1996 Fleetwood Wilderness Travel Trailer Components Needed for Suspension Replacement

Published 10/18/2019

Products Featured in This Question

Dexter Heavy-Duty Suspension Kit for Tandem-Axle Trailers - 1-3/4" Wide Double Eye Springs

(1107)

$224.14

3-Leaf Double-Eye Spring for 3,500-lb Trailer Axles - 23-1/8" Long

(2252)

$39.77

Question:

I need to replace the springs and shackles on my 1996 fleet wood wilderness 24’ TT. I’m wanting the heavy duty dexter shackle kit but, my axles are only 28” apart C-C. Do I need to move the shackles or is there a kit for my application? My intention is to replace all the components except the axles as they are worn and springs are sagging causing rapid tire wear. Thank you.

asked by: R. S

Expert Reply:

I have a solution for you, but the main issue at hand is going to be that none of the suspension kits that are available are going to work with axles spaced 28"- which it seems like you may already be aware of and prepared for. I think the best bet is going to be to cut off the hangers and relocate and axles to give you a different spacing; this is going to allow you to use the Heavy Duty components on this overhaul.

Since you will need to cut off your existing hangers and move them and the axles, I've attached a helpful article that covers how to relocate your trailer axles and how to determine where to place them to keep your trailer's tongue weight correctly balanced with the total weight of the trailer.

As for the parts you will need, all of these components are based off of the assumption that you have 3500-lb axles on your 1996 Fleetwood Wilderness travel trailer. You will need the 23-1/8" leaf springs # e59SR to replace your old springs and then you can use the Dexter Heavy-Duty Suspension Kit for Tandem-Axle Trailers # K71-359-00 to replace the equalizers, shackles and hangers.

If you've got different capacity axles, there will need to be some changes made on your springs, so please let me know if you have axles with a different capacity.

expert reply by: Erik B