enahs
Washington
Senior Member
Joined: 03/11/2003
View Profile
 Offline
|
Looking for slipper springs for a 1994 Coleman Cedar (Destiny series). These can be either 750 or 1000 pound rated. Problem is, they are unusual and were manufactured by a company that is now out of business. They actually shipped to Dexter for assembly on axles. This is a hook type spring — straight vertical hook on rear. OAL from front eye is 27", and eye to rear retaining bolt is almost 25". I have spent a lot of time checking every site on the web — with no luck. Lots of springs out there, but not this one. If anyone has some information or has dealt with this same issue, your insight will be greatly appreciated. I would rather not convert to double eye springs.
'07 Chevy 3500 Dooley, CC, LT3, D/A
|
gijoecam
Midwest
Senior Member
Joined: 07/22/2011
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
I can't be much help on specifics, but find a local spring and suspension shop in your area. In my area (Detroit, MI), there are two I know of right off-hand that I know could build you whatever you need for relatively little expense.
Now, that being said, would these work:
http://www.championtrailers.com/springs.html
Specifically the Slipper Spring Type A shown in the picture? If you could post a picture of yours, it might give us some other ideas of suitable solutions...
-Joe
|
enahs
Washington
Senior Member
Joined: 03/11/2003
View Profile
Offline
|
Joe — thanks for your kind response. The spring you reference is a "c" hook. Mine are just an "L" hook. I can get the springs made locally — at about $90 a pop! Similar springs off the shelf sell for less than $20 each. So, I'll have them made if it comes to that. But I'll continue looking for a bit longer before I do. Here's what I am looking for — but it's an inch short. That may not really matter — though I am reluctant to get involved in an order to find out. http://www.easternmarine.com/26-hook-end-slipper-trailer-leaf-spring-3-leaves-us-3022
|
tnamrog
Massachusetts
Full Member
Joined: 05/16/2005
View Profile
|
There looks like there are a lot of standard slipper springs that the normal trailer stores don't carry. The link below has quite a selection of different springs sizes. You might find one closer to what you are looking for. Note, I've never done business with them, they just seem to have the most comprehensive list. You might find the number you want and search for that. The US-3039 looks close.
http://www.stengelbros.com/UtilitySprings.htm
|
gijoecam
Midwest
Senior Member
Joined: 07/22/2011
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
I'm curious... Does the shape of the free end of a slipper spring affect the function somehow? Whether it's shaped like a C or an L, it's just captured in the bracket, but ultimately rests on the frame and slides back and forth. I can't see how the shape of the free end makes a difference, but I'm no spring expert...
|
|
|
enahs
Washington
Senior Member
Joined: 03/11/2003
View Profile
Offline
|
Thanks Tnamrog — I've looked at those. One comes close, but is about an inch short in OAL. With respect to Gijoecam, I have asked that question and spring experts differ on it. Some say that a hook must be replaced with a hook; others say it doesn't matter. BTW, thew "C" hook type have the "C" come from below, not over the top. Problem is that Coleman used springs from Steelcraft — now out of business. They sent them to Dexter for assembly on Dexter axles, saying they couldn't use Dexter springs without changing frame design. So we have an odd-ball spring that seems to have no conventional substitute. I can have them made, but it costs about three to four times as much.
|
tnamrog
Massachusetts
Full Member
Joined: 05/16/2005
View Profile
|
I don't have a Coleman, but I remember someone posting that someone bought all of the old coleman parts. You might try looking that up. Of course the minute Coleman went out of business, all of the dealers raised their prices on parts.
|
enahs
Washington
Senior Member
Joined: 03/11/2003
View Profile
Offline
|
I went back to the pop-up and measured again — then went back to the link recommended by Tnamrog (which I had looked at earlier in my search). For slippers, the arch dimension is crucial, and Stengel Bros. is one of the few that give it. I found that their #US 3022 comes very close. So I hope that it's like dancing, horseshoes, and hand grenades. We'll see. Price was right — two, including shipping, for the price of having only one made. Thanks for your input everyone.
|
enahs
Washington
Senior Member
Joined: 03/11/2003
View Profile
Offline
|
OK — installed the 3022 springs today. They are a perfect match, with one small exception. The vertical portion of the hook is not as long as the original. But that may not matter. My plan is to either drill another hole for the hook retaining bolt or add a spacer to the existing bolt to make it thicker. But these springs have the same arch and same length, and the locating centering pin is at the same point.
|
rehoppe
Denver & Nathrop Colo or somewhere else
Senior Member
Joined: 01/30/2009
View Profile
|
When I discovered that I had a cracked spring. I procured some 1"x3" rectangle tubing, cut the mounts off the frame, added the pieces of 1x3 and welded the mounts back on. Got a quick 3" lift out of it. I also, bought a pair of springs with higher arch, and 200#s stiffer, got another 2"s of lift, for a total of 5"s total additional lift. Put on the larger diameter tires and wheels to slow the bearings a bit as well. Think I spent $250 or so on parts, but that's been probably 10 years ago now.
The renovation did allow it to follow my Ford Ranger like a puppy dog just about anywhere I wanted to go. AND it towed level with the bumper hitch as well. JM$.o2
Hoppe
2011 Dodge 1500 C'boy Caddy
2000 Jayco C 28' Ford chassis w V-10 E450
Doghouse 36' or so Trophy Classic TT
|
|
|
