Explaining why I did this the way I did! RV Suspension Upgrade!

[@davecamilleri9411]

I also recommend replacing all of the bushings with bronze bushings and wet bolts. When I first got my 2018 Solitude 310GK the fixed end of the leaf springs didn't have wet bolts. I upgraded immediately to the Morryde heavy duty shackle kit and inspected everything. The fixed ends of the springs had bronze bushings, but they were dry and they were also almost worn through with less than 1000 miles, 500 miles to the dealer from the factory and 500 miles from the dealer to my house when I checked for greasy brakes since they didn't seem to work at all. They were covered in grease! I have a different perspective in regards to wear of the bolts. The bolts should not wear or elongate the spring hangers. If that happens it is due to pounding and probably a failed bushing. The reason the thin spring shackles elongate and even tear through is because the metal is so thin that it stretches from all of the pounding, hence the reason the heavy duty 1/2 inch thick shackles are so great, I have never seen any wear in them. I have also never had any wear in the front or rear spring hangers in the hanger holes. I also grease my wet bolts on every trip and I have had good luck with them lasting a long time. I am on my 3rd set of leaf springs, just installed last week and my equalizers, same lipperts that you installed are still in great shape, no measurable wear on the bronze bushings and my spring bushings were doing well also but the springs had gone flat so I replaced the 3500 lb springs with 4000 lb springs.

[@billatchison6945]

I have a 2019 310gk and had the same experience with the spring end. Highly recommend using wet bolts with bronze bushings at every connection. Thanks for your helps.

[@paulschwarz1904]

Your depth of knowledge blows my mind. 🤯

[@forget-me-notlawncare9821]

Great demonstration, and explanation of why this is a necessary upgrade. Thanks JD!

[@jimgreish9190]

Thanks for explaining. I thought maybe you did put them there but maybe you didn’t record it. We have a 2022, 22’ Imagine XLS, similar layout and GVW. After watching all your product reviews, I am going with the same setup. I made my decision before I knew the results of your survey video. Great minds think alike. 😀

[@markbergthold6181]

I installed RoadArmor’s suspension unit, used wetbolts all the way around (plastic bushings were already shot after 200 miles), an X-brace between the 2 center points, & upgraded the tires from 205s to 225s. Tows so much smoother!

[@KhmerBoy82297]

I recommend replacing ALL with bronze bushings. my TT is a 2019 with probably a little more than a few thousand miles and im surprised that it was starting to wear through ALL of the nylon bushings. not enough to elongate the springs but good thing i watch your previous videos on saying this is a great upgrade. did the cre3000 with ALL brass bushings and wet bolt. i will never look back at the factory stuff. great upgrade, thanks!

[@vdubing01]

I have this on my 37' 10k lbs travel trailer. It ride great, nothing ever falls or gets broken inside. We travel with real dishes. No issues

[@robertnasser9937]

I recommend that you put a support from where the frame is connected to the spring hanger

[@chrismonahan2715]

Thank you for the information. I wish I could do a suspension upgrade like that. I have a wide track set-up, and seem to remember you saying it can not be on the wide tracks.

[@WadeHarris-v3f]

Equa-Flex actually does make a wide wheelbase model, as does MORyde. I have a 42" wheelbase (14.75" equalizer) and like the Road Armor but don't think they nor Dexter offer a wide option. I like the action of the EF, but reviews seem to indicate the long body of the 14.75" version is susceptible to bending and binding from factory overtightened pivot bolts. So I'm leaning toward the MORyde CRE2-1475. Plus the shackle upgrade too, if course.

[@brianvanoni7229]

I’m looking at road armor slipper springs for smoothing the ride on my #15,000 5th wheel. Fewer moving parts, more compliant suspension. Less chance of failure 😊

[@charlesklaus6290]

Another great video! Thanks! My question is why do so few manufacturers put actual shock absorbers on their trailers? I am a big believer in shocks on any trailer.

[@LukeEdward]

I often wonder if there would be benefit with a panhard bar on one, or both, of the axles.

[@waltfriedrich7631]

Interesting....that is a new design for the rear spring hanger giving about double the weld surface as compared to the older ones

[@mwierowski]

How does the equa-flex compare to the road armor? I see they offer different version based on weight of the trailer. I would be interested to see how the performance compares to road armor in the 6k to 8k range.

