rsaylor3 wrote:
When I did my measurements it was on level ground, trailer leveled front to back. I measured from where the spring hanger brackets are welded to the frame on each side to the ground. I am 1/2" lower on that side. This is consistent with both sets of spring hanger on each side. From eye to eye they are 24" on the good side and 24 1/4" on the low side.
Axles are lippert #4400. 3".
Weight when loaded is right at 8,800 total trailer weight, with 7,660 on the axles. Never did front axle to back for comparison, but I do tow pretty darn level.
This is good info and different then the first time with 1" difference. You did the measurement the right way. Camper level front to back, hard surface and frame to ground at the hangers
You are 1/2" difference ground to bottom of frame and the eye to eye on the springs shows the heavy side is longer too which aligns with the lower ride height. This may be what this size spring constant gives you.
And Cruiser gave you 4,400# axles on a 35' 4" long 9,455 GVWR camper. They down sized the axles to "just" fit. But they built the floor plan where the right side can be heavier with that large cargo space.
What you are seeing may be what it is going to be with 4,400# axle "tubes" and springs. What tire size/load range did they give you?
Individual wheel weights will help confirm you are not sitting at or close to 2,200# on that side per wheel. And tell you where your tire loads are.
Since you are now 1/2" lower and not 1", the 1/2" is not as much a concern as tire/axles loading on that side. The springs may well be doing what that size is telling them to do.
Once the wheel weight data comes, then you will know what you are up against. You just maybe out of capacity on that side of the camper and cargo may have to move. I know that can create it's own set of issues, but this may be what they sold you.
In case you did not know, if you are thinking putting larger springs in, the axles tubes, wheels and tires should go up as well. This is no longer very simple, well simple yes, cost no. And then the size of the main frame rails will come into question.
Did they set this camper up on 8" tall frame rails or 10" and what are the flange and web size/thickness?
Before the 4,400# axle came along about 8 to 10 years ago, a trailer this size would have 5,200# axle tubes as that was the next jump above the 3,600# axle tube. Granted they could teak the spring rate lower, but the trailer got the heavier tubes.
There are 2 ways in the industry to size the axles/running gear to the GVWR. Each camper mfg does this different.
1. They let the truck hold part of the GVWR on the tongue and the axles and running gear can be down sized to hold what is not part of dry tongue weight.
2. They size the axles and running gear to hold the entire GVWR. This allows some freedom in loading the camper and gives you extra safety margin.
The cost between option 1 and 2 is not that much, but when you make hundreds and thousands of them, that savings to the mfg adds up.
Your learning, good for you to realize this before tire issues come.
Hope this helps.
John
2005 Ford F350 Super Duty, 4x4; 6.8L V10 with 4.10 RA, 21,000 GCWR, 11,000 GVWR, upgraded 2 1/2" Towbeast Receiver. Hitched with a 1,700# Reese HP WD, HP Dual Cam to a 2004 Sunline Solaris T310R travel trailer.