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Coachman_Owner's avatar
Coachman_Owner
Explorer
Jan 24, 2020

Fifth wheel suspension maintenance

I have a 2004 Coachmen Chaparral 277DS fifth wheel with the standard cast iron Dexter equalizers and spring suspension. I've read articles where people have experienced catrostophic damage from broken shackles, broken spring bolts, and worn through equalizers. There doesn't appear to me to be be any maintenance to the system other than a complete teardown to inspect, replace worn pieces, or just put in new while it's dismanteled. Are there any suggestions of what to do, what to look for, and what to replace with if need be or suggestions?
  • fj12ryder's avatar
    fj12ryder
    Explorer III
    Jan 25, 2020
    azdryheat wrote:
    I took the 5 year old stock suspension components and replaced them with EZ Flex and wet bolts. What a difference in the ride, tremendously reduced the bucking going over bumps. And the wet bolts eliminated all the squeaking.
    This is the best way to do any maintenance on OEM suspension. Basically the OEM suspension is so bad there is no real way to lube anything or do any real preventive maintenance. You just check it, and replace the parts that are worn out. It should be a crime to put that kind of suspension on anything that cost more than a #1.98.
  • Edd505's avatar
    Edd505
    Explorer
    Jan 25, 2020
    Routine inspections & the first sign of an issue up grade the suspension. We travel a lot, 10,000+ year so I put Morryde sre4000 & Morryde heavy duty shackle kit in. I can now grease the suspension and do not worry about worn nylon bushings, the replacements are bronze, 500-600 in parts.
  • azdryheat's avatar
    azdryheat
    Explorer
    Jan 25, 2020
    I took the 5 year old stock suspension components and replaced them with EZ Flex and wet bolts. What a difference in the ride, tremendously reduced the bucking going over bumps. And the wet bolts eliminated all the squeaking.

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