We just got home from a bucket list 5200 mile road trip towing the 2018 Coleman bumper pull. 10K/1K Equalizer hitch. As usual we hit some rough pavement. Some was unexpected and really bad. Enough to make me think broken spring or shackle or blown tire. We were lucky.We also had multiple encounters with interstate bridges. The crossings that want to launch the whole rig into the air. Recovery on the other side feels like a roller coaster. I found damage to the plastic covering the underside of the trailer. Above the tires. Torn through above the front tires, barely scuffed above the rear.The trailer was built on LCI frame, etc., and the axles are already under the springs. It's been suggested that I use Gorilla tape for a temporary fix and find a shop to install a 2 inch lift on the axles.Any thoughts?

Reinforcement of my TTs tire areas is at the top of my list. Your experiences are another reason I rarely exceed 55 mph.

Stronger springs with more arch

I'm not sure of the best way, but obviously more clearance is needed. Gorilla tape would probably work for a while and is already black. I've used Eternabond for similar repairs, and it's still holding after over 10 years. Yeah, it's white, but who's gonna see it? I think I would want something a little more substantial than darco fabric in my fender wells. I've heard of people spraying truck bed liner in there.

Sounds like the TT got a good workout! :) Unfortunately, TT manufacturers typically use the lowest rated and least substantial components possible. 5K miles on a TT is nothing...I would suggest RV scrim tape there. It's a lot thicker than gorilla tape and should be tougher for a location like that. Wash the darco fabric with soap and water then use alcohol to get it good and clean so the tape adheres well.Tires look way too close. Original size tires I assume? The usual cause of this is springs that have flattened out and isn't uncommon. Hard to tell in the photos but one set of springs does look flattened. What is the TT GVWR and what are the axle ratings? There should be a white sticker on each axle that will give you the rating. Have you ever taken the TT through a scale to get it's weights?Do not use a 2" lift. Need to determine why so little clearance. This is a standard frame, axle, spring and tire setup and nothing unusual.The damage to the darco fabric looks different from front to rear tire. Is the TT level to slightly nose down when hooked up?While in there inspecting things:I would inspect the plastic spring bushings because they can wear out in as little as a couple thousand miles. Check spring hanger holes because they can get ovalized. Perhaps check the axle tubes to see if they still have the correct camber/arch. Check for unusual tire wear as it could be an indication of a bent axle or misalignment. A pair of Dexter EZ-flex equalizers would be a good idea (along with their wet bolts).*IF* it turns out the axle tubes have lost their camber (not unusual either), you might look at using the optional 3" dia. tube instead of standard 2-3/8". Al-ko has good tech. info. here on what's available. Stronger springs might be a good idea but don't know if they're directly interchangeable.A set of shock absorbers can help prevent this. We installed them on our TT and help a lot.

There is IMHO to little tire clearance. Either it was built with to little clearance, or the tires are larger than the OEM tires, or the springs have lost the arc.If it was my trailer and fixing it correctly isn't covered under warranty, I'd find a shop that can do an axle flip to get proper clearance.

Bottom damage | Good Sam Community

myredracer
Explorer II
Jun 24, 2019
richclover wrote:
JRscooby wrote:
Am I the only one to ask how far over the axle rating are you running?

From Wayne’s post:

“...You might replace the springs as a first step to see how it goes. Your axle weights were awfully close to 7,000 max anyway at 6,780...”

Mine are 3500# axles, confirmed yesterday. Actual loaded weight, from local Flying J scale, posted earlier in the thread.

And from previously:

myredracer wrote:
What is the TT GVWR and what are the axle ratings? Have you ever taken the TT through a scale to get it's weights?
Huntindog
Explorer
Jun 24, 2019
myredracer wrote:
richclover wrote:
JRscooby wrote:
Am I the only one to ask how far over the axle rating are you running?

From Wayne’s post:

“...You might replace the springs as a first step to see how it goes. Your axle weights were awfully close to 7,000 max anyway at 6,780...”

Mine are 3500# axles, confirmed yesterday. Actual loaded weight, from local Flying J scale, posted earlier in the thread.

And from previously:

myredracer wrote:
What is the TT GVWR and what are the axle ratings? Have you ever taken the TT through a scale to get it's weights?
The problem with running close to max, is that the individual wheel weights can vary a lot.
At one time I had access to some race car setup scales. I was able to get individual wheel weights for the TT I had then. It was a real eye opener.
richclover
Explorer
Jun 26, 2019
tralertrash wrote:
I had a similar issue with an older Salem F/R. I went from stock (3500#) to 4800# springs and it added about 2" more clearance. Simple afternoon job.

Upgrade springs have been ordered. 5-leaf to replace 4-leaf. 5000# plus load rated. Just the extra leaf will get me a little more clearance.

Local tire shop (Big O Tires), is doing it.

Won’t change the load limits on the axles, 3500#, but might solve the problem.
JRscooby
Explorer II
Jun 26, 2019
richclover wrote:
tralertrash wrote:
I had a similar issue with an older Salem F/R. I went from stock (3500#) to 4800# springs and it added about 2" more clearance. Simple afternoon job.

Upgrade springs have been ordered. 5-leaf to replace 4-leaf. 5000# plus load rated. Just the extra leaf will get me a little more clearance.

Local tire shop (Big O Tires), is doing it.

Won’t change the load limits on the axles, 3500#, but might solve the problem.

Might. But the stiffer springs might increase the impact on the axle, cause it to bend...
richclover
Explorer
Jul 06, 2019
WayneAt63044 wrote:
I did the heavier springs exactly like tralertrash above did and it raised the trailer 2". A lot more arch in the springs now. My axle weights at the scale were less than yours for my 7,800 lbs GCWR trailer.

I had a broken spring on the interstate once and replaced the springs with 1,750 OEM springs and they were too flat. I'm convinced most of those springs are manufactured to barely meet spec, if that.

You might replace the springs as a first step to see how it goes. Your axle weights were awfully close to 7,000 max anyway at 6,780.

I then bought some darco plastic material at the hardware store and sealed them in place to cover the scuffed wheel well areas above the tires and then screwed them also outside of where the tire would rub if it should happen again.

Been good for 2 years now. Mine is a Lippert frame, too.

New springs installed yesterday. Made in USA (AAA Spring and Truck Parts). Noticeably more curved and raised the trailer by 2-3” at least. I now have about 5” clearance above the tires.

The trailer was 2” nose low, measured front and rear on the frame, and is now 6” nose low. I’ll be adjusting the WD hitch ;)
opnspaces
Navigator II
Jul 06, 2019
Thanks for the update. Now hopefully you didn't lift the trailer steps up too high. :)
richclover
Explorer
Jul 06, 2019
opnspaces wrote:
Thanks for the update. Now hopefully you didn't lift the trailer steps up too high. :)

OMG! I didn’t think of the steps! :)

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