Broken Spring

RV builders are notorious for building to minimum spec. Preventative maintenance is always much cheaper than fixing something after getting a tow.

With that mindset I upgraded my 6 leaf spring packs to 7 leaf. 8 leaf would be too stiff.

Stock may be OK for the weekend warrior making short trips to the local CG but for the long distance traveler confidence in what you are riding on is priceless.

djgarcia wrote:

ford truck guy wrote:
I'm with ScottG on this.... For a nominal fee , you could have piece of mind knowing they are all new... Not worrying if the others will fail would get the best of me

X1, I would also suggest he replace all the bushings as well. If a spring breaks and forces tires together, you have to have a large flat bed trailer to wench up the trailer. Happened twice, the towing cost was $1200 to tow me 40 miles to the nearest repair facility:(:(

I agree that now is the time to replace all four springs with 5 leaf springs and rebuild your spring shackles while everything is apart.
Don't skimp on u-bolts either, replace all of them and even go up a diameter size on them as well. All the above mentioned parts are quite reasonably priced and well worth the effort to replace.

smkettner wrote:
+1 to replace all four. May as well get the wet bolt kit while you have it off. Yes go up one rating level. That might add a leaf or different steel just get the rating. I went from 3500 (pair) to ~4000 and it rides better than ever.

Springs are not that expensive. http://www.stengelbros.com/UtilitySprings.htm

This..on last 5er I had, I replaced all four 3500# spring pack's with 4K spring packs, went to MorRyde suspension and replaced old shocks with Monroe severe duty shocks and that took care of all of it..no wondering or worrying,

Last May I posted my report of finding some broken springs on my HitchHiker II. Thanks to the recommendations I received, I upgraded the springs from 4-leaf to 6-leaf packs, thereby gaining an extra 500 pounds of spring capacity each. In doing this repair I discovered that three of the splined bolts attaching the shackles would twist in their holes. The holes did not appear out-of-round however. After evaluating the situation I determined that I just needed to keep the new wet bolts stationary in their holes. Having a bit of scrap 2" x 1/4" steel flat bar on hand, I proceeded to make some "holding forks" to keep the bolts from turning. I cut slots in the flat bar and filed them to a close sliding fit to the bolt heads, then secured them in place using existing holes in the shackle attachment hangers. My wife and I then departed on a couple of vacations. i am happy to report that, after 6000 miles of towing over all types of roads in the U.S. and Canada, the shackles, bolts, securing forks, and springs are all in great shape. Nothing came loose of shifted position. Perhaps my experience will be of benefit to someone else.

Here is a picture of my "holding fork"


There is a bit more to this story. After putting everything back together with the new wet bolts I went about greasing them all. There was one bolt that just would not take any grease no matter how hard I tried nor what colorful invectives I used. Turned out that the center hole in the bolt was not drilled all the way through to meet the weep hole. A quick call to the parts supplier got me an apology and 2 new bolts in the mail. Since my departure schedule wouldn't allow me to wait for the mail to deliver the replacements, I just finished drilled the hole. I used a cobalt bit since the bolt is a grade 5. After cleaning out the chips I squirted some grease in it (just to make sure) then reinstalled it. A couple more shots of grease and the job was done and we were able to leave on time.

Frame builders are notorious for building to minimum spec. Upped our springs from a 6 to a 7 stack. We ride with peace of mind now. Riding on underrated springs is not on the worry list.

Old Biscuit, I think you have the big brother to my trailer.

Well, I have the "twin brother" to Old Biscuit's trailer! Same year, same model, and I have done the same thing he has: replaced all four with 4000# rated springs. (see my post on the NuWa forum.)

Passin' Through wrote:
Thanks to all for your suggestions. I will be replacing all four spring sets.

Old Biscuit, I think you have the big brother to my trailer. My axles are 6000# and the springs are probably just borderline capable of supporting that weight. They were made offshore in the same country that supplies Harbor Freight stores. I want to get U.S.A.-made springs if at all possible.

Thanks again to everyone.

Steel probably will come from China anyway... :-)

Lyle

Thanks to all for your suggestions. I will be replacing all four spring sets.

Old Biscuit, I think you have the big brother to my trailer. My axles are 6000# and the springs are probably just borderline capable of supporting that weight. They were made offshore in the same country that supplies Harbor Freight stores. I want to get U.S.A.-made springs if at all possible.

Thanks again to everyone.

Old-Biscuit wrote:
I have a 2007 HitchHiker

7K axles........spring pack went 'flat' (CAT scale......10,800# on axles)

Spring shop in Casper Wy pulled springs.......according to their info the springs were 3200# vs 3500#

They had 6 leaf 4000# spring packs for $60/ea
I replaced all four spring packs

This is what I would do. I am not a "spring expert" but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express many times!:W

I will jump on the band wagon here and would replace them all.