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RE: HELP !!! Broken suspension links need fixed ASAP
Got them installed, made my weekend trip, and no problems. Thanks for the help.
I did have to essentially jack up both sides of the trailer at the same time to get everything lined up but did it one axle at at a time on one of the sides rather than all six at once. With a wheel on the ground on one side it was next to impossible to get it to move in place. Then used large tow strap to ratchet the axles in the necessary direction to ge it in place and/or lifted or lowered adjacent axles to move them around. I think my situation was a bit harder as one had alread broke on both sides which caused it and the adjacent one to be way out of place, not to mention that the broke one was hung up on the frame which was a bit interesting to get undone and back in place.
I am glad I did the kit. All of my shackles had alot of wear. Another axle had maybe one or two more short trips on it before it likely would have gone.
The stock bolts were wet type but had plastic bushings. For some reason I had never heard of needing to maintain them nor did I ever see the grease nipples. I have had this trailer for only 4 years and maybe 10,000 miles on it.
The shackles in the Dexter kit were much beefier but the equalizers dont appear to be much if any better than stock. Not sure if could have just got the stock shackles replaced with the Dexters but that might be an option to save some money. The only difference on the equalizer is Dexter front one does not use shackles on one side so perhaps it is a better design.
Anyone know why Dexter changed to no shackles on one end of the front equalizer?
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twvette
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11/02/09 08:17am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: HELP !!! Broken suspension links need fixed ASAP
Grease holes in the bolts go up or to the side?
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twvette
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10/29/09 09:11pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: HELP !!! Broken suspension links need fixed ASAP
Got past barrier one and two. The shackle bolt was hung up on the frame but got it off. THen the leaf springs/axle were a bit shifted so use a heavy duty racket to bring it back into alignment.
Now trying to figure out how to get those old bushings out of the leaf spring eye. Any tips here? Back to garage I go ...
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twvette
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10/29/09 07:04pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: HELP !!! Broken suspension links need fixed ASAP
Got it jacked up now. Trying to gigure out how to ge the leaf spring down that is up in the fender well. See previous pics. Any ideas? MAybe I will be forced to get both sides in the air at the same time?
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twvette
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10/29/09 05:38pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Dexter EZ Flex for triple axle.
I picked up the heavy duty non ez-flex kit part part k71-453 as am in kina a bind and that was all I find in PHX. Should I be ok installing just the rear equalizer setups and do the front one later? I know it is more work but I was supposed to be in the dunes this evening and trying to get out there by the morning.
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twvette
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10/29/09 03:01pm |
Toy Haulers
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RE: HELP !!! Broken suspension links need fixed ASAP
Just curious, is it typically the last axle or perhaps even more specific to triple axles that this happens with? I think I will order up the EZ Flex system and change them all but might also just try and repair with some heavier duty shackle on the my broken rear as I have no complaints about the way it pulls rides in general.
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twvette
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10/29/09 10:15am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Dexter EZ Flex for triple axle.
Well, just found two of my rear shackles broken. Was supposed to pull out for dunes tomorrow but not looking like that is going to happen. Awesome post here.
Any tips to doing this that will make the install easier? Seems fairly straight forward.
So jack up one side, support with jack stands, take the three tires off, and then use two jacks to get everything lined up or do you need three? Then repeat on other side.
Should I expect any additinal hassles since my axels were flipped?
http://inlinethumb21.webshots.com/44884/2150966770045816922S600x600Q85.jpg
http://inlinethumb37.webshots.com/42980/2860586670045816922S600x600Q85.jpg
http://inlinethumb30.webshots.com/46301/2794094170045816922S600x600Q85.jpg
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twvette
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10/28/09 09:46pm |
Toy Haulers
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RE: HELP !!! Broken suspension links need fixed ASAP
What is the trick to get the leaf spring back into position. Currently it is up in the fender well a little while the middle axle triangle/equalizer bar is pointing at the ground. There is like atleast 1.5ft gap even with the trailer jacked up on rear corner a bit and the third wheel off the ground a couple inches.
