Forum Discussion

rockwind1's avatar
rockwind1
Explorer II
Nov 04, 2020

Leaf springs new best brand triple axle advice

2007 attitude FSAK 33’ toyhauler. Weighs about 11k withf tanks full. Been having bad luck with this trailer lately, I just noticed that one of my leaf springs, the front axle, the shackle had somehow flipped upside down, which Squashed the big rubber bushing and the leafspring looks kind of reverse curved now, as well as its corresponding leafspring on the other side. They are four leaf. The trailer is a 33 foot attitude toy hauler. I think all the axles are 5080 pound axles.

A shady trailer repair place said they wanted 2 thousand dollars to put all new 6 leaf springs on all axles along with new shackles. My question is if I replace the leaf springs on the front axle do I have to replace all the leaf springs on the other axles? And second question is what is the best brand of leaf springs to buy? And where is the best place to buy them? Was the trailer under Sprong in the first place with the four leaf type leaf springs? Should I get six leaf type for replacement? Or can I get away with just replacing the Messed up ones?
  • rockwind1's avatar
    rockwind1
    Explorer II
    Nov 12, 2020
    time2roll wrote:
    I would replace all springs and any worn hardware. Once I start tearing something down I want it right. Nothing worse than going back in because something seemed good enough to skip. I would have about 3000# springs (6000/pair) installed. When the work is complete get the trailer level.


    Well dang, I already ordered new five leaf a 3000 pound springs from etrailer, 25 1/4 inch Eye 2 Eye plus new U bolts and top plate. The shackles came from Dexter EZ ride system so I think I need to use them
  • time2roll's avatar
    time2roll
    Nomad
    Nov 11, 2020
    I would replace all springs and any worn hardware. Once I start tearing something down I want it right. Nothing worse than going back in because something seemed good enough to skip. I would have about 3000# springs (6000/pair) installed. When the work is complete get the trailer level.
  • J_K_Livin's avatar
    J_K_Livin
    Explorer
    Nov 11, 2020
    I would have a local spring shop provide you all new springs for each axle. Trailer manufacturers are known for providing the absolute minimum so if you load anything in the trailer or use it more than every few months, the springs will go bad. It's not a hard job - you just need lot's of jack stands and be very careful to stabilize everything. Looks like you need to add at least 1 leaf over your current springs, but bring your trailer weights to the spring shop and they can help you. Should cost no more than $400 for new springs, shackles, and bolts. Be sure and get the heavy-duty shackle kit - price is minimal and well worth the money.
  • rockwind1's avatar
    rockwind1
    Explorer II
    Nov 10, 2020
    GDS-3950BH wrote:
    Tyler0215 wrote:
    Why would you even consider a "Shady" repair shop?


    Perhaps because its a lot cooler than a sunny repair shop?


    here is new video

    https://youtu.be/HKsM1k5WL_o
  • rockwind1's avatar
    rockwind1
    Explorer II
    Nov 10, 2020
    GDS-3950BH wrote:
    Tyler0215 wrote:
    Why would you even consider a "Shady" repair shop?


    Perhaps because its a lot cooler than a sunny repair shop?


    so i rolled the front and rear axle up onto blocks about 3 or 4 inches high,, and the middle axle dropped down and made the equalizer move into a more neutral positon, here is video

    i think it is clear the front leafs have weakened so much, probably from me driving with the trailer tilted forward ( i had no idea this was creating a problem) that it is messing with the equalizers and also that flipped shackle messed up the one bumper.

    the question now remains, do i just buy a new pair of front leaf springs and a new bumper,,, or do i buy all new 3 pair of leafs and a front bumbper.
  • GDS-3950BH's avatar
    GDS-3950BH
    Explorer
    Nov 10, 2020
    Tyler0215 wrote:
    Why would you even consider a "Shady" repair shop?


