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Well was working on the underside belly replacing the screws and putting on bigger washers to hold up the underbelly and much to my surprise I have one broken spring pack.
So these are on dexter 7K axles, anyone have a extra set with U bolts too? Idea's on best source?
Yes so far that is what I am coming up with, they have the U-bolts too. I need to go out and measure with a seamstress tape from the center to the eye then double it to get the correct length I think.
Don't forget that they are spec'd by the US company and pass their QC.
They are spec'd by the US company, but the QC is done in China, we just get to review their paperwork (which they just blatantly lie on frequently) .
Japan is usually much better than China when it comes to part quality/ manufacturing, Read the article below were Mitsubishi (which they make a lot more stuff besides cars) admitted to faking documentation about metallurgy. China has been busted several times for the same thing, the only difference is they never actually admit they faked the paperwork.
When we upgraded from 5200 lb springs and axles on our old TT to new 7000 lb springs and axles the new axles actually weighed 4 lbs less than twice what the old ones weighed and the springs were made in Mexico.
Scott, are you also thinking of going with wet bolts and bronze bushings? I was surprised by how bad those nylon factory bushing were on our old springs.
The QC is done by the seller of the product. They take it out of the box/container look at it and decide, they are ok to use it. Did they test it to confirm it was made right? Many cost conscience companies would skip that.
Lippert and Grand Design seem to have a problem about what is right with their frames. Lippert is saying that GD gave us the design and we made it to their specs. If they think it's not right, they make it anyway. That seems to be the attitude with way too many American companies. Like many auto repair shops I worked at, 'F'it, it's not my car, my car runs fine' was the common term used every week. I won't even mention the Boeing company that is in my neck of the woods.
Yes, China makes some questionable items and seem to have no conscience of selling their wares, but they also make products for quality companies that insist that the Chinese manufacturing is done right before it's sold on the market.
I do not believe there are any RV manufacturers that make quality stuff. Some better than others, but they are all pretty much junk.
I do not believe there are any RV manufacturers that make quality stuff. Some better than others, but they are all pretty much junk.
As sad as it is to say,,, I fully agree with this statement.
I've been around towable RV's my entire life, parents had an camper trailer before I was born and we had a couple different ones during the time I was growing up, and we used them frequently. Those things never had roof leaks, never broke springs, the wheel bearing never just disintegrated and the cabinets never fell of the walls.
Only trailer issue I remember as a kid, on any of our long trips was when Dad hit a big piece of road debris that bucked the car and camper real hard and made a God awful noise. We pulled over and there was concrete dust on the side of the old Fan Luxury liner trailer, but everything seems fine otherwise at the time. Eventually we figured out that the axle was slightly bent in a tow-out manner because it kept eating tires on that driver side front position, so after destroying like four tires to get home / finish the vacation, dad swapped out that axle. Now car/ tow rig troubles, we had those a few times ( the dang turbo 350 chevy trans that comes in a station wagon is not a great choice for long distance towing IMHO), but trailer issue,,,those just weren't a thing.
The last two campers I've had as an adult have been big, expensive, POSs. And it not the "modern technology" part of them that's been bad, it's been basic axle , springs, frame/chassis , cabinets, and roof parts,,,, stuff that worked great decades ago and now we just accept its junk.
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It is my opinion, it's a race to the bottom. We as consumers insist to have cheap stuff. If any manufacturer built a good one, it would be either too heavy to tow [therefore having a really small one like the ones in the past] or really expensive.
This is why the Chinese make what we want and Amazon/Rock Auto does so well.
When we upgraded from 5200 lb springs and axles on our old TT to new 7000 lb springs and axles the new axles actually weighed 4 lbs less than twice what the old ones weighed and the springs were made in Mexico.
Scott, are you also thinking of going with wet bolts and bronze bushings? I was surprised by how bad those nylon factory bushing were on our old springs.
I did not. My bolts and bushings were wearing just fine as it was, It is back together now. I did use one new sping bolt as the threads were not so great.
And new U-bolts. I have another set for the other side. I suppose they should be changed in pairs but I am not thinking I will. Undecided.
Tomorrow the tire goes on and then a test run, dont follow me as you might run over an axle or something, lol.
Will post a couple pictures after bit, got to go get the dog from the groomers.
Poor quality leaf springs, too much weight or roads to rough?
I took my prior camper to a spring and suspension shop to have them check it out after the spring hanger broke and was replaced. They added a leaf to the pack. Unfortunately, that also required new u-bolts and hardware. I sold the trailer not long after that so it was a waste of money for me, but the leaf springs are going to be the least likely problem for the new owner.
