Community Forums

Slow Eddie · 08-22-2017, 08:19 AM

I had my axles shift on me when I hit the brakes in my 5th wheel while we were heading out of town. Luckily we were only 7 miles from home when it happened.

After one service call and a loooong day the trailer made it back home and now I need to fix it. What I am realizing is that there is a 2" lift block between the axle spring perch and the leaf spring. Also, this entire set up is under the leaf spring. In my research to order replacement u bolts I can't seem to find replacement 2 3/8 wide u bolts that are long enough for this type of application (8 inch or so).

This is now making me question if this is even legit. This is my first 5th wheel and I don't have much experience, and the trailer was purchased like this. I have used lifting blocks on pickup trucks before, but it doesn't seem to be common on travel trailers.

Does anyone have any advice? I like the idea of having the trailer lifted, as my truck is pretty tall (1 ton Ram), so I would prefer not to put it back to stock. My trailer was doing a wheelie as it was already.

Thank you.

donnandon · 08-22-2017, 08:35 AM

Those blocks look a little sketchy. They put more twist on the spring resulting in issues such as flipping your spring shackle as show in your photo. Get rid of the blocks and buy a quality drop hitch receiver to level your trailer. We had a 12" one to level a travel trailer we towed with a high 3/4 ton truck.

Mr_D · 08-22-2017, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donnandon

Those blocks look a little sketchy. They put more twist on the spring resulting in issues such as flipping your spring shackle as show in your photo. Get rid of the blocks and buy a quality drop hitch receiver to level your trailer. We had a 12" one to level a travel trailer we towed with a high 3/4 ton truck.

OP says it's 5th wheel so can't use a drop hitch.

powderman · 08-22-2017, 08:52 AM

I would lose those riser blocks and get new hanger brackets welded on. They come in different lengths so longer ones should be able to give the lift you need. Etrailer is a good source for parts. BTW I have seen them with several holes which makes it easy to change the height if things change.

bddadles · 08-22-2017, 08:52 AM

Those blocks don't look right to me but since I have never done it what do I know. I'm assuming that someone that knows will chime in. Did the U bolt break or did something just move? Is it possible that something just came loose and the lift is proper? I can't tell what the blocks are. Is this a homemade solution? Does someone make a kit specifically for this task
I guess that is more questions than solutions. Sorry.

Brad

twinboat · 08-22-2017, 08:59 AM

It looks like the perch that the blocks sit on has turned. It's facing the camera in your picture.

Everything under there looks screwed up. The other side must be just as bad if not worse.

Google some dual axle pictures to see what it should look like.

powderman · 08-22-2017, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bddadles

Those blocks don't look right to me but since I have never done it what do I know. I'm assuming that someone that knows will chime in. Did the U bolt break or did something just move? Is it possible that something just came loose and the lift is proper? I can't tell what the blocks are. Is this a homemade solution? Does someone make a kit specifically for this task
I guess that is more questions than solutions. Sorry.

Brad

I suspect those blocks are homemade. There Is a raised boss on the axle that fits into a hole on the block. Then there will be a raised boss on the top of the block that fits into the hole on the spring. That will work, but new hanger brackets is a much better choice.

Bob_C · 08-22-2017, 09:03 AM

Take the block out and find the center on both sides.....drill and tap a bolt hole.....the spring has a bolt passing thru the center of it to hold it together.. the block should have a hole that receives the bolt head....the welded perch on the axle also needs a centering bolt installed into the block, with the head of bolt fitting into that hole....U bolts should be ok ....

Skip426 · 08-22-2017, 09:16 AM

I had to flip the axles on one 5er that I had to get it high enough for the buyers truck, but I didn't need spacer blocks.
It looks like the U bolts were loose on that mount and allowed the axle to roll, out from under the block under brake application; does the other end of that axle look the same ?

My last 5er ; from the factory ; had all the suspension's spring hangers , on a 2"X 6" piece of box iron 7' long , that was welded and gusseted to the bottom of the main frame . That's how the manufacturer raised the whole 5er to get the hitch height up.

donnandon · 08-22-2017, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donnandon

The I-90 toll is around $11 to go from the NY-PA border to the non-toll portion around Buffalo. Have done it many times and in fact we are currently in that area. Depending on where you are staying near Niagara Falls, you may need to cross the Grand Island bridges which is another small toll. I think it is $2 when towing a trailer, $1 for just a car.

Quote:

Originally Posted by V3600

Google Maps will give you a route that is free of toll roads if check the block to avoid toll roads.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_D

OP says it's 5th wheel so can't use a drop hitch.

Oops!! Ok since it is a 5th wheel, I would cut off the hangers, weld on a piece of rectagular tubing, then weld on the standard hangers. If you are going to do it, do it the best way. Longer hangers would work but not the best option if you are cutting off the old ones.

kz owner · 08-22-2017, 11:10 AM

Looks like the equalizer has flipped an the shackles are in the wrong position. Should just have to jack the trailer up one side at a time, from the frame an it will flex back into place, then do it to the other side, then straighten the blocks an u-bolts, an check to make sure the center bolt in the springs is ok an not broken. A good trailer suspension shop should be able to fix it!!

powderman · 08-22-2017, 12:05 PM

After taking a second look, it appears as though the riser block is no longer centered on the axle. That is a dangerous condition. Like it has been stated, a good shop should be able to fix it in short order. BTW has your truck been lifted??? On a standard truck you should most likely be able to get it near level by making adjustments to the hitch and pinbox without the need to resort to altering the trailer.

powerboatr · 08-22-2017, 12:18 PM

obvious this is not a NEW rv. springs are rusty and the block looks pretty clean compared, even if its alum, its awfully clean........you need to get the right springs and shackle to give you the height, not this homemade looking set up

paz · 08-22-2017, 02:45 PM

Spacers to rise a 5th wheel are normally installed between the springs and the frame (square tubing is welded to the frame, and then the spring hangers are welded to the tubing). Putting a block between the spring and the axle puts extra strain on the U-bolts as you have experienced. It looks like something that was cobbled together by the previous owner.

Shown below is the 2" lift on our 5th wheel installed at the factory. Note the extra plate welded on to brace the flanges of the I-beam directly above the spring hanger.