2inAlabama

On The Road

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I don't know why, but that published dry weight is not correct for my trailer. When I towed my it off of the dealer's lot with all water tanks empty and propane tanks full, I took it next door to the CAT scales and had it weighed. It weighed 6020 lbs. A few weeks later, I loaded with most of our camping gear that we now carry and took it to that same scales. It weighed 6460 lbs. My current trip to south Georgia is longer so we have packed somewhat heavier, but my 6800 lbs is just a guess. I will weigh again on Tuesday on my return trip. I believe my weight distribution needs some adjustment although the rig handles pretty well except for the porpoising. I have no sway at all. Also, I believe that my truck is heavy enough and strong enough with a 165 inch wheelbase to tow this trailer. It has a towing capacity of 10600 lbs.
Just DH & DW
'01 Foretravel U320 42 ft ISM450
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RetchedOne

Mount Vernon, Washington

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Joined: 05/17/2010

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How do I measure for what kit I need?
Jayco 19ft TT
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BarneyS

S.E. Lower Michigan

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RetchedOne wrote: How do I measure for what kit I need?
Jayco 19ft TT
They only make kits for two axle spacings - 33inch and 35inch. Measure between your wheels from the front edge of one center cap to the front edge of the other center cap. It should come out to either 33inches or 35 inches or something very close. Most travel trailers would use the 33in and some of the very large, heavy ones and many large 5th wheels could use the 35 as they may come with up to 8000lb axles. I suspect your trailer would use the smaller 33in kit.
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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TURK2500

SE Michigan

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BarneyS wrote: RetchedOne wrote: How do I measure for what kit I need?
Jayco 19ft TT
They only make kits for two axle spacings - 33inch and 35inch...snip
Adding to Barney's comments, I found with my Jayco Eagle (your Jayco model may be different) that the existing equalizer was 2" taller than the Dexter equalizer (hole centers), so if I had installed the Dexter equalizer my tires would loose about 1" wheel well clearance. I did however install the wet bolts and HD shackles for now. The photo shows the difference in height of the respective equalizers, but once I get around to extending my equalizer hanger mount I will install the Dexter equalizer.
Turk2500
2016 Silverado 2500HD, 6.0L
2018 Jayco 24RBS
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RetchedOne

Mount Vernon, Washington

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BarneyS wrote: RetchedOne wrote: How do I measure for what kit I need?
Jayco 19ft TT
They only make kits for two axle spacings - 33inch and 35inch. Measure between your wheels from the front edge of one center cap to the front edge of the other center cap. It should come out to either 33inches or 35 inches or something very close. Most travel trailers would use the 33in and some of the very large, heavy ones and many large 5th wheels could use the 35 as they may come with up to 8000lb axles. I suspect your trailer would use the smaller 33in kit.
Barney
Thanks again Barney!
I'll take the chance and order the 33" kit
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RetchedOne

Mount Vernon, Washington

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TURK2500 wrote: BarneyS wrote: RetchedOne wrote: How do I measure for what kit I need?
Jayco 19ft TT
They only make kits for two axle spacings - 33inch and 35inch...snip
Adding to Barney's comments, I found with my Jayco Eagle (your Jayco model may be different) that the existing equalizer was 2" taller than the Dexter equalizer (hole centers), so if I had installed the Dexter equalizer my tires would loose about 1" wheel well clearance. I did however install the wet bolts and HD shackles for now. The photo shows the difference in height of the respective equalizers, but once I get around to extending my equalizer hanger mount I will install the Dexter equalizer.
Turk2500
I think i see what your saying, but if i dont catch this, and install the equalizer, will it be bad?
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BarneyS

S.E. Lower Michigan

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RetchedOne wrote: I think i see what your saying, but if i dont catch this, and install the equalizer, will it be bad?
It would mean that your tires could possibly rub on the top by touching the top inside surface of the wheel well if you hit a large bump or drove over a curb. I really doubt though that your trailer has the taller equalizers like Turk2500s does.
When you get the kit, compare the two equalizers like the picture posted by Turk2500 and see. Then you could run one wheel up on a ramp or lift one axle with a jack (put the jack under the spring hanger plate - NOT under the axle itself) and see how much clearance you have over the top of the tire. Compare that number with the difference in the two (if any) and that should tell you if they will work or not.
Barney
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TURK2500

SE Michigan

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I believe that I read somewhere when TT manufactures use Dexter Axles, Dexter specifies that a 3" clearance (top of tire to upper wheel well surface) be incorporated. My TT under loaded conditions is about 2 3/4" with the OEM equalizer, and loosing another 1" was to close for comfort for me with the weight of my TT.
Turk2500
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Jerry9n

SE Michigan

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Just finished the road test of the "new system." Night and day difference. First, no creaks, moans, or groans from the suspension. Next is you don't feel any of the little bumps and holes. Smooths things right out. Mine was pretty easy, the trailer is less than two years old with Dexter axles, so everything was a match and not rusted up. I did find a couple of the nuts on the original installation not overly tight and a couple of bolts not completely seated in the serrations. I pretty much followed the methods outline. Did one side one day and the other a couple of days later. Pretty much took four hours per side--a little long, but I have a bad back and bad knee. I jacked up one side and put it on jack stands ahead of and behind the hanger brackets. After pulling tires, I did the front and back hangers first with a jack under each spring mount on each axle to adjust up and down. Aligned perfectly. Used HF press. Then pulled out equalizer and shackles. Again no problems. All bolts took grease, but I changed out zerks for 45 degree fittings so I could get at them with the tires on and not crawl under the trailer.
Was all pretty straight forward. Trailer is at same height it was before--shackles were the same length and equalizer was the same. This one gets, at least at this point, and A+++. I wouldn't have known about it or tackled it if it weren't for this post.
Jerry9n
2009 23' Cikira Escape EXP
2006 Ford Expedition
Reese Pro Series SC
Tekonsha Primus IQ
HTT Mods
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TECMike

Texas

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Due to recent shoulder surgery, I had a friend who is a Master Ford mechanic come over and install my wet bolt kit on my Equaflex system on our new Sunnybrook Harmony.
First, I was surprised to learn there are five different Equaflex versions, according to their published pricing information, apparently for different weight trailers and number of axles.
Mine is is the EQ-4K, which is for lightweight trailers ranging from 4K-8K lbs.
My mechanic friend made the job look easy. I showed him this excellent and most helpful thread and he knew exactly what to do. He used his ball joint tool, similar to the Harbor Freight tool as shown above. Took him about four hours to complete both sides.
All of the bolts took grease, as they should, and the system worked fine. I could not tell any difference in ride quality, as my trailer came from the factory with the EquaFlex system. It still was as smooth as silk. I now have the comfort of knowing the bushings will never wear out and can now be lubricated.
Our trailer is a 2010 and had about 6K miles on it. The nylon bushings were still in OK, but starting to wear a little. Probably if my trailer were heavier, they would have shown more wear.
Just a note, the lady at TrailAir was most helpful and courteous. And extremely knowledgeable. Great customer service!
Mike
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