[@shotgun3363]

When applying the torque wrench to a nut, you are stretching the bolt to specifications. In your example there basically is no bolt to stretch. This doesn’t mean that I wouldn’t tighten the hell out on that nut and if enough thread remained, I’d jam nut it as well.

[@stevenfoster5737]

I was also curious if you replaced the outside bolts. Thanks for the answer

[@jroot1680]

I'm trying to decide which upgrade I want for my trailer. Are you going to release a video soon so that we can see it works after a few thousand miles.

[@truckerlarry7345]

If the bolt holes elongate, that means your bolts are loose. If that not tightens up on that shouldered bolt it does not secure the spring shackle leaving it loose allowing it to move so the nut does not contact the shoulder on the bolt it’s supposed to contact the spring shackle and then the bolt holds it tight so they can’t move in the hole like the neural side. Loose bolts cause the where not the weight of the trailer. The only thing that should move on the spring shackles is the bolt in the bushing. bottoming the nut on the shoulder of the Bolt leaves the bowl loose in the shackle which causes where. If that’s how these are designed from the suspension manufacture they’re wrong.If you’d like to have a conversation ask me how I know these things. Over 6,000,000 miles of road experience will teach you a lot

[@waltfriedrich7631]

question....were the nylon bushings tight and did you have to press or drive the bronze ones into the springs? I am replacing the springs on my 2018 Surveyor as one side is flat. I'm going 300lbs higher capacity on the new springs. When I recd them I could push the nylon bushings out with my index finger and the bronze were sloppy. I have returned them for replacements as I have never seen this before.

[@rebahoward4541]

Question, I want to upgrade my suspension on my travel trailer, I have watched all of your videos on equalizers, shackle straps, etc. I dont see these between my tires on my trailer. I have a Rockwood Mini 2508, am I just not seeing them or is there a different system on this model? All of your videos show this between the tires, it’s visible, mine is not. I want to upgrade but not sure what I need to do. Thanks for your help, love your channel, been watching a long time!!

[@Okydowky]

I realize its to late for this recommendation! But for next time when installing wet bolts make sure the small hole on the wet bolt is pointing down. Reason for this is to keep moisture and wear debris from clogging that hole. Over time wet bolts can be tough to grease.

[@kaivonmortazavi8656]

Im wondering if you have used your trailer and what is your thoughts on the EquaFlex vs. going with something like a Road Armor setup???

[@rogerjohnston9545]

I have your set up on our Jayco Ragle and am considering adding to it. Would Sumo Springs add an appreciable amount of suspension assistance or would it only be slight? Thanks

[@Trucker2001]

Always balance your trailer tires. 😉

[@edwinshaver2666]

Great video. I liked see the movinh road action. Was it 40 inch lbs or 40 ft. Lbs?

[@pasichnyk]

Two years ago you made a video about upgrading your old trailer to the road armor equalizer. This one is a new model. How does it compare?

[@BTBRVReviews]

For a smaller, lighter trailer, this is a great solution. The Road Armor requires a wider stance.

[@roybrochu5409]

Did you torque the lug nuts on the tires?

[@BTBRVReviews]

Yes I always do. I didn't right after installing this equipment because I had to leave. The next day all was torqued. Sometimes when filming and planning what to say it's easy to not focus on a step.

[@pjs911dispatch]

Etrailer torques in their install video

[@keithpfrang2114]

The primary reason for torquing any bolt has more to do with not stressing the threads. Not so much to regulate the clamping pressure of the bolt.

[@WesStewart1970]

Torque specs for bolts are to regulate clamping force. If the only concern was thread stress then there are much better ways to ensure the threads aren’t going to fail (vibration proof fasteners, loctite and similar compounds, etc). That said, in this application it looks like the torque isn’t critical as long as you’ve made sure the nut is firmly seated against the shoulder

[@alh9338]

You don't see people or rv shops using tq wrenches because most know campers are thrown together. The idea is who cares because no one else cares and they are going to fall apart anyway. Rather poor attitude industry wide with a few exceptions like Nash or Lance. If others would give just a little s the rest of the rig would have proper attention paid to it..