minutes ago and got a partial refund, so i'm just offering this up, as camping around Yellowstone this quickly, at such a nice RV park is kinda rare. The opening may fill up quickly, I don't know. They have full hook-ups and super nice bathrooms and laundry. Cool, thanks, Lanham

Bill, thanks for the post. Do you have the Dexter Part # for the 5200# axle? If i have axle damage, I may go ahead and upgrade to the 5200. The braking power of the 5200 seems like an attractive element of that set-up. You pretty happy with the 5200s? thanks kindly, Vector/Lanham

Well, my situation 'is this: I was exactly 200 miles away from the Oliver facility in Hohenwald, between Jackson and Cape Girardeau, Missouri when the event transpired. One hub''s lug bolts sheered off (possible over tightening), I think this wheel came off first., I felt a jolt here, and that makes sense. ~1 to 4 miles later, the other hub's lug bolts appeared to have not been tightened or loosened up possibly, and those lug nuts came off lug bolts, followed by the wheel at 70mph on I-55. I thought i hit a pot hole, but further thought, I think it was highly probable that that was a wheel that came off (the sheered bolts), because i recovered the single wheel that appears to have had the lug nuts work their way off (as has been analyzed by a few mechanics already). I've never lost a wheel before. I am very happy that no one was hurt, and that I calmly and brought the trailer to a stop on the far edge of the shoulder without any additional damage to the trailer or another vehicle (the hitch performed very well), since the left wheels were off, it could have been potentially pulled (it was leaning left). The Mo State Trooper gave me an adaboy for how i' parked it square on the shoulder's edge..which was nice. The tow truck did a good job of minimizing damage as they put it on the flatbed..which had to be done. it's currently in storage on a lot in that area. I want to get this resolved one way or another very quickly. I have an upcoming vacation and i have a lot of deadlines at work in the next couple weeks. Hopefully, it will go smoothly, but if not I'll deal with it best I can. I appreciate all of the positive and insightful comments ya'all have made here. I enjoy being a part of the Oliver Community and enjoy this Forum as well as the FB page. Thank you. Vector.

2nd Batch of Pix

Pictures of the Wheel

Thanks Raspy. It'll work out one way or another...just want to go camping w/ the family really.

Hey Raspy, the tires on mine (from the factory) were Correction BF Goodrich , just FYI.

No, I didn't re-check the torques..50 miles from Hohenwald, was just coming home (about a 5.5 to 6 hour drive). It happened on a good interstate, I-55 at the ~111 mile marker,between Cape Girardeau and Jackson, Mizzoura. I am trying to figure out why I shouldn't get steel wheels right now..they may not be as pretty, but they may be safer...I think they're safer.

Hey Raspy, I"ll be calling to see what's up and discuss. Like you I prefer the 5200# for capacity and i'm a big believer it the best brakes possible, one of the reasons I bought the Titan XD, it has huge brakes. The truck handled well in this situation...ironically, i just bought some new Michelin Defender LXs which will be put on this week (pre-paid, they were on-sale at Costco). They've combined the LX and Defender into one Big Name..ha ha.

**Bulldog Hitch**: One thing I want to point out on the positive-side of all this is the brilliance of the Bull Dog Hitch. I love that design, it's functionality and it's strength. The BD Hitch remained in place, holding onto my hitch of the Nissan Titan XD...i didn't have any trailer sway just "trailer lean" :) and trailer sparks (my great regret is I didn't see those sparks in the pitch black night, that would have been oddly cool). I attribute the lack of sway to good trailer design, my truck's anti-sway tech and that hitch...because it didn't come off and then rely on the safety cables. I'd camped with a fellow OTT man Don Thompson at th e Amber Falls winery, and that morning, we both put a good splotch of lithium grease on each of our hitch balls and hitch receiver (inside, around the spring, etc.) to prevent corrosion, extend longevity, improve functionality. I recommend everyone to do that..take those disposable gloves as that grease is sticky and will stain. So, whomever made the call for the BD Hitch, Bravo. I do think that, among other items, is a product difference-maker, comparative advantage for Oliver.over their competition.

I have faith that they'll treat me right in this situation..they're good people. And if not, i'll deal with it and get it fixed best I can. Thanks.

Thanks for the offer, I was about 2 hours from my house on the way home from Hohenwald. Got the trailer to a good yard, I talk to GEICO Monday, have to meet an appraiser..i did see some fiberglass near the wheel-well get shredded, don't know how easy that will be to fix since it was an edge piece (chime in if you have an opinion) that piece was about 1/2 the size of my hand, give or take.

Very odd indeed. I’m a bit fuzzy on where the failure points were. Is it that the front wheel lugs sheared off and the rear wheel pulled the lugs out of the hub – so the wheel itself didn’t fail? (I imagine they took a beating regardless.) Yes, the front ones were sheered off and the rear wheel pulled off the lugs, but the lugs were still there..which was odd. Rear wheel lugs were in place, whereas the front ones were completely scalped off the hub. Wondering if the lugs had been overtorqued at some point by an overzealous mechanic. A mechanic friend of mine said that is typically what happens when they sheer off, they've been overtorqued. I'd just had the EZ Flex installed in Hohenwald the previous day. I think I’d want to replace them on the other side just to be sure. Of course the opposite could be true as well – if they hadn’t been tightened properly that would continually stress the lugs, and the pothole just finished the job.I don't know if the axle was bent, if it was I'll replace all of it. I'll have to look at it, but I always prefer to over-engineer..i'd rather pay now then pay later...frankly, that's one of the reasons (seemingly ironic at this point in time) that I bought the Oliver. Let me be clear, sometimes stuff happens, and I really like the OTT folks and products..but it is an unfortunate event. Also, what tire pressure do you run? A high pressure wouldn’t allow for much force to be absorbed by the tires. I run a on the lower end of the range for that reason. I asked the shop guys if they had checked the pressure before I left, but I didn't. Of course, that is something I'm wondering about. Maybe i'll get those constant tire pressure monitors on the next set.

