Opinion: Toy Hauler (Carbon 327) suspension sag?

dcg9381 · 08-02-2015, 04:22 PM

We just completed our first long trip with the Carbon and it did pretty well, minus some minor issues. However, it's apparent even after balancing the tires that everything on the inside takes a pretty good beating on the highway..

One thing I was concerned about was the lack of clearance between the top of the tire and the "deck" of the trailer. In particular, our left rear tire had about 2" of clearance before it would impact the deck. That's not a lot of suspension flex.

Someone will point out that this is very likely load related and that's what I thought too. The Carbon is somewhat disadvantaged on the left rear, as that's where the factory fuel tank sits.. And you can easily load that thing with almost 500 lbs of fuel.

So on the way back, I shifted the moderate load in the garage (single 4 wheeler and a few odds and ends) over to the right hand side. I also got the rig weighed on a CAT scale.

Our trailer axle weight was 11k lbs combined. I didn't manage to get individual axle weight, but that's 3k less than gross... I also had the trailer measured for "level" - it sits within .5 degree of being perfectly flat when being towed (and loaded).

Looking at the rear springs, we've got slightly less than 2" of clearance - that's total "up" suspension travel before the springs go flat. And again, that's 3k short of gross...

I've looked at quite a few 5ers on the way up and didn't see any that were this close to having the tires touching the deck.

Opinions / comments?

bsmith0404 · 08-02-2015, 04:35 PM

Looks like typical trailer suspension to me. Trailer suspension doesn't move much and 2" is usually more than enough. Is there any sign of the tires making contact?

Face Down · 08-02-2015, 05:06 PM

Check out how the Equa-Flex by Lippert works on our Carbon's.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bp5iRVPwYZg

Also...30 Gallons of Gas only weighs around 180 lbs.

dcg9381 · 08-02-2015, 05:19 PM

Thanks, guys.. And you're right 30 * 6 = 180.
I'm surprised that 2" of "up" travel is typical, but I wasn't sure..
The "deck" above the tire is wrapped, there are some waves in that material that indicate that it's been stretched, but no tire marks.

Overall, I want to know that if I put 2500 lbs in the back of this thing that it's still OK... (limit is 3k).

Last, tires were balanced. Any benefit to adding shocks or does that interfere with the Equa-Flex system?

Is the "wet" bolt kit always installed with Equa-flex? I didn't see zerks on mine...

gtsum2 · 08-04-2015, 07:31 PM

I have the equa flex also on my fuzion and wondered about the wet bolts myself

PerryB · 08-04-2015, 09:33 PM

My Equa-Flex came with dry bolts and plastic bushings. I replaced them with bronze bushings and wet bolts. As far as shocks, I think they would be a good idea with any type of suspension.

dcg9381 · 08-05-2015, 05:08 AM

I think this is the correct kit for dual axle, someone correct me if I'm wrong:
SKU 156767

I don't see zerks included, but I haven't read the install manual yet...

There's also a similiar kit made by MorRide:
http://www.amazon.com/MOR-ryde-LRE12.../dp/B007HRIC6S

dcg9381 · 10-26-2015, 04:39 PM

I was up at the dealer yesterday for an unrelated issue, I noticed that the 2 Carbon 327s that were on the lot had 235/80R16... Compared to my 238/85R16.

The difference in diameter is 1.1 inches, which would certainly increase my comfort level... I've PM'd a few Carbon 327 / 357 owners to check their tire sizes. I wonder why Keystone is shipping them with smaller tires now.

gearhead · 10-26-2015, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcg9381

I was up at the dealer yesterday for an unrelated issue, I noticed that the 2 Carbon 327s that were on the lot had 235/80R16... Compared to my 238/85R16.

The difference in diameter is 1.1 inches, which would certainly increase my comfort level... I've PM'd a few Carbon 327 / 357 owners to check their tire sizes. I wonder why Keystone is shipping them with smaller tires now.

I'm thinking the 235/80r/16 are all load range E.
The 235/85r/16 should be load range F or G.

Face Down · 10-27-2015, 04:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcg9381

I was up at the dealer yesterday for an unrelated issue, I noticed that the 2 Carbon 327s that were on the lot had 235/80R16... Compared to my 238/85R16.

The difference in diameter is 1.1 inches, which would certainly increase my comfort level... I've PM'd a few Carbon 327 / 357 owners to check their tire sizes. I wonder why Keystone is shipping them with smaller tires now.

235/80-16's on my 357...this is what it is spec'd to be via Keystone's website.

bsmith0404 · 10-27-2015, 05:31 AM

Looking at your pics, your trailer has Sailun tires. I'm assuming you bought your trailer used since Keystone does not install or have the Sailun as an optional tire. It's possible the dealership installed them, but I've never known a dealership to install an upgraded load range/size tire from what is on the spec sheet/sticker on the side of the RV. I'm sure if you look at your sticker, it will show a 235/860R16 load range E. My guess is that the previous owner installed the tires on your unit, congratulations, you have a much better tire than most.

dcg9381 · 10-27-2015, 06:24 AM

I bought it new, but after looking up the reviews on the factory tires and knowing I was going to tow for a few thousand miles, I replaced them with Sailun's. I didn't change the factory size, however....

One of the prior posters pointed out that there is a tire spec. That spec, for 2015 is 235/80R16...

So it's definitely sized incorrectly now.

I don't think you can get a G rated 235/80 tire... And I'm really happy with the Sailun's - I may look into having the springs re-arched to add an inch. I need to get the springs off anyway to do a wet bolt kit.

I appreciate all the replies.

bsmith0404 · 10-27-2015, 06:52 AM

My bad, I have never seen a 235/85R16 installed as an OE tire. I stepped mine up to a 235/85R16 F because they were not available in an 80. At only .5" higher (1" taller, but only half of that on the top side), I wouldn't stress ithe size change too much.

As for reaching the springs, may be better to just buy new ones with the specs you want. I've seen reached springs work great in some situations (utility trailers that get loaded/unloaded), but have also seen them go back to original/close to original specs when under a constant heavy load, which is what we have with RVs.

dcg9381 · 10-27-2015, 08:40 AM

If I can get them in the specs I want, that'd be better.. I've certainly seen 3500 lb springs, but I've never seen a "lift" specification on them. I assumed I'd need to re-arch.

Probably need to talk to a spring shop, which I'll do after we clear the roof issue.

Out of curiosity - what tire did you choose in an F range?

bsmith0404 · 10-27-2015, 11:38 AM

I went with Carlisle Radial Trail RH. Have had them on several trailers and always had good luck with them.

If you look into ordering springs, you can order different arch heights. If you look at this link, you will see a couple different options. For example, there are two different 3500 lb springs with 25.25" eye spacing, one with a 2.5" arch, the other with a 3" arch. They are available in different specs as well. If you contact a spring supplier/manufacturer your can probably order anything you want, price being the main factor.

http://www.rockwellamerican.com/site...nts/index.html

sw342 · 10-27-2015, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bsmith0404

Looking at your pics, your trailer has Sailun tires. I'm assuming you bought your trailer used since Keystone does not install or have the Sailun as an optional tire.

Two years ago when a couple Fuzion models were coming with G rated tires, the tires were the Sailuns S637's. So some did come from the factory with Sailuns, but probably not something they would do on the Carbon.

dcg9381 · 10-27-2015, 01:36 PM

Thanks, Bsmith, I see there are a few options in 3500 lb, double eye springs...

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