Help! 5th wheel axle trouble

[Southbound]

I need some suggestions here. I just bought a new Jayco 25ft 5th wheel which I had to have the leaf springs reversed so I could pull it with my 4x4. After reversing the leaf springs I bought some 16 wheels hoping to put more rubber on the pavement as well as fill in some of the clearance in the wheel well. Now for the good stuff... . while pulling my trailer home from my first camp I noticed that my rear wheels were bent-in because the welds broke on the saddles which caused my axle to twist. Basically I destroyed both axles. I saw in an earlier post that someone had bought a kit to raise the trailer which was made by Dexter but after further investigation I dont think this will be a fix. I am considering a larger axle but I am concerned about a rougher ride thus shaking my trailer apart. Now I know that a lot of you guys are pulling with 4x4 2500s ... . how did you raise you trailers. I am open for any suggestions. Sorry for the long post.



Southbound

 

[Dieselnerd]

I had my earlier trailer modified to put the springs on top of the axles. I never had any problems with it. My current HitchHiker fifth wheel came with optional springs mounted on top of the axle from the factory. The axles have both mounts so you can lower it if you have a 4x2. I doubt a larger axle will shake your trailer apart. You can have springs and shocks installed on the larger axle that are matched to your trailer weight.

 

[FMcClaren]

Hi Southbound

I also have a 25 ft Jayco i had to raise, I,m not sure what you mean by reverseing the leaf springs.

I put the axle under the spring set a new saddle on the axle

then jacked it up to the spring. I used the same U bolts and

plate , just turn them upside down.

Theres a bow in the axle that has to up. After you get it straight

and tight weld the new saddle to the axle.

Good luck

Mac

 

[jstyer]

reversed axles

I don't know what size axle the Jayco has, my hitchhiker had a 3" axle and I purchased the dexter axle kit (2 because 2 axles) and it worked like a charm. Only thing I had to do was to buy longer shocks because the axle moved 5" further from the frame shock mount. Good luck.

 

[klenger]

I've ordered an Arctic Fox 5th wheel (see sig), which I should get by end of July. The factory will build the trailer with the axles either way. They also use 16" wheels, which they told me provides better brakes and higher GVWR. Shocks are also standard. I still don't know how much clearance I will have, but if I need more, I think I will look into lowering the back end of the truck some. This is always an interesting topic.

 

[Dieselnerd]

Once your springs are on top of the axle it's pretty easy to raise it a bit more. Just put in a small block with longer u bolts if you need them. Personally I would rather do that than lower my truck. I don't like the look of a truck way down in back, it looks like the trailer is too heavy for your truck.

 

[dewdo]

I have the toque flex axles and bought a 3500 4x4. I took the trailer to a repair facility that specializes in working on RV's. I had them weld a 4" lift on the top of the frame raising the body of the trailer. Works great with the torque flex.



Dewdo in the other washington

 

[Ron Bissett]

Destroyed Axle ?

As you stated you destroyed the two axles , how? I know that the axle will turn if not placed in right alignment . One, the bend in Dexter must be up . Two when spring is on top of axle it is in same direction as when on bottem. The dexter kit I used, cost 24 $and change for each axle . The kit comes with a new plate ,U bolts and saddle, with locator bolts welded on, plus long locator nuts , and inst how to use kit . I like Runnaway, did one side at a time and both axle on that side . using the locator bolts welded to the new saddles with the nuts in place on top of the axle and bolts contact with the old saddles and parrallel with in 2/32 '' It is suggested to spot weld the saddle in place , but it can be assembled with no weld . I spotted mine in place and had some time putting it all back to gether again . Had to dig in the gravle to put wheels back on without raising the trailer any higher than it was . My axle was 3in'' If axle is turned the wheels will be out on top in at bottom . If axle tube is not bent the kit from Dexter may still be the thing to do . Hope you find the help you need lol Ron in LOUISVille KY P. S the time is 2326 z not as shown in red

 

[merryman]

Klenger'

I have an 01 2500 4X4 and an '01 29' Artic Fox. The trailer came with the springs on top the axels and it levels up fine with my Ram



Vaughn

 

[klenger]

Merryman:

If you have them, please e-mail pics of the 1950 truck and also the 2001 5er combo. My dad's construction company bought 1/2 Dodge trucks in the 50's and 60's. 225 slant six, three speed column shifter, no power anything, no radio, chains to hold the tailgate up, even the windshield washer was manual ... you had to press a blub with your foot to get it to spay.



