Dexter Heavy Duty Suspension Upgrade Kit for Single Axle Trailers - Double Eye Springs

Ask the Experts about this Dexter Axle Trailer Leaf Spring Suspension

• Upgrading Leaf Springs on a Trailer with a 3500 Pound Axle
  If you are wanting to go to higher capacity leaf springs I would advise against it. The problem is that since the trailer axle is rated for 3,500 pounds you won't gain any additional capacity by switching to higher capacity springs. What it will do is not allow the suspension to compress as much leading to a very stiff and jarring ride for the trailer and anything in it. Another problem is that alternate springs may not have the correct measurements and that would mean that the spring...
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• Thicker Trailer Suspension Shackle Kit Recommendation that is 2-1/4 inches Between Bolt Holes
  We have the part # 018-026-05 which is a set of wet bolts with a single thicker shackle like you want that is 2-1/4 inches between the bolt holes. For additional shackles you'll want the part # 018-024-01 and then for nuts part # 006-092-01.
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• Recommendation For Over-Under Conversion And Suspension Upgrade For Coachmen 5th Wheel
  Based on your information, I recommend the Dexter Trailer Springs Over-Under Conversion Kit, Item # K71-385-00. This kit works with 3 inch diameter axles and includes enough components for one axle. The kit will also help level out your trailer and provide some extra wheel clearance. I have created a link to our selection of cushioned equalizers to help you upgrade your trailer's suspension. You will need to select equalizers that match the bolt hole dimensions of your current ones...
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• Compatibility of Dexter Kit # K71-358-00 with 3,000 lb Tandem Axles and Lippert Equa-Flex System
  The Dexter Heavy Duty Suspension Upgrade Kit for Single Axle Trailers - Double Eye Springs # K71-358-00 has shackle strap dimensions that are 4-5/8" long x 1-1/2" wide x 1/2" thick and the length from center of bolt hole to center of bolt hole is 3-1/4". If you current shackle straps are not even close to that dimension, then you will want to use the Never Fail Bushings - 9/16" Inner Diameter, 11/16" Outer Diameter - 1-5/8" - Qty 8 # LC279684 and wet bolt # 126B2. You just don't want...
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• Should Wet Bolts be Torqued Tighter Than Instructions
  When adding wet bolts like what come with the Dexter Heavy Duty Suspension Upgrade Kit for Single Axle Trailers - Double Eye Springs # K71-358-00 you should always follow what the manufacturer's instructions are. You are correct that over-tightening the bolts can bind your suspension, which you'll obviously want to avoid.
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• What Are The Dimensions Of The Dexter Heavy Duty Suspension Upgrade Kit Part # K71-358-00
  I went out to our warehouse and measured the Dexter Heavy Duty Suspension Upgrade Kit for Single Axle Trailers part # K71-358-00 for you. The dimension for the shackle kit are as follows: The distance between the top and bottom steel brackets is 1-3/4" tall. I have attached a photo to further explain these measurements.
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• How Many of the Dexter Heavy Duty Suspension Upgrade Kit K71-358-00 for a Tandem Axle Trailer
  Yes, if you wanted to use the # K71-358-00 on a tandem axle trailer you would need to order two of these kits.
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• Does Orientation Of Wet Bolt Grease Hole Matter When Installing Dexter Suspension Kit 71-358-00
  The orientation of the grease hole on the wet bolts of the Dexter Heavy Duty Suspension Upgrade Kit # K71-358-00 does not matter. When you go to install this you don't have to worry about that at all.
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• 2-3/4 Inch Long Shackle Straps and Wet Suspension Bolts for Trailer Suspension
  The eye center to center measurement on the shackles included with Dexter Heavy Duty Suspension Kit # K71-358-00 are 3-1/4 inches apart. You would need to piece together a similar kit since there are no options that already have 2-3/4 inch shackle straps. For shackle straps you can use # TRSL275, sold as singles. And for a wet bolt with nut, also sold as singles, you can use # 126B2. The shackle straps aren't the thick kind like in kit # K71-358-00 though.
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• Can Trailer Suspension Hangers be Drilled Out to Use Larger Shackle Bolts
  I do not recommend modifying the hangers because doing so could make them structurally unsound. The best solution is to remove the old hangers and have new ones welded on. Since it is a single axle trailer it won't cost much and it's the safest option. I have included a link to the double-eye spring hangers we have.
