See what our Experts say about this Dexter Trailer Suspension Parts

• Correct Dexter Heavy-Duty Suspension Kit for a 2002 Ranger Boat Trailer With 7-3/4" Equalizer
  Since you have a 7-3/4" equalizer you are going to want to use the Dexter Heavy-Duty Suspension Kit # K71-449-00 you found. While most trailers who use this size equalizer will have a 35" axle spacing it is more important to match the dimensions of the equalizer than the axle spacing. This is due to trailer manufacturers not having to stick to specific regulations about dimensions. The kit includes 2-1/4" shackles which is going to work for your application. You will likely notice when...
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• Dexter Heavy Duty Greasable Shackle Kit Needed
  It sounds like the Replacement Shackle Link with Bolts # 018-026-05 that you referenced is what you are needing. It comes with the shackle and wet bolts that have a grease zerk fitting installed on them. This kit is compatible with the following heavy duty Dexter Axle suspension kits: Kit - # K71-359-00 Kit - # K71-360-00 Kit - K71-448-00 Kit - # K71-449-00 Kit - K71-453-00
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• Availability Of Suspension Kit With 3-1/2" Long Shackle Links
  Hello Lance, thanks for reaching out. When replacing shackle straps and equalizers, the replacement parts must be identical in size to the original. Since your current shackles are 3.5" long, you will NOT be able to use the 2-1/4" shackles that come with the # K71-449-00 kit. There is a small amount of tolerance, like 1/2" or less, but a 1-1/4" difference is way too much and this would throw your suspension out of alignment. We do have parts that will still work for you. We have a 3.5"...
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• Replacement Wet Bolts and Bushings for Keystone Impact 5th Wheel
  The Step Wet Bolt for 1-3/4" Double Eye Springs # 34007-187-00 you were looking at have a usable length of 2-1/4", which it sounds like match your existing bolts and would be typical for 1-3/4" wide springs. You will need a 7/16" locknut for this bolt, which is available with the Fastenal Lock Nut - Zinc Plated Steel - 7/16"-20 - Qty 1 # 1137306. You could also use the Redline Wet Bolts # 126B2, which come with locknuts included. For the bronze bushings I recommend using the Bronze Bushings...
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• Parts Needed to Replace Equalizer and Shackles and How to Determine Which Parts to Use
  Generally you'll want to replace your equalizer and shackles with ones that have the same or similar dimensions. The equalizer in the # AP233 kit has a 2" tall and 5-3/4" long (eye bolt center to eye bolt center) and the shackles included are 2-1/4" long. You might be able to make up the distance by just using some longer shackle straps like the Replacement Shackle Strap - 2-5/8" Long # 115052, which will give you an extra 3/8" of an inch. If you can provide the length of the shackle straps...
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• Heavy Duty Suspension Kit for Replacing Equalizers that are 7-3/4 inches Long
  Hey Clint, the Dexter Heavy-Duty Suspension Kit for Tandem-Axle Trailers # K71-449-00 that you referenced would work really well for you. The equalizers are the same dimensions and the shackle straps are close enough to what you have that they would work just fine as well. They are also heavy duty, thicker shackles like you need as well.
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• What Info is Needed to Pick Out Replacement Equalizers for Trailer Suspension
  Hey Daniel, we can definitely help get you what you are in need of but I need more info from you to determine what equalizers and shackles you'd need for an exact replacement. Can you get me the distance between your axle centers or the width from bolt hole to bolt hole on your current equalizers? I would also need the distance between the shackle strap bolt holes to pick those out as well. Are you wanting something cushioned or just as heavy duty as possible?
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• Could Equalizer Kit K71-449-00 Fit Trailer with Axle Spacing of 34 inches
  Hey Brandon, the equalizer kit part # K71-449-00 will most likely work for you still but you'll want to measure the equalizers you have now to be certain. Measure the distance between the bolt hole centers of what you have now and if the are 7-3/4 inches then yes the part # K71-449-00 is correct. Let me know if you have something different.
