JBarca
Radnor, Ohio, USA
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Joined: 12/16/2004
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Thanks for sharing Sjseng. Did not know that about the tripple axle. Good info. While I only have the tamden axles the info is good to know.
Nice job for sure. And cool little helper you have there.
Happy towing
John
John & Cindy
2005 Ford F350 Super Duty, 4x4; 6.8L V10 with 4.10
CC, SB, Lariat & FX4 package
21,000 GCWR, 11,000 GVWR
Ford Tow Command
1,700# Reese HP hitch & HP Dual Cam
2 1/2" Towbeast Receiver
2004 Sunline Solaris T310SR
(I wish we were camping!)
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Snowman9000
IL
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Joined: 01/07/2009
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Maybe I can add a nugget of info here, something I have not seen in the thread.
I installed the EZ-Flex kit on my tandem 3500 lb axles. The trailer is completely up on jack stands because I had over/under kits to put on as well. I made sure to install with the shackles angling up from the equalizer. But after finishing, and moving on to work on the axles, bearings, etc., they drooped into the down angle positions. This had me worried a bit so I called Dexter to make sure everything was okay, that I had the correct parts, etc.
The guy said this is not unusual when the weight is off. He said when I get the tires back on and the trailer back on the ground, both springs (on each side) might just cooperate and go back into position. If not, at least one spring on each side should. In that case, put a jack under the end of the axle that is in the correct position, and jack up on it. That will move the equalizer enough that the other spring will snap up into the correct orientation.
Also, I will add an "X2" to whomever posted that it helped to spray the old bolts with penetrating oil a day or so in advance of the job. I did one side with no advance treatment, and sprayed the other side at that time. The next day I did the other side and the nuts came off quite easily compared to side one.
Oh, another thing. There were cautions about not letting the old bolts spin and ream out the holes in the hangers. Well, if they want to spin, it is awful hard to stop them. It's almost impossible to balance the force on two wrenches so that the one does not move at all. What I'm saying is, mine spun. But, there were no ill effects. The give seemed to occur on the old serrations, not the holes. The new bolts still needed full force to press into place. So I'd say as a practical matter, don't worry too much about the bolts spinning.
Overall I think the job was easier than I expected. I did buy the ball joint tool and it helped. This thread was the biggest help, though! ![[emoticon]](http://www.coastresorts.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/cool.gif "cool")
Currently RV-less but not done yet.
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dfm
B.C.
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Joined: 05/08/2009
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Has anyone done the e-z flex addition to a Jayco Eagle 322fks? I am considering but do not want the frame of my trailer to be lower as I am concerned about wheel clearance and the fact that the rear of the trailer will then drag on my sloped driveway. It just clears now by about 1-1 1/2inches. I need the K71 -652-00 Tandem kit.
Has anyone with a jayco 322fks done this mod? How much lower was your trailer after the mod?
2015 Open Range 340 FLR
2012 Ram3500 Laramie Longhorn/Cummins
1 DW 1 Furperson
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Snowman9000
IL
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It should not be any lower, or higher for that matter, as long as you order the proper kit.
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TURK2500
SE Michigan
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dfm wrote:snip...Has anyone with a jayco 322fks done this mod? How much lower was your trailer after the mod?
Be careful, depending on the size of the existing Jayco equalizer there is the possibility of clearance issues. I found on my 2005 Jayco Eagle 278FBS do to the height of the existing Jayco equalizer that installing the Dexter EZ-Flex Equalizer would lower my tire/fender well clearance. The only way around this would be to lengthen the equalizer shackles, which I decided to put off for another time. I did however install all the wet bolts, bushings, and new HD leaf spring shackles.
If my memory serves me correctly, there was a 2" difference between the hole centers between the two equalizers, which would reduce the clearance by 1". The following pic shows the EZ-Flex up against my Jayco OEM equalizer.
![[image]](http://i52.tinypic.com/hs53ee.jpg)
Turk2500
2016 Silverado 2500HD, 6.0L
2018 Jayco 24RBS
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TURK2500
SE Michigan
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Snowman9000 wrote:It should not be any lower, or higher for that matter, as long as you order the proper kit.
Not true, there are more variations of OEM equalizers (some wider, some taller, etc.) than Dexter EZ-Flex kits.
Referencing my prior post, the tire/fender well clearance for my TT under load was 2 3/4 inches, had I installed the EZ-Flex equalizer I would have dropped to 1 3/4 inch clearance.....to tight IMO with my heavy TT.
