Blown tire and broken spring

[weaselguys]

Well we just got back from our fist trip this season, a 5 day trip to a BLM campground outside of Lovell Wy. Before the trip I checked my tires and noticed 2 small weather checks in one of my Carlie ties so we stopped at a tire shop and had them swap the spare which was a good looking Maxxis tire but it was a older tire. We were on our way back and about 20 miles from home when I looked in the drivers mirror ans saw smoke coming from that side so I pulled over thinking that one of the brakes was smoking since I didn't hear a tire blow and was surprised to see the Maxxis was shredded. We hobbled down the road to a pull out and I removed the bad tire to also find a freshly broken spring on the rear axle, maybe it took out the tire. So know I have to decide do I replace 1 spring on that axle or both ? I'm thinking both to be safe. Does any one here have any experience with the leaf springs sold by etrailer ?

[Harleydodge]

Ya I'd be replacing both springs if it were me for sure considering it looks like it's a stress fracture.


Just curious but can you still read the date code on the blown out tire?

Looks like another good reason not to run on older tires, no matter what they look like.


Glad it wasn't any worse for you.

[Dave W]

If it's a dual axle trailer, time to replace all 4 springs, U-bolts and add a set of wet bolts and hangers from etrailer as they are aged/rusted. For a DIY project,
a bit over a couple hundred bucks and good for another 15 or so years.

Tires - gotta look at the date codes on all of them. 5-6 years is about all a tire will safely last on an RV

[weaselguys]

It was a out of date tire and I don't really know if the tire went on it's own or if the spring took it out. I do need new tires this year but from what I'm seeing Carlisle's are now made in china, maxxis tires are twain so I have no idea what to replace them with. I know I should do all 4 springs but they are going to have to be done 2 at a time as I have no suitable place to park a trailer on blocks right now.

[AbHDToyHauler]

I would go to Sailuns.

[Tinner12002]

I had a spring break on my hauler a couple years ago on the front axle, never got into the tire but the front tire had moved back and was rubbing against the rear tire making them smoke. Had my buddy following me so he went on ahead to a tractor supply type of place and brought me back a new spring. When I got back home I ordered a set of 4 springs in the next higher weight rating and installed all with new u-bolts and the Dexter wet bolt kit. I think they were from Etrailer.

[JRTJH]

weaselguys,

What size are your tires? If they're 16", Carlisle has an F rated (12 ply) tire that would be an upgrade. If your wheels are 15", Carlisle has a very good reputation with the new "HD" series ST radials.

Sailun is a good brand if you've got wheels that are rated to hold the pressure and carry the weight. The Sailun G rated (14 ply) has a lot of positive comments on this and other forums. It looks like your wheels are 6 lug wheels, so I don't believe the Sailun 14 ply tires would fit your wheels.

Based on your experience, who knows if it was the Maxxis tire or the spring that gave out first. Whatever it was, remember that the other tire on that side was "overloaded by double the norm" as you limped from the blowout location to where you were able to finally stop. So that tire should also be considered "life over"....

[weaselguys]

I have 15" tires so Sailun's would require all new rims and tires, I was looking at new Carlie's both HD & RH models but just read a thread on here were a guy was having problems with both and even went to a F rating and blew those so I'm not sure I want more Carlie's now. I may try more maxxis tires or a set of the new Goodyears. I was figuring on going to springs for a 6000 lb axle mine should be 5200 as my trailer is 8000 lbs the 6000 lb springs would be a improvement but it is a wet year here and the ground is soft so I will have to do I side at a time.

[Gegrad]

It was a out of date tire and I don't really know if the tire went on it's own or if the spring took it out. I do need new tires this year but from what I'm seeing Carlisle's are now made in china, maxxis tires are twain so I have no idea what to replace them with. .

Weasel, the Carlisle's are made in China, but from my understanding they are made under direct supervision and QA control from Carlisle, unlike others which are just straight 3rd party sourced in China. Huge difference in quality. Nearly every member in here who has purchased Carlisles has had nothing but positives about them.

