Surprised when I found this shackel bolt

[Wood_chip]

I am getting ready for a trip this weekend and craweled under the trailer to install a new sewer cap. This trailer is only 5 monthes old so not sure when the nut may have backed out. Lucky to have found it now.

[RCMAN46]

As for the Ubolts if there is enough bolt I recommend double nutting them.

[rjsurfer]

While your down there checking the bolts on the springs don't forget the nuts on the top of the U bolts that hold everything together.

After one broke free and had one of the axles pointed in the wrong direction I checked them all and many were loose.

Very common problem.

Ron W.

[The_Mad_Norsky]

Wood chip wrote:
My trailer was repaired today and OutdoorRV came through with the quick approval to have it repaired near my house. The hangers and bushing were ok and new bolt was installed. Took about an hour with 2 guys. I re-tightened all the bolts. I will do this annually moving forward. Thanks for replys.

Love a story with a happy ending.

Good to hear, and good for you!

[othertonka]

Thanks for posting the results

[Wood_chip]

My trailer was repaired today and OutdoorRV came through with the quick approval to have it repaired near my house. The hangers and bushing were ok and new bolt was installed. Took about an hour with 2 guys. I re-tightened all the bolts. I will do this annually moving forward. Thanks for replys.

[minnow]

64thunderbolt wrote:
OK, who has the popcorn?

Those of us with a little common sense and who are not related to that kid with a finger in the dike, have already left the theatre .

[64thunderbolt]

OK, who has the popcorn?

[laknox]

PRodacy wrote:

RCMAN46 wrote:
The bolts on my trailer not only had the knurled portion on the head end but on the thread/nut end the threaded section is smaller diameter than the body. This gives a shoulder for the nut to be torqued against and control the distance from the nut to the head.

My shackle bolts are not anything you will find except at a trailer supply or someone that carries shackle bolts. They are a special single purpose item.

Mine look like these.

Wet Bolts

I had not heard of wet bolts before. Can someone explain how they work? The link didn't provide any information. Do they just provide a layer of grease between the bolt and sleeve? Is there a grease seal somewhere on them? Zerk fittings? Thanks. Always good to learn new things.

The kits I've seen have greasable bolts (a zerk fitting on one end, drilled lengthwise and a cross-hole in the middle), new bronze bushings and heavier (thicker) shackles. They greatly increase suspension life.

Lyle

[PRodacy]

RCMAN46 wrote:
The bolts on my trailer not only had the knurled portion on the head end but on the thread/nut end the threaded section is smaller diameter than the body. This gives a shoulder for the nut to be torqued against and control the distance from the nut to the head.

My shackle bolts are not anything you will find except at a trailer supply or someone that carries shackle bolts. They are a special single purpose item.

Mine look like these.

Wet Bolts

I had not heard of wet bolts before. Can someone explain how they work? The link didn't provide any information. Do they just provide a layer of grease between the bolt and sleeve? Is there a grease seal somewhere on them? Zerk fittings? Thanks. Always good to learn new things.

[RCMAN46]

The bolts on my trailer not only had the knurled portion on the head end but on the thread/nut end the threaded section is smaller diameter than the body. This gives a shoulder for the nut to be torqued against and control the distance from the nut to the head.

My shackle bolts are not anything you will find except at a trailer supply or someone that carries shackle bolts. They are a special single purpose item.

Mine look like these.

Wet Bolts

[shadows4]

SabreCanuck wrote:
It appears there are a few nuts loose here.

X2 LOL this made my day. Sometimes I think this should be RV.NUT!!!!

[SabreCanuck]

It appears there are a few nuts loose here.

[face_down]

B.O. Plenty wrote:
None of these bolts are suitable as they do not have the knurled portion below the head. The shackle bolts do. It is designed to lock the bolt so it cannot rotate and wear out the holes in the spring hanger.

B.O.

Thanks...did not see that the first time.

[laknox]

oldbeek wrote:
Now the problem is that the shackle bolt hole is wallowed out. The factory bolt has serrations on the head end that forces into the support hole to keep the bolt from turning. Now the bolt is going to turn in the shackle support instead of in the bushing. In a short period of time the bolt will start to be cut by turning in the support instead of the bushing. The only long term answer for any RV is to install a wet bolt shackle kit. (Greaseable)

Glad Outdoors is stepping up on this. I'd be very inclined to add the wet bolts all around, though the new bolts would likely have the same issue with the wallowed out hangar hole. I'd =really= push to have the hangar cut off and a new one installed.

Lyle