Building my own RV

Thats a good idea... I'll have to check what the cost is for heavier rated axles but the ones I have are rated for 4400 pounds each.... I think that might be enough because I'm going to keep this as light as I can.... I'll hit the trailer place and let you know what they want for them... thanks again Barney for the link I think that would be a great upgrade

Remember that Argon filled windows could be a problem if you go to any altitude. Special windows are needed for any house built above 5000'.
RichH

What size axles does that have.

Just saying, if I was going through this I would put the heaviest rated axles under there, instead of what the manufacturers do. They put 10,000lb axles on a unit that weighs 9,999lbs unloaded.

That would put you way over safety zone for loading and carrying weight.

Take a look at this thread about a great suspension improvement that many of us have already made. If someone doesn't want the equalizers they sell just the bolt/bushing/shackle kits alone.
Barney


Dexter E-Z Flex suspension

Just took a look...and for the price, a great upgrade. Thanks for the heads up. Again we all learn as we go!!

JMO, but if I were building something to last I'd spend a few more bucks and put the EZ-Flex suspension kit on there. A much beefier, and better designed system, and completely greasable. And as a real plus it improves the ride of the trailer tremendously.

I promised lots of pictures...so back to work. As I said this build starts from the ground up so lets talk suspension. A quick note: I since have learned that you can get shackle bolts that have a zerk fitting. I will most likely go back and redo this but for now here is what I have done. I'm surprised that the cost for replacement parts is actually pretty inexpensive. Another surprise is that most trailer suspensions are fairly generic. These axles are rated 4400 pounds each by looking at the tags on them. With that said here we go...
I would say these are worn out and not only that, pretty right down dangerous. Not sure how many of you actually check this stuff but I would say every few years is going to be mandatory on my list. Now I realized why the head of the bolt has a knurled shaft to keep it from spinning in the shackle.

Getting to the bushings just in time.

Actually very easy to get to.

Just getting started...amazing what you learn along the way.

We will be having lots of conversation along the way I'm sure of that!

There's probably a lot here who remember this project.

I'm excited to follow your post as well.

KKELLER14K wrote:
Yes it does overhanging the sidewalk but it will fit on the side of my house once I have it done..... this is just so that I have a place to easily work on it.... if I ever get harassed for it I'll just park it sideways in my driveway if I have to..... my driveway is 36 feet wide so I even have more space.... I know all of my neighbors and they are all for the project so there's no beef there and with respect to blocking the sidewalk..... I jacked it up even higher than in the picture and you can walk right under it so it's not technically blocking the sidewalk...lol! I told my wife I had a special seat for her where the air can blow through her hair... she was a good sport and found it pretty amusing... I got a lot of looks and a few honks going down the road.... it was a pretty funny sight. Thought you all would get a kick out of that one!!!.... I have an idea for the tank issues which you will see as the build progresses.... the floor plan is basically the footprint that was there. I wanted a rear kitchen but the bedroom and bathroom is completely different. That idea came from a cougar floor plan... I literally took copies of floor plans... took out my scissors and cut and pasted this one together talk about going retro..lol... I don't live too far from the Curtis trailer dealer so when I need to be inspired... I go down and walk through all of the new ones then I look at the build sheets and what they cost....jeez... talk about getting motivated building your own!!!

I would still put a couple cones out there and some crime scene tap. Its a pretty litigious world we live in. JMHO

Yes it does overhanging the sidewalk but it will fit on the side of my house once I have it done..... this is just so that I have a place to easily work on it.... if I ever get harassed for it I'll just park it sideways in my driveway if I have to..... my driveway is 36 feet wide so I even have more space.... I know all of my neighbors and they are all for the project so there's no beef there and with respect to blocking the sidewalk..... I jacked it up even higher than in the picture and you can walk right under it so it's not technically blocking the sidewalk...lol! I told my wife I had a special seat for her where the air can blow through her hair... she was a good sport and found it pretty amusing... I got a lot of looks and a few honks going down the road.... it was a pretty funny sight. Thought you all would get a kick out of that one!!!.... I have an idea for the tank issues which you will see as the build progresses.... the floor plan is basically the footprint that was there. I wanted a rear kitchen but the bedroom and bathroom is completely different. That idea came from a cougar floor plan... I literally took copies of floor plans... took out my scissors and cut and pasted this one together talk about going retro..lol... I don't live too far from the Curtis trailer dealer so when I need to be inspired... I go down and walk through all of the new ones then I look at the build sheets and what they cost....jeez... talk about getting motivated building your own!!!