Suspension Upgrades for AL-KO 5200# Axles

Alright so I measured everything out. My hangers are spaced at 29.5", normal for a 33" spaced axle. My equalizer is longer than normal, as discussed. See the link below.

Based on the EZ-Flex I can run the standard kit and I won't lose any ride height. My equalizer is about the max one can have for a direct conversion thou. Max length from mount hole to shackle hole is 4", I measure 4". Max spacing between shackle holes is 6.25", I measure 6.25".

A K71-642-00 will be ordered momentarily.

Thank for the help.

http://www.sturdybuiltonline.com/Boat-Trailer-Galvanized-Equalizer-Bar-6-14-inch-EQ-356_p_612.html

EDIT: I found my part number listed for AL-KO applications and it is listed for slipper springs, so I wander why it's on my camper?

ah64id wrote:
Thank you.

Did you replace all 4 spring bushings, and the 3 on the equalizer?

Yes on the springs but the equalizer already had metal (bronze?) bushings so I just added wet bolts there.
One tip, run grease through the wet bolts before installing them to make sure they are fully drilled. About half of mine were only drilled deep enough to press the zerks in so there's no way I could get grease all the way through (made in china..).
Talk about frustrating!

Yes you are correct. The complete kit numbers are still the same. The equalizer itself has a new number. Sounds like you are armed with enough info. now to figure out what's needed.

The ___652___ and ___653__ numbers are for the complete kit and __654___ and ___655___ are for just the equalizers. You can find the identical equalizer on the internet by searching just the K series numbers or 013-143-03. I spent a lot of time on the internet searching for the best price using both numbers. If you buy just K71-654-00 you don't get wet bolts though. I found a complete wet bolt kit less the EZ-Flex for cheap locally and bought the EZ-Flex equalizers separately.

ah64id wrote:
I just called Dexter and they emailed me the sizing guide. I will see what I have at home tonight and report back.

myredracer wrote:
That part number you found is an old number and is superceded by 013-143-03. Dexter equalizer kit info.

Since I don't have Dexter axles/suspension that part number doesn't matter, as it's the part number for the rigid OE equalizer that the EZ-Flex replaces.

The K71-654-00 and K71-655-00 are still current part numbers.

I just called Dexter and they emailed me the sizing guide. I will see what I have at home tonight and report back.

myredracer wrote:
That part number you found is an old number and is superceded by 013-143-03. Dexter equalizer kit info.

Since I don't have Dexter axles/suspension that part number doesn't matter, as it's the part number for the rigid OE equalizer that the EZ-Flex replaces.

The K71-654-00 and K71-655-00 are still current part numbers.

That part number you found is an old number and is superceded by 013-143-03. Dexter equalizer kit info. The website shows the two old part numbers but only says the difference is between 33" or 35" spacing. The only different part number they show is for triple axles. The "K" series numbers are just the complete kit numbers.

I have to wonder if that info. you found is just too old?

Oh, wait.... I just found this Dexter link on the same page. This may clarify it. Dexter equalizer measurements

myredracer wrote:
Those are the same measurements for the Dexter equalizer and stock ones for our TT which has 33" spacing axles. The Dexter part number is the correct one for our axles. Sitting on my desk, I measured close to the 5.625" you did. It sounds like you have the identical Dexter equalizer spacing between holes. As I said earlier, when the Dexter equalizers are installed, the weight of the TT compresses the rubber to 6.25" (or close to that). Matching exactly isn't critical since the shackles move fore and aft anyway. When I looked earlier, I couldn't see equalizers with different spacing of the holes. If in doubt, I would contact Dexter.

Did you measure the hanger spacing yet and compare that to what Al-Ko says?

I haven't been by the trailer yet.

But from what I gather on the Dexter info is that their nominal spacing is 5.625".

I also found this, which puts my 6.25" spacing outside the window.

RG7fan wrote:


The DEXTER AXLE E-Z Flex equalizers are designed to be direct replacements for specific size cast iron equalizers.

The P/N K71-654-00 equalizer kit is a direct replacement for equalizer p/n 013-104-02. These equalizers have the bottom hole spacing at approximately 5.7” If you have an equalizer that have hole spacing of 5.5” to 6.0 inches than you can use the K71-654-00 kit.

