Rear Springs are flattened out on my Cougar

[mwilson]

While draining the fresh water tank last Friday I noticed that the left rear spring almost had a negative arch. No broken leaves, just looks like it is giving up. While towing it over to Canada on some very nasty roads I could hear a rattle every time it hit a bump. While setting the trailer up at the campground I noticed that the front of the left hand equalizer was whacking the frame so that was the noise.

I have been studying the Dexter parts resources looking for replacement springs and wonder if any of you have done a spring change, if so what did you use?? Did you upgrade to a higher capacity spring??

I SUSPECT that the springs get stressed at the dealer when they pick the front of trailer up about 4 feet with a forklift and drag them around which puts all the weight on the rear axle and springs.....that's my theory......

Thanks!!
Mike.

 

[GCroyle]

Mike,

If you would have put nitrogen in the tires like you were told, this wouldn't have happened. For the noise when you hit a bump, simple, don't hit bumps.

That's my theories!

Gnome Away

Gary

 

[mwilson]

Mike,

If you would have put nitrogen in the tires like you were told, this wouldn't have happened. For the noise when you hit a bump, simple, don't hit bumps.

That's my theories!

Gnome Away

Gary

Maybe I'll just slap a Hendrickson 40,000 lb air ride under that puppy and be done with it........

 

[MichaelOverfield]

Mike,
I'm in process of replacing all the running suspension gear on my trailer. What capacity axles do you have, typical axles are 3500# axles.

E-trailer has all the parts you could want and dream of at un-beatable prices, and over $99 shipping is free. I'm going with 4800# springs to replace my originals, even though I'm way under in weight, I don't want another broken spring.. I poste quite a bit more detail in the thread on changing wheel size for better tires.. I'll try to link some more data for you..

I'd definitely go up on spring size from your situation, my unbroken springs showed signs of wear, all of them.. telling me they were not up the task, even when below rated load. My trailer is 4300 dry, 5500 loaded, I can't believe I ever got it over 7000.. it has a pair of 3500# axles.

 

[mwilson]

I can't remember what the axles are as I upgraded them several years ago. It had the cheap *** undersize Hayes axles (both were slightly bent when I bought the trailer, only a year old at that time) and I ordered a set of Dexter axles with the thicker wall axle tubes in the same bearing combination with the spring perches all welded on them. I have a real old thread on that somewhere. I'll see if I can find it in a bit. I know the thicker tubes made the trailer tow 100% better.

Mike.

 

[B.G. Smith]

Helped a friend replace a spring on a small TT some time ago and we got the spring from a frame and front end place here in Beaumont. You should be able to get direct replacement form Dexter or others. Might want to check the bushings in the suspension while you are at it. Had a Carri-Lite 5th wheel before and I had to replace all the bushings and the equalizers on both sides, bushings had all worn out and was about to wear through the equalizer eyes. bg

 

[mwilson]

I have been looking to upgrade to the greasable pin and equalizer kit from Dexter. It would the perfect time to install it.

 

[MichaelOverfield]

Looks like your dry weight is near 8K, so you likely have something like 5K axles for that, or even more... My 2005 Outback 21RS is also a Keystone product, and I've determined that they build these with the cheapest components they can.. I've had to do considerable re-work on just about everything..

E-trailer.com has been serving me well for all kinds of parts. They have detailed measurements and specifications, so it is easy to find a match, the 4800# springs I got were a direct size replacement for the OEM springs, and only $25/ea. same as the 3500# springs in my case.. not sure what they have on the higher end.. but they did have them.

 

[mwilson]

Off the top of my head I am remembering an odd number for the OEM axles, 4800 lb or something like that. I think the replacements axles are 6000 lb.

 

[MichaelOverfield]

Here is the thread on wheel size upgrade, in it I list all the parts and components I'm using.. while lighter than yours, some of this can still be applied.

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/252125-Change-wheel-size-for-better-tires

OEMs at 4800# makes sense, barely enough for your rig.. the only reason I have 3500#s for mine, with a loaded weight of 5500, is I'm the smallest size trailer in the model line, they use my same axles on the heavier trailers too, otherwise I'd have to go for bigger axles too as you already had to.

 

[MichaelOverfield]

Here are 6K springs at e-trailer.. they also have a single leaf version..

http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Suspension/Redline/PR5.html

 

[MichaelOverfield]

They have 7K too, actually cheaper, size looks similar, probably can use these no problem as well.

http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Suspension/Redline/PR6.html

 

[MichaelOverfield]

Might want this kind of kit, replaces worn parts and upgrades at the same time..

http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Suspension/Dexter/K71-653-00.html

 

[GCroyle]

One thing I did find when I researched issues on my rig, Dexter was pretty good with information.

40,000# might be overkill, but I read it works somewhere on the web so go for it!

 

[TFucili]

It's the nitrogen filled axles, and sodium filled wheel studs that make all the difference in the world.

 

[mwilson]

It's the nitrogen filled axles, and sodium filled wheel studs that make all the difference in the world.

It's on the internet so it has to be true.....

 

[MichaelOverfield]

I say helium filled, make the rig a good once or two lighter you know!...

 

[mwilson]

Michael, I want to thank you for the links provided. I will study the information in order to make as good a decision as possible.

We have Dexter parts available to us because of a connection that we have to a large semi-trailer and truck body vendor. I did a few quick price checks during this frantic day and it looked like e-Trailer was beating that price. I don't know if the springs are off-shore from e-Trailer, they could even be off shore from Dexter for all that we know.

I don't want to get too carried away with spring capacity and transfer more stress to the trailer itself. I'm going to do some heavy study on this.

I have weighed this combined unit before while it was loaded (by the wife and she is a packrat, along with culch enough for two grandkids) and weighed 18,500. So the trailer is weighing up around 10,000 lbs.

I am going to try and find that old thread about the axles later on.

 

[mwilson]

I'm thinking going from the 4 leaf to the 5 leaf would be quite an improvement.

 

[RUSSELL5000]

Mike,

When I replaced my axles I went to the 6k Dexter axle. Was more than I needed, but the price increment was negligible and I got a 12 inch brake drum rather than 10 inch. I am not sure whether you are looking at axles or just suspension components.

I have a thought on springs: if you use springs with substantially greater capacity, wouldn't the trailer be "jarred" as you go along?

I did the kit with bronze bushings, "wet" bolts, thick shackles. Much better than OEM.

I have gotten quite a few things from eTrailer. Good service, good prices, fast.