V-clip welds and suspension question marks

ajg617

ajg617

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Dropped RV at a Lippert Authorized Repair facility today to get the front V-clip welds repaired. They were less worried about that than three things noticed on initial preliminary frame inspection. It appears that the middle hanger on the door side that the equalizer is bolted to is not centered between the wheels (and that was the side I had major failure on). He also noticed that the left rear wheel extended further out than the left front without an imbalance on the other side. And he was critical of one of the GD repaired hangers (and I know the GD repair tech was not happy with one he welded on so cut it off and welded a second on in its place).

This whole thing is scaring me a bit - like in a big bill for repairs coming. 2-3 weeks before he can get it in the shop and make the measurements that Lippert wants done. No trips likely this year. Sigh....kind of frustrating after just returning from a factory repair visit at GD.
 
Speaking from personal experience, sometimes it's better to wipe the slate clean and start over... Was not what I wanted for what was a practically new coach at the time, but I then had opportunity to improve what was there. CRE3000 to replace the Equaflex junk, heavy-duty shackles, wet bolts at all pivots, cross-members between hanger sets, boxed hangers, Roadmaster shock setup, and then disc brake conversion... I have a set of custom springs that will go on after I re-deck the basement.
 
Well, I carry the spares and already have the CRE3000 and heavy duty shackles, new springs, new wet bolts. But reluctant to add anything while still under warranty. Worse, if there is something fundamentally not installed correctly (like the CRE3000 hanger from LCI), not much I can do unless they correct that issue. The tech today said that fundamentally the 8K suspension and H rated tires are too stiff for the light weight of this model and should not have been offered as an option. Not sure I agree with that, but wouldn't be the first person that I've heard that from.
 
ajg617 I give you a lot credit, for what you have been through with this trailer you have been more then patient and understanding. Hope your back on the road soon. As for the 8k suspension being to heavy he might be right, the suspension is designed to absorb the road bump and carry the weight of the unit if it is to heavy the whole unit take the abuse and thing can break.
 
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ajg617 said:
Well, I carry the spares and already have the CRE3000 and heavy duty shackles, new springs, new wet bolts. But reluctant to add anything while still under warranty. Worse, if there is something fundamentally not installed correctly (like the CRE3000 hanger from LCI), not much I can do unless they correct that issue. The tech today said that fundamentally the 8K suspension and H rated tires are too stiff for the light weight of this model and should not have been offered as an option. Not sure I agree with that, but wouldn't be the first person that I've heard that from.
Click to expand...

Not so much the axle because if you get into the weeds there's not a lot of difference in the axle behavior between a Dexter 7K and 8K. It's more about the spring differences. This is why I installed actual shock absorbers.

Look at practically any other brand running 8K axles and the very important difference on their frames at the running gear. There's a reason for it, it can be shown by engineer's calculation or computer modeling, and doesn't take much additional steel to really remedy.
 
ajg617 said:
The tech today said that fundamentally the 8K suspension and H rated tires are too stiff for the light weight of this model and should not have been offered as an option. Not sure I agree with that, but wouldn't be the first person that I've heard that from.
Click to expand...

I'm going to guess that someone higher up than him at Lippert thinks its OK, since that is standard on all Solitudes now, not an option.
 
huntr70 said:
Yep....all of them.

"8K Axle w/ ABS Drum Brakes (Standard Unless Disc Brake Option is Chosen)"
Click to expand...

I guess I'm a little surprised. Almost makes me feel better:) Build on their website and they still show both 7K and 8K drums at no cost as options for axles. Curious.
 
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ajg617 said:
Dropped RV at a Lippert Authorized Repair facility today to get the front V-clip welds repaired. They were less worried about that than three things noticed on initial preliminary frame inspection. It appears that the middle hanger on the door side that the equalizer is bolted to is not centered between the wheels (and that was the side I had major failure on). He also noticed that the left rear wheel extended further out than the left front without an imbalance on the other side. And he was critical of one of the GD repaired hangers (and I know the GD repair tech was not happy with one he welded on so cut it off and welded a second on in its place).

This whole thing is scaring me a bit - like in a big bill for repairs coming. 2-3 weeks before he can get it in the shop and make the measurements that Lippert wants done. No trips likely this year. Sigh....kind of frustrating after just returning from a factory repair visit at GD.
Click to expand...

Speaking of V clips, I wonder how many people just installed moryde x cross members and skipped doing v clips? That is what I have on mine but am wondering if I should do both. The angle of degree for v clips would have to be less as the cross members bolt up to the hangers with a fastening bar on the inside
Mine is a 2019 303 rls. Hangers look good. 6k axles, new springs ,wet bolt shackles with a cre 3000 equalizer and diskbrakes are also part of the upgrade. 5 years of 2600 mile round trips to AZ and back has resulted in no mishaps so far.
 
deerislandbrew said:
Speaking of V clips, I wonder how many people just installed moryde x cross members and skipped doing v clips? That is what I have on mine but am wondering if I should do both. The angle of degree for v clips would have to be less as the cross members bolt up to the hangers with a fastening bar on the inside
Mine is a 2019 303 rls. Hangers look good. 6k axles, new springs ,wet bolt shackles with a cre 3000 equalizer and diskbrakes are also part of the upgrade. 5 years of 2600 mile round trips to AZ and back has resulted in no mishaps so far.
Click to expand...

Mine came with V-clips. Hadn't thought about cross members. But springs, rear hangers, wet bolts, shackles were replaced while we were stuck at GNP. Had about 14-15K on the trailer when the right rear wet bolt departed. The GD kit that arrived had six springs. Wonder if that was a hint.....
 
This looks as good as any thread to ask my question. I was under my 2020 31MB and noticed driver side rear spring worse than flat. It actually went below the top of the axel on each side of the axel. They are 5200lb axels. I was thinking about replacing the springs with the Roadster RM-2460-2570 slipper springs and shock system. The U-bolts in the 5000lb kit
are too narrow for the 3”axles. Would the camper ride too rough with above kit for up to 7000lb axels? Would the x-factor cross braces help? Also, my driver side rear tire had a big flat spot and sloped a lot from center out tire to outer edge. New tiers all the way around. Thanks for any thoughts and advice.
 
Lloydrb said:
This looks as good as any thread to ask my question. I was under my 2020 31MB and noticed driver side rear spring worse than flat. It actually went below the top of the axel on each side of the axel. They are 5200lb axels. I was thinking about replacing the springs with the Roadster RM-2460-2570 slipper springs and shock system. The U-bolts in the 5000lb kit
are too narrow for the 3”axles. Would the camper ride too rough with above kit for up to 7000lb axels? Would the x-factor cross braces help? Also, my driver side rear tire had a big flat spot and sloped a lot from center out tire to outer edge. New tiers all the way around. Thanks for any thoughts and advice.
Click to expand...
How much weight is actually on the axles?
 
Personally, I would talk to the people at Roadmaster and get their input. 7,000 lb. springs would be a lot of capacity for around 5,000 lbs. But the folks at Roadmaster should be able to give you some advice.
 
Hoopy Frood said:
Personally, I would talk to the people at Roadmaster and get their input. 7,000 lb. springs would be a lot of capacity for around 5,000 lbs. But the folks at Roadmaster should be able to give you some advice.
Click to expand...

Excellent idea. I’ll do that. Thank you!
 
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