The p/n K71-655-00 equalizer kit is a direct replacement for equalizer p/n 013-122-02. These equalizers have the bottom hole spacing of approximately 7.67 inches. If your equalizers have hole spacing of 7.5 to 7.75 inches then the K71-655-00 kit will work.



Duane Belisle

Dexter Axle Product Engineer

574-296-7334

574-296-7320 Fax

Those are the same measurements for the Dexter equalizer and stock ones for our TT which has 33" spacing axles. The Dexter part number is the correct one for our axles. Sitting on my desk, I measured close to the 5.625" you did. It sounds like you have the identical Dexter equalizer spacing between holes. As I said earlier, when the Dexter equalizers are installed, the weight of the TT compresses the rubber to 6.25" (or close to that). Matching exactly isn't critical since the shackles move fore and aft anyway. When I looked earlier, I couldn't see equalizers with different spacing of the holes. If in doubt, I would contact Dexter.

If you look at the Dexter website, they list the same part number for the equalizer #013-143-03 for both 33" and 35" axle spacing and for 6K or 8K rated axles. I believe the only difference with the kit for higher rated 8K axles is that the springs are wider and need longer bolts.

Did you measure the hanger spacing yet and compare that to what Al-Ko says?

ah64id wrote:


The equalizer is ~6.25" vs the normal 5.625" length on Dexter. I don't know if that effects the spacing, or if the shackles absorb the difference.

I will look at the info. I will be taking the weight off soon enough to install some Centramatic's on the TT. I have looked into some AL-KO info and a 34" spacing is listed as an option.

The equalizer is ~6.25" vs the normal 5.625" length on Dexter. I don't know if that effects the spacing, or if the shackles absorb the difference.

I would really like to install the EZ-Flex, but not if it will lower the trailer, I get into some pretty rough places where I am within 1/4" of dragging. At a minimum I will do wet bolts and new bushings.

brulaz wrote:
Outdoors RV puts rubber Equalizers on its higher end models. Not sure which brand. You might give them a call and see what they use and whether it would be a drop-in replacement.

They use the Trail Air's. I actually stopped by the local dealership today to look at some. All the new non-rubber ones are 6.25" between bolts on the equalizer and the rubber ones were 5.625".

I did also talk to ORV this morning and they couldn't tell me if they where compatible or not.

Outdoors RV puts rubber Equalizers on its higher end models. Not sure which brand. You might give them a call and see what they use and whether it would be a drop-in replacement.

One thing to be aware of is that the hole spacing of the Dexter will be different than if you have cast steel OEM "banana" equalizers. With the Dexter equalizer, when the TT is on the ground, the rubber compresses and then matches the OEM spacing. I have a set of Dexter equalizers and stock cast OEM on my desk at home. They are dimensionally the same except for the slight difference in the before and after compressed horizontal spacing between holes. I will be getting the dealer or a shop to install them. I had a frame/axle shop quote me only $200 to install them. If you haven't, the sticky on the Dexter install is good. I could easily install them myself, but for $200, I'll get a shop to do it. Makes me a bit nervous to lift both sides of our TT up onto jack stands.

Your springs may have lost some of their arch, and if you have rubber type equalizers now, the rubber may have lost some of its elasticity and compressed more in the static (on-the-ground) position. This may affect the measurement. Also, I'm not certain, but I believe axle spacing is measured when there is no weight on them.

Our TT (less than 1 year old) has standard 33" spacing for the axles but when I measure it, it is more like 32 1/2". I would not rely on what your tape measure says. This information on Al-Ko axles may help. It gives spacings of hangers for different axle spacings. Measuring the hangers should confirm what you have.
Al-Ko axle assembly data

http://www.al-ko.us/1551.htm

Al-Ko home page

AFAIK, the shackle hole spacing is the same as the TT manufacturer's OEM spacing.

JBarca has a good thread on his Dexter EZ-Flex installation. He had to extend his hangers to get the same pre-installation height of TT. You might want to read that. Jbarca and shock and EZ-Flex install


The plastic bushings are terrible quality/durability. They were totally shot just in the delivery process from the plant to dealer (over 2K miles). The Dexter EZ-flex kit with wet bolts is the only way to go. The thickness of the shackles is 2-3 times that of the Trail-air ones or OEM ones. The Dexter kit should outlast me and the TT....