I also found that Dexter Axle recommends that RV manufactures allow for a 3" tire/fender well clearance with their axles.
Turk2500
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JBarca
Radnor, Ohio, USA
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Joined: 12/16/2004
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TURK2500 wrote:Snowman9000 wrote:It should not be any lower, or higher for that matter, as long as you order the proper kit.
Not true, there are more variations of OEM equalizers (some wider, some taller, etc.) than Dexter EZ-Flex kits.
Referencing my prior post, the tire/fender well clearance for my TT under load was 2 3/4 inches, had I installed the EZ-Flex equalizer I would have dropped to 1 3/4 inch clearance.....to tight IMO with my heavy TT.
I also found that Dexter Axle recommends that RV manufactures allow for a 3" tire/fender well clearance with their axles.
Turk2500
Turck2500 has it right.
See here on page 5 of the Dexter install instructions, it shows the hole to hole centers of the available EX flex equalizers.
http://i.b5z.net/i/u/1080235/f/Instruction_Sheets/059-867-00B.pdf
If your existing equalizer does not match the left to right (spring to spring) and the vertical (spring center to equalizer pivot bolt) distance of one of those stock EZ flex's you may and most likely will loose height. I had an Alko Equalizer and I lost height. I made it back up thru creating hanger extensions that also stiffened up the hangers.
Here you can see the Alko over top of the closest EZ flex.
![[image]](http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b378/JBarca/T310SR%20Camper%20Upgrades/EZ%20Flex%20Install/EZFlexoveroldEqualizer.jpg)
You can see here I pre-calculated the drop
![[image]](http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b378/JBarca/T310SR%20Camper%20Upgrades/EZ%20Flex%20Install/EZFlexonAlKo1.jpg)
And here is how I made it back up.
![[image]](http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b378/JBarca/T310SR%20Camper%20Upgrades/Axle%20Rebuild/hexboltendassy.jpg)
![[image]](http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b378/JBarca/T310SR%20Camper%20Upgrades/Axle%20Rebuild/Endviewassy.jpg)
![[image]](http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b378/JBarca/T310SR%20Camper%20Upgrades/Axle%20Rebuild/bottomviewassy.jpg)
In my case I also lost height due to upgrading from a 5,200# axle to a 6,000# axle that has 1/4" difference in the axle seat and I lost 1/4" more from creating adjustable axle seats so I can adjust the thrust and scrub angle of the axles to the tow ball.
On Turck's Jayco Eagle, Jayco decided to use short hangers and the really long equalizer. In my case Sunline used long hangers and an Alko equalizer. Both of us have the leaf springs on the bottom of the axle tube. There is nothing wrong with the springs on the bottom it is just that there is several ways to create a TT ride height is the point I'm talking about.
This is Truck's equalizer. For sure different then common but for sure available in a rigid equalizer. That 4" tall equalizer does not match up at all with the EZ Flex's currently offered.
![[image]](http://imageserv8.team-logic.com/store-logic/products/5/7404/st_7043.jpg)
As FYI here are most of Dexters rigid equalizers if you are trying to figure out what you have. That is if it is a Dexter.
http://i.b5z.net/i/u/1080235/f/parts_kit_cat_8-08/Suspension_Components.pdf
Hope this helps
John
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chimarios
Coquitlam
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Joined: 02/28/2011
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nice pic's does this suspension kit reduce sway and how much was it
thanx
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chimarios
Coquitlam
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Joined: 02/28/2011
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Nice pic's i was wondering if that suspention kit reduces sway and how much it set you back thanx
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JBarca
Radnor, Ohio, USA
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chimarios wrote:nice pic's does this suspension kit reduce sway and how much was it
thanx
Hi chimarios
In my case I noticed the most effect of the EZ flex the 1st day I towed with it. The bumps felt softer and inside the trailer things where less fussed while towing. After you tow with the EZ flex you sort of reset your memory of the feel of not having it and the "new normal" becomes the norm.
I myself have not noticed any difference in sway, more or less. In my case I'll call this mod neutral to ant sway effects.
This winter I have added TT shocks. If can then compare shocks in combination with the EZ flex. I have heard, (not yet experienced) that shocks can help create a more stable towing trailer from less left to right bounce. I'll let you know once the weather allows a weekend campout.
Shocks do different things then the EZ flex does for the suspension. Both do positive enhancements to TT towing.
Others may also give some comments on what they have felt.
John
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