Repeated leaf spring failures on a 2014 tandem axle travel trailer

[zapatasghost]

You might find value in this

Very cool vid. Wow! they've ruined how many axles?? That's crazy. Thanks for sharing...

 

[CharlesinGA]

31 inch weelbase. That is what mine has, and you most likely are having the springs strike the shackle EQUALIZER hanger bracket and put the spring in a bind. In any case, The cushioned equalizers you have probably are not designed for a 31 inch wheelbase. I have a 31 in WB, that is what Bigfoot uses on the 21 and 25 ft trailers, and the Dexter kit is this one (shown below) and the Equalizer is peculiar for a reason. I have yet to find a cushioned equalizer that will work in the place of this equalizer. I have considered having Standens make a set of springs that are an inch to an inch and a half shorter ON THE SHACKLE END, to allow me to use the Lippert Road Armor cushioned equalizer. however it is 3/4 inch shorter than my existing solid equalizer and I would need to install a new, taller center hanger to compensate. The more I think about it, the less I like the idea. I'll just stick with what I have.

4 inches vertically from the center pivot to the CL of the shackle attachments. The equalizer you have is only 2-1/2 inches vertically from the center pivot to the shackle attachments.

The Dexter equalizer is shaped like an inverted T so that the spring eyes will have a place to go when the spring flattens as the trailer is loaded up (and your trailer will sit 3/4 inch higher also.) Also notice that on my springs, the second leaf extends nearly to the eye, yours stops way short of the eye. (My suspension was built new in 2008 by Standens in Calgary, Alberta, CA), it had this same shackle new. I installed the Dexter K71-448-00 shackle and equalizer kit, which had the same equalizer in it.

 

[woof-n]

I had to replace my fiver springs a few years back. The front springs developed an inverted curve. My 4400 axles still had the Lippert build specs. I called Lippert and ask for a recommendation on replacement springs preferably heavier duty. They said I could go with 500 lbs. heavier springs. I bought them directly from Lippert. I installed them and have not had any problems since. There are times I run really close to the camper GVWR. (As many people do.) As someone mentioned earlier your equalizers look small and that could be the root of your problem. Good luck

 

[zapatasghost]

31 inch weelbase. That is what mine has, and you most likely are having the springs strike the shackle hanger bracket and put the spring in a bind. In any case, The cushioned equalizers you have probably are not designed for a 31 inch wheelbase. I have a 31 in WB, that is what Bigfoot uses on the 21 and 25 ft trailers, and the Dexter kit is this one (shown below) and the Equalizer is peculiar for a reason. I have yet to find a cushioned equalizer that will work in the place of this equalizer. I have considered having Standens make a set of springs that are an inch to an inch and a half shorter ON THE SHACKLE END, to allow me to use the Lippert Road Armor cushioned equalizer. however it is 3/4 inch shorter than my existing solid equalizer and I would need to install a new, taller center hanger to compensate. The more I think about it, the less I like the idea. I'll just stick with what I have.

View attachment 2489540

View attachment 2489541

4 inches vertically from the center pivot to the CL of the shackle attachments. The equalizer you have is only 2-1/2 inches vertically from the center pivot to the shackle attachments.

View attachment 2489543

The Dexter equalizer is shaped like an inverted T so that the spring eyes will have a place to go when the spring flattens as the trailer is loaded up (and your trailer will sit 3/4 inch higher also.) Also notice that on my springs, the second leaf extends nearly to the eye, yours stops way short of the eye. (My suspension was built new in 2008 by Standens in Calgary, Alberta, CA), it had this same shackle new. I installed the Dexter K71-448-00 shackle and equalizer kit, which had the same equalizer in it.

View attachment 2489545

“Taller center hanger” would mean extending this an inch or so, correct? The video from Canada someone posted showed that same modification that used to require some welding - apparently there are better and less cumbersome ways to extend it to fit those cushioned equalizers?

Thanks so much for the help!

 

[CharlesinGA]

The issue is that the spring eye ends need a place to go. The inverted T equalizer gives them a place to "hide" while the shorter cushioned equalizer puts the ends of the springs up high enough that the eyes can strike the hanger bracket.... NO MATTER HOW TALL the hanger is, the spring eyes are still going to strike it. That is why my solution (which I probably won't do) is to have custom made springs with the shackle end shorter by an inch or so, that way they could flatten out and still not reach the hanger above the equalizer.

Did you buy the Nash new? and if so, are you sure that Nash installed the Lippert cushioned equalizers?

You have several issues, starting with springs. I do not think they are configured correctly, as a lot of weight is being put solely on the top leaf. They don't have the second leaf extending far enough toward the eye. You need a second leaf that extends the full distance of the main leaf, then a third and fourth leaf to support them. I actually have a fifth leaf but it is useless as it is so short, its more of a spacer, and Bigfoot no longer uses the 5 leaf configuration.

