Snapped leaf spring

Question

We pulled in Fort Stockton to rest up on our way to Big Bend National Park. We attempted to level the fifth wheel with our set of Anderson levelers (love these by the way!!) but couldn't get one of the levelers between the wheels. Perplexed and tired we gave up and turned in. The next morning we looked under the trailer and saw a leaf spring hanging down. It had literally snapped. So, if you ever find yourself stranded in Fort Stockton Texas I highly recommend Century trailer, right off highway 10. We went ahead and had them replace both springs on that axle. They inspected the other set and said they were fine. Not sure when it snapped but we were told that a lot of people don't notice it until their tires are rubbing together. We may not have if we had not tried to level it.

bobkrogstie · Answer

Did you find this outfit per chance or did you find it on RV Service Reviews?

royf · Answer

One of my leaf springs broke a few years ago. After replacing the spring, I advise that you periodically check the nuts on u-bolts that hold axles in place; nuts can work loose, allowing an axle to shift, causing tires teads to wear out quickly. (That happened to me.)

the_bear_ii · Answer

On our 20 year old 5th wheel one of the leaf springs snapped just as we turned onto our street. Luckily it didn't happen while on the highway.

I'm guessing what may have happened was we hit a bad bump on the freeway. It was so bad my wife who was following in her car said all of the wheels of the 5th wheel came off the ground. Then the turn onto our street is very off camber and a big dip which puts all the stress on the side where the leaf broke. The bump weakened it and the turn snapped it.

I replaced all 4 springs so we should be good for another 20 years.

veebyes · Answer

Frame builders are notorious for building to "just barely good enough" spec. Then we get them, load them up beyond capacity, & merrily go bouncing around the country finding every pothole along the way.

I ride with confidence having upgraded the frame in the spring hanger area & upgraded the springs from a 6 leaf stack to a 7 leaf.

rexlion · Answer

I have had a couple of broken springs on a single axle cargo trailer.  You're fortunate to have had this happen on a tandem, because it's pretty hard to navigate a single axle when a spring is busted.

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Snapped leaf spring

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