[weaselguys]

Gegrad I was reading this post and it doesn't show Carlisle products as doing that well granted the problems were with someone full timing and I wont put on anywhere near those miles but still not good.

http://www.keystoneforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25536

[Gegrad]

Gegrad I was reading this post and it doesn't show Carlisle products as doing that well granted the problems were with someone full timing and I wont put on anywhere near those miles but still not good.

http://www.keystoneforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25536

To be fair, the main poster on that thread complaining about the Carlisles was shown by CW (who knows more about tires than anyone on here) to have only around 20 lb of reserve capacity (i.e. poster should have been running much heavier tires than they were). Sounds like a classic case of overloading to me. ANY tire will blow out if you are loading it to the max, or over the max. Check the last page of that thread.

[sourdough]

Gegrad I was reading this post and it doesn't show Carlisle products as doing that well granted the problems were with someone full timing and I wont put on anywhere near those miles but still not good.

http://www.keystoneforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25536

This was a long thread that included an individual that had blowouts of not one, but 5 tires, from one person, then, upon replacing began to blow them again. That is not going to be a tire issue. It is more than likely overloading but, in reality, has nothing to do with the reliability of the current Carlisle HD tires. Too many of us run them day in, day out, across the country with zero issues and much better performance that OEM tires. IMO the post would have zero impact on my decision on tires. You need to establish a pattern of tire failure among a large section of users; not multiple failures by one user.

[notanlines]

Weasel, back to the spring question. Call TnT Springs in Billings, (406) 252-2290, talk to their service manager and let THEM make your spring decision for you.

[KenW]

By the way your tire looks I would say the spring broke and then took the tire out. The tire doesn't have a blow out it is shredded all the way around. I also agree with the above comments, replace all springs!

[weaselguys]

I will call TNT Springs this week and if I cannot get something from them I found AL-KO springs 2950 lb at one place for $28.99 ea plus shipping of about $39 at this point I may go with the Maxxis M8008 at $118 ea from Amazon or the Carlisle 6H04621 radial trail 10 ply at walmart for $83.28 . I dont have a discount tire near by or I would try them.

[JRTJH]

I will call TNT Springs this week and if I cannot get something from them I found AL-KO springs 2950 lb at one place for $28.99 ea plus shipping of about $39 at this point I may go with the Maxxis M8008 at $118 ea from Amazon or the Carlisle 6H04621 radial trail 10 ply at walmart for $83.28 . I dont have a discount tire near by or I would try them.



Check your pricing carefully. At this link: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Carlisle-Radial-Trail-HD-Trailer-Tire-ST225-75R15-E-10/55012166 Walmart's price on the 6H04621 tire is $67.54 with free shipping to the store.

[Cbrez]

Realize this is somewhat off topic, but the tire does not look like it blew out. Looks like it lost air pressure, then shredded after being driven some distance. If you are not using a tire pressure monitoring system I recommend it. It may have alerted you soon enough to save the tire.

Ps- Leave the shredded tire on the rear bumper carrier. It’s quite a head turner :)

[weaselguys]

Well guys I have decided to go with the Carlisle Radial Trail HD St225/75R15 E/10 tires as I have the RH's on now and they are 9 yrs old .I have looking at my springs and the rear axle where the spring broke already had 1 spring replaced before and you can tell the leaves are thinner than the originals and it is flatter then the others. My axles are AL-KO T52's 5200 lbs and has 4 leaf springs they measure 26" flat so they should be 25 1/4" springs I'm guessing, I tried TNT Springs and they don't have any springs in that size, I know I should take the weight off the axle to measure the spring but that is not possible right now. The springs are probably 2500 lbs that would fit with the 10,000 trailer max but I want to replace them with 3000 lb 5 leaf springs from AL-KO as I intend to go to 16" tires later and I believe all you have to do to the 5000 lb axle to upgrade it to 6000 lbs is change the springs and the bearings anyone know if that is correct ?

