tag axle MH sagging... what to do?

[Phenomenon]

1991 Fleetwood Bounder Special Edition, 40feet long with a tag axle out back.

The weird part with this tag axle setup is that it uses the bloody mor-ryde system but its a pivoting arm that supports both axles.

I would say the rear end is sagging a good 8" for sure. It only bottoms out on really big bumps but this thing is nose up all the time.

Ive tried googling this setup but im not finding much on how to make it ride level again.

The actual "rubber suspension" bits seem to be fine but i do notice the drive axle is the only one with coil springs on it.

I'm almost wondering if i put some air bags there instead if it would raise it up and make it ride better.

Anyone have hands on experience with this setup?

[Mile_High]

mpierce wrote:

Mile High wrote:
Something definitely wrong there - they don't show any axle weight for the tag. Either somebody swapped your vin tag, or the manufacturer messed up (probably the latter).

The front axle seems light at 6,000, but OK. The rear dually, OK at 10,000, but there is no way both the main drive axle and tag would be 10,000 together.

Even if the tag was only rated for 6,000, that would put you at 22,000 GVWR.

I bet the Chassis was made with only the drive axle, thus the tag without a tag axle listed. The Mfg. then added the tag axle during mfg of the MH.

That would make sense.

[Phenomenon]

Thats correct, when this frame left the factory it was a single axle on leaf springs, fleetwood ripped it out and added a tag axle setup but kept the drive axle thats bolted to the pivot setup. It's the weirdest setup ive ever seen.

[mpierce]

Mile High wrote:
Something definitely wrong there - they don't show any axle weight for the tag. Either somebody swapped your vin tag, or the manufacturer messed up (probably the latter).

The front axle seems light at 6,000, but OK. The rear dually, OK at 10,000, but there is no way both the main drive axle and tag would be 10,000 together.

Even if the tag was only rated for 6,000, that would put you at 22,000 GVWR.

I bet the Chassis was made with only the drive axle, thus the tag without a tag axle listed. The Mfg. then added the tag axle during mfg of the MH.

[Mile_High]

ya, take away the tow vehicle and its not bad.

[RLS7201]

delete

[Phenomenon]

ya the engine swap was a major pain in my backside but its done and running perfectly now. According to that page they only rate it for a total of 2732lbs of people and stuff including a tow vehicle. I would say thats almost impossible to stay within that limit.

[Mile_High]

Saw on the other thread you had to put an engine in it - 😞

So, using that piece of paper it looks like your total axle capacity is 23,072 lbs, but they derate you to 19,300 for some reason, probably tire rating.

Your total combined gross weight is 20,000, including what you put on the rear hitch if you have one.

No wonder folks run around overloaded most of the time - its a puzzle 🙂

[Phenomenon]

Found this other page in the bedroom closet

[Phenomenon]

This is the sag i speak of.

[Mile_High]

Something definitely wrong there - they don't show any axle weight for the tag. Either somebody swapped your vin tag, or the manufacturer messed up (probably the latter).

The front axle seems light at 6,000, but OK. The rear dually, OK at 10,000, but there is no way both the main drive axle and tag would be 10,000 together.

Even if the tag was only rated for 6,000, that would put you at 22,000 GVWR.

[Phenomenon]

[mpierce]

Phenomenon wrote:
The tag on the MH says 16,000lbs but i havent actually run it accross a scale yet.

I would think you would have four weights listed on the tag.

Front axle
Drive axle
Tag axle
Gross weight

I just cannot believe 16k for gross weight. Why would a tag be put on a rig that is only 16k at max?

I would hazard a 28-32k gross weight, or even a little more.

My '14 dodge dually pickup has a gross weight that high!

[Phenomenon]

I did recieve an email back from them, they say to replace the rubber suspension parts at a cost of $278 cdn X 4. I cant afford that nor are they in that bad of shape. I have a feeling its the coil springs that have been compressed over the years. Gonna take it to a suspension shop tomorrow that deals with heavy trucks.

[Mile_High]

Still not sure why you don't call Mor-Ryde. They built the suspension on that Oshkosh chassis and are nice folks. I'm sure they can give you some ideas.