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• How Tight Should Shackle Strap Bolts Be
  The shackle bolts used between the springs and hangers do not require a specific torque rating because tightening the shackle bolts too much will squeeze the shackle straps against the leaf springs, and the whole suspension system will bind and cause problems. The best thing to do when tightening down shackle bolts is to use lock nuts, tighten them until they are snug, then back them off 1/4 turn. Lock nuts should be used because they resist loosening with vibration or torque. The part...
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• Why Dont Trailer Hangers Come with Bushings.
  The # 30-20 hanger is a unique hanger as it comes with it's own bushing that has an inner diameter of 9/16 inches and installs in a different orientation than most. Like Victoria said, the reason most standard style hangers do not come with bushings is because the bushings are on the spring side of the equation. While what you said is true about wear with dissimilar materials, the reality is that hangers don't wear out at a fast enough rate to warrant a different approach. We rarely...
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• Increasing Length of Suspension Shackle Strap When Upgrading Trailer Suspension
  If you're not changing the spacing of the spring hangers and you're using leaf springs that are the same length (just a greater capacity) than your current springs, you would not want to change the length of your shackle straps. A longer strap would add more play into the system, which could cause the back of the leaf spring to bang into the underside of the trailer. You'll want to continue using a 2 inch shackle straps. You're increasing the capacity of the axle, suspension, wheels...
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• Flange Nut Size for the Dexter Heavy Duty Suspension Upgrade Kit # K71-358-00
  The flange nuts that come with the Dexter Heavy Duty Suspension Upgrade Kit # K71-358-00 are 7/16 - 20. My contact at Dexter Axle confirmed this. We actually have the flange nut available as a replacement part listed as part # 006-092-01
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• Will Dexter Heavy Duty Shackle Upgrade Kit Fit 2013 Jayco 184BH Camper
  The Dexter Heavy Duty Suspension Upgrade Kit for Single Axle Trailers # K71-358-00 is a great option to replace your current hardware but you do need to make sure that the 3-1/8" center of bolt hole to center of bolt hole measurement matches what you currently have. If there is a slight difference you will still be okay but if it is significant then you'll need to choose different shackle straps which you can filter through on the linked page.
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• Wet Bolt Kit Recommendation for Coachmen Travel Trailer Apex Coachmen
  As long as your trailer has standard leaf spring suspension with axle capacity range of 3,500-7,000 lbs the wet bolt kit you'd need is the Dexter Heavy Duty Suspension Upgrade Kit # K71-358-00.
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• Length of Dexter Heavy-Duty Shackle Straps in Dexter Suspension Upgrade Kit # K71-358-00
  The center on center measurement from bolt hole to bolt hole of the heavy-duty shackle straps included with the Dexter suspension upgrade kit, part # K71-358-00, is indeed 3-1/8 inches.
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• Purpose of Replacement Bronze Bushings in Dexter Heavy Duty Suspension Upgrade Kit
  The bronze bushings in the Dexter Axle Heavy Duty Suspension Upgrade Kit # K71-358-00 are replacements for the bushings in the eyes of the double eye springs. Since this kit is for a single axle trailer with double eye springs, there will be 4 eyes in the suspension set-up, and the 4 bushings are for those 4 eyes.
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• Can You Use Industrial Strength Red Grease In The Dexter HD Suspension Kit # K71-358-00?
  Yes, you can use a Lithium Complex grease like Lucas Oil's Red and Tacky or Lubrimatic's LMX Industrial Strength Red Grease, # L11390 in these shackles. These Lithium Complex grease products resist water and stay in place, which means they work well on external parts that are exposed to the weather. Lithium Complex grease works well with trailers that are heavily loaded as well as industrial or agricultural trailers that get a lot of use. If your trailer is not used for industrial or...
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• How Often to Grease Dexter Heavy Duty Suspension Upgrade Kit # K71-358-00
  If the trailer wasn't used very often once a year would be adequate for greasing the Dexter Heavy Duty Suspension Upgrade Kit # K71-358-00. Beyond that it really depends on the how often it's used. For most people twice a year would be adequate. But if the trailer is out every day probably once a month would be smart.
