Replacing leaf springs or installing helper springs

[Red_Eagle]

After incurring a flat tire on our last trip, the technician who replaced the flat with my spare showed me why the tire went flat and mentioned the need to either add "helper springs" or replacing the leaf springs. Has anyone on the forum done this and if so, was it that expensive? I have a double axle 5th wheel with the equa-flex system (2007 Crossroads Cruiser). Appreciate your advice.

[ventrman]

I upgraded my Spings. It was not that expensive. The Guy did not charge me for the Springs because he has so many.

[john_bet]

I had a very well respected shop replace my springs in Sept. of '13. I found one broke last winter and the rest flat. I visited the shop and found out they put on wrong spring rate. New springs fron E-trailer and their time fixed the problem. Their money not mine and an apology. Our mistake.

[tinner12002]

Red Eagle wrote:
After incurring a flat tire on our last trip, the technician who replaced the flat with my spare showed me why the tire went flat and mentioned the need to either add "helper springs" or replacing the leaf springs. Has anyone on the forum done this and if so, was it that expensive? I have a double axle 5th wheel with the equa-flex system (2007 Crossroads Cruiser). Appreciate your advice.

Just replaced my leaf springs with next size heavier, and installed Dexter shackle and wet bolt kit along with the Dexter equa-flex equalizers. About a 4-5 hr job for one person, better and easier if you have help. Make sure you replace all the u-bolts also! In my opinion its also safer to have FW hooked to your truck while you do the work, then you only have to have one jack point and its much safer knowing the RVs not going to move.

[d-mac1]

I too installed stronger axles and stiffer springs. I was advised not to go too stiff or the ride would be too rough when its not loaded heavy. I said I installed...not really...had a shop do it. No wet bolt kit in mine...yet. I may hafta look into that.

[lizzie]

We had to have the leaf springs replaced on our 2013 24ft Bullet when one of them broke last month. The total coast was just over $700. We went ahead with the repair, then traded the TT. lizzie

[jjj]

I also replaced mine. It had 3000 lb. springs with 4 leafs went to 3300 lb. 5 leafs on 6000 lb. Axels and are still holding up well after three years. I got my springs from e-trailer.com. Yea I know they are China springs but they are holding up pretty well. At the time I could not afford the usa springs. I jacked the whole thing in the air and did all in a weekend with the wet bolt kit. It rides so much better.

[the_bear_II]

I spent two weekends replacing my springs on our 5th wheel. I was by myself and used a floor jack plus a bottle jack, 4 jack stands plus 2X4s cribbing. I did one spring at a time. I switch from 6,000 to 8,000lb springs and installed the wet bolts plus equiflex setup along with new wheel bearings. Brakes were good so no need to replace.

One weekend per side.

Although a tough project it was really very satisfying to do it and know that I saved the $500 to $1000 install cost I was quoted by various RV repair shops.

The 5th wheel has less wiggle going over bumps and when parked as we walk around inside.

[sayoung]

The "JoyRider " shock guy has a replacement suspension also. Tweetys has it.

[Second_Chance]

True wheel alignment is difficult with any kind/brand of solid axle and leaf spring suspension - and the axles don't necessarily always stay parallel as the suspension reacts to road conditions because of how the leaf springs behave as they flex (flatten out), etc. We had a wheel alignment issue that was going to require replace an axle, anyway, so we bit the bullet and had the MOR/ryde independent suspension system installed.

MOR/ryde I.S.

We did the whole shebang - 2X 7K "axles" (they aren't really axles) plus electric-over-hydraulic disc brakes. Suspension, brakes, hydraulic pump, interface controller, bearings, hubs, labor and taxes all came to about 6K. Probably about 2/3 of that was the suspension and 1/3 brakes. The MOR/ryde independent suspension is fully and accurately align-able with Hunter truck and trailer alignment equipment. Tremendous difference!

Rob

[laknox]

Red Eagle wrote:
After incurring a flat tire on our last trip, the technician who replaced the flat with my spare showed me why the tire went flat and mentioned the need to either add "helper springs" or replacing the leaf springs. Has anyone on the forum done this and if so, was it that expensive? I have a double axle 5th wheel with the equa-flex system (2007 Crossroads Cruiser). Appreciate your advice.

Assuming you're talking about your FW, not your truck. If on the FW, and you do replace the springs, make sure to also install a wet bolt kit at the same time. Replaces the plastic bushings with bronze, heavy-duty spring hangars and greaseable spring bolts.

Lyle

[time2roll]

My 1750 springs went flat so I replaced with 2250 springs. 3500 axle rating.
Has never ridden better.

About $200 shipped self install.
http://www.stengelbros.com/trailer/trailer-leaf-springs/

Also check etrailer.com

[Old-Biscuit]

Replaced mine ......7K axles with 3500# leaf spring paks except they flatted out after a few years.

Took 5th wheel into a Trailer shop. They checked springs and stated they were 3200# at best based on number of leafs and length.

Ordered 4000# leaf spring paks from Dexter $120/ea plus install $700 total