We have a Bighorn 3370, 36' 2 axles, its 7 years old, I have replaced the rear springs 2X, front springs seem to hold up well, rear springs went flat both times. Both sets of springs were Lippert which are not the best (to be polite). Trailer is not overloaded, and being towed level. I just finished replacing all the springs, went to a different brand. Suspension shop I went to suggested NOT going to a heavier spring just put in a quality product. Why would 2 sets of rear spring wear out ? Thanks

How exactly did they wear out? Did they just sag or break? Shackles wear through?Just curious!

Going flat indicates to me that the rear axle is over loaded. I know you say not, but..... springs carry the weight between the axle and body. My guess if you were to get accurate weights of each wheel you will have your answer.

ScottG wrote:How exactly did they wear out? Did they just sag or break? Shackles wear through?Just curious!Just went flat, shakles were OK. Thanks

donn0128 wrote:Going flat indicates to me that the rear axle is over loaded. I know you say not, but..... springs carry the weight between the axle and body. My guess if you were to get accurate weights of each wheel you will have your answer.I weighed the truck and trailer combined, got weights on all axles, have never weighed each wheel, good idea I will do that. Thanks

DIDN'T you answer your own question

Rear springs wearing out too soon ??? | Good Sam Community

20 Replies

phillyg
Explorer II
May 03, 2015
Sport45 wrote:
phillyg wrote:
Had an interesting conversation with the guy who just replaced my boat trailer springs. He said most spring sets come from China and are made from scrap steel we send to them. Boat trailer springs used in FL year round in salt water used to last about 7 years; now he sees they're about done in 3 years. He had a source for US made springs but they are very expensive. I'm guessing all RV mfgrs. source their springs from China.

I'll bet the US springs are made from scrap steel too. ;)

I agree and I don't have a problem with recycling. I'm guessing the springs coming from China are not subject to good re-manufacturing processes.
huron52
Explorer
Apr 20, 2015
When I had my wet bolts installed they were loose around the eyelet. So I replaced both sets of spring with new and the next higher rating.
laknox
Nomad
Apr 20, 2015
jpjulian wrote:
We had a 2008 Bighorn 3370. We suffered spring failures on both sides of the axles. The street side failed and we lost the entire rear spring pack 9/12 causing the frame to collapse onto the tires. The curb side failed 6/13 which blew out a tire instantly, took out the brakes and electrical to the right side of the axle and major body damage. We believe the spring hangers wore out, failed and caused the springs to break. My wife no longer had confidence in the Bighorn and we traded for a new Excel 10/13. Full disclosure, we had at least 50K miles on the Bighorn, including an Alaska trip. The unit was never overloaded. Parts wore out and should have been repaired during normal maintenance.

Joe

B.S., Joe. The FW =should= have been better built. ALL trailers should have wet bolts and bronze bushings in the shackles, at minimum, from the factory. Cost them what?; maybe $30-40, in quantity? Would you be so complacent if you car only lasted 50k miles? My next FW will be ordered and part of that will be upgraded tires and a wet bolt kit, from day one.

Lyle
Sport45
Explorer II
Apr 20, 2015
phillyg wrote:
Had an interesting conversation with the guy who just replaced my boat trailer springs. He said most spring sets come from China and are made from scrap steel we send to them. Boat trailer springs used in FL year round in salt water used to last about 7 years; now he sees they're about done in 3 years. He had a source for US made springs but they are very expensive. I'm guessing all RV mfgrs. source their springs from China.

I'll bet the US springs are made from scrap steel too. ;)
time2roll
Nomad
Apr 19, 2015
+1 to replace ALL springs at the next higher rating.
Working great on mine BTW.
jjj
Explorer
Apr 19, 2015
I have a 37' Keystone Challenger that the spring packs flattened out and replaced them with 6 leaf 3500 lb. instead of the 4 leaf 3000 lb. springs that I bought from e-trailer. They are holding up very well even though I was very unsure about the china springs. I needed them in a hurry and they were the best I could get in the time frame. They still look like they are new and on their 3rd. year.
phillyg
Explorer II
Apr 19, 2015
Had an interesting conversation with the guy who just replaced my boat trailer springs. He said most spring sets come from China and are made from scrap steel we send to them. Boat trailer springs used in FL year round in salt water used to last about 7 years; now he sees they're about done in 3 years. He had a source for US made springs but they are very expensive. I'm guessing all RV mfgrs. source their springs from China.
ilvtravln
Explorer II
Apr 19, 2015
rhagfo wrote:
Does the 5er tow level???

Yes
Veebyes
Explorer II
Apr 19, 2015
Given the frame builders reputation of building sub or at least minimum standard, I upped my springs to a 7 pack from a 6.

Seen what happens when a spring breaks. Not pretty. The new ones all round are good insurance & security.
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Apr 19, 2015
Weigh each axle then you know for sure what your load is and then the proper springs can be installed.