Browntrout73
Missoula, MT
New Member
Joined: 02/09/2012
View Profile
 Offline
|
Hey all,
So my new to me 07 Springdale seems to be riding too low. First off, hitched up on my 2001 dodge diesel it rides with the butt down. So operating on advice from here i raised my pin box to the max. Now the rear is about 5 inches lower then front when hitched, still not perfect. I am concenerd that my leaf springs on the trailer are underrated. They seem to be almost totally flattened out unloaded. The total ground height is roughly 22 inches from coach to ground, not from frame down. Looking at other fvers they seem to have way more clearance then mine, but looking at other springdales, they are the same as mine. So is this a springdale issue? Am i worried over nothing? Should i install beefier leaf springs to raise the coach as well as allowing it to be more level when traveling? I am not at all happy with my current setup.
Thanks
|
belairbrian
Alabama
Senior Member
Joined: 04/18/2005
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
What version Dodge 2500 or 3500?
I know when I had my Springdale (283BH) it road nice and level as set up at the dealer for my F250. Then I bought the 3500 and it was nose high because the 5er didn't have the pin weight to lower the truck's suspension.
I had to adjust my pin box.
The Cougar is heavier so the truck drops more and everything is level.
TV 2003 Chevy 3500 Crew Cab Dually w Duramax/Allison
2005 Keystone Cougar 314 EFS
Reese 16K Slider Hitch, Prodigy BC, Delorme GPS
USAF Retired
|
Road Runners
Tampa Bay, Florida
Senior Member
Joined: 12/19/2001
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
I am not an expert on this, but I do have some experience with springs. And, yes, your springs should have an upward bow. I think that you could solve your leveling problem and your overload spring problem with new springs.
'05' F-250 Power Stroke
'00' 30' Cameo Fifth Wheel
|
fordsooperdooty
Southern California
Senior Member
Joined: 08/13/2004
View Profile
Offline
|
Inland Truck Parts in Missoula, MT and Billings can "Re-arch" and temper steel leaf springs for a fraction of the replacement costs, and they'll be just as good as new. And it only takes a day.
Missoula, Montana
6550 Expressway
Missoula, MT 59808
Phone: 406-728-7413
Toll Free: 800-332-2692
Fax: 406-728-9194
PARTS & SERVICE
7:00 am - 6:00 pm M-F
8:00 am to Noon Sat
My posts shouldn't be taken for factual data. They are purely fictional, for entertainment purposes and should not be constituted as actually related to scientific, technical, engineering, legal, spiritual or practical advice. Amen. 
|
Browntrout73
Missoula, MT
New Member
Joined: 02/09/2012
View Profile
Offline
|
Road Runners wrote:I am not an expert on this, but I do have some experience with springs. And, yes, your springs should have an upward bow. I think that you could solve your leveling problem and your overload spring problem with new springs.
Thats what i was thinking. To answer the other poster, my truck is a 2500 and the pin will lower the truck only a couple of inches, truck is stock height btw.
|
|
|
Browntrout73
Missoula, MT
New Member
Joined: 02/09/2012
View Profile
Offline
|
fordsooperdooty wrote:Inland Truck Parts in Missoula, MT and Billings can "Re-arch" and temper steel leaf springs for a fraction of the replacement costs, and they'll be just as good as new. And it only takes a day.
Missoula, Montana
6550 Expressway
Missoula, MT 59808
Phone: 406-728-7413
Toll Free: 800-332-2692
Fax: 406-728-9194
PARTS & SERVICE
7:00 am - 6:00 pm M-F
8:00 am to Noon Sat
Hey thanks for this I will give them a holler. Have you used them personally? By fraction of a cost, what ballpark cost would I be looking at for this job vs total replacement?
|
fordsooperdooty
Southern California
Senior Member
Joined: 08/13/2004
View Profile
Offline
|
A friend had his Jayco re-arched in Portland for $60.00 a while ago...all new springs including labor was going to be $600.00.
|
bkick
Bonita Springs Fl
Senior Member
Joined: 03/24/2005
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
|
Air bags, lot less expensive and you can reduce the air when not towing so the ride is not as harsh as with the redone springs will be. Mine can go as low as 8 lbs when empty, 100 lbs max limit, I load to 55lbs before I hook up the trailer and get a level ride with that. If I see that the load heavier or lighter I can adjust the air pressure in the bags.
Bob
Bkick
|
Browntrout73
Missoula, MT
New Member
Joined: 02/09/2012
View Profile
Offline
|
bkick wrote:Air bags, lot less expensive and you can reduce the air when not towing so the ride is not as harsh as with the redone springs will be. Mine can go as low as 8 lbs when empty, 100 lbs max limit, I load to 55lbs before I hook up the trailer and get a level ride with that. If I see that the load heavier or lighter I can adjust the air pressure in the bags.
Bob
Thanks for that, are you refereing to airbags on the trailer on truck? Im confused cuz wouldnt airbags on truck raise it even further?
|
elkhorn98
Santa Rosa, California
Senior Member
Joined: 07/31/2001
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
I have a 2007 springdale and the axles were already flipped so I had to have a 4" lift (subframe) built under the frame for my truck. My springs are pretty flat too.
Elkhorn98
2010 GMC Sierra 2500HD 4x4 Duramax/Allison w/45 gal Transfer Flow Tank
RBW X16 Slider, Yamaha EF 2400iS
2007 Springdale 245 5th Wheel - E-Z Flex HD Suspension & Mobile Outfitters Shock Kit Upgrades
with Firestone Transforce Ht Lt 2357515 C tires
|
|
|
