rcreason
Nebraska
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Has anyone experienced situation where leaf springs provided on their RV were undersize (weight ratings) for the axles provided? I purchased a new 2005 Forest River Sierra 5th wheel that came with tandem 6000# AT-KO axles. I've experienced a spring breakage problem. During replacement of the original springs, I noticed the 4 leaf springs were rated for only 4400# axles. I will note that I've never overloaded this Rv beyond it's GVWR and GAWR.
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ScottG
Bothell Wa.
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Joined: 02/25/2005
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I have a tag on the axle with its rating but as far as the leafs,I wouldn't know how to tell. How does one find out what the actual leaf packs are rated for?
Scott, Grace and Wesly
2003 Dodge 3500 4x4, 6 speed Cummins (lightly bombed),
2004 Forest River 25RKS many, many mods.
H0NDA eu2000i
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pulsar
Lewisville, NC
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Joined: 12/30/2001
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Moved from Forum Technical Support.
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C Schomer
Buckeye, Az.
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I changed my springs a few years ago. I had 2-2600 lb packs on 5200 lb axles. I verified they were 2600 when I took an old pack to a trailer store and they were identical to the new ones. I also miked the thickness of the leaf material to be sure - they aren't all the same thickness. I never broke a leaf but I needed more arch/travel and more capacity. I got new 3000 lb springs. 1" more arch and .040 thicker material, so I know there are 3k springs out there. Craig
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JIMNLIN
out here
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Joined: 09/14/2003
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I believe you mean AL-KO axles.
Looking at their website showa a 4 leaf springs on 5800 and 6000 lb axle. They also show 4 leafs on the 4400 lb axles.
However number of leafs has nothing to do with spring capacity of the axle. The leaf springs come in different widths/spring length/thickness and alloy of the spring material.
Brakes on the 4400 lb axles shows to be 10" dia x 2 1/4" vs
brakes on the 5k-6k says their a 12" x 2".
I would get some numbers from the axle and give AL-KO a 1-800 for their input.
"good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" ............ Will Rogers
'03 2500 QC Dodge/Cummins HO 3.73 6 speed manual Jacobs Westach
'97 Park Avanue 28' 5er 11200 gvwr two slides
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johnrbd
San Joaquin Valley
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Mine were under-rated also. Upgraded the springs to match the axles. This after the shackles were all replaced with thicker steel on, (due to one broken and several stretched).
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sirdrakejr
Las Vegas, Nevada
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Joined: 11/18/2001
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4 spring packs rated at 4400# each are well over two axles rated at 6000# each by over 5000#. IF you mean each spring pack was rated for the 4400#.
Frank
2011 Palomino Maverick 1000SLLB on a 2004 Dodge Quadcab CTD Ram3500 SRW long bed equipped with Timbren springs, Stable Load bump stops, Rickson 19.5" wheels/"G" range tires and a Helwig "Big Wig" rear anti sway bar.
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Wills250psd
walnutcove NC
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I think that if they are 4400lb springs each spring is actually 2200lb for a total of 4400lb per axle. I think that how I read it at tractor supply the other day.
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sirdrakejr
Las Vegas, Nevada
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Good heavens!!
Frank
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rcreason
Nebraska
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To clarify, I meant AL-KO. Secondly, the original 4 leaf springs were AL-KO 93103, identified on the strap holding the leafs together. According to the AL-KO website, these are identified as springs for a 4400# axle; ie., each spring would be rated for 2200#. The AL-KO axles are identified as T-60 which is a 6000# axle.
Bottom line, I'm a bit miffed. Not sure whether it is AL-KO or Forest River. I'm tending towards the latter.
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