Should I Use 2-1/4 or 3-1/8 Shackles with the Road Armor Shock Absorbing Equalizer Kit

Question

Question:

I would like to install Road Armors on my, but am wondering about the correct length of shackle. Currently my trailer has 2 1/4” shackles connecting the leaf springs to the equalizer. I will be upgrading the bolts and shackles to wet bolts with HD shackles,, but do I need to get 3 1/8” shackles instead?

asked by: Scott K

0

Expert Reply:

The Road Armor Shock Absorbing Equalizer Kit part # LC696740 are taller than most other standard equalizers so you'll likely need the longer 3-1/8" shackle straps when using them, the Lippert AP Kit part # LC52SV is a go-to for this as it has heavy duty shackles and wet bolts.

expert reply by: Conner L

0

Timothy

3/3/2024

I am putting road armor on and I have 2 1/4 shackles. My springs are 29 1/2 inches I got them on but not sure if it’s right Lippert says if 29 1/2 use 2 1/4 do I need to change them?

Reply

Mike L.

3/5/2024

@Timothy Because the # LC696740 Road Armor is taller than the equalizer it would typically replace, a longer shackle would be called for, such as the 3-1/8 inch shackles included with the # LC52SV wet bolt/shackle kit.

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Answer 1

The easiest way to determine the correct replacement parts for your trailer's suspension is by simply measuring its existing components. Looking at one of your current equalizers, you will want to measure from the center of the front hole to the…

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Answer 2

Trailer manufacturers don't usually keep a record of parts like these that they install at the factory, so I cannot be sure as to the exact length of the shackle strap that would have come originally on your trailer. With this in mind, a 3-1/8…

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Answer 3

Well shackle length is mainly based on the height difference between the front and rear hangers. The rear hanger normally doesn't hang as low as the front so that the shackle can offset the difference and add the ability to move. What is the…

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Answer 4

The shackle strap length is measured from the center of one bolt hole to the center of the other. The Dexter Heavy Duty Suspension Upgrade Kit for Single Axle Trailers - Double Eye Springs #K71-358-00 uses 3-1/8" long shackles which are found on…

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Answer 5

Lippert has been transitioning from the old school yellow paint to the new blue pain on the Road Armor Equalizers #LC696740 so you'll be getting blue. With that said color doesn't matter, and instead you need to worry about using the right…

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Answer 6

For the Road Armor Equalizers #LC696740 you're going to install on your trailer, you don't have to install the premium MORryde Wet Bolt Kit #MR76ZR you were looking at if you don't want to spend that much, you could go with the Lippert…

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Answer 7

You can use leaf springs that are rated higher than the axle without any issues as long as they measure the correct measurement for your trailer. For example the 6-leaf double eye spring for 7,000 lb axles part #e64SR measures 24-7/8" eye to…

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Answer 8

You can use standard bolts or wet bolts when installing the Road Armor Shock Absorbing Equalizer Kit, like part #LC696740. Standard bolts require you to remove them while wet bolts allow you to pump grease through them. The Road Armor kit comes with…

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Answer 9

When replacing shackle straps they should be the same length as the ones that were previously on your tandem axle trailer (if possible); replacing them with longer straps will result in additional play in your trailer suspension which could lead to…

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Answer 10

I understand your worry Tom, and I have a couple recommendations. First is the MORryde ALLTREK 4000 Shock Absorbing Equalizers #MR89DR which has a height of 4-1/2" for the mounting bolts. This is also 6-1/2" in width like the shorter…

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Answer 11

Hi Mike, With the height of your equalizer increasing an inch you might need to switch to 3-1/8" shackle straps #TRSL313 to keep the leaf spring stack level but this isn't an exact science so your leaf springs could end up sitting too close…

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Answer 12

You are indeed right to think this way. When picking out the appropriate leaf springs for your custom built trailer you will want to choose them based on what the actual loaded weight of the trailer will be. Just make sure that the leaf springs have…

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Should I Use 2-1/4 or 3-1/8 Shackles with the Road Armor Shock Absorbing Equalizer Kit

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