Determining The Correct Replacement Suspension Components For A 2018 Keystone Fuzion Toy Hauler

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Question:

I have a 2018 Keystone Fuzion Toyhauler, 40foot, tandeum 7,000 pound axle. It runs 12,800 dry, and 17,000 Gross. Leafs measure 24 7/8 eye to eye, and it is 61 - 1/4 from front leaf bracket to rear bracket, I think this is the term wheelbase. Have broken a rear leaf mount, rewelded. Have broken the equalizer, replaced. Have broken a leaf, replaced. Now most of the nylon bushings are done, and need to replace all. We use the toy hauler to race off-road dirt bikes, and frequently long gravel roads with washboard, and...the public roads around where we live are terrible with huge potholes. Looking for recommendations without too much expense. Leafs look fine, but should I upgrade the capacity? is there such a thing as a 7,500 pound? I plan on the Moryde thicker shackles and wet bolts...but then the CRE3000, or or All Flex 400, or Dexter, or Road Armor, which and why? Thank you

asked by: Brian

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Equalizer
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Leaf Springs
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Leaf Spring
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Expert Reply:

Hey Brian,

Starting with the leaf springs, you can go up in capacity but you'd have to go with 8k leaf springs since there aren't 7,500lb options available. The Dexter # DX74XR would be the correct fit since you have a 24-7/8" eye-to-eye measurement.

For the equalizers I would definitely switch to something that has built in cushioning to help with ride quality and handle the extreme road shock you've been experiencing. I've seen bolts rub down through the equalizer from years of no maintenance but never an equalizer snapped off like you have. To find the correct replacement you'll need to measure the non-broken one like I have displayed in the diagram below.

Switching to wet bolts and upgraded shackles can definitely help but does require routine maintenance, otherwise the bushings will wear quickly and start allowing damage to the rest of the suspension. I've installed multiple Dexter and MORryde upgraded shackle kits and like both equally in terms of performance. To find the best bang for your buck I'd need to know the eyelet to eyelet measurement for your shackle straps. Once I have that measurement I can see which kit is going to be the most cost effective.

I really want to emphasize that routine maintenance is a requirement with wet bolts. Nylon bushings require no lube but wet bolts without lube will heat up and either weld themselves to the bushing or eat the bushing up.

Let me know what measurements you get and I'd be happy to find the rest of the components needed to upgrade your suspension.

expert reply by: Kevin C

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How to measure an equalizer
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How to measure shackle straps
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Brian

6/4/2024

Hey Kevin, Thank you for the quality reply. Couple comments and a question. I went with Moryde HD shackles, and Road Armor cushioned equalizer. I stayed with the OEM leafs for the time being as they inspected ok. Even though Road Armor wasn't the least expensive, I was happy when receiving that the thickness and construction of it looked solid. I passed on the Moryde cross braces, but as we've broken the welds once already on these mounts I see the value of supporting them more. Frankly, it's all just pathetic how poorly trailer suspension components are made from the factory, and especially with these brackets, it is not expensive or time consuming to do something better. Question: I hear you on keeping the wet bolts lubricated. How frequently? (maybe in terms of miles, and considering we do run some pretty rough gravel and paved roads) Thanks again, Brian

Reply

Kevin C.

6/4/2024

@Brian I worked on a brand new trailer that had less than 300 miles on it and the rear hanger weld was completely broken off and just floating around with the tension from being sandwiched between the trailer frame and suspension being the only thing keeping it there so I know exactly how you feel. Some manufacturers have started welding in braces to the hangers but they have them set in a way that it blocks you from installing certain aftermarket trailer suspension components so it's one step forward and two back. The standard is 12 months or 12,000 miles, but if you're off-roading or going down gravel roads frequently I'd cut that back to every 3-4,000 miles or 3 to 4 months because you'll be picking up a bunch of dust and debris that could damage the suspension. With these grease zerks you really only need to put in like a pump or two max with a grease gun to properly lubricate them. A lot of people pump and pump and dump a bunch in without realizing it's too much and it will just blow out of the bushings and fall off. Make sure that you're using some high-temp grease # L11380 when lubricating.

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Determining The Correct Replacement Suspension Components For A 2018 Keystone Fuzion Toy Hauler

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