1, Well, i feel a different pressure in the back, immediately look at my Left Trailer mirrior,..i see the trailer is leaning weirdly left...i assumed a blowout. 2. I use my mirrors and my camera to look for anyone near my rig, I see I have a room to maneuver. i calmly and a low angle bring hit the brakes, but not stomp them and bring it to the right shoulder...i made a an effort to get the right tires on the right edge of the shoulder...there wasn't a lot of extra space. and turns out there was steep 10 foot drop off right off the shoulder that I couldn't see in the dark.. no moon and overcast it was very dark. The frame under the bumper ( i'm hoping just some bolts) might have absorbed the friction...but it was dark w/ semis. The hubs were rolling, ...i don't know if i'll need just new hubs of the axle was affected. I would say big props to the frame and the bull dog hitch..it stayed on very nicely. The bulldog hitch is a great element of the OTT. BTW, another benefit of steel wheels, which are heavier, is that they bring the center of gravity lower, and thus, make the rig more stable..i'm not seeing any reasons to not switch to steel. Addendum: I was cruising the speed limit, getting passed a lot. I'm very safety-oriented driver, but somethings are out of your control. The aluminum wheel is textbook broken, cracked and tore...which frankly, isn't impressive. I'm 95% sure that I will replace them with steel, assuming the frame is not-cracked or compromised. I assume others hit that pothole, but I didn't see anyone else lose a wheel. I am weirdly physically sore from the ordeal, adrenal rush i guess. I will say, that if this happens, focus on getting the rig to the far right shoulder as calmly as possible. I was actually holding a bottle of water to take a swig, and didn't realize until hours later that i had dropped it immediately to focus on pulling the trailer over. And hit the hazard lights. Know where your hazard light button is. Oh yeah, and a shout-out to the Missouri Highway Patrol..they were really terrific. I am grateful for their courteous and professional assistance. The tow-truck guy did a great job also (a recommend from a friend) and minimized (from what I could tell in the pitch black/flashlight light).

thanks. I'm not very confident in Chinese Products adhering to ANSI standards....prefer American, German or Japanese. Thanks, I'll be posting pictures later..it's raining (the one recovered wheel is in the truck, and my back is a little sore...probably from golf..) I just hope it get it fixed in the next week. What are the wheel sizes, anyone know?

Well, I hit a pot hole on the interstate..didn't think it was a big deal. BTW, i was on the way back from Hohenwald, getting some great service from OTT and Jason and Richie. Still, guess what? i had TWO, that's right TWO driver side tires fly off my OTT. I recovered one of them, but i had to go to the right shoulder (I-55 between Jackson, MO and Cape Girardeau, MO) on the HUBS, on two HUBS. I got it there, and there was nobody was hurt, although an older couple claimed to have hit one of the tires. Wheels: Because of the traffic, I couldn't take pictures of the wheels. But, I looked at them w/ the towing guy who also builds trailers. the front lugbolts were sheared off even with the hub, while the other tire came off w/ the lug nuts, the lug bolts were fine...very odd. Yeah, well, i had to get it towed. GEICO, btw, sucked. Gave me no real information, just took my information. I'll be shopping. I recovered one wheel. I'll post a picture...that aluminum gave way like nothing. I have no idea which wheel that was, front or back. Very frustrated, just had it serviced, then this happens. It was towed to a local yard of good repute, have to wait until Monday to see the next step. Wheel and Tire suggestions welcome. thanks. Very Worn Out Vector.

Route 2 through Nebraska I asked for campgrounds for traveling through Nebraska's Route 2 (a famous Blue Highway, that get's you off the interstate) This is what they said: "Nebraska city has anRV. camp as does Lincoln, grand island, Ravenna, broken Bow, halsey, Mullen, alliance, and hemingford and of course fort robinson." Might come in handy at some point, just wanted to share. I asked for better content..but, you take what you can get. Maybe less traffic for it :) Vector

Yes Sir, I'll make that if i have to get an IV everyday along the way. :)

I regret that I won't be able to make it OTT friends..i caught this nasty respiratory/flu virus combo thing that is going around, it's been 9 days, and i'm still in rough shape..please take care of yourselves, and maybe add a couple little mucinix, Vitamin C., or whatever work to your medical kits. I'm fine, but this is the worst illness i have had in probably 20 years, and it has hit the whole family, including my wife who i often suspect of being a cyborg for her natural disease-resistant abilities :). Take care and be safe, and have a ton of fun down there in Bama!! Vector.

Tire Sale Upcoming: A bird told me that Michelin truck tires will go on sale at Costco around 15 April 2019. The Bridgestones are on sale now, but i prefer the former. Stay well, Vector.

so, when we call the park to reserve a spot, they will cluster us with other Oliver TT owners? I presume true,but just verifying. thanks.

i have one in the cart. thanks.

Excellent insight Raspy.

It might be a good idea to throw 4 or 5 spare zerks which fit the Dexter EZ Flex system in your tool box, and also make sure you have a socket which fits them in your kit. I have broken a couple zerks on tractors (taking the grease gun off can sometimes be a little violent :) )..anyway, it might be a handy insurance policy. On the bright side, they won't add much to the weight of the trailer :) Vector