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

Ask the Experts about this Dexter Axle Trailer Leaf Spring Suspension
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• 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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• 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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• Wet Bolts, Bronze Bushings, and 1/2 Inch Shackle Straps to Use with Equa-Flex Equalizers
  
• We do have the bronze bushings, # D014-077-00, and wet bolts, # 126B2, to use with the Equa-Flex Equalizer. Or combine the bushings, wet bolts, and 1/2 inch shackle straps with # K71-358-00. Yes, the main bolt that attaches the Equa-Flex to the hanger can be replaced with the same wet bolt, # 126B2. You can also use the same bronze bushing, # D014-077-00, here too.
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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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• 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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• 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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• Piecing Together an E-Z Flex Equalizer System with 3 Inch Shackle Straps
  
• Dexter Heavy Duty Suspension Upgrade Kit # K71-358-00 is exactly what you need though on a tandem axle you would need 2 sets. E-Z Flex System # K71-652-00 does not use wet bolts to hang the equalizer part. It has grease fittings on top for that so you can just use a regular bolt. So you would use # K71-654-00 for the equalizers by themselves, 2 of kit # K71-358-00, and either reuse the hanger bolts you have or use 2 of # TRFA73Z916DLNZ or a similar bolt.
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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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• 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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• Heavy Duty Shackles for Dexter 6K Axle with 1-3/4 Inch Springs
  
• We do have a kit that will work with your 6,000 lb axle with your length of springs. The Dexter Heavy Duty Suspension Upgrade Kit # K71-358-00 uses 1/2" thick steel shackle straps though would not be compatible with Never Fail bushings because the kit includes wet bolts cannot be used with Never Fail Bushings. Please keep in mind that for a tandem axle you are going to need two of these kits. I've added a link to a video review of the kit for you to take a look at.
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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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• 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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• 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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• 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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• 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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• 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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• 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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• 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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• 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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• Needing to Replace Leaf Springs and Suspension Kit for Homemade Trailer with a 3,500-lb Axle
  
• The 4-Leaf Double-Eye Spring for 3,500-lb Trailer Axles # SP-212275 that you referenced is rated for your 3,500-lb axle so that is correct, and the Dexter Heavy Duty Suspension Upgrade Kit # K71-358-00 is rated for at least 3,500-lb axles as well. Although those parts look to be the correct weight rating for your axle, you will want to make sure that the 25-1/8" center eye to center eye measurement on the leaf spring is correct for your application. I have also attached a link to a...
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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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