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06-15-2015, 11:05 AM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 34
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5th wheel sagging unloaded. Leaf spings?
Hello, looking for some advise, the back of my toyhauler seems to sit very low. (Unloaded). I noticed my leaf spings are just about flat. Would new leaf spings raise up the trailer any? Should the leafs be almost flat? Also I have about 8.5" clearance between my bed rails. My hitch has one more hole I could lower it. Which would give me about 7.5". Is that enough?
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06-15-2015, 11:17 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Powell River, B.C.
Posts: 31,311
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6" of clearance to the box top rail is good for, on highway, if you haul off highway, over very rough terrain, before you start boon-docking then you may have to watch for contact.
__________________
99DSDP 3884, Freightliner, XC, CAT 3126B, 300 HP /ALLISON 3060
2000 Caravan toad, Remco & Blue Ox.
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06-15-2015, 12:00 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: North Central Vermont
Posts: 1,485
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Lowering the hitch will raise the rear as it is like a see-saw. I wouldn't think flat springs are good; mine aren't. You can replace the springs with stiffer ones and it sounds like what you need. As stated before, 6" of minimum rail clearance is desireable.
__________________
2015 F350 XLT PSD CCSB SRW, Andersen Ultimate hitch
'12 Cougar High Country 299RKS, Mor/Ryde Pinbox
1/77 Armor Bn, 5th Mech, I Corps
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06-15-2015, 03:06 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Freightliner Owners Club Retired Fire Service RVer's
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: N E Ohio
Posts: 4,403
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I would check the height of the frame rails of the trailer front and rear on a level piece of ground. By the picture it looks like you are nose high and that will put more weight on the back axle, I would lower the hitch that notch and then check the difference of the frame height front to rear. You want it to be as near level as possible. If this doesn't help you, then I would suggest putting new springs on both axles.
Frank
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05 Alfa Gold 40' Motor Home "Goldie",
03 Malibu Toad
in a 24' CargoMate trailer.
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06-16-2015, 05:43 AM
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#5
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Registered User
Forest River Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Western, MA
Posts: 619
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Springs on our last hauler did the same, going flat after a couple of years. Yes, getting new ones with the correct arch will bring you back up. I agree that while you are doing it, go with higher rated ones. Springs aren't expensive. While you are doing them, you can upgrade to HD shackles and wet bolts. Also a cheap upgrade...
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06-16-2015, 06:10 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: North America somewhere
Posts: 30,655
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The rig-truck and trailer-should sit level when loaded up, ready to go camping. By sitting nose-high, the rear trailer axle is carrying more of the load than the front one. Quite possibly this is overloading both the rear axle and tires.
__________________
2000 Winnebago Ultimate Freedom USQ40JD , ISC 8.3 Cummins 350, Spartan MM Chassis. USA IN 1SG 11B5MX,Infantry retired;Good Sam Life member,FMCA. " My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country. John F. Kennedy
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06-17-2015, 09:32 PM
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#7
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 34
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Thanks guys il look into it. 3500lb leaf spings are only $30 but if I went a size up they are $90!
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06-18-2015, 10:28 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,312
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Tandem leaf spring system do not load the axles differently on the same side. No matter how high the front is. It's the job of the equalizers to equalize the axle loads. IS system does not equalize the loads on the axles.
Having that front higher may cause additional drag but not with all trailers, some have smooth belly covers that may help. The total height of the front of the trailer needs to be checked as the unit is designed to tow level. Specially if front A/C installed.
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Barbara and Laurent, Hartland Big Country 3500RL. 39 ft long and 15500 GVW.
2005 Ford F250 SD, XL F250 4x4, Long Box, 6.0L Diesel, 6 Speed Stick, Hypertech Max Energy for Fuel mileage of 21 MPusG empty, 12.6 MPusG pulling the BC. ScangaugeII for display..
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