 

[Gr8bawana]

Our TT which is now used only for hunting trips is a 1997 Mallard. I've only replaced 1 leaf spring which happened to break while on a hunting trip.
It does go on many long and bumpy dirt roads but as of now just the 1 spring has broken.
I don't think there is a time frame for leaf springs to be replaced. If one breaks just replace it.

 

[zapatasghost]

Our TT which is now used only for hunting trips is a 1997 Mallard. I've only replaced 1 leaf spring which happened to break while on a hunting trip.
It does go on many long and bumpy dirt roads but as of now just the 1 spring has broken.
I don't think there is a time frame for leaf springs to be replaced. If one breaks just replace it.

I appreciate that. My family has a long history of hunting trips too. My trailer handles the cold of those trips pretty well - supposedly I’d be able to have water even in winter - “all weather” coach - but I’m not brave enough to test it!

I guess there’s always a chance I’m overthinking it. Thing is, a broken leaf spring when your potentially hours away from any semblance of civilization can be pretty unsettling. I’m not the guy who is going to attempt a repair like that at home much less in camp, for sure!

 

[zapatasghost]

The issue is that the spring eye ends need a place to go. The inverted T equalizer gives them a place to "hide" while the shorter cushioned equalizer puts the ends of the springs up high enough that the eyes can strike the hanger bracket.... NO MATTER HOW TALL the hanger is, the spring eyes are still going to strike it. That is why my solution (which I probably won't do) is to have custom made springs with the shackle end shorter by an inch or so, that way they could flatten out and still not reach the hanger above the equalizer.

Did you buy the Nash new? and if so, are you sure that Nash installed the Lippert cushioned equalizers?

You have several issues, starting with springs. I do not think they are configured correctly, as a lot of weight is being put solely on the top leaf. They don't have the second leaf extending far enough toward the eye. You need a second leaf that extends the full distance of the main leaf, then a third and fourth leaf to support them. I actually have a fifth leaf but it is useless as it is so short, its more of a spacer, and Bigfoot no longer uses the 5 leaf configuration.

Yes, I bought it new and so the entire suspension system was factory installed. I do see what you're saying about the leaves. I'm thinking just upping them to 4 vs 3 leaves along with beefier shackles will do the trick as long as everything else is good, which I'm thinking it likely is. Thanks for the ideas!

 

[DonTom]

Since you only boondock how rough are the roads? Bad roads can ruin springs quickly.

Then I probably ruined mine in the last five miles to get here in this 2022 Class A!

And I will need to go back the same way in a few days or so.

-Don- Big Creek Camp, NV

 

[gwinger]

A lot may have to do with the distribution of the weight in the trailer.

 

[Vic Harder]

i had Standen's install a Timbren Silent ride system on my 2003 Bigfoot 25RQ. Same 31" axle spacing as the OP has. It has been awesome so far .. 25 nights, 10K km's driven. Recommended.

 

[zapatasghost]

A lot may have to do with the distribution of the weight in the trailer.

Good point. What are your thoughts on those who say no partial tanks of water - always empty or full - for that same concern as partial tanks do lots of moving that might cause towing or even suspension problems?

 

[Kirk]

What are your thoughts on those who say no partial tanks of water - always empty or full

We traveled in RVs for many years with several different RV types, including 12 years of living in a class A all of the time. It was very rare that we traveled with the fresh water tank full or empty and we usually traveled with between 1/4 and 1/2 full, except for the first RV that was a popup with a 10 gallon tank which was always full leaving home. Waste tanks full was very rare and only happened if we were leaving an extended period of dry camping. Since I only emptied the waste tanks when at least half full but always emptied if more than half before travel, so travel with partially full tanks was quite common. I never experienced a serious tank problem in all of those years.

 

[zapatasghost]

We traveled in RVs for many years with several different RV types, including 12 years of living in a class A all of the time. It was very rare that we traveled with the fresh water tank full or empty and we usually traveled with between 1/4 and 1/2 full, except for the first RV that was a popup with a 10 gallon tank which was always full leaving home. Waste tanks full was very rare and only happened if we were leaving an extended period of dry camping. Since I only emptied the waste tanks when at least half full but always emptied if more than half before travel, so travel with partially full tanks was quite common. I never experienced a serious tank problem in all of those years.

Yeah, I was a little suspicious of those concerns although I get it - having a partially full tank of water hit one side or front/back of the tank when you hit a bump or stop a little too fast could be a bit of a jolt but nothing I’ve ever noticed - I doubt enough to cause problems. But I do carry that heavy camp stove (along with the griddle, is probably the single heaviest piece of equipment on board) on one side. Maybe I’ll shift that to the middle of the pass through storage space, inside the trailer over the axles, or over into the bed of the truck.

 

[zapatasghost]

Well, I decided to go with replacing all with heavier springs & shackles.

I can’t say how much I appreciate everyone’s thoughtful advice and ideas!

 

[Kirk]

Let us know how it works out.

 

[zapatasghost]

Let us know how it works out.

Will do!