These were the first words we heard that would turn into the most complicated, road-side, fix to date in our RV journey. Now, I will say, this was the best case scenario of all the possibilities as I will explain as we go…
Now, I first must say our luck began about 45 minutes before the final break occurred. We had stopped in Storrs, CT to show the kids around UCONN (University of Connecticut), where I attend for about 6 months back in college on an exchange program. It was a good time, a fairly quick stop, but all seemed in order – that is except for that loud “knocking” we heard off and on as we drove around with the windows down…
As we left Hartford, I decided I would follow Google Maps onto Route 15 in Connecticut…it looked great, it saved us lots of time and it said “Commercial Vehicles Prohibited.” Me, being the proud college graduate I am, was able to reason I was most certainly not getting paid for this journey so we did meet that restriction. For my aviation folk, I would liken that sign to the “Hydraulic Low Pressure” lights flicker and go out on gear retraction. Sure, they went out…but I should have known that was an indicator of something worse to come…
What I didn’t see were these signs…
As it turns out, we violated only 3 of the 7 items listed above – we most certainly aren’t commercial and we were not riding our bikes. No, our bikes were, in fact, loaded into the 13′ 6″ high, 34,000 pound combination trailer…OOPS!
It was about the time we saw this tunnel (and the lack of anything other than cars…) that we realized we might not be in the correct spot. We did, in fact, make it through (albeit in the middle of the arch, taking up both lanes). We took the next exit, and returned to the route the trucking map app was requesting.
As we took a left onto the next highway, Route 8 for those familiar, this happened…
You can see that the trim above the back tire is fully in tact as we begin the turn. At about 2 seconds into the video, you can witness the whole trailer lurch to the side. This, my friends, was the view from the outside as the second of the two axle hanger broke free and allowed the axle to slide about 6 inches to the left. The trim departed the trailer, and so did part of one of the axle hangers, and the tires began to burn away from contact with the underside of the trailer.
Normal location of these “Axle Hangers” 
The axle hanger broke free of its mounting spot (seen to the right with a piece still welded to the frame).
As a man named Bryan saw the smoke, he quickly came along side of us to alert us to the problem. Not only did he alert us to the problem, but he quickly provided a safe “Park-and-Ride” spot at the next exit ahead. He showed us the spot and helped us initially assess the damage.
Knowing a welder would be needed, I asked if Bryan knew anyone. No one came to mind however, he did take a picture of a nice looking truck he saw at an auto parts store…
We called the number and a man named Chris answered. Chris reviewed some pictures and met us that evening at our new roadside home…
He agreed he was up for the task, but would need help to source the part the next morning. We parted ways with the agreement that we would meet again the next afternoon. Bryan, needing the return to work, checked on us a few more times to ensure we were comfortable and safe throughout the evening and night.
The next morning we contacted Lippert, the manufacturer of the frame of our trailer. We were pleasantly surprised to learn our frame has a three-year warranty with some time still left! They, in one of the greatest showings of technical knowledge and customer service to date in the RV industry, authorized the installation of a temporary part to get us back on the road. We could not find an exact replacement, but they were able to give us the most important of the technical specs to ensure a safe ride until the OEM, or factory, parts could be installed.
We found workable hangers at a local trailer supply shop; they were extremely patient and helpful for us! Good prices, responsive and they knew their trailer parts – all things I appreciate in a business!
Chris met us back that afternoon (right on time!) and began to cut, melt, flame, do sorcery, magic, welding, etc…all the things.
After a few hours (and some amazing help from our wonderful new-friend, Bryan), we were back on the road!
Lippert has shipped parts to our location in Hershey, PA and we think we have found a welder to get us all fixed up, for good. The only remaining part will be the small amount of body damage and tire damage that occurred when the axle slid over…
Thanks to Chris and Bryan, they saved what could have been not only a major trip disruption, but could have lead to a very unsafe and extremely uncomfortable situation. We hope to meet again soon – this time for a much deserved meal on us! Thanks again, guys!
We headed off to our campsite in New Jersey just across the Hudson from Manhattan. Those two tour-till-you-drop days will be detailed soon by our best travel post writer, Kristin!