[Tinner12002]

Well guys I have decided to go with the Carlisle Radial Trail HD St225/75R15 E/10 tires as I have the RH's on now and they are 9 yrs old .I have looking at my springs and the rear axle where the spring broke already had 1 spring replaced before and you can tell the leaves are thinner than the originals and it is flatter then the others. My axles are AL-KO T52's 5200 lbs and has 4 leaf springs they measure 26" flat so they should be 25 1/4" springs I'm guessing, I tried TNT Springs and they don't have any springs in that size, I know I should take the weight off the axle to measure the spring but that is not possible right now. The springs are probably 2500 lbs that would fit with the 10,000 trailer max but I want to replace them with 3000 lb 5 leaf springs from AL-KO as I intend to go to 16" tires later and I believe all you have to do to the 5000 lb axle to upgrade it to 6000 lbs is change the springs and the bearings anyone know if that is correct ?

When I changed out my springs I think the ones I upgraded to had a 2900lb rating which was just slightly heavier than the 2500lb springs that were on it. As far as upgrading your axles, I believe the only way you can REALLY upgrade them would be to change them out to the 6000Lb axles. Changing the bearings, if they would fit, and upgrading your springs wouldn't be the proper way to upgrade, the rating on the RV would still be 5200lb unless you have it recertified. There also may be metal thicknesses involved that most of us don't know about. I would at least change the springs and check the bearings for wear, also put a good eyeball on your spring hangers too! I think as has been mentioned, an upgrade to a Dexter or Morryde shackle kit would be great along with a TPMS system for piece of mind.

[weaselguys]

Ok so maybe someone can help me out on my leaf springs, I have measurted mine with the weight on and got 26-26.25" . I sent Dexter/Al-ko my tag information off my axles
model T52 3
date 341 1
SLR 373 11?
5200 lb capacity and I received this back from Dexter
“Model T52 3” means the axle has straight spindles, is rated at 5200 lbs., and has 4-leaf, 26” long, double-eye springs. SLR stands for Static Loaded Radius, and referring to the tires, is the largest recommended wheel/tire to be used on the axle.

Now my leafs are 4 leaf and with weight on they measure 26" or more, now springs flatten out with weight on and lengthen so I figured they would be 25.25" springs, which is right ? I want american made springs not chinese I can get AL-KO 25.25" 3000 lb springs and Dexters but 26" springs are hard to find. I think I can use the 25.25" springs since there are shackles in the that could be changed if need be to match up what do you guys think ?

[Tinner12002]

Actually RV springs are measured with no load or as they would be somewhat unloaded. That's what I was told. As I had mentioned I went to a 5 leaf 2900# spring and I believe they were 25.25" on 5200# axles I had.

[Dave W]

Ya want a set of 26" long springs that Dexter told me were correct for our 5er? I have four 6000 pounders that will bolt right in place - but the equalizer shackle angles were wrong and the tires come to less then 3 inches apart. Worse, they completely changed the handling and made it twitchy. The 5er needed 25-1/4" springs which it now has.

I'm not saying that yours wont have 26" springs but suggest that you measure them yourself with with no load

[Frank G]

I think these people might know a thing or two about axles, springs and brakes for the RV industry. Very Helpful.
Johnstone Surplus, White Pigeon Michigan. I was amazed when I visited there store.

https://www.johnsonssurplus.com/

[bfisher003]

Our left rear axle mono spring broke on a trip out west in March. We ended up replacing all four springs with multi-leaf springs (and a bent rear axle) that have a bit higher rated load capacity. I really like the new springs--stuff in the trailer stays put much better than before. So I would suggest replacing all your springs.

[Jschauw001]

I have a 2012 Keystone Hideout. Had a leaf spring partially break this year and the others were rusted. I had all four replaced. I put new Maxxis 6 ply tires on my travel trailer Feb 2015 and found they provided improved stability on the highway. I purchased the tires from Discount Tires who provide free inspection, rotation and air pressure check.

