Suspension Upgrades for AL-KO 5200# Axles
My 2011 Creekside 26BKS has a pair of AL-KO 5200# axles under it. As far as I know it has standard nylon bushings in the springs and equalizer and I would like to upgrade/eliminate them. I have around...
Forum Discussion
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....
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....
