2016 Karavan Tandem Axle Trailer problems

Filed Jun 3, 2019 · Brakes, Wheels · 2,000 miles · OK

After approximately 2000 miles on trailer, wheel bearings failed. Center grease caps rubbed on grease zerk from incompatible axle/bearing cap. Contacted dealer where trailer was purchased, they got me in contact with karavan rep. Karavan sent me the correct center caps, did not cover any repair or replacement. After approximately 3000 miles trailer brakes failed upon emergency stop. The brake lines are routed on trailer with three locations of rubbing, two where the line goes under frame up to caliper, almost rubbed a hole in line, and one line looped rubbing inside right front axle wheel, this line was the one that rubbed until it was thin enough to rupture during hard braking. When the line ruptured a significant loss of braking occurred with loss of control of the vehicle. Contaced karavan by email with no response, my trailer is no longer under warranty. The trailer has been repaired at considerable cost to correct the manufacturing assembly defects. The build sheet for my trailer lists a revision to the assembly that details rotating the brake line fitting blocks to avoid this condition, had this been a recall this could have prevented the brake failure, if the correct bearing cap grease caps had been installed at the factory the bearing failures could have been prevented. Both conditions were known by the manufacturer.