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JJKM's avatar
JJKM
Explorer
Feb 16, 2016

Leaf Spring & Axle Dilemma

I noticed last season my trailer (2010 KZ Spree 324BHSLX) has sunk a few inches as I have to pull back the fender skirts to install and tighten my wheel chocks. Also, the tops of the tires are about 1" from the inside of the wheel well and both side are the same. I'm not overwieght and None of the springs are broken, but the springs do look to be flattened out a little. I know its a 'super lite' trailer, but there are 3 leaves in each leaf spring. A quick look around my storage facility at similar length/size trailers and any trailer from a 27' up to 35' has 4 leaves in each leaf spring. Local shop has offered to put 4-leave leaf springs on but can't guarantee it will raise it up by any amount. I called KZ and they tell me that the trailer was built with Dexter 4400lb axles and 3-leave leaf springs to keep it lightweight and that installing 4-leave leaf springs may be too stiff and damage other components on the trailer. They suggested calling Dexter. When I called Dexter they asked for the s/n off axles and then they'll be able to make a recommendation. When getting the serial numbers I notice the axles are actually 3500lb Al-Ko. I've called and left a message at Al-Ko, but my question is has anyone else seen/experience this and are axles and leaf spring sets 'matched?' Would it hurt anything if I kept the 3500lb axles and went with 4-leave leaf springs? Thanks in advance.

25 Replies

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  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Feb 16, 2016
    SoundGuy wrote:
    Old-Biscuit wrote:
    Your trailer GVWR is 7000#.....3500# axles


    Since the OP's KZ Spree 321BHS-LX is a 2010 model it's GVWR should actually be 7900 lbs ... 2009 and earlier models had a GVWR of just 7000 lbs and since the tires were the same across the Spree model lineup the difference lay in the axles & springs. As a former 2008 KZ Spree 240BH-LX owner I can tell you there was a lot of consternation over this issue at the time by owners of larger Spree models when they discovered their rigs were wearing the exact same tires, axles, and spring sets as my much shorter / lighter 240 ... great for me, not so good for them, including a good friend of mine who owned one of these affected 321BHS models. It took several years from the introduction of the Spree line in 2007 for KZ to finally address this issue with the introduction of the 2010 MY lineup so it just may be that the OP's particular 321BHS may have been produced right at the end of the 2009 production year but labeled as a 2010, explaining why it could be wearing a lighter suspension set than units produced later on.

    To the OP - I have a set of KZ Spree brochures from 2007 to 2012 in .pdf format so if you'd like to compare various Spree specs from these years PM with an addy that will accept attachments and I'll forward them to you. :)


    OP has a 2010 KZ Spree 324BHS LX vs the 321BHS you speak of.

    I did list wrong yr. GVWR S/B 7300# for 2010 (prior yrs it was 7000# and 2011 is went to 7850#)
  • SoundGuy's avatar
    SoundGuy
    Explorer
    Feb 16, 2016
    Old-Biscuit wrote:
    Your trailer GVWR is 7000#.....3500# axles


    Since the OP's KZ Spree 321BHS-LX is a 2010 model it's GVWR should actually be 7900 lbs ... 2009 and earlier models had a GVWR of just 7000 lbs and since the tires were the same across the Spree model lineup the difference lay in the axles & springs. As a former 2008 KZ Spree 240BH-LX owner I can tell you there was a lot of consternation over this issue at the time by owners of larger Spree models when they discovered their rigs were wearing the exact same tires, axles, and spring sets as my much shorter / lighter 240 ... great for me, not so good for them, including a good friend of mine who owned one of these affected 321BHS models. It took several years from the introduction of the Spree line in 2007 for KZ to finally address this issue with the introduction of the 2010 MY lineup so it just may be that the OP's particular 321BHS may have been produced right at the end of the 2009 production year but labeled as a 2010, explaining why it could be wearing a lighter suspension set than units produced later on.

    To the OP - I have a set of KZ Spree brochures from 2007 to 2012 in .pdf format so if you'd like to compare various Spree specs from these years PM with an addy that will accept attachments and I'll forward them to you. :)
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Feb 16, 2016
    Your trailer GVWR is 7000#.....3500# axles

    Your leaf springs (although they are properly 'rated') have flattened because they are just marginal and then compounded by 'dynamic overloading' (load springs are subjected to while trailer is bouncing down our hwy/fwy systems)

    My 5v has Dexter 7K axles and the OEM spring pack flatten 2nd yr of travel. Leaf spring pack was 'just' within ratings but flattened anyway. And weighing each yr showed that axles/springs were no where near max ratings (5K on each 7K axle)
    Had spring packs replaced with 4K leaf springs 6 yrs ago. No issues


    I would go with the higher rated spring packs.
    You have to replace your flattened ones anyway so no sense in going back with marginal rated springs

    Good opportunity to change out spring eye bushings to bronze bushings and install a wet bolt kit.
  • rbturner's avatar
    rbturner
    Explorer
    Feb 16, 2016
    Is it possible they built your trailer with the wrong axles?

    Maybe KZ owes you enough money to install the proper 4400 pound axles.

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