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• Is There Any Advantage to Having a 3 3,500 lb Axle Over a 2-3/8 3,500 lb Axle
  If the weight rating is the same then swapping your 3,500 lb axle with a 2-3/8" diameter to a 3,500 lb axle with a 3" diameter wouldn't do anything for you. Since 3,500 lbs is a very common axle weight rating manufacturers make them with both the 2-3/8" and 3" diameters. If you are looking to upgrade your axle to a higher weight rating then it is possible but unless that is your component with the lowest weight rating nothing will really change on your trailer. Just make sure that you...
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• How Long Are the Wet Bolts in the Dexter Suspension Upgrade Kit Part # K71-358-00
  The 9/16" diameter wet bolts that are included with the Dexter Heavy Duty Suspension Upgrade Kit for Single Axle Trailers part # K71-358-00 are 3" long not including the grease fitting or 3-1/4" long including the grease fitting.
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• Would Dexter Heavy Duty Suspension Upgrade Kit Fit Lippert 3,500 lb Axle
  The Dexter Heavy Duty Suspension Upgrade Kit # K71-358-00 is designed for 3,500 lb axles like your Lippert axle so this would work well. Dexter and Lippert make most of their axle components to the same standard style and dimension so many of their parts interchange between the two.
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• Is Dexter Heavy Duty Suspension Upgrade Kit # K71-358-00 Zinc Coated
  The shackles of the Dexter Heavy Duty Suspension Upgrade Kit # K71-358-00 are zinc coated but the bolts are not. For zinc coated bolts as well you'd want the # TRFA73Z916DLNZ.
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• Parts Needed for Suspension Upgrade for 2018 Heartland North Trail 25LRSS Wide Stance
  As long as the Equa-Flex Cushioned Equalizers # LC314336 have similar dimensions to your current equalizers then you can use it with 2 of the Dexter Heavy Duty Suspension Upgrade Kit # K71-358-00 like what you mentioned. For the sake of consistency though I do recommend using the Step Wet Bolt # 34007-187-00 with the Flange Nut # 006-092-01 as opposed to the Wet Shoulder Bolt # LC126238. The suspension upgrade kit has enough wet bolts for the shackle straps and the front/rear hangers...
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• Recommendation for Over Under Kit to Flip the Trailer Axle Under the Leaf Springs and Raise Trailer
  When you flip your axles using the Dexter Trailer Springs Over-Under Conversion Kit # K71-385-00 for 3 inch axles or # K71-384-00 for 2-3/8 inch axles, the other measurements do not change. You simply gain the height of the axle diameter plus the leaf spring stacked spring height at the axle. All of your springs, shackle straps, and hangers stay the exact same. If you choose to replace those parts, you will want to replace them with the same length and capacity parts. I see you...
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• Road Armor Equalizer Replacement Matching A Dexter 13-122
  The Road Armor Shock Absorbing Equalizer Kit - Tandem Axle - Qty 2 # LC696740 is the only Road Armor kit we carry providing 6" total travel capability as you noted. The 7-1/2" Equa-Flex Cushioned Equalizers # LC279688 would be your most direct replacement for the Dexter 13-122 equalizer however. The Dexter Heavy Duty Suspension Upgrade Kit for Single Axle Trailers - Double Eye Springs # K71-358-00 would be great solution providing the wet bolt and hardware for your upgrade. The...
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• Comparing Never-Fail System Or System With Brass Bushings And Wet bolts For Trailer Suspension
  That is a tough question to answer. The Never-Fail system like part # LC281285 uses a bushing that is made of a polyamide material that is heat-resistant and never wears out. You can use a system like part # K71-358-00 with brass bushings and wet bolts which also reduce wear but can be a little more labor-intensive. I do not have any test cases comparing these two products but for my money I would go with the Never-Fail system because of the busing material and not having to...
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• Upgrading Equa-Flex Equalizers On a Tandem Axle Trailer with 5,200 Lb Axles
  The Road Armor Shock Absorbing Equalizer Kit part # LC696740 are a bit too wide for your existing equalizers so if you wanted to use them you would need to cut and weld the front/rear leaf spring hangers further away from the axle, about 1/2" for each side. The Equa-Flex Cushioned Equalizers part # LC279687 are a better match for your trailer. I know this is what you have now but the new rubber is going to do wonders for your ride quality so it will still be an improvement. The Dexter...
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