Luv2Camp
Active Member
I posted this in a boat forum I belong to but because I know that Karavan also makes PWC trailers, wanted to let you all know of my experience as well.
Bought our new 185 and Karavan trailer combo from our Bayliner dealer in August of last year. Got to use the boat/trailer for 2 months before winterizing. I am getting some inside edge tire wear which can indicate a bent axle. The issue is that before I could inform anyone of the condition, the other day I decided to adjust my wheel bearings because there was a little excessive play in them since breaking in. That darn Sure Lube axle uses a tough solid pin to hold the castle nut on. They use this to seal off the holes so when you lube the zerk, it does not leak out of the holes like it would if a split cotter pin was used. The left side went ok but on the right side, the pin sheared off when I went to pry it out. There was just a small stub sticking out and I could not get it to punch out! I thought that because it was aluminum I could just start to unscrew the castle nut and the shoulder would shear off the nub. WRONG! That piece became lodged in the threads and I ruined both the spindle and castle nut threads.
I called Karavan and told them that I felt the axle was bent due to the tire wear and told them of my error and the fact that either way, I now need an axle. I said I would be willing to pay for some of the axle, shipping, etc as well. They had me e-mail them pics of the tire wear on both sides and sent me an e-mail back that they are sending me a new axle UPS at no charge! I replied back that I would like new seals, castle nuts, spare L pins and to let me know how much for these items. I received an e-mail back that they would also include all of these at no charge.
WOW! not what I was expecting. WORLD CLASS outfit!!! UPS shows I will have the packages on Monday morning. Hope to get the new axle swapped out Tuesday.
Bought our new 185 and Karavan trailer combo from our Bayliner dealer in August of last year. Got to use the boat/trailer for 2 months before winterizing. I am getting some inside edge tire wear which can indicate a bent axle. The issue is that before I could inform anyone of the condition, the other day I decided to adjust my wheel bearings because there was a little excessive play in them since breaking in. That darn Sure Lube axle uses a tough solid pin to hold the castle nut on. They use this to seal off the holes so when you lube the zerk, it does not leak out of the holes like it would if a split cotter pin was used. The left side went ok but on the right side, the pin sheared off when I went to pry it out. There was just a small stub sticking out and I could not get it to punch out! I thought that because it was aluminum I could just start to unscrew the castle nut and the shoulder would shear off the nub. WRONG! That piece became lodged in the threads and I ruined both the spindle and castle nut threads.
I called Karavan and told them that I felt the axle was bent due to the tire wear and told them of my error and the fact that either way, I now need an axle. I said I would be willing to pay for some of the axle, shipping, etc as well. They had me e-mail them pics of the tire wear on both sides and sent me an e-mail back that they are sending me a new axle UPS at no charge! I replied back that I would like new seals, castle nuts, spare L pins and to let me know how much for these items. I received an e-mail back that they would also include all of these at no charge.
WOW! not what I was expecting. WORLD CLASS outfit!!! UPS shows I will have the packages on Monday morning. Hope to get the new axle swapped out Tuesday.
