Replacing Our RV Suspension | RV Suspension Upgrade!

[@UPSmech5999]

Take it from a mechanic of 32 years and counting. 2 hand sergeries in i learned not to use my hand as a hammer. Great job!

[@JouppiOutdoors]

Thanks!

[@johnderbabian6198]

I've watched a bunch of these now to prep for my install. By far, your video is the best. Some notes from my install. 1. I replaced all my springs also. I was cautioned not to use larger springs as it could have a detrimental effect (not soft enough to flex). 2. I found that using a large craftsman screwdriver inserted into the bronze bushing to drive the bushing into the spring worked perfectly and did not deform the bushing. The plastic base of the screwdriver rests on the bushing and does not harm it. 3. As you did also, I found that if you hang the outboard spring end in the hanger first, it makes it much easier to then align the spring to the axle plate (spring leaf bolt in the center popped into the hole in the plate) plate and ubolts. It then makes it easier to align to the CRE3000. 4. I notice you put a backup wrench on the back of the wet bolt that attaches the shackle to the CRE3000. Those are pressed in and will not turn. 5. I used a paint pen on the head of the wet bolts to index the grease hole in the bolt. Makes it much easier to make sure it is indexed to 9 or 3 o'clock when you crawl under to check. 6. The old bolts are pressed into the hangers (as you said they have shoulders with splines). For me, a hammer didn't do much good. I ended up using an pneumatic hammer with the pointed tip and they literally flew out the back side of the spring! Thanks again for your video - well done!

[@JouppiOutdoors]

Thanks for sharing your experience!

[@richregan8911]

Thanks for posting your notes. I just received my spring kit for a tandem axle trailer. Your tip about installing the bronze bushings with a craftsman screwdriver worked great!!!

[@stevesingleton2148]

I've watched this video twice thanks for showing how it's done.

[@JouppiOutdoors]

You’re welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@marshalld.2825]

And with all that strengthening you need to beef up the hangers either weld the V. block in the hanger or wild the bar across the frame between the hangers

[@JouppiOutdoors]

Those hangers are definitely one of the weakest points on these 5th wheels!

[@zj9119]

Doing this same project this evening on our 2016 GD 30BH fifth wheel. I've already knocked those nylon bushings out using same size socket and a hammer. Thanks for posting this with the helpful tips.

[@JouppiOutdoors]

You’re welcome and hopefully it goes smoothly!

[@timothyculliver1993]

Great Job, I have changed out my leaf springs in the last few weeks. After talking with a couple people in my local town, one with 45-50 years experience in trailer repair and the other with 20 years in building trailers. Neither one like the bronze bushings, with the quality of springs today, they did not see any difference in length of time between repairs. Sad part was both lasted for about one to two years. This is something more RVer need to know. Keep up the great videos!

[@JouppiOutdoors]

Thank you, my last bushings were nylon…I hope these last a bit longer but we will see! Thanks for watching!

[@brianlisec2509]

I did mine last year without removing springs and what helped me a lot with realigning holes was a ratchet strap along with handy pry bars of coarse. Along with these upgrades I strongly suggest adding Sumo Springs and or shock absorbers for a real big difference. Anyway enjoyed your video thank you.

[@JouppiOutdoors]

I have Timbrens on the truck (like Sumo Springs) and they made a world of difference when towing…I can see where they would benefit the trailer suspension as well. Thanks for watching!

[@davidhake7032]

Outstanding video. It's not really tough but a bit time consuming when you don't have all the great shop equipment. A couple of things to note for anyone doing this. Be sure you don't get the shackles inverted by accident and every 200 miles or so be sure to recheck torque on the ubolts as they are designed to stretch and will get loose on you. I have found it takes about 4 checks before they no longer require torque check.......and always never overtorque.

[@scotz71]

Great job, thanks for all the install and align tips for the shackles and springs. I'm doing this next week when HD shackle kit arrives, and what you showed will save a lot of fit up time. Well done!

