smsage999
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Re: suspension problems
Bob E. wrote: Since the rear equalizer has shackles front and rear, this would result in the center and rear tires moving towards each other as the springs flatten under load. Maybe this is your problem?? Actually, the more I think about it, the more I think this is your problem. Your springs are too long. You had stated that you believed you were supposed to have 35" axle spacings because it is a triple axle trailer. However, according to Dexter, you can have a triple axle setup with 33" spacing, and your measurements from hanger to hanger match Dexter's spec for 33" spacing. Did you order springs for a 35" axle spacing? Think about it. The front and rear spring hangers are fixed. If all three springs are 2" too long to start, that would push the front and center axles back 1" and the rear axle forward 1". This would be why your total distance from your front axle to rear axle is less than 66 total inches (2 spaces at 33"). You are measuring 65 total inches (34"+31"). Plus, now that you have taken a trip, your new springs have relaxed and settled a little flatter making the problem worse. I'd wager a bet that your shackles are leaning way more towards the spring hangers than the originals. They may even be bound up. Measure your spring length from eye to eye under load and see what it is. Okay, so I have measured the springs under load (it finally stopped raining), and the measurements under load are 26-1/2" eye to eye, so I believe you have the answer to my problem. Dang springs are too long. With that being said, I find the solution is not that simple. You mentioned 2 inches shorter, however I cannot locate a 24 inch spring (unloaded measurement) that meets the weight rating of my trailer. The closest I can get is either 24-7/8 inch or 25-1/8 inch. The loaded measurement should be 26 inch according to the specs I have read from Dexter and Axis. So I am leaning towards the 25-1/8 inch that when loaded will be closer to 26 inches.572Views0likes0CommentsRe: suspension problems
My unit does not have the E-Z Flex equalizers on it. It does have the "standard" factory ones. I was looking to upgrade, but the axle spacing I am measuring wont work with the Dexter system.... The current equalizers are installed correctly, according to the drawings available from dexter and other axle mfg. I am just stumped and still nothing back from FR on this yet.436Views0likes0CommentsRe: suspension problems
Okay, so here are the measurements from hanger to hanger. Forward-most hanger to middle forward hanger- 29-1/2 inch center to center Middle forward hanger to middle rear hanger - 33 inch center to center Middle rear hanger to rearward most hanger - 29-1/2 inch center to center. Measurements are the same on both sides436Views0likes0CommentsRe: suspension problems
joebedford wrote: fj12ryder wrote: joebedford wrote: Shouldn't the equalizers be the same dimension eye-to-eye? They should be if the distance between axles is the same, but this trailer has different distances between the 3 axles. Dexter shows two different length equalizers, and which one you need is determined by the axle spacing. What I don't know is if OP measured the distance between axles or axle hangers. If the wrong equalizer was put in, that would affect the distance between axles even if the hangers are the right spacing. Also, I've had a spring shop put the wrong spring in my rig. Maybe when he got his springs replaced, they put in two different sizes. I did the spring change out and I did not change equalizers, or shackles. Only the springs, bolts and U-Bolts. I did not measure hanger to hanger, but I will tonight. My measurements are axle center to axle center. The equalizers were measured center eye to center eye. According to the spec sheet from Dexter, for a triple axle, the spacing from axle center to axle center should be 35 inches.436Views0likes0CommentsRe: suspension problems
time2roll wrote: If you weld on new hangers 3" back would that straighten it out? Take it to a spring shop and see what they think. FR has been contacted and I am awaiting a response, so in the meantime, I was hoping someone here has run into something similar.282Views0likes0CommentsRe: suspension problems
fj12ryder wrote: I think you need to get off here and on the phone to Forest River and find out why the dimensions are different. :) It certainly sounds like it was manufactured that way, but the question is why. Forrest River may have the answer. I've always assumed that the spacing on axles was equal, but maybe not. Are the tires the original size? Perhaps larger diameter tires/wheels have been installed at some point. What may have been marginal clearance with OEM tires may be insufficient clearance with aftermarket sizes. Spacing is within a 1/16 of an inch on both sides. Tires are same size, just LT versus ST.283Views0likes0Commentssuspension problems
Okay, so I will try to make this as short and to the point as I possibly can. I recently purchased a used 2013 Forest River XLR Thunderbolt fifth wheel toy hauler. I must say it is a massive upgrade from my previous keystone Cougar 320 SRX. Went on my first trip a month or so ago, and noticed the coach leaning significantly to the curbside. Not so much that I felt unsafe so i pushed on to the house (3 hours), and immediately got my creeper out and went under the unit. All I can say is WOW, the leaf springs on the curbside were a straight line and the roadside were not much better. Counting the leafs, I determined through lots of research on this forum and others, that these springs were only rated to a max f 2250 lbs, which is not enough to carry the empty weight of the coach, much less the GVWR of 18,000 lbs. So I immediately ordered springs rated for 3400 lbs each and replaced the springs and all bolts. This raised the coach almost 7 inches!!! I was happy for that, now I tow more level which eases my mind on tire wear. Fast forward to this past weekend. the DW and I went on a trip to north-central Texas (6 hrs away) and I noticed about the halfway point (also when daylight was good), when the coach hit a bump in the road, I would see a puff of smoke come out from under the wheels. So I pulled over and noticed the spacing between the middle and rear axle was only about 1/4 inch, while the spacing between the front and middle axle was 2 inches minimum. Again, I pushed through stopping regularly to check wear and temperature. Fortunately no tire damage as the tires only made contact with each other a handful of times, but I began the "kicking myself" wondering how I missed this issue before I changed the springs, then tonight it hit me. with the flattened springs, the axles were pushed further apart, and now with proper springs, they are pulled together. So moments ago, I went and took some measurements, and cannot believe what I am seeing. The axle spacing from front to middle axle is 34 inches on center, with the equalizer measuring 7 inches eye-to-eye. The axle spacing from the middle axle to the rear is only 31 inches on center, with the equalizer only measuring 5-3/4 inches eye-to-eye. can someone help me figure out why this is? Was looking to get the ez-flex equalizers, with wet bolts, but hell, the measurements are so funky, I don't know which size I need to buy. Please help, I have a very long trip to Tennessee coming up soon.9.6KViews0likes43CommentsRe: Electrical issue
Thanks everyone for their help. as it turned out, this was not a voltage issue entirely. I finally got an opportunity this weekend to get my multi-meter and properly check my circuits. Batter was good at 13.29 volts with coach unplugged and 13.56 volts when plugged in. I went to the distribution panel and when to check the circuits and the last 12v fuse checked was actually marked for the slideout, I pulled the fuse (not blown) and replaced with yet another 30amp fuse, the air conditioner came on immediately and the other issue resolved. When I took my hands of the fuse, everything went back off. So, over time the female spade had slightly separated not allowing the fuse to make 100% contact. I tightened the terminals with my needle nose pliers and viola! All is right in the camper again.523Views0likes0CommentsRe: Electrical issue
smsage999 wrote: All fuses were checked and not blown. Heck I even replaced all DC fuses with new ones as sometimes fuses go bad without indicating failure. This one is really stumping me because it was not isolated to a single power source. I saw your post sir. Again all fuses were changed because I had the same thought about losing 12v power somewhere, every fuse was changed out to new ones without rectifying the problem. Maybe there is something within the panel that I cannot see. I will be back home tonight with my multimeter and can check circuits more closely with diagnostic tools.523Views0likes0Comments
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