Thnaks for all the help ... any tips appreciated ...
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twvette
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10/28/09 08:37pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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HELP !!! Broken suspension links need fixed ASAP
Got a trip have been planning for weeks and my Weekend Warrior triple axle somehow has the rear suspension links (?) ripped off. I assume this is from taking corners as my axles have always made alot of noise and looked very awkeward when making turns, especially the rears. It is a 31ft 5th wheel so somewhat short for three axels but necessary as it is a toy hauler.
Below are pics. The same link on the other side is broke also. Not sure when it happened but last trip was 320miles round trip.
http://inlinethumb21.webshots.com/44884/2150966770045816922S600x600Q85.jpg
http://inlinethumb37.webshots.com/42980/2860586670045816922S600x600Q85.jpg
http://inlinethumb30.webshots.com/46301/2794094170045816922S600x600Q85.jpg
It seems I just need to jack it up, get the whells off, and replace that bracket as the bolt seems fine. Or is there something else going on that caused this to happen?
What is the correct technical name for what I would need repaired?
Common part or hard to find? Only RV places or perhaps auto store?
Ok to drive to place soemwhat nearby say within 20 miles or am I risking it big time?
Any ideas on mobile services to come out and fix it of something I cant do? I am trying to pull out tomorrow and supposed to work half day.
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twvette
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10/28/09 07:16pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: HELP! On road trip towing 5th wheel - weird noise (video)
Well, I pulled the Fram out last night and noticed the outer sealing foam on the side where the four fixed air box tabs are was cracked. Not destroyed but was not sure how good of a seal it now makes. Turned the filter around and paid a bit more attention when getting the air box cover back on (it seemed to go on easier this time) and what yeah know ... the noise appears gone. I am in Sequioa National Park and climbed up the long pass and did not hear it once so am fairly sure it is gone but will know for sure when I get the 5th wheel hitched back up tomorrow and head for home as have several good climbs to make.
I cant tell you how much I hated buying a Fram but after checking my air filter the night before I left it was honestly like one of those oil machines had sprayed over it before laying down road pavement ... it was the worse I had ever seen a filter so thought I should change it and Fram was only option on short notice. Good excuse for an intake now with a real filter
Thanks again everyone ...
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twvette
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07/10/09 08:49pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: HELP! On road trip towing 5th wheel - weird noise (video)
Thanks everyone. I also am hoping it truely is just a rattle but I have had several of the various mentioned types on different vehicles and it just seems a bit different for some reason but certainly not ruling a simple rattle out and should go check underneath a bit.
It is not AC or fan related as turning on/off does nothing. No check engine light.
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twvette
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07/08/09 08:08pm |
Tow Vehicles
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HELP! On road trip towing 5th wheel - weird noise (video)
I am far away from home in AZ as on road trip in which today just left Lake Tahoe and made our Way to Yosemite.
About halfway all the sudden started getting a weird noise. Several mountain climbs/passes done the last week so have been working the engine fairly hard as towing a very heavy 5th wheel toy hauler.
Noise is hard to describe. It is something along the lines of a high pitched buzzer like noise/rattle. It is definetly on the passenger side and is very obvious ... I am not at all talking about a nuisance background rattle. It generally occurs from about 1900 to 2300 RPMS when in 2nd or 3rd gears making my way up the hills. I dont think I have lost much if any power and there are no signs of any hickups when the noise occurs. I started to think it was just something inside my dash but it certainly is not because if I put the passenger window down can hear it amplified when I get near a berm/wall. I am not at all really an engine guy but my best guess is it is the turbo, some type of fan or belt, or engine knocking. What really confuses me is even when I have have a steady load/rpm pulling a hill the noise will often cycle on and off in repeated pulses and sometimes it will hold for many seconds steady. Turbo issue is sticking in my head as it also seems to have a hint of a pressure release just as the noise begins to stop. I could not reproduce this noise by simply stopping, putting in neutral, and reving the engine ... it has to have a load on it (or be using the turbo?). It does occur when pulling hills without the 5th wheel too but not near as frequently.