Safety is of the utmost importance. If you don’t have the space to replace all four leaf spring at the same time I recommend you take it to someone who can handle it for you.

[weaselguys]

I want to replace all 4 springs but right now at my house I have no pavement or concrete to park it on and we have been getting a lot of rain so the ground is a little to soft, I am going to try and get a axle in the air and a tire off this weekend so I can get a better measurement on the springs. I don't want to tow it 35 miles to town to get the work done unless I absolutely have to I don't want to risk the bad spring totally breaking.

[Jschauw001]

Got it! 35 miles into town is a long way to go. I’ve had to learn the hard way and wanted to you learn from my experiences.
Good luck on getting that spring replaced!!!!!!!!

[Hblick48]

I had two different leaf springs break two different times on my 3280RL. Luckily each time I was able to "limp" to a shop to get new springs. Turns out axles are rated at 6,000 pounds each. Factory springs were only rated at 2,500 pounds each. I finally replaced all springs to 3,000 pound rating, wet bolts and ez flex equilizers. All good now.

[Jschauw001]

Thanks so much for the info on the load capacity of the springs the factory installs. I learn new things everyday!!!!!!!!

[weaselguys]

Ok guys I got 1 axle up and removed the tire and let the axle hang back down taking the weight off of it and my 4 leaf springs measured 25 1/2 center of the bolt on the hanger to the center on the bolt on the shackle, the packs are 1 5/8" thick with 3/8" springs and 1 3/4" wide so these have to be 25 1/4" springs right ? I want to order some springs from either Dexter, Axis or AL-KO since they are American made.

[Dave W]

Ok guys I got 1 axle up and removed the tire and let the axle hang back down taking the weight off of it and my 4 leaf springs measured 25 1/2 center of the bolt on the hanger to the center on the bolt on the shackle, the packs are 1 5/8" thick with 3/8" springs and 1 3/4" wide so these have to be 25 1/4" springs right ? I want to order some springs from either Dexter, Axis or AL-KO since they are American made.

Yep - 25-1/4 will work just right. Also order u-bolts. Replacements should be 9/16" thread (need 2 sets). The old ones will probably be 1/2",stretched plus rusty. The 6000# springs (part # UNA111) are only a very few bucks more and with free shipping from etrailer over $99

[bdaniel]

I have some good info about 5200 lb axles, springs and axles in this blog.

https://www.bobbystuff.com/rv/228/electic-over-hydraulic-disc-brake-conversion

Bobby

[Dave W]

I have some good info about 5200 lb axles, springs and axles in this blog.

https://www.bobbystuff.com/rv/228/electic-over-hydraulic-disc-brake-conversion

Bobby

Looks like I could have written the exact same thing except I also added a 1" block to the spring pack as we still bottomed out on the great roads of the US but nowhere nearly as hard as with the 5200 pound springs. Amzing how manufacturers cheap out particularly when the 5er weighs 12K before water and stuff is added

[bdaniel]

Looks like I could have written the exact same thing except I also added a 1" block to the spring pack as we still bottomed out on the great roads of the US but nowhere nearly as hard as with the 5200 pound springs. Amzing how manufacturers cheap out particularly when the 5er weighs 12K before water and stuff is added


Funny, I added blocks to the springs on a previous 5th wheel I had.

https://www.bobbystuff.com/rv/36/metal-lift-blocks-between-the-axles-and-springs

Bobby

[Dave W]

Funny, I added blocks to the springs on a previous 5th wheel I had.

https://www.bobbystuff.com/rv/36/metal-lift-blocks-between-the-axles-and-springs

Bobby

Great minds and all that:D

I found a piece of 1 x 1-3/4" aluminum bar stock at the local Metals Supermarket, drilled through and tapped for a 3/8" Allen head bolt then counter bored the other side to fit the axle center bolt. Works perfectly.

[weaselguys]

I got my springs installed I went with 5 leaf springs rated at 3000# ea from Dexter, just installing the new springs raised the trailer about 2 " which it needed bad, I plan on adding 2" lift blocks next year.