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• Replacement Landing Gear and Equalizers for a 2008 Keystone Cougar 5th Wheel
  Thanks for the pictures! Based on the weight of your 2008 Keystone Cougar 5th Wheel, you will want the item # LG-1 landing gear set. You are going to want to measure to be sure this is the right size for you. The two things you will want to measure will be the distance of the black outer tube of the jack and the distance between the frame clamps (this measurement can differ depending on where the weld stops are located). You'lll need to measure from the underside of top bracket to top of...
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• Should Trailer Suspension Bolts be Torqued Down
  Since suspension components use lock nuts on the ends of the shackle bolts and the bolts need to be able to allow movement you actually don't want to torque down the bolts at all. You want to snug them up so that there's no lateral play but still allows easy movement of the bolts/shackles so that you don't inhibit the suspension from being able to do what it needs to do.
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• Dexter Suspension Kit For Tandem Trailers With Equalizers Measuring 7-3/4, 6, or 5-3/4
  The Dexter suspension kits are high quality and include "wet bolts", bronze bushings instead of nylon and thick shackles. Properly maintained these would likely outlast typical factory kits three times over! To determine which kit is right for you simply measure the distance across the equalizer and use item # K71-449-00 for 7-3/4" long, item # K71-448-00 for 6" long, or item # K71-359-00 for 5-3/4" long. I have included a picture of the 7-3/4" equalizer showing where to measure. If...
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• Heavy Duty Dexter Suspension Kit For 2011 Dutchman Denali Trailer
  The equalizer and shackle straps in the picture look a little worn, so replacing is a good idea on your 2011 Dutchman Denali. The Dexter Heavy-Duty Suspension Kit for Tandem-Axle Trailers - 1-3/4" Wide Double-Eye Springs # K71-449-00 is a great upgrade option for you that gives you the grease zerk(s) for easy maintenance. As long as you current equalizer is 7-3/4 inches on center from bolt to bolt, it is a great replacement for your application. If you have a different measurement of...
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• Replacement Dexter Heavy Duty Suspension Kit For 7-3/4" Wide Equalizer
  I recommend going with the Dexter Heavy-Duty Suspension Kit # K71-449-00 on your trailer. This will have another 7-3/4" wide equalizer versus only the 5-3/4" wide one you get in the Kit # K71-359-00. Both kits will give you the shorter 2-1/4" shackle straps measured from center hole to center hole. My fear with going to the smaller width with the smaller straps is your shackles may become flipped quite easily. Looking at the picture you included you can see the position of the current equalizer...
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• How to Determine Correct Suspension Kit For Tandem Axle Trailer
  Wheelbase isn't a good way to determine what heavy-duty suspension kit you need, despite manufacturers putting that as a listing. Instead, what you need to do in order to determine the right suspension kit is measure your equalizer from center to center of the bolt holes horizontally as well as from the bottom of the equalizer to the top bolt hole. For example, the Dexter Heavy-Duty Suspension Kit for Tandem-Axle Trailers # K71-449-00 measures 7-3/4" horizontally and 3" tall. I have added...
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• Difference Between Dexter Axle Heavy Duty Suspension Kits # K71-449-00 and # K71-359-00
  The difference is the length of the equalizers that come with the kit. The part # K71-449-00 comes with equalizers that are 7-3/4 inches from eye to eye whereas the part # K71-359-00 has equalizers that are 2 inches shorter at 5-3/4 inches.
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• Availability of 7-3/4 inch Equalizer Kit with 3-1/8 inch Long Shackles
  The lengths of the shackles that come with the equalizer kit part # K71-449-00 that you referenced are 2-7/8 inches measured from hole center to hole center. If yours are currently 3-1/8 inches this change would slightly lower the height of the trailer but it would still work. To match the shackle lengths and also be the thicker style you'd need the kit # MR76ZR with the # K71-655-00 which is cushioned. Or for just a standard equalizer and shackle kit you'd want the # e99ZR.
