BruceH
Phoenix, Az
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BruceH wrote:Does anyone know what the service life is for the E-Z Flex equalizer?
As suggested in an above note, I contacted Dexter Axle and spoke with a Product Engineer.
He said the product has been out about two years and he has not heard of any rubber core failures. The design intent is for the core to last for a long time (many decades). They sucessfully tested it under heavy abuse. As far as natural aging issues, the core is over 3/4 synthetic materials so they expect it to age at a much slower rate than if it were all rubber.
I already have the Dexter K71-359-00 Heavy Duty Suspension kit (greasable bushings) so he said I do not need to get the Complete EZ-Flex kit. All I need are the new EZ-Flex equalizers. All the the additional hardware in the Complete EZ-Flex kit is the same as I already have in the Heavy Duty Suspension kit. The EZ-Flex equalizer only kit does have two bolts, but I don't think I even need those. Dexter is still showing an inventory reduction sale on their web site. The 33" tandem EZ-Flex Complete kit is $149.67 vs the Equalizer/Bolt only kit for $88.67.
Thanks for everyone's input.
Nash 24A Travel Trailer by Northwood Manufacturing (6,800 LB)
2,000 Watt Prosine Inverter, 540 Watts Solar, 3024i Controller & IPN
Chevy Duramax (LLY) Extended Cab Pickup
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LAdams
Northern Illinois
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Thanks for doing that Bruce - I'm sure we will all benefit from the information you provided from Dexter...
Les
2000 Ford F-250SD, XLT, 4X4 Off Road, SuperCab
w/ 6.8L (415 C.I.) V-10/3:73LS/4R100
Banks Power Pack w/Trans Command & OttoMind
Sold Trailer - not RV'ing at this point in time
HUNTER THERMOSTAT INSTALL
HOME MADE WHEEL CHOCKS
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BruceH
Phoenix, Az
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Les .... I was glad that I could make a small contribution to this great thread. I appreciate you efforts for getting this thread started and providing complete documentation of the whole procedure.
I ordered the Equalizer/Bolt kit direct from Dexter and it should arrive in a few days. I am having the springs replaced on my coach so this is a good time to upgrade the equalizers for a reasonable price. Thanks for all the info.
* This post was
edited 06/04/09 01:13pm by BruceH *
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TankerDude
West of Middle Earth
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JBarca wrote:TankerDude wrote:
Didn't get any pictures of the process, but if anyone wants to see what it looks like, I'll snap a couple and post them.
BTW, because of the longer shackles, the TT sits about 1.5 inches lower than it used to, which is fine by me. I think that also helped improve the towing of this TT.
Hi Tanker
Reading your write up, ah yup..... and those plastic bushings..... I know, you got to be kidding....
Your shock kit. Was this a Monroe shock kit? I have bought 4 of there gas Magnum shocks but gave up on them for the retro fit kits. Made my own lower mounts and have not made it to the uppers yet.
Your ride height being lower by 1.5". I have also bumped into this but not that much. But in my case My Sunline is a low rider to begin with. I did have to work on the hanger mounts to get back some of my height to original or else I would hit the wheel well if one tire lifted the TT up off the ground and the other was spinning in air. In my case it was shackle length and some of new axle seats to create this.
Point in all that, what is your running tire clearance between top of tire and the touch point above what ever it is? Fender well etc.
If you are much less then 2" you may hit pending certain pot holes etc. But again do you have triple axles? They may carry over the pot hole better.
PS I must admit I did get a chuckle from reading your reply as I have too experienced some of that.
John
The shocks I installed were Dexter. All the parts came from Jayco, as these are the same parts that are used on the "Designer" series of Jayco TT's and 5er's.
Everything fit, instructions were clear to me but might be a little UNclear to others. Particularly where they give a "50-60 deg." requirement for the shock top mount. The have a drawing in the instructions that indicate that you mount the top shock bracket 50-60 degrees from vertical. I don't know why they didn't just say to get the top of the shock to a 90 degree angle in relation to the bottom shock mount. Seems a little simpler to me.
