2015 NORTHWOOD ARCTIC FOX Suspension Problems

PRIOR TO A PLANNED TRIP, A TEST OF THE BRAKES OF THE TOWED 5TH WHEEL RV TRAILER (PULL TEST) WAS PERFORMED AND BRAKES FOUND TO BE NOT FUNCTIONING. INSPECTION OF THE 4 HUBS AND BREAK DRUMS ON BOTH AXLES SHOWED THAT GREASE FROM THE WHEEL BEARINGS HAD FLOWED PAST THE WHEEL BEARING SEALS AND CONTAMINATED THE BRAKE DRUMS, BRAKE MAGNETS, AND BRAKE SHOES. MANUFACTURER OF THE RV SAYS THE AXLES ARE PURCHASED FROM AL-KO USA A.K.A. AL-KO AXIS, INC. AS A COMPLETE UNIT AND CLAIMS NORTHWOOD MANUFACTURING IS NOT RESPONSIBLE. AL-KO USA WAS PURCHASED IN NOVEMBER 2014 BY DEXTER AXLE. THE AXLES IN THIS APPLICATION ARE 7,000 LB. RATED 12" X 2" DRUMS WITH ELECTRIC BRAKES. THE AL-KO DESIGN FEATURES A "ULTRULUBE" SYSTEM THAT ALLOWS GREASE TO BE PUMPED IN THROUGH A GREASE FITTING ON THE END OF THE SPINDLE. IT HAS BECOME WIDELY KNOWN IN THE RV USER COMMUNITY...