Replacement Equalizers, Wet Bolts, and Leaf Springs for a '21 BigFoot Tandem Axle Travel Trailer  

Question:

Expert Reply:

Welcome back Nick! To replace your equalizers, leaf springs, and shackle straps, I recommend the MORryde ALLTREK 4000 item # MR89DR, our 23-1/8" Long 3-Leaf Double-Eye Spring for 3,500-lb Trailer Axles item # e59SR, and the MORryde Suspension Upgrade Kit item # MR46ZR.

The MORryde ALLTREK 4000 Equalizers item # MR89DR are going to be the best option to match your current ones. It's 1/2" taller so you may notice the slightest increase in ride height. You definitely don't want to go with a shorter one like item # LC53CK because that's when you run into issues with contacting other components. They use a rubber shear spring design to absorb vibrations and bumps.

The 23-1/8" Long 3-Leaf Double-Eye Spring item # e59SR is the closest option I have available for a 23" eye to eye spring. They are sold individually. It's 3-1/2" tall and is designed for a 3,500 lbs axle. If your leaf springs were measured with the weight on them then, I recommend jacking up one side of your trailer. Leaf springs like to stretch out over years of use so measuring them unloaded is the most accurate way to determine the correct size replacement.

The MORryde Suspension Upgrade Kit item # MR46ZR comes with 2-1/4" shackle straps. These are the closet options available to replace your 2" long ones. This kit also includes greaseable wet bolts, which are the best ones on the market. They have grease zerks built in for easy maintenance and longevity. The included bronze bushings will last longer than your new leaf springs so long as you keep them lubricated.

What kind of trailer do you have and do you do any boondocking or just stick to paved and access roads? Feel free to answer this and throw in any other questions you have, where it says Add Comment.

expert reply by: Jerred H

0

MR89DR
(click to enlarge)

Nick G.

8/11/2026

I appreciate the thorough response. I saw your message after picking up the following new springs and side plates from my local shop to match what had been on there: - US1054 UNA188 springs (5 leaf, 1625 lb, 23 3/4" eye to eye) - 2" side plates Would the MORryde kit work with these springs, and if so would it require new side plates? The trailer is a 21' Bigfoot. I will do some boondocking, and am also considering taller mounts, or a spring over configuration, along with shocks if clearance becomes a limiting factor. I am wary of anything too exteme, and prioritize minimizing shock and stress on the fiberglass shell.

Michael I.

8/12/2026

@NickG I have installed the MORyde Equalizers on my 2024 Forest River 33.5' travel trailer a few months ago and let me tell you the difference that a bit of shock absorption does with the ride and tracking of the trailer, it is almost a night and day difference in my opinion. The OEM equalizer that came with the trailer was just a hunk of steel with plastic bushings, and the bushings were all busted up when I removed them. The MORyde equalizer comes preinstalled with brass bushings which is a lot more reliable and durable then the plastic/vinal ones. I also removed the plastic bushings from the spring eyes and replaced it with brass ones as well; I also replaced all the leaf spring and equalizer hardware with wet bolts so the bushings can be greased giving you more life out of them and better performance and silences all of the towing squeaks. This setup really shores up the suspension system gives it a better ride, less stress on your chassis because the chassis is not absorbing 100% of the road shock anymore, also easier on the interior of the trailer. I am not sure why trailer manufactures are not doing this at the factory as standard equipment. If you put a lot of miles on your trailer like I do, I highly recommend that you do this, your trailer will thank you.

Jerred H.

8/13/2026

@NickG The MORryde Suspension Upgrade Kit item # MR46ZR does indeed work with the UNA188 leaf springs you picked up. If by 2" side plates you mean shackle straps, I still recommend picking up this kit. The MORryde item # MR46ZR comes with 2-1/4" shackle straps but it's going to be quite a bit less expensive to buy the entire kit then purchase the bolts you need separately. You'll need two sets of the Lippert Trailer Suspension Wet Shoulder Bolt item # LC56RP and six of the Replacement Wet Shoulder Bolt item # MR52HR. The MORryde item # MR46ZR also includes bronze bushings which I strongly recommend installing inside your UNA188 leaf springs over the standard ones currently in them. To relocate your 21' Bigfoot's 3,500 lbs axles to mount below your leaf springs, you'll need two of the Over-Under Conversion Kit item # K71-384-00. The Lippert Bolt-On Shock Kit w/ Heavy Duty Gas Shocks item # LC281255 would be the best way to add shocks to your trailer once you relocate the axles below the leaf springs.