[@JouppiOutdoors]

You’re welcome, it’s not incredibly difficult…just a bit time consuming. Good luck with it and thanks for watching!

[@scotz71]

Changed my leaf springs out, went from 4 to 5 leafs. It was a job, and your video was a big help. How do you like the 6 leaf springs? Seems like 7000 lb springs on 5000 lb axles is overkill, but after I drove through ND and MT to Glacier NP, makes me wonder if I should have gone with 6 leaf option. Any advice on how 6 leaf is working for you compared to 5 leaf previous upgrade, compared to 4 leaf factory?

[@damonschlott]

I did the same upgrade less the springs about 4 years ago. I install my wet bolts with the grease zeros facing out for easier access

[@JouppiOutdoors]

Nice! Thanks for watching!

[@LuisPerez-vy6bz]

Good stuff Sir and thanks for sharing. Looks fairly straight forward, and well worth the time for a DIY project to knock out. 👍🏽

[@JouppiOutdoors]

Thanks! And thank you for watching!

[@brianbelliveau5551]

I have that equalizer on my trailer. It’s made a world of difference. Also put the sumo springs. It’s softened the ride a lot

[@JouppiOutdoors]

I could definitely tell a difference when towing! Thanks for sharing about the Sumo springs.

[@chrishostetter3610]

I have the same camper that you have. Installed a set of sumo Springs. They are amazing. I highly recommend you get yourself a set and install them you will not regret it.

[@JouppiOutdoors]

Thanks for the info, I will definitely look into it!

[@twk1956]

Hi Chris! I'm considering the SUMO Springs; can you elaborate as to how they actually improved your towing experience? TIA

[@jackmason7518]

Good Morning. Thank you I plane to install MoRRyde is summer. I will add two cross bars to help over all Thank you. Jack

[@JouppiOutdoors]

You’re welcome, thank you for watching!

[@tomahawksteak6672]

I basically did the same on my tandem sxs trailer. I blocked the frame behind the rear axle and used my tongue jack to get everything inline.

[@JouppiOutdoors]

Thanks for watching!

[@tsrvadventures3219]

I've done this 3 times on our Solitude. And once replacing the leaf springs. The more you do it the faster and more efficient you get. I always use a impact socket over the wet bolt head and grease zerk fitting and tap it into the frame hanger so the bolt head is flush with the hanger. then put the nut on and snug it. Trying to use the wet bolt nut to pull the knurled end of the bolt into the hanger you run the risk of stripping out the bolt threads or the nut. Just make sure the shoulder of the wet bolt sticks all the way through the hanger, and the bolt shoulder ends up flush or slightly sticking through the hanger on the opposite side. The wet bolt nut actually torques up against the bolt shoulder and not the frame hanger itself totally. This allows the the equalizer or leaf spring to rotate around the wet bolts and not be too tight to they can't rotate. With installing new overslung leaf springs, in other words the leaf spring is on top of the axle, as long as the bottom leaf spring tie bolt with shoulder fits snug in the axle perch hole, the leaf spring can not be adjusted forward or aft or right or left on the axle perch, and the leaf spring will align when you attach the frame hanger wet bolt and the shackles and nuts. That is if the axle perch hole is still in good shape and not elongated or damaged. If you get new leaf springs that fit sloppy in the axle perch locating hole they are bad cheap quality, they are using too small of tie bolts or not using a shoulder locator of the proper size on the tie bolt. Most leaf spring tie bolts are only grade 2 bolts. Leave the axle Ubolts just snug until you get the leaf spring attached to the new equalizer and the new wet bolt in the frame hanger. This ensures the leaf spring with be straight and align. Then final torque the Ubolt nuts. Recheck Ubolt torque after a few miles and retorque to spec. I have heard it said, The idea of putting the wet bolt grease zerk fitting on the inside of the frame is so if you have a tire blow, it won't be so easy to snap off the zerk fitting from flying rubber. Also if in the rare event that the wet bolt nut come off and the bolts falls out, or if the wet bolt breaks and falls out, you wont run over the bolt with the tire and possibly puncture the tire.