    Perhaps because its a lot cooler than a sunny repair shop?
  • time2roll's avatar
    time2roll
    Nomad
    Nov 10, 2020
    Official RV.net upload site to create a photo link:

    http://photoposting.is-great.net/?i=2

    Your video:

    https://youtu.be/Rxj7Q1vqNfY

    That does not look quite like I expected. The equalizer bushings look shot. This may contribute to them out of position. Have you put a bar in there to make sure they are not frozen in place from corrosion or poor installation?

    Looks like a Dexter equalizer and they did have some shipped with bad rubber. Probably no warranty at this point.

    The geometry gets out of shape when the springs are elongated from being flat. the compressed rubber is not helping either. I think this is bunching up your equalizers and pushing them into a bad position. Long shot would be the equalizers are the wrong size between the springs.

    Fully read the Dexter equalizer manual. Note there is a difference in equalizers for triple axles. Diagram p6 shows how it should lay out. I could not see all the angles needed in the video to really get a good picture of what is going on. You need to be your own expert on this.

    Dexter ez flex manual

    Get your tape measure out and verify the dimensions etc.
  • rockwind1's avatar
    rockwind1
    Explorer II
    Nov 10, 2020
    rockwind1 wrote:
    time2roll wrote:
    If the springs are flat I would go up about 1,000 pounds rated (pair).

    If you must just get the two I doubt it is a big deal.

    Are you sure it is not the flipped shackle that makes them look flat? If you can just get the weight off the springs and everything positioned right again maybe it is fine.

    Can you post some pictures?


    Well. I flipped The shackle back so it was correctly oriented and the spring went from having a negative curve to having more of a flat shape. The other thing that I’ve noticed over the years I never thought it was that big of a deal but maybe it is, my trailer has always been sort of angled nose down so to speak when I’m driving along in my truck, I think my truck leaf springs have slowly lost some of their capacity. I think I’m gonna get some airbags finally. But I wonder if not having the trailer perfectly level while towing has just put more weight on that front axle. It’s definitely not an extreme amount of unlevel Ness, but it is noticeable.

    As far as going up 1000 pounds, I really don’t know what the leaf springs are rated out right now, I was looking at the new leaf springs and they all have white ratings but I guess I’ll have to figure out what mine are first, I thought if you just went from a four to a five or a five to a six, it would just obviously be stronger. The guys at the Sort of RV shop recommended the six leaf springs instead of my four


    ok, finally was able to take some pictures,, hopefully i can put them on here. the flat springs are the front axle, the curved spring is the middle axle,, the messed up looking rubber bumper is in between the front and middle axles, this bumper looks messed up as it was the one next to the flipped shackle, the other side looks fine. the tag is on the front axle, i am surprised it says 5200 lbs when the trailer tag says 5080. the equalizer is inbetween the front and middle axle and it says dexter 13-144

    i think the equalizer may be stuck in that position,, it has not moved,, could be a problem,,,thoughts for anyone?

    here is a youtube video of the pictures i took,,, could not upload them onto here

    https://youtu.be/Rxj7Q1vqNfY
  • JIMNLIN's avatar
    JIMNLIN
    Explorer III
    Nov 09, 2020
    My old '97 5th wheel rv trailer has tandem 5200 lb Dexter ax;les and weighs in the 11200-11400 lb range depending on how we load it. Now subtract 2200 lbs of pin weight = 9200 lbs on the trailer axles.....or 4600 lbs per axle. I've noticed the 23 year old springs have flattened some since new. If I keep the trailer it gets new 5200 lb Rockwell American Axles like my commercial trailers came with.
    Myself...I wouldn't go with a 5-6 leaf spring on a axle that small especially a triaxle.

    I've pulled several tri axle non RV GN trailers and have a triaxle GN stock trailer now (7k Axles). One thing I learned through experience out on the road is when I lifted one side of the trailer when changing a flat tire there was sometimes a side link that would flip which can be a big problem on the road getting it back in the correct position.
    Lifting the end of a axle was all that was needed. Eliminates flipped links.
    senior moment...Wheel weight changed to 4600 axle weight...jim

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