restlesswind
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Joined: 10/13/2007
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I had the same problem with our fiver,springs went flat.To make a long story short.I had all four replaced,in less than 3,000 miles the new ones on the rear axle started doing the same thing.I called Dexter Axel,had them send a pair of 8,000 lb rated,had them installed and sent back (with a claim number) the old (but nearly new) 7,000 springs.They did a checkout on the returned springs and said that they were defective.They reimbursed me for the 8,000 lbs,springs,the cost to replace,and shipping of the spring back to them.I think I'll be OK with the setup now.
BTW I did learn that when you buy a 6 leaf stack spring as a replacement for a 6 leaf Dexter spring,it may well not have the same rating as the Dexter spring.
If you have Dexter springs ,get a hold of Dexter,they were very helpfull in my case.
Hichhiker DA
04.5 Dodge TD SRW
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USA in a Chevrolet
Manahawkin, New Jersey
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Joined: 02/25/2007
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Hotel California wrote:If you get the Dexter EZ-Flex system with the rubber damper you don't need shock absorbers. Many new RVs are being built that way. The Dexter system can be purchased for around $200 online, includes new shackles, wet bolts and equalizers for both sides. Shipping included. Just got my set and will install in the Spring. Hey, that's funny...in the spring.
I think the rubber dampner works to dampen the movement between the 2 axles as you go over a pothole, etc. Shock absorbers dampen up & down movement of each individual axle. That's why you have 4 shocks.
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Texas Jim S
Belton, TX
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Joined: 08/22/2008
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Chad, If you can locate a good reputable Spring Shop in your area, they should be able to check your springs for a problem, re-arch your existing springs, and add whatever leaves that they may need. Most of these shops are also equiped to install them. This takes all of the guess work out because they will also know if the springs are of the proper length, where the springs are mounted and how they are mounted. You may really be surprised how reasaonable it is to have this done. You just have to find the right place of business.
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routemaster
Deming
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Joined: 12/02/2005
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This picture new EZ.
This picture after a trip shackles still hit the frame, squashed the copper tube I did have at the time for water since taken it out.Now have new 3,500lbs springs factory ones had grown and installed new shocks.I belive the new spring and shocks help a lot.The next thing to do is bump stops.
2005 GMC 2500Dmax C/C S/B with 06 air box.
Reese 16k Slider hitch.
2006 Everest 344J.3500lbs springs, Monroe shocks, LED taillights Travelsoft water softener.
YAMAHA EF3000iSEB
Fulltimers
Verizon Air Card.
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MTPockets1
Florida
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Joined: 09/19/2011
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I've noticed a number of posts on this and the Heartland Owners Forum on the subject of leaf spring problems. Does that suggest the industry itself has a problem in the engineering of these units? Or, is it us, the owners - ignoring load limits of our units? Many fifth wheels on the market barely have a 2000 lb payload limit, then, if you have a full tank of fresh water, that is reduced by 500 - 800 lbs. depending on tank size... Add even more weight if you're running with holding tanks - about 8 Lbs. per gallon of water... I'm leaning to owners overloading as a higher percentage of the spring problem.
2012 3055RL Big Horn - Dexter 7000 lb axles - G rated LT Tires
MorRyde, Genset, Dual Panes, 2 A/C, Yeti Package
2012 F350 SRW 4x4 Crew King Ranch
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camp gordon
sanford
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Joined: 11/24/2011
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mtpockets1....i have thought this also. but i didnt want make enemys.. i have weighted my camper and tk and me in the tk with full gas tanks and gear ready to camp no water, went cross scale at 21,490 ..and yes i know all about pin weight and axle weight ratio.. but dry weight of my camper is 12,000 and with 2,000 pounds for cargo its over the rating of axles under it.. i have talked to chassis companys and they put blame on the camper manufactured they over build the chassis ...just like any thing else that you buy.. build it cheap and make money ,,, we has the camper owner.. assume all is good with our campers.but if it is on the edge of limits and then the ruff roads in this country ..the axles and springs are the first to take the hit..
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MTPockets1
Florida
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Certainly not wanting enemies.... It would be better if the manufacturers and dealers would do a better job to make it very clear what the payload limits are for those who may not be aware of the consequences, and the options for those needing higher payloads.
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N3YMY
Brunswick, MD
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Joined: 09/19/2007
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MTPockets1 wrote:Certainly not wanting enemies....
Enemies be d*mned!
We recently discovered a spring pack failure due winter prep. We have the cat scale sheets from over the years to prove we're under gawr. Now that the busted pack is down, I see the shackles are starting to wallow, so I'll do the wet bolts at the same time and use the thicker shackles that come with the mor/ryde kit.
We have a 2006 keystone cougar 289EFS. It has AL-KO axles that keystone has derated to 4400 lbs. I'll note that AL-KO makes 3500, 5200, 6000, 7000 and 8000 lbs axles for leaf spring applications.
AL-KO also sells 2200 lbs spring packs. I suspect under rating could not handle the roads of VT we were forced to detour over this fall. I suspect I'll stand on the 2950 l s packs to get the safety margin I desire (and will still fit dimensionally).
At any rate, as a keeper, as mentioned above, time to upgrade...
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John Bridge
Houston
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Joined: 11/05/2005
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I don't think it's owners as much as manufacturers would have you believe. I've had spring problems and equalizer problems and shock problems and landing gear problems. I unloaded the trailer (left just a very few things in there) and weighed it. If I merely filled the holding tanks it would be over the specified designed weight. Newmar, so far, has not come across. Dexter is supplying upgrade springs, and More-Ryde is supplying new equalizsers, but nobody admits an error. In fact, I have to exonerate them in order to get the parts. 
Semi-"retarred" in 2006. :-) 2008 Newmar Cypress 5th wheel, 2008 Dodge diesel dually to pull it with.
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Sundowner1
Chesapeake, VA
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Joined: 11/21/2006
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My 2008 Fleetwood Quantum came with 6000 lb Lippert axles and springs. Within one year I had a broken spring (the whole pack broke in half and locked me up on the interstate. I contacted Fleetwood, read them the riot act and they sent me 7000 lb ALCO axles and springs along with 8 lug rims and G-rated tires. (the original springs were all flat with no arc whatsoever in them).
I installed the axles and springs myself and 3 1/2 years later, everything is going great.
Sundowner
10 Chevy2500HD, Duramax, crew, std bed, 4x4
08 Fleetwood Quantum 325rkts (actual length 36 Ft)
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