Recommended Suspension And Brake Upgrade For 2019 Forest River Sabre 32DPT W/ Tandem 5200lb axles

Updated 12/30/2020 | Published 12/28/2020

Products Featured in This Question

Roadmaster Comfort Ride Shock Absorbers for Tandem Axle Trailers - 5,200-lb to 7,000-lb Axle

(186)

$725.00

Replacement Trailer Hub Bearing - 15123

(2099)

$11.46

Replacement Trailer Hub Bearing - 25580

(2099)

$21.83

Bearing Kit, 15123/ 25580 Bearings, 10-36 Seal

(3338)

$29.94

2-1/2" Lubed Dust Cap and Rubber Plug - 2.45" x 1.52" x 1.18" - Qty 1

(631)

$15.69

Hydrastar Electric Over Hydraulic Actuator for Disc Brakes - 1,600 psi

(234)

$887.95

Hydrastar Hydraulic Brake Line Kit - Tandem Axle - 25' Long, 3/16" Main Line

(36)

$271.07

Kodiak Ceramic Brake Pads - 3,500 lbs to 6,000 lbs

(271)

$53.94

Kodiak Disc Brake Caliper - Stainless Steel - 3,500 lbs to 6,000 lbs

(24)

$290.13

Kodiak 12" Hub-and-Rotor Assembly - 6 on 5-1/2 - Dacromet - 5,200 lbs to 6,000 lbs

(226)

$160.02

4" Carbon Fiber Digital Caliper

(26)

$12.14

Correct Track Trailer Alignment and Lift Kit - Tandem Axle

(52)

$493.86

Question:

I have a 2019 forest River Sabre 32dpt. it has a factory leaf suspension with 5200lbs axles. I just had an incident on a trip where a wheel bearing exploded and other wheel and hub sailed off to who knows where. With parts from a local rv shop I was able to fix it in a Home Depot parking lot. However, this got me thinking, I want a suspension upgrade. One thing, it already sits low in the rear and high in the front when towing due to my flex air hitch and airbags on my truck that I bought through etrailer so I would like 2 more inches in the suspension. I want all new quality leaf springs with wet bolts and heavier 8 lug 7 or 8000lbs axles. It has electric brakes but if that is an easy upgrade I’d like disc brakes. Is this whole package something you have? Am I in overkill mode? Thank you

asked by: D.j. M

Expert Reply:

I have another suggestion, but I don't think changing the axles wheels will have the added benefit you are looking for. Moving from 5200lb axles to 7000lb or 8000lb and heavier duty leaf springs will actually cause a rougher ride due to springs being stiffer than needed for the weight of your 2019 Forest River Sabre 32dpt. There is also not a kit to complete this change, and it will be pretty involved and costly. Going overkill on suspension usually leads to more negatives than positives, so keeping the weight rated axles and components that came with your trailer is the best idea.

Instead what I recommend is adding the Roadmaster Comfort Ride Shock Absorbers for Tandem Axle Trailers - 5,200-lb to 7,000-lb Axle # RM-2460 which will provide a much smoother ride for your trailer, and is a very popular option that our customers love due to the instant change in the ride quality of the trailer.

Since you mentioned replacing you leaf springs, if your current leaf springs are worn out I recommend replacing them with the same rated spring of 5200lbs, but you will need to know if the springs are double eye or slipper springs, and the length of the spring with the spring not holding the weight of the trailer. If you can prove this measurement I would be happy to recommend the correct replacement.

To add 2" to the height of your trailer you can use the Lippert Components Tandem Axle Lift Kit # RR23QX which will replace the existing hangers to give you 2-1/4" of lift.

Lastly it is possible to change your electric brakes to disc brakes, but it will require installing hydraulic disc brakes, hydraulic lines, a break away kit, and an electric over hydraulic brake actuator. Since you have 5200lb axles the only disc brake rotor we offer is the Kodiak 12" Hub-and-Rotor Assembly # KHR12D which uses inner bearing # 25580 and outer bearing # 15123. You will want to confirm that your spindle uses those bearings by pulling one hub and reading the numbers stamped on each bearing, or using digital calipers # PTW80157 to measure your spindle using the included diagram.

If your spindle uses the # 25580 and # 15123 bearing you will need 4 Bearing Kits # BK3-100, 4 grease caps # DC250L-DCRP, 4 Calipers # KDBC225S, and 2 brake pads # K225CP.

To complete the install I recommend the HydraStar Hydraulic Brake Line Kit # HS496-252, Hopkins Engager Push-To-Test Trailer Breakaway Kit # 20400 and for a electric over hydraulic disc brake actuator I recommend the HydraStar Electric Over Hydraulic Actuator for Disc Brakes # HBA16.

I included videos for all of the products mentioned for you to take a look at.