Upgraded suspension on 5er.
5er is almost 8 years old...GVW 16,950# (39' 9" in length), 7,000# rated Dexter axles. I had replaced one sagging spring several years back, (yeah, just one at the time, discovering it very well may have been the reason I had a tire lose it's tread while towing one day,, height from wheel well to tire was scary low)..
Figuring we'll keep this 5er for a while, I had some suspension work done that I believe in the long run will help maintain this units integrity and eliminate any more suspension issues that could have shown up in next several years.
I had the 3500# rated spring packs replaced with 4,000# spring packs, (no, I don't expect to add any more weight to the unit, last time weighed, was 15,940#)...just wanted a more robust spring pack and I also picked up another 1" of height on 5er , which helped with height between truck bed and 5er (a tad over 6" now). Replaced generic equalizer centers with the Equa-flex equalizer set up..all new U-bolts and Never fail bushings, Also replaced the OEM shocks (2 were bad, 1 was weak) with Monroe Severe shocks.
Also replaced 3 of the slide toppers, ( stretched and worn)... Didn't need to replace the one over the long kitchen slideout. Once slide is out, you can pull more out to give you awning cover over the kitchen window...believe this might be reason it has lasted as long as it has.
Anyway...I've towed with it a couple of times since adding these "upgrades" and can tell a difference in the way it tows now , more stable, and doesn't have all the "squeaks and creaks" that it had before that you could hear when towing slowly or backing into or pulling into a camping spot. Seems more solid on the inside once set up...don't know if that has to do with the new springs as well as the more robust shocks, but over all I'm really glad I had the work done and believe it will help keep unit on the road a little longer. Outside of 5er looks almost as good as it did the day I bought it and inside is in even better shape.
Wanted to share about suspension upgrades and was able to tell a difference in how much better it is now and gives one a little more "peace of mind" when towing down the highway's".....
Figuring we'll keep this 5er for a while, I had some suspension work done that I believe in the long run will help maintain this units integrity and eliminate any more suspension issues that could have shown up in next several years.
I had the 3500# rated spring packs replaced with 4,000# spring packs, (no, I don't expect to add any more weight to the unit, last time weighed, was 15,940#)...just wanted a more robust spring pack and I also picked up another 1" of height on 5er , which helped with height between truck bed and 5er (a tad over 6" now). Replaced generic equalizer centers with the Equa-flex equalizer set up..all new U-bolts and Never fail bushings, Also replaced the OEM shocks (2 were bad, 1 was weak) with Monroe Severe shocks.
Also replaced 3 of the slide toppers, ( stretched and worn)... Didn't need to replace the one over the long kitchen slideout. Once slide is out, you can pull more out to give you awning cover over the kitchen window...believe this might be reason it has lasted as long as it has.
Anyway...I've towed with it a couple of times since adding these "upgrades" and can tell a difference in the way it tows now , more stable, and doesn't have all the "squeaks and creaks" that it had before that you could hear when towing slowly or backing into or pulling into a camping spot. Seems more solid on the inside once set up...don't know if that has to do with the new springs as well as the more robust shocks, but over all I'm really glad I had the work done and believe it will help keep unit on the road a little longer. Outside of 5er looks almost as good as it did the day I bought it and inside is in even better shape.
Wanted to share about suspension upgrades and was able to tell a difference in how much better it is now and gives one a little more "peace of mind" when towing down the highway's".....
