Escapade trailer issue

[2manywings]

Winter is here... We got our first snowfall of the year here in MI. last night. Boo-Hoo! I have a suspension problem with my Escapade trailer that I'd like to know if anyone else here has experienced. The 3/4" dia. stub spindle that the trailing arm attaches to snapped off approx. 1" inside of the tube. It happened just about where the stubs are plug welded into the tube from the factory. I'm wondering if the added heat from the plug welding process possibly affects the strength of that 3/4" stub. Has anyone else had this happen and is there a proven fix other than replacing the entire sub-frame from CSC ? I question if a 3/4" spindle is strong enough for the task at hand. I'd be thankful for any feedback!

[Viking]

Probably your best option for answers would be to contact the manufacturer of the trailer. This may, or may not, be Open Road Outfitters in Florida. If it is, you could email them at:

Dale@OpenRoadOutfitters.com

[WingAdmin]

I'm assuming this is what you're looking at:

Tough to see what is holding that there, is it welded to the inside of the tube? I might be tempted to take it to a welding shop to see if they could effect a repair, before replacing the subframe. But for sure talk to CSC first to see what they have to say.

[MikeB]

Here is information you need for making contact with California Sidecar

California Sidecar / Escapade Trailers
Colleen Business Park
100 Motorcycle Run
Arrington, VA 22922
Parts / Service / Technical Support
Telephone: (434) 263 – 8866
Fax: (434) 263 – 8877
www.californiasidecar.com

[Viking]

Probably your best option for answers would be to contact the manufacturer of the trailer. This may, or may not, be Open Road Outfitters in Florida. If it is, you could email them at:

Dale@OpenRoadOutfitters.com

Okay, I guess it is not Open Road that makes them... They must just be a vendor. So, California Sidecar makes Escapade trailers. Who knew. Well, somebody obviously. Good info for the Original Poster, thank you.

[newday777]

Do a web search of escapade trailer broken axle and you'll see it has happened before.

http://gl1800riders.com/forums/14-mc-tr ... ion=thread

[2manywings]

After speaking with CSC (Escapade) and doing a goggle search, it appears that this problem has happened to others, but by no means in large enough numbers to be alarming. CSC has made changes to this area in recent years to simplify production across all models according to them. I could upgrade mine with this newer style frame and bearings for around $550 + shipping, but there are hundreds if not thousands of these out there that have never had an issue. So I've decided to repair to original specs. I removed the frame, drilled out the plug welds, extracted the broken remains, had a new stub made by a machinist friend and rewelded into the frame tube. Should be as good as new. Thanks for all of the input folks and have a "Merry Christmas" !!

[minimac]

You should be good to go, but the fact that others had the same issue and CSC changed (updated) the design, I would think that they would have made the repair a lot less expensive for those that had the issue with what is obviously a fault in the design. Good to know and thanks for your posting it.