Send e-mail to -- email address removed --



Sorry about getting off track with this post, ... please continue with original topic.



kl

 

[Southbound]

Hello! There were several good comments so I will try to answer all. First when I reversed my leaf springs I only reversed the saddles to the top and mounted the leaf springs on top instead of the bottom. My axles still had the correct bow once the leafs were reversed. When I was pulling my trailer home it looks as if my welds broke on the saddles which caused my rear axle to twist thus causing the damage because the weight of the trailer was no longer balanced right. When the rear axle twisted it actually caused more weight to be on the front axle which the leafs couldnt handle because they are now straight. My trailer loaded only weights around 6500 pounds so I would imagine Jayco feels that is not heavy enough to have shocks or springs... I am guessing here. I may have some shock mounts added if it would improve the ride. Shouldnt this trailer be heavier to get the best use out of shocks??? "Mac" I noticed you mentioned that you had a Jayco 25ft Eagle... does it have 3inch axles or two inch? I have two inch axles but thought about going to 3inch in hopes of having bigger saddles to bolt-to. . plus with the addition of 16 wheels I would like to have stronger hubs to support the wheels. Have any of you guys experienced any problems when you switched from 15inch wheels to 16inch using the existing axle? Hey "Ron" with the Dexter kit did you use the existing saddles or did you replace them? Also it appears that this kit bolts on which concerns me for fear of the axle twisting again under the saddle. I can only imagine the forward motion stress on axle when the brakes are applied. Tell me more about the Dexter kit. One last question... when I replaced my wheels with 16inch I also went to a heavier tire (load-range E)..... how much air pressure would you run with these tires??? Thanks again for your input on this. Got to love TDR!!!!

 

[jstyer]

dexter kit

The Dexter kit has new saddles that have spacer bolts with adjustable locator nuts to run against the existing saddle (which will now be on the bottom of your axle) which prevent your saddle or axle from turning and new plates to place on top of your springs, which are now relocated to the top of the new saddles, and new U bolts and nuts. Like I said before, everything you need is in the kit. I almost had to dig out, like Ron Bisset did, to put my wheels on but had a heavy enough floor jack to lift the trailer enough to get one wheel on and then go from there. The only drawback to the dexter kit, if my memory serves me right, is your existing axle size. I believe their kit is only for a 2" square or 3" round axle. Someone might correct me if I'm wrong in this statement. Good Luck.

 

[FMcClaren]

Hi Southbound



My axles are 2 3/8 inches dia. 3500 lbs. each. Jayco don,t

give you extra, my trailer,s max. weight being 7000.

I think shocks are a good idea on any trailer. I used

the same shocks i had on there just made extention

brackets. I,m going with 16 inch tires also, just for looks.

I just got back from a 6000 mile trip out west and the

truck and trailer both did a great job.







I wish i had nickel for everytime i heard---- Boy that thing

sure is high.

Good luck

Mac

 

[Ron Bissett]

Originally posted by Southbound

Hello! There were several good comments so I will try to answer all. First when I reversed my leaf springs I only reversed the saddles to the top and mounted the leaf springs on top instead of the bottom. My axles still had the correct bow once the leafs were reversed. When I was pulling my trailer home it looks as if my welds broke on the saddles which caused my rear axle to twist thus causing the damage because the weight of the trailer was no longer balanced right. When the rear axle twisted it actually caused more weight to be on the front axle which the leafs couldnt handle because they are now straight. My trailer loaded only weights around 6500 pounds so I would imagine Jayco feels that is not heavy enough to have shocks or springs... I am guessing here. I may have some shock mounts added if it would improve the ride. Shouldnt this trailer be heavier to get the best use out of shocks??? "Mac" I noticed you mentioned that you had a Jayco 25ft Eagle... does it have 3inch axles or two inch? I have two inch axles but thought about going to 3inch in hopes of having bigger saddles to bolt-to. . plus with the addition of 16 wheels I would like to have stronger hubs to support the wheels. Have any of you guys experienced any problems when you switched from 15inch wheels to 16inch using the existing axle? Hey "Ron" with the Dexter kit did you use the existing saddles or did you replace them? Also it appears that this kit bolts on which concerns me for fear of the axle twisting again under the saddle. I can only imagine the forward motion stress on axle when the brakes are applied. Tell me more about the Dexter kit. One last question... when I replaced my wheels with 16inch I also went to a heavier tire (load-range E)..... how much air pressure would you run with these tires??? Thanks again for your input on this. Got to love TDR!!!!

S B I hope you saw the kit info I posted was in a hurry and wound up as a new post . Just got around to the shocks and found that it looks like I will have to make brackets as the shock mount is too close ,as the plate has to go on top of the spring under the new plate , all ways some thing to over come , Some post that they need longer shocks . looks like they make every mount diffrent to make it a shop job. I think you will be ok with the kit k71-384-00 for 2-3/8 axle . lol Ron in Louisville KY

























r

 

[SOLER]

The trailer should sit slightly lower in the rear. However, not as bad as they do when hitched to our 4x4's.



Many people try and swap the location of the springs. I did something else. On my 30' Forrest River Sandpiper, the spring hangars are welded to a piece of 2x2 steel, and the 2x2 is welded to the frame. I had a welding shop weld a piece of 3x3 between the 2x2 and the frame. It is sturdy, and it did the job. The trailer now sits only slightly lower in the rear than it should, and 16" wheels and tires will solve that.

 

[tom sweeney]

sorry to hear about your axles!!!... when i ordered my Holiday Rambler i jumped at the adjustable suspension option!!!!... it worked out quite well... not sure if other makes of 5'ers offer that as an option... good luck to you!!. tom

 

[mbrolin]

Tom,HR had an adjustable suspension option?Sure need one on my 01 Presidential. Ive scraped the paint on the underside a couple of times. Im tempted to do what Soler has done. HR used a 2x3 under the main frame. I would be at an ideal height with a 2x6 welded in place of the 2x3. Im nose high now and need to go up one more hole in the hitch. Oh well its only more money.