I know many including myself carry spare parts. Bearings and grease seals or spare hub, etc. Was at RV place yesterday and saw a trailer with a broken spring. Trailer had out of state plates. I never really thought about a broken spring before. Got me thinking of how inconvenient that must be. Owners are probably stuck at some motel waiting for parts. If you were to break one, what are the odds of a place having them is stock? Probably have to order them in and hope you get the right replacement when they do come in. I thought I've have drawn the line on carrying spare of anything but maybe I should re-think suspension parts. I know you can't bring everything with you, but when something brakes and has to be the right size and model, maybe carrying a replacement might be worth the hassle.Wondering if you have ever had a broken spring or suspension problem with your trailer or 5th wheel?Thanks

At some point enough is enough. I have scaled back a lot because of both weight and room. I guess if you are still working it might matter but my plan is to find the parts and or shop and go forward from there. How many tools and spare parts can you carry knowing the part that breaks is the part you don't have or even the proper tools to fix it.

If it takes more than duct tape, hammer, screwdriver, zip ties, or WD40,then I am finding a repair shop.

I have broken 3 springs on my TT. Every single time I have found a place where a spring was in stock. One time in Reno Nv, one time in Tillamook Or and one time in Ely Nv. I changed the spring in a Harbor Freight store parking lot in Reno and a gravel/dirt RV parking lot in Ely Nv. I had my spring done in Tillamook and they burnt my jack up. :RI now carry the tools to change the spring but not the spring. I may change my mind about that because there is no way to predict when a spring is going to fail.If you are full timing I would not worry about it but if you have only a few days to go on vacation each year.............it might be a good idea to carry one and know how to change it out.

ChooChooMan74 wrote:If it takes more than duct tape, hammer, screwdriver, zip ties, or WD40,then I am finding a repair shop.Exactly......When we FTd had spring issues. Set up in CG then went to couple of repair shops in town (Buffalo WY)Limited availability. One shop owner called Dexter and had upgraded springs shipped.4 days later dropped 5vr off. Picked it up later that afternoon.Handle break downs same as I did when it was just vehicle. Get it fixed.Only time I have ever carried a bunch of spare parts was during my off-roading days.Had a large metal box full of extras for my 1972 Bronco and tools necessary .....no cell phones and it was a LONG LONG walk out.

Put new sprigs on and have an old one as a spare. Also kept a few bolts and hanger plates etc. Get a new one as a spare and you wont need it.

Spare 5th wheel or trailer suspension parts | Good Sam Community

11 Replies

mowermech
Explorer
Oct 12, 2015
When it comes to the point that you need a ton-and-a-half truck with a utility body to carry your tools and spare parts, it has become an obsession!
I carry spare fuses, light bulbs, and a few electrical fittings.
Oh, yeah, and AAA, C, and D batteries.
That's it.
pitch
Explorer II
Oct 12, 2015
Most any part of your trailer frame or suspension will more than likely be a standard of the self item.
bid_time
Nomad II
Oct 11, 2015
I would carry one if I were you. Which makes me glad I'm not.
Lynnmor
Explorer
Oct 11, 2015
Yes, have had broken springs. In farm country, many parts suppliers for farm equipment have all the trailer suspension items in stock.
valhalla360
Navigator
Oct 11, 2015
Had one go this summer. By luck the guy came out, happened to have the exact size from a boat trailer, he had just taken off this morning. Sold it to me for $10 (the road side bill was much more). Limped the 10miles to the campground.

After we got in, called around to get 4 new ones and everyone had them for about $25 each.

Seems to be a pretty easily found part.
time2roll
Nomad
Oct 11, 2015
Mine were sagging and flat so they were replaced with higher rating.
Can't worry about everything but do inspect what you have.
azrving
Explorer
Oct 11, 2015
Put new sprigs on and have an old one as a spare. Also kept a few bolts and hanger plates etc. Get a new one as a spare and you wont need it.
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Oct 11, 2015
ChooChooMan74 wrote:
If it takes more than duct tape, hammer, screwdriver, zip ties, or WD40,then I am finding a repair shop.

Exactly......

When we FTd had spring issues. Set up in CG then went to couple of repair shops in town (Buffalo WY)
Limited availability. One shop owner called Dexter and had upgraded springs shipped.

4 days later dropped 5vr off.
Picked it up later that afternoon.

Handle break downs same as I did when it was just vehicle. Get it fixed.

Only time I have ever carried a bunch of spare parts was during my off-roading days.
Had a large metal box full of extras for my 1972 Bronco and tools necessary .....no cell phones and it was a LONG LONG walk out.
Turtle_n_Peeps
Explorer
Oct 11, 2015
I have broken 3 springs on my TT. Every single time I have found a place where a spring was in stock. One time in Reno Nv, one time in Tillamook Or and one time in Ely Nv.

I changed the spring in a Harbor Freight store parking lot in Reno and a gravel/dirt RV parking lot in Ely Nv. I had my spring done in Tillamook and they burnt my jack up. :R

I now carry the tools to change the spring but not the spring. I may change my mind about that because there is no way to predict when a spring is going to fail.

If you are full timing I would not worry about it but if you have only a few days to go on vacation each year.............it might be a good idea to carry one and know how to change it out.
ChooChooMan74
Explorer
Oct 11, 2015
If it takes more than duct tape, hammer, screwdriver, zip ties, or WD40,then I am finding a repair shop.