[@adolph289]

AWESOME JOB

[@JouppiOutdoors]

Thank you!

[@DreamingOutloudRVing]

Great job! This is a awesome upgrade. Let us know how it does traveling.

[@JouppiOutdoors]

Thank you! It tows GREAT! We have taken it from Florida to South Carolina and it definitely handles better on those rough roads. The bumps and expansion joints on the bridges feel far less harsh. Thanks for watching!

[@shawnmancebo1217]

Great job of getting done with what you have ! Take a good look at your wear pattern if your tires are wearing on the inside you have bent axles . It doesnt matter how loose your suspenion is the suspesion holds the weight and keeps the axle true to the trailer if it allows one side of the axle to fall behind the other side you will get scuffing marks weird patterns but it will be wear all the way across The geomertry between your axle and tire doesn't change with worn out loose suspesion unless you have extremely loose bad bearings or your axle is no longer true to factory spec. Which cause inner tire wear from the jonyce it takes hitting pot holes railroad track ect. And if you're loaded heavy something is going to give. Like a big hammer taking a swing something going to give! Now with that said over inflated underinflated will make clear wear patterns but will be across the tire on both sides or in the middle from using the trailer brakes I hope this helps Keep and eye on the wear you might find its time for a freash set of axles

[@JouppiOutdoors]

All great points! Thanks for sharing!

[@Mike-xo3fi]

Nice vide!! Thanks for

[@JouppiOutdoors]

You’re welcome!

[@KK-rb6ck]

Tighten the nuts or bolts of the suspension components only after lowering the vehicle or, alternatively, jacking up the axle to the loaded position. Otherwise, you will tighten the components at their extreme position.

[@JouppiOutdoors]

Thanks for watching!

[@darenaubiephotography8570]

Would it not be better to put the grease zirk heads to the wheel side so it is easier to grease in the future? Or does it have to be to the inside?

[@JouppiOutdoors]

Definitely considered that, however, it would be awkward and difficult to access them with the wheels on. So I went back to the inside.

[@darenaubiephotography8570]

@@JouppiOutdoors Makes sense. Thanks for the reply! Great video by the way.

[@jimgraham290]

That is an ambitious project for a camp site & picnic table. We'll done!

[@kathyparker8626]

Good job especially being your in the dirt. Is there any reason you have all the zerk fittings facing in instead of out?

[@JouppiOutdoors]

They would be difficult to access with the tires installed.

[@mathieulavoie424]

If your tire wear is uneven, the issue is not with the leaf spring but with the axle that is too small. I did put bronze bushing on my rig also and they wear out as fast as the nylon bushing.

[@JouppiOutdoors]

Worn bushings could definitely lead to uneven tire wear as well. Thanks for watching!

[@rodgraff1782]

The bronze bushings do not wear out sooner than this thin chicken shit nylon tubes. I’ve proved it. No way, unless you didn’t lubricate them properly.

[@nathanboiros9223]

Adding the beefy springs, dis you notice a trailer height difference? Anything notable? Also, the tire that was wearing... any wear on the replacement tires after the suspension upgrade?

[@JouppiOutdoors]

There is a slight increase in trailer height but less than 1” so not really significant. No sign of any abnormal tire wear so far and we have put a lot of miles on it!

[@nathanboiros9223]

@JouppiOutdoors that's great to hear. I have this same trailer, 2020 but same version as yours with the dual passenger rear doors and big bunks. I'll be doing this same work over the next month. I'm gathering the tools and parts now to get organized. Your videos are invaluable resources to me. Going to grease the wheel bearing too while the wheels are off (my first time). Your bearing video will help me too. Appreciate you posting links! Because of you I purchased an impact gun. 🤣

[@nathanboiros9223]

Not trying to be a PIA but you gave some conflicting information that I was hoping you could clarify. At minute 16:25 you pointed to the center bolt on the equalizer and said you torqued it to 65 ft. Lbs. Then at minute 20:18, you pointed to the same bolt and torqued it to 50 ft lbs. Just curious which is the correct torque lbs for the center bolt on the equalizer. Thank you and thanks for giving me the confidence to do this job mysel.

