dale716
Tecumseh, Oklahoma
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Joined: 06/30/2003
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I had a leaf spring brake while in Texas last month. I had all four springs replaced in Tyler so I would have a matched set.
We are heading for Colorado in the morning (3 aug) and I did my final walk around and over and under inspection tonight. I found that the mechanic that replaced the springs striped a nut on one of the shackles. The bolt was loose and I could have lost the rig if that bolt had departed and allowed the rear axel to float.
Luckily, My son in law is a mechanic and I have a fairly well equiped shop. We replaced the sholder bolt and nut and tack welded the other ones till I get back.
Moral of the story......Look under your rig too, and don't trust work you have done till you inspect it yourself.
I live in Tecumseh Okla and it's a 300 mile trip to Tyler Tx so I can't take it back. I'll just send them a letter.
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skipper
Louisville KY USA
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Joined: 05/19/2001
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Seems like you spent money that could have ben saved . The spring that you had to replace cost $ then you replaced to other three .Looks like the purchase of one proper matched spring after getting home could have put the trailer back to orignal set up. Bolts that strip the nut (gauling)can be prevented using anti-siese Or Loc tight and proper torque. In a pinch use a stake punch the thread two times close to the nut,The nut can still be removed with a wrench to remove or replace. Skipper.
99 DCTD 3500 5spd quad line-x Pac-brake. boost,egt,fuel gauges /26ft 95 American star 5thwheel w/1slide
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curt12914
Northern NY State
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Joined: 03/15/2003
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I broke a spring on my previous trailer and a friend broke one on his. I don't think it's that uncommon. Neither of our trailers had shocks on them.
My Big Sky does have shocks on it. It seems to me that there should be less chance of breaking a spring on one with shocks. Am I wrong about that?
05 Ford F-350 Lariat CC 4X4 PSD DRW Line X Retrax
02 Montana Big Sky 3295 RK (2) Honda EU2000is
When my grown kids were inspecting our new fifth wheel, one asked why we bought a trailer that sleeps 4. My reply was that we couldn't find one that sleeps 2!
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Hawk
Halifax,NS, Canada
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Joined: 06/24/2001
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I also broke a spring a couple weeks ago. I was at a very remote CG and had to drive 70 miles to get a new spring. I may have driven at least 70 miles on that broken spring. It was a rear spring and the axle was pulled foward about 2" on that side. It was held there by the remaining part of the spring which had broken at the rear. Not sure what would have happened if it had broken at the front.
I was able to replace the spring using my bottle jack, one spanner( correct size), and an adjustable spanner. I will carry more tools from now on. Took me only about an hour. The other three springs will be weaker but I can see no mismatch at all. I came to find that the springs on my 3000 lb axles are really only 2500 lb springs, as I found that 3000 lb springs are two inches longer than what I have. Go figure. The whole suspension of my trailer is too weak and was upgraded the next model year. My trailer is usually about 6000 lbs with 1200 lbs on the pin. I guess I could upgrade it but would have to resize the mounts to do so. Hawk
'96 GMC 2500HD ext cab,long bed,5.7L Vortec,4.10 posi, RBW 15K Lil Rocker, Jordan 2020 Ultima (I love it)
'96 Golden Falcon 25 MGT 5th Wheel
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blt2ski
Kirkland, Wa
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Joined: 03/15/2001
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Hawk,
You should have been able to find springs the same length with 3000 lbs ratings. You may have had/have to order them, but, they are availible. A good spring repair shop or RV parts mgr should be able to help you with this.
I too have had springs break thru the years. I had a rear spring on TT lose 40% og the bottom spring. I did replace all the springs, as my suspension was ready to be rebuilt with 60K miles on it. SO I got 5 leaf springs vs the 4 leaf I had with a 4000 lbs capcity pair springs vs the 3500 lbs'rs the manufacture put on.
I also put the Dexter greasable bolts. I have done this mod on two trailers, personally I feel since the springs are on a thin layer of grease vs a plastic friction peice, the trailers ride smoother, and the bolts, shackles etc should last longer.
I did the same thing on my equipment trailer, greasable bolts, I went from 5000 lb springs to 6000 lbs springs. On this one, the only difference was the thickness of the spring itself, I still had a 4 leaf setup, but instead of 1/4" leafs, they are 3/8" thick. These springs are also abit wider than the TT springs.
Marty
05 Chev CC D/A LS Dooley
92 Navistar dump truck, 7.3L 7 sp, 4.33 gears with a Detroit no spin
00 Chev C2500, V5700, 4L80E, 4.10, base truck, no options!
92 Red-e-haul 12K equipment trailer
3 Single axle utility trailers
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P Kennedy
Alberta
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Joined: 05/25/2003
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Hawk I think you will find that your trailer has Dexter 3500lb axles and that springs matching the shackle distances are available in different weight ratings. RV's use lighter springs to improve the ride to prevent chatter in the trailer and the spring will break before the axle tube. Dexter has a parts catalogue on line to get part numbers with specs, take these to your Dexter parts dealer and get what you need. Dale unless the springs are extremely fatigued replacing 4 springs is a total waste of money as one could fail again from sharp breaks in the pavement especially once temperatures drop off in the fall. Most breakages occur when the spring is heavily loaded (0-negative curves) and a quick snap in the axle movement is encountered (excessive speed over rough terrain). Individual leaves are also available although quite often a whole spring is cheaper than one leaf, trailers hauled unlevel will experience higher spring breakage on the axle with the extra weight on them. PK
2007 Triple E 305RL
2007 Dodge C&C 9' Falcan Deck
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