No problem with top of tire clearance. This TT is a tandem axle, and was built a little higher anyway. A 1.5 inch drop didn't bother it a bit.
Took the TT out last weekend. Almost 100 miles one way. Towed like a dream. Zero problems. I have to say that this TT towed better than it EVER has in the past.
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TURK2500
SE Michigan
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TankerDude wrote:snip....
No problem with top of tire clearance. This TT is a tandem axle, and was built a little higher anyway. A 1.5 inch drop didn't bother it a bit....snip
I would confirm your actual tire clearance under loaded conditions. The Eagle is a heavy TT and had I put on the actual Dexter EZ-Flex Equalizer my tire clearance would have dropped from a standard 3" to 2". I have to had 2" to my center hanger bracket to maintain 3".
I agree with John, if you are running a 2" clearance or less, tire rub is very possible. I called Dexter Tech Support and they said that a 3" clearance is required with the axles supplied on my 2005 Jayco Eagle to insure that the tires won't hit the top of the fender well.
Turk2500
2016 Silverado 2500HD, 6.0L
2018 Jayco 24RBS
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LAdams
Northern Illinois
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Glad to help Bruce... Did you get yours done yet ![[emoticon]](http://www.coastresorts.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/scratchead.gif "scratchead")
Les
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Endricken
Alabama
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Currently Dexter is having an Inventory Reduction Sale, the complete EZ Flex package is now only $179 plus S&H for 35" Tandem Wheel Spacing. I ordered mine last week!
Retired USAF
Silver 05 Dodge RAM LB CTD Dually 4Speed Auto SWD 3.73, Westin Sportsman Grill & Taillight Guards,Husky Mudguards, Retractable Ball Hitch, Onboard Air & Horns, MaxBrake - towing 2005 Keystone Montana Big Sky 3670 with Star Performance adapter
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RetiredBob
Portage, MI
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Joined: 04/03/2005
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Just wanted to add my EZ-Flex install experience for those who will be doing theirs. When I did the first side, after pressing in the bushings, I noticed they looked somewhat distorted, as if the spring eyes were too small. Then when I pressed in the bolts, the bolts would either stretch the bushing or break it. I went through several extra bushings before I was able to finish the side. After ordering more bushings, I took a different approach. After removing the original bushings, I used a Dremel tool with a sanding drum to clean the rust out of the spring eyes. Then, after pressing in the new bushings, I used a 9/16" drill bit (the same size as the new bolts)and, running it in reverse so as not to grab the bushings, reamed them out. Before installing the bolts, I rounded off the shoulders slightly so they would push through more easily. Using this approach worked so much better that I went back and re-did the first side.
Hope this info is helpful.
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blizzfam
illinois
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This is a REALLY STUPID question... What exactly does this do for the Camper? Does it provide a better ride? Does it beef up the suspension? does it help with bounce when going down the road? I truly do not kow what it does.. Can you provide insight?
See y'all down the road!
PB&J with a Side of Z.
Big Rhonda's gonna get us there!!
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BarneyS
S.E. Lower Michigan
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blizzfam wrote:This is a REALLY STUPID question... What exactly does this do for the Camper? Does it provide a better ride? Does it beef up the suspension? does it help with bounce when going down the road? I truly do not kow what it does.. Can you provide insight?
Yes, to all of the questions above.![[emoticon]](http://www.coastresorts.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/smile.gif "smile") Take a look at some of the pictures above that show the shackles and the bearing inserts to see about beefing up the suspension. Then go to the Dexter website link provided in a few of the posts to see the test results on trailer ride with and without the modification to see if it helps with bounce. I can also testify that it is very effective in that regard.
The biggest benefit in my opinion is the strength of the components and the ability to grease them. That translates into peace of mind while towing.
Barney
2004 Sunnybrook Titan 30FKS TT
Hensley "Arrow" 1400# hitch (Sold)
Not towing now.
Former tow vehicles were 2016 Ram 2500 CTD, 2002 Ford F250, 7.3 PSD, 1997 Ram 2500 5.9 gas engine
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