[@JouppiOutdoors]

Good catch on that! The center bolt on the equalizer is indeed 65 ft lbs. The shackle bolts were torqued to 50 ft lbs. Not sure why I pointed to the equalizer…probably about to have a heat stroke doing this job in the Florida sun! Thanks for watching!

[@nathanboiros9223]

@JouppiOutdoors that's what I figured but wanted to make sure. Appreciate everything you do!

[@markratliff7991]

Curious why the wet bolts do not go in with the grease fittings facing to the outside so they are more accessible?

[@JouppiOutdoors]

I actually considered installing them like that but decided to go with the way they were done at the factory. The fittings on the equalizer would be difficult to get a grease gun on with the tire installed.

[@TraconWizard]

What he said. My Jayco came w/ CRE 3000 installed facing out. 2 person job to grease but doable.

[@twk1956]

When selecting your upgraded equalizer, did you give any consideration to the Lippert Road Armor equalizer? I'm torn between the two.

[@JouppiOutdoors]

I didn’t really look at anything else. I went based on the reviews from users of the MORRyde system which were great.

[@jaguar3552]

How did you determine that it was a bad bushing and not a bent axle? I have one rear tire on my trailer and I already have a MORRyde CRE3000 equalizer with wet bolts. I'm trying to determine if I need to order a new axle or replace the suspension equalizer. Were you able to tell without taking the suspension components apart? I've lifted the trailer up off both wheels on that side and everything feels solid.

[@JouppiOutdoors]

It was obvious on mine because the axle was moving and I could see the play in the bushing.

[@DennisWintjes2]

Thanks for sharing! Subscribed! Like #326 :) How long did this take? I will be doing this soon on my Arctic Wolf 295QSL8.

[@JouppiOutdoors]

It took about 5 hours including repacking the bearings. Thanks for watching!

[@starhopper457]

I may have missed it but how did you check and work the alignment of the axles?

[@JouppiOutdoors]

Everything bolts back in place in the same location so I just got a rough measurement center to center on the hubs and the measurements were the same on the left and right side

[@lukman8400]

Thanks! It is a complex job, especially lining things up. How do you ensure that the axle is perpendicular to the spring leaves, i.e. 90 degrees? Slight misalignment can make the wheel go slightly right or left. Thanks!

[@JouppiOutdoors]

The leaf springs have an alignment pin that sits in a hole on the axle spring perch. As long as the pin is in the hole, you’re all lined up!

[@stevebeaulieu2617]

Nice video, did you find it hard to take out the leaf spring by just lifting the axle? I mean because you didn't lift the frame first.

[@JouppiOutdoors]

I lifted the frame with the leveling jacks to the point where the tires were barely touching the ground. That removed the weight from the axle so I could use the floor jack to raise and lower it.

[@campnut6076]

I am going to do this job in the spring. Were you able to stay with the original length of the shackles or get the longer ones? I wouldn't mind gaining a little more ride height, I'm hoping to stay with my original length 2 1/8" shackles.

[@JouppiOutdoors]

I used the original length shackles. Thanks for watching!

[@craiggorum5259]

How that you removed the Axles while installing the new equipment what about the alignment of the Axles? Wheels should be in straight alignment for traveling down the road to keep from having uneven tire wear or possible tire blow out. Did you take your rig to a shop for alignment or do it yourself?

[@JouppiOutdoors]

There are pins on the leaf springs that sit in alignment holes located on the axle spring seat. There is no adjustment for alignment, with all new parts everything should be in alignment. If you are still having tire wear issues after replacing all of the components, I would recommend definitely taking it to a shop so they can make the necessary axle adjustments or check for a bent axle.