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• Compatibility of Dexter Heavy-Duty Suspension Kit with 2004 Forest River Wildcat 5th Wheel
  Thanks for the photo. You will not have any issue using the Dexter Heavy-Duty Suspension Kit for Tandem-Axle Trailers - 1-3/4" Wide Double-Eye Springs # K71-449-00 and moving the equalizer bolt down to the lower hole position. This will work very well on your trailer and will give you a better equalizer with the integrated grease zerk and the heavy-duty shackles with integrated grease zerks. The minor difference in equalizer height at that point will not be an issue for the shackle straps.
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• Do Trailer Shackle Bolts Require Splines to Prevent Wear from Occurring
  In general shackle bolts turning from use over time does not considerably wear out components. As long as the bolts are greased normally the movement from standard use would not cause them to wear out. The tension of the bolt and nut is loose enough to allow the movement to happen without much friction which also allows the material to not wear out quickly either.
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• Which Equalizer Upgrade Kit For 33 Inch Axle Spread Tandem Axle Trailer
  The Dexter equalizer's that you have on your trailer are 5 3/4 inches long. An upgrade equalizer kit that would work for your setup is the Equa-Flex Cushioned Equalizers - Double Eye Springs # LC279687. Since you mentioned that you are currently using 3 1/8 inch shackle's you will need the Lippert Components Tandem Axle Equa-Flex AP Kit - Wet Bolts - 3-1/8" Long Shackles # LC64FR which includes everything you need to complete the install. I included a video of the Equa-Flex Cushioned Equalizers...
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• Will the Dexter K71-449-00 Work With Trailers Up to or Over 16,000 pounds?
  I spoke with Dexter and there is actually no maximum axle capacity for the Heavy-Duty Suspension Kit for Tandem-Axle Trailers - 1-3/4" Wide Double-Eye Springs # K71-449-00. With that being said, there will be no issues using this with 16k , or higher, GVWR trailers. The important information needed for the # K71-449-00 will be the axle spacing, shackle length, and the equalizer dimensions. -Application: tandem-axle trailers with 1-3/4" double-eye springs -Axle spacing: 35" -Equalizer...
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• Recommended Brake Assemblies and Drums for Dexter P-11 model SLR SND 490400 Axle
  I reached out to my contact at Dexter and based on the information you gave, they said is it a spring axle with a 3500 lb capacity. Based on that, I recommend the Dexter Nev-R-Adjust Electric Trailer Brake Kit - 10" - Left and Right Hand Assemblies - 3.5K # 23-468-469 which comes with the backing plate and the 4 bolt mounting pattern. For your drum assemblies, I recommend the Dexter Trailer Hub and Drum Assembly for 3,500-lb E-Z Lube Axles - 10" Diameter - 5 on 4-1/2 # 84546UC3-EZ if...
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• How Tight Should Shackle Straps and Bolts Be Tightened On Trailer
  There is no specific torque rating for shackle bolts. Basically for the middle bolt there should be enough free play in the shackles to allow them to move. 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 and tighten them until they are snug and then backed off 1/4 turn. Lock nuts should be used because they...
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• Correct Dexter Heavy-Duty Suspension Kit for a 2010 Keystone Cougar 5th Wheel
  The correct Dexter Heavy-Duty Suspension Kit for a 2010 Keystone Cougar 5th Wheel is part # K71-449-00. That said, if you are looking for a true upgrade I recommend going with the Dexter E-Z Flex Suspension Kit part # K71-653-00 since the cushioned equalizers will do a far better job of helping to reduce road shock. These options are both designed for the 35" axle spread.
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• How To Choose the Correct Dexter Heavy-Duty Suspension Kit for Tandem-Axle Trailers
  I don't have any information as to what leaf springs are on any one particular trailer such as a 2007 Jayco Jay Flight 29BHS but if they are double eye leaf springs which are the most common then we should have a Dexter Heavy-Duty Suspension Kit for Tandem-Axle Trailers that will work. In order to choose the correct one you just need to make note of the equalizer dimensions; part # K71-449-00 for 7-3/4" long, part # K71-448-00 for 6" long, or part # K71-359-00 for 5-3/4" long.
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