I just pulled the New Priest Grade outside Groveland/Yosemite with the 5th wheel hitched which is a very long and steep pull and truck seemed fairly normal so hopefully I will make it back home. I wont be back for a week from this trip and have a lot of driving left in Yosemite and my next stop Sequoia National Park. Any rattling, hissing like noises on passenger side in engine area indicative of perhaps a know problem or likely suspect. I guess I gotta just keep on truckin but it is going to suck if I get stranded.
Here is an audio file took with our camera. It is hard to hear the noise below the background noise. Trust me, this noise is very obvious in the truck and it easily overcomes the radio at normal volumes. You will hear it pulse on and off about 5 times from start to finish (turn your volume all the way up).
http://rides.webshots.com/video/3027400550045816922RWkzKp
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twvette
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07/08/09 10:13am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Place to catch some sleep outside Los Angeles (east side) ?
Thanks for all the info. Is really helping me. It all depends upon how I am feeling so could still be any place between Beaumont and the 395. I have to go this route as picking up a person near Beaumont so looks like I will doing the Cajon pass.
Is the Coso Junction place really right after you get on the 395? If I search for this on Yahoo maps it comes up about 125 miles up the 395!
I am really leaning towards getting close to the 395 to miss LA morning traffic and cdo the pass at night when cooler but am sure that will be about as far as I can possibly make it so any ideas in this general area really appreciated.
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twvette
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07/01/09 01:48pm |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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Place to catch some sleep outside Los Angeles (east side) ?
Leaving from Phoenix to Lake Tahoe tomorrow with 31ft 5th wheel. Route has us taking the 10 to LA, cutting up North on the 30 towards Highland, over West to the 215, and then North till we hook up with the 395 all the way up to Tahoe basically.
Need a spot to catch some sleep between Beaumont, CA on the far East side of LA or some else inbetween where we meet up with the 395 or shortly after getting on the 395. Any recommendations ? I think a truck stop, rest stop, or anywhere basically would work that is not too run down and wont kick me out. I will be getting there late between 10pm and midnight. Have never done any parking lot camping LOL so any input appreciated. I tried calling the Beaumont Wal-Mart but they said not allowed.
I also want to base the above decision on morning traffic around LA. Is that route going to be packed at 6am on thur likely and best to make my way as close to the 395 as possible or just stay somewhere close to Beaumont? Seems I will be opposite direction of traffic so might not be too bad.
Thanks in advance ...
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twvette
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06/30/09 10:52pm |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Lake Tahoe forest camping 31ft 5th wheel ?
Thanks all for the info.
I wanted to be close to Tahoe and ended up finding a place near Truckee on the Northwest side of Tahoe. Everything else is booked. I doubt we will take the RZR as it is just too big a pain to move it in and out of the TH at the other places we are going ... it is too big to just leave inside.
Am hoping I can find some nice forest roads to take with the truck so if anyone has any recommendations would be appreciated. Will also likely take our mountain bikes so any recommendations here too appreciated.
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twvette
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06/28/09 10:12am |
Toy Haulers
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Lake Tahoe forest camping 31ft 5th wheel ?
Planning a last minute trip to Lake Tahoe, Yosemite, and Sequoia National Park atarting this thrusday. Obviously having hard time making reservations this late. Are there any forest service roads accessible that can be camped off of near South Lake Tahoe. Not looking to go too far out of town and roads need to be easy access for 31ft 5th wheel. Also, how is the riding in this area ? Would consider bringing along my Polaris RZR but originally was not planning on it as nothing to do with it at Yosemite and Sequoia.
Any other recommendation on RV/camp sites for 31ft 5th wheel in South Lake area appreciated.
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twvette
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06/27/09 03:26pm |
Toy Haulers
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