[@28doogie]

Just installed the CRE3000 on my Jayco. thanks for the video, helped out alot. Question: How much play should there be with the equalizer when all installed? I tightened to the correct specs, but the equalizer seems to be pretty stiff with little to no play. Just curious about yours or anyones thoughts. Thanks!

[@JouppiOutdoors]

Mine was pretty firm as well. Just made sure it wasn’t binding and it’s been good to go so far. Thanks for watching!

[@starhopper457]

A followup if I may... I note these are four leaf springs you are replacing. What did you upgrade and if I may, what is the GVWR of the trailer? I'm working numbers for our trailer and I lean to 7K springs even though the trailer is 11.6K GVWR. A kind gent at eTrailer is suggesting 6k springs but I feel that is at the limit of the springs.

[@JouppiOutdoors]

I went from 4 leaf 3,000lb springs to a 6 leaf 3,500lb spring. The GVWR of our 5th wheel is right at 11,000lbs and our last scale weight was 9,950. It seems like overkill, but towing as much as we do over some really terrible roads has taught us that a beefed up suspension system is better!

[@nunaya4163]

Why would you put the grease fittings in the back?

[@JouppiOutdoors]

I get that question a lot. With the tires installed, the fittings would be awkward to access.

[@nunaya4163]

@@JouppiOutdoors After looking at my tires I see what you are talking about Thanks

[@JouppiOutdoors]

You’re welcome!

[@thethiefonthecross9092]

What kind of leaf springs are these and how much did they cost?

[@JouppiOutdoors]

There is a link in the description to all of the parts I used in this project. Thanks for watching!

[@nathanurick8320]

Thank you partner for the video, I have a 2013 solitude and want to do this. I noticed your springs were made in China, do you think it’s a good product or is there a USA made leaf that I can buy.

[@JouppiOutdoors]

I haven’t had any issues, seems like a good product. Thanks for watching!

[@eddielester3891]

What was the total cost for this set up ? I’m looking at a Roadmaster kit and it’s 1800 for entire kit with shock absorbers ? Just trying to make best choice for us . Thx and enjoyed the video

[@JouppiOutdoors]

I’ve got links in the description to all of the parts. I believe we were at about $750 for everything. Thanks for watching!

[@ZonaJim]

PLEASE. Put the majority of the weight of the trailer on Jack stands and only used the levelers as stabilizers. I've worked on these rigs for years and I've seen those levelers bend if there is lateral force applied and the RV is not supported with jack stands or the tires. In addition, stack two tires on their side under the back of the RV. If the RV does fall, this will be your last line of defense from getting crushed to death.

[@JouppiOutdoors]

Great points! Thank you for sharing, I will be more mindful of this in the future!

[@carlosandrade7439]

By any chance, do you require the generator running or being hooked up to power to run the tv? We have that issue on our 22' Momentun 23G and it's irritating. Would like to figure out how to use the TV on my battery instead just like the audio system.

[@JouppiOutdoors]

Yes, the TV is 110v AC power. You would need the generator or shore power plugged in to power it. The audio system runs of the 12v DC power from your batteries. I have a video on how we installed an inverter to power our 110v accessories that may be helpful to check out!

[@trapper4676]

why didn't you install so the grease fittings were oil the outside? Make is easier to grease the bolts.

[@JouppiOutdoors]

With the tires on, it wouldn’t be significantly easier to access.

[@larryjanson4011]

you have been lucky as trailer levelers are NOT jack stand rated.

[@JouppiOutdoors]

I am aware, thanks for watching!

[@marshalld.2825]

7-2-2023What about adding shock absorbers! You wouldn’t drive your car without shock absorbers! It’s a sorry state of affairs at the end the street doesn’t realize what a trailer saver they are. Both users and manufacturers.

[@JouppiOutdoors]

Shock absorbers are definitely beneficial. Thanks for for watching!