Coast Resorts Open Roads Forum: Dexter HD Suspension & EZ-Flex Install (long w/ pictures)

Print | Close

Topic: Dexter HD Suspension & EZ-Flex Install (long w/ pictures)

Posted By: LAdams on 07/12/08 09:27am

steve-n-vicki wrote:

but as Les has showed you it is doable by just about anyone and the pic's makes it easier to follow

Gee Steve - thanks [emoticon]

- I think that was a compliment [emoticon]

Actually, I do all my own maintenance on my TT, motorcycle, truck, and cars or at least as much as I can...

I knew the job was pretty straight forward, but my limitations are I'm not 35 years old anymore, and crawling around on the ground under the TT for many hours can be pretty tough for this "senior citizens old bones" [emoticon]

...

Anyway - thanks for the kind words (I think [emoticon]

)

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

Posted By: steve-n-vicki on 07/27/08 12:17pm

Les it was a compliment although it did not come across that way

that age number seems to be getting in my way more often too

Posted By: BarneyS on 07/27/08 06:39pm

Well, I got mine 1/2 installed the other day. Took my son and I about 1.5 hours to block up the trailer and do just the first bushing. We found that it was much easier to use a hacksaw blade and cut a slit in the bushing and then twist it out with needle nose pliers than to drive it out. After we learned on that first one, it only took about another hour to finish the job on one side of the trailer.

Blocking and setting up trailer for work.
[image]

I know what Les is talking about when speaking about old bones as I was so tired from crawling around under the trailer and bending over that we decided to wait for a few weeks to do the other side when my son is home again. I also decided to put the grease zerks on the inside because it looked like it would be hard to get to them when the wheels and tires were on.

The other side should be a piece of cake since we now know what we are doing. It is sure easier with two persons though. I would not have wanted to tackle it by myself. The springs have a tendency to twist a bit after removal of the old pieces and it does take a bit of "persuasion" to get things lined up perfectly again. A crow bar and careful use of the bottle jack took care of that though.

All in all, not a bad job and I am certain the results are going to be well worth the effort. Much thanks to LAdams for the pictures, tutorial, and other invaluable help. I cannot believe the difference in the quality and stoutness of the old and new components! Don't know why manufacturers don't just add a few bucks to the price of the rigs and put the good stuff on right away!
Yep, I know, I need to wire brush and paint the frame in this area! [emoticon]

The rest of the frame looks good but this area is hidden behind the wheels and I didn't realize it was this rusted.
Barney

Cutting bushing with hacksaw blade
[image]

Removing old bushing with needle nose pliers
[image]

Finished job
[image]

* This post was edited 08/06/17 05:23pm by BarneyS *

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

Posted By: byrdr1 on 07/28/08 02:29pm

LES,
How did it ride on your trip?

Ya'll costing me money as I sit here and read this topic..
Nice mod and very nice write up & pictures.
Barney thanks for your add on pictures and follow up..

Might as well do this mod, I sure haven't camped much this year.
randy

2014 F-350 SRW CC/LWB 4X4 6.7PSD
2011 Keystone Cougar 327RES
Happy Campin'
Randy
Piedmont area of NC

Posted By: JBarca on 07/28/08 11:51pm

Barney

Nice job!

OK Who is giving thumbs up? You or the Son? [emoticon]

And which one?

[image]

Now you have both schocks and the upgraded equalizer link. Sort of the cream of the crop combo in suspesnion mods on leaf springs.

Please let us know how the combo tows.

Thanks for the hack saw tip. Good tip.

John

* This post was edited 07/29/08 12:03am by JBarca *

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!)

Posted By: BarneyS on 07/29/08 07:41am

John,
That thumb belongs to my #2 son Gary. He was here when we got home Sunday from the rally and we did the job that afternoon while girls went to a wedding shower. We will finish the job when he comes home again for the wedding in a couple of weeks.
That thumb obviously could not be mine as my hands are too lumpy and wrinkled. [emoticon]

The shocks on the trailer came with it from the factory. I will make a post here after we get it done and see how it rides.
Barney

Posted By: Ed ke6bnl on 08/01/08 01:51am

how has this changed the ride of the trailer and how much are we talking about. Ed

Posted By: BarneyS on 08/01/08 09:39am

Ed ke6bnl wrote:

how has this changed the ride of the trailer and how much are we talking about. Ed

Ed,
See my post here for information on price and where I purchased it. I have not towed with it yet so cannot give a report on that.
Barney

Posted By: Ed ke6bnl on 08/01/08 10:53am

BarneyS wrote:

Ed ke6bnl wrote:

how has this changed the ride of the trailer and how much are we talking about. Ed

Ed,
See my post here for information on price and where I purchased it. I have not towed with it yet so cannot give a report on that.
Barney

looking forward to hearing the tow result thanks ED not a lot to spend if it make a good improvemnent

Posted By: LAdams on 08/01/08 09:52pm

Trailer tows a lot better - less bouncing and I don't have shocks like Barney does... Also less jerking over those larger expansion bumps... I had installed a similar suspension on my previous trailer although Dexter didn't have the EZ-Flex at that time... I just like the idea of the greasable suspension - that's the way they all should come from the factory - not with cheap plastic bushings!!! [emoticon]

Les

Print | Close