Need to 'lift' the 5er .... or - Page 2

Dave W · 05-13-2016, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nagrompj

If you are still thinking about shocks here are a few pictures.
The top bracket is just 2x2 box tube the same wall thickness as the factory sub frame. A center drilled piece of 1 inch round stock is inserted through the bracket and welded in place. The top mount is welded to the factory subframe. The bottom mount is a aftermarket Jeep shock mount. When welding the bottom mount be sure to pull the brake wires out of the axel. It worked great for me!
This is how I did it and I'm only posting this to stir your imagination. Use your best judgment before making any modifications to your trailer.

That for sure is food for thought and I will take a look tomorrow to see if it's feasible when I crawl back under to torque the fasteners (got well rained out today). Do you recall what brand and part number the shocks are - the color says Monroe

Thanks for the idea.

Nagrompj · 05-13-2016, 02:12 PM

I'm sorry Dave I don't remember the part number. I do remember going to Monroe's web sight where they listed about 5 options for RV shocks. They list the sizes and recommend vehicle weight. I just picked a shock with mid length I needed.

Edit: I looked them up. Monroe part no. 555003

Dave W · 05-13-2016, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nagrompj

I'm sorry Dave I don't remember the part number. I do remember going to Monroe's web sight where they listed about 5 options for RV shocks. They list the sizes and recommend vehicle weight. I just picked a shock with mid length I needed.

Edit: I looked them up. Monroe part no. 555003

My thinking that those are Monroe shocks was a WAG for me

That particular one may be too light and short for our 5er but at least I know where to look.

I appreciate your looking up that number - thanks

**JRTJH** · 05-13-2016, 05:56 PM

Lippert has a bolt on shock kit for their 3" axles. You can look it over here: https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Sus.../LC281281.html

Dave W · 05-14-2016, 03:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JRTJH

Lippert has a bolt on shock kit for their 3" axles. You can look it over here: https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Sus.../LC281281.html

Thanks - I have over time been all through the Lippert line up of 'stuff' and hadn't seen that. I've got it bookmarked and have pulled the instructions to see if it will work on our 5er. If I do that install, maybe I can consider a swap over to the Dexter E-Z Flex.

Dave W · 05-19-2016, 03:36 AM

A bit of an update - Lippert does not recommend a shock installation with one of their frames that uses either their Equa-Flex, MORryde or Dexter E-Z Flex. I did use the E-Z Flex successfully on a Titanium that had shocks as OEM, but that 5er did not have a Lippert frame. Of course, this doesn't mean that I might not experiment but there also may not be enough clearance, tire to chassis on this 5er, from a quick look

**JRTJH** · 05-19-2016, 04:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave W

A bit of an update - Lippert does not recommend a shock installation with one of their frames that uses either their Equa-Flex, MORryde or Dexter E-Z Flex. I did use the E-Z Flex successfully on a Titanium that had shocks as OEM, but that 5er did not have a Lippert frame. Of course, this doesn't mean that I might not experiment but there also may not be enough clearance, tire to chassis on this 5er, from a quick look

Hmmmm ??? Did Lippert give you any reason why they don't recommend shocks? I wonder if they "know something we don't" or if they are trying to increase Equa-Flex sales????? From my experience with trailer shocks, as long as you can get the angle less than about 45 degrees from the axle tube to the chassis, they will dampen axle motion. Installation clearance shouldn't be a problem, especially if you install the shock plates on the "other side of the axle" away from the "spring damper system".... Just my thoughts, but I wonder what Lippert knows that we don't ???

Dave W · 05-19-2016, 04:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JRTJH

Hmmmm ??? Did Lippert give you any reason why they don't recommend shocks? I wonder if they "know something we don't" or if they are trying to increase Equa-Flex sales????? From my experience with trailer shocks, as long as you can get the angle less than about 45 degrees from the axle tube to the chassis, they will dampen axle motion. Installation clearance shouldn't be a problem, especially if you install the shock plates on the "other side of the axle" away from the "spring damper system".... Just my thoughts, but I wonder what Lippert knows that we don't ???

I didn't get an elaboration but it might have something to do with the fact that the MORryde systems have a very long up/down equalizer movement. As far as the Dexter E-Z Flex, I can't see where there would be a concern. That doesn't move vertically as the MORryde, just fore and aft. The Lippert Equa-Flex - that looks like a near relative of the Dexter and probably is now that they are under the same ownership. Like I said above, maybe some experimentation is in my future and with that, possibly an E-Z Flex as it appears to me to be more robust then the MORryde.

Sulphur1 · 06-08-2016, 02:32 PM

Hi Dave
Have you had a 'test drive' to see how the 5er handles with the lift blocks?
I also need to raise ours after changing to a 2500HD.
Cheers
Jon

Dave W · 06-09-2016, 05:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sulphur1

Hi Dave
Have you had a 'test drive' to see how the 5er handles with the lift blocks?
I also need to raise ours after changing to a 2500HD.
Cheers
Jon

Hi Jon,
Yes, we hauled it to our summer CG, about 110 miles. With the added one inch, it leveled the 5er perfectly on my F250. I also installed one inch longer 9/16" U bolts and did the MORryde wet bolt mod. It pulled very well with no tail wiggle and and a total lack of the squeaks and groans that had appeared after an 8300 mile trip last fall. With the axles under the springs as-built by Keystone, probably could have gone another inch, but mechanically, no more unless I made up a sub frame with new brackets.

bdaniel · 06-09-2016, 06:53 AM

My Dad and I put a block between the axles and springs on my 2002 Forest River Wildcat:

http://bobbystuff.com/rv/36/metal-li...es-and-springs

They worked fine.

Bobby

Desert185 · 06-09-2016, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave W

Hi Jon,
Yes, we hauled it to our summer CG, about 110 miles. With the added one inch, it leveled the 5er perfectly on my F250. I also installed one inch longer 9/16" U bolts and did the MORryde wet bolt mod. It pulled very well with no tail wiggle and and a total lack of the squeaks and groans that had appeared after an 8300 mile trip last fall. With the axles under the springs as-built by Keystone, probably could have gone another inch, but mechanically, no more unless I made up a sub frame with new brackets.

Which tire size do you have on your trailer?

Dave W · 06-09-2016, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bdaniel

My Dad and I put a block between the axles and springs on my 2002 Forest River Wildcat:

http://bobbystuff.com/rv/36/metal-li...es-and-springs

They worked fine.

Bobby

Yep - that works as well. I used some 6061 aluminum bar stock, 1-3/4" wide x 1" thick x 4" long. The centering pins are 3/8x1/2 SS socket head set screws permanent Loc-Tited in place. I also drilled the holes though, tapped them then opposite, counter bored 3/4" deep with a 5/8" drill to fit the spring center bolt. I would have used plate steel if the correct size aluminum hadn't been in stock at the local Metals Supermarket but for sure the steel would have made the project less 'fun'. Gotta say that the aluminum is one heckuva lot more expensive though