I admit I have no idea about the suspension system on my 2020 315 rls.... does it have or need a wet bolt kit? I hear talk on the forums of these things and I honestly don’t know if I even have them... my trailer is 7 months old and has about 4000 miles on it ..what should I be thinking about besides roof sealant... is it time to pull and check brakes? .. the only problem I’ve had so far is one of the led marker lights went out in the rear.. maybe a loose wire ...do the bulbs get replaced or is it a throw away. ?..oh and what actually is a wet bolt kit?
I admit I have no idea about the suspension system on my 2020 315 rls.... does it have or need a wet bolt kit? I hear talk on the forums of these things and I honestly don’t know if I even have them... my trailer is 7 months old and has about 4000 miles on it ..what should I be thinking about besides roof sealant... is it time to pull and check brakes? .. the only problem I’ve had so far is one of the led marker lights went out in the rear.. maybe a loose wire ...do the bulbs get replaced or is it a throw away. ?..oh and what actually is a wet bolt kit?
Some have them some don't. Only way to know for sure is to look. I think they are a worth while investment. I added them to mine and I like them.
You are looking for zerk fitting. A grease gun attaches to them allowing you to add grease. From what I could see in the picture, you have them...located in the center of the bolts that attach the suspension,
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2002 Montana 3250RL upgraded a bunch
2005 Ford F-250 6.0 Bullet Proofed - SOLD
2017 Ford F350 6.7 Lariet
You are looking for zerk fitting. A grease gun attaches to them allowing you to add grease. From what I could see in the picture, you have them...located in the center of the bolts that attach the suspension,
Ok thanks... I did a search on the interwebs just now and it brought me right back to the keystone forum... probably should have tried that initially.
A "wet bolt kit" consists of "sintered bronze bushings and bolts fitted with zerk fittings so you can grease the bronze bushings regularly and heavy duty spring shackles (usually about 3/8 or 1/4 inch thick) to support the springs in the spring hangers...
The "Lippert/Keystone make do alternative" is plastic "lifetime bushings" and bolts that hold everything together "dry" with no way to lubricate the "lifetime bushings" (that normally wear out in the first year. The spring shackles are often 1/8" steel and wear at the bolt holes, often "coming apart at the seams" when they do "let go"....
Some Keystone lines do come standard with wet bolt kits, but many/most of the entry level and mid level brands do not have them as OEM.
The last photo shows the "standard vs wet bolt" setup... Significantly stronger and less likely to wear/break with such a heavy load as a travel trailer above it.
A "wet bolt kit" consists of "sintered bronze bushings and bolts fitted with zerk fittings so you can grease the bronze bushings regularly and heavy duty spring shackles (usually about 3/8 or 1/4 inch thick) to support the springs in the spring hangers...
The "Lippert/Keystone make do alternative" is plastic "lifetime bushings" and bolts that hold everything together "dry" with no way to lubricate the "lifetime bushings" (that normally wear out in the first year. The spring shackles are often 1/8" steel and wear at the bolt holes, often "coming apart at the seams" when they do "let go"....
Some Keystone lines do come standard with wet bolt kits, but many/most of the entry level and mid level brands do not have them as OEM.
The last photo shows the "standard vs wet bolt" setup... Significantly stronger and less likely to wear/break with such a heavy load as a travel trailer above it.
WHAT AM ....excuse me ..what exactly am I looking for?
Sorry, yes you are looking for a zerk in the head of the bolt. The shackles are normally a lot thicker also. With the greaseable bolt a the bronze bushing that gets greased from the bolt this system usually holds up much better.
I have a 2019 Sprinter with the same Road Armor suspension that you have in the pic. Mine did not come with wet bolts and is squeaky as can be when rolling down the road. I recently picked up a wet bolt kit and got one side installed yesterday. So far one of the easier DIY projects other than getting the wheels off of the ground.
If the image you posted is your RV then you can see the zerk fittings on the bolt heads in the pic.. Grease each using Red & Tacky grease until you see some on each side of the spring bushing...
If you do this several times a year "grease" the wet bolts, bushings and links will last many years..
Yours is an OEM install "Blue color".. according to Lippert..
And YES.. if this was my RV.. even though its a 2020 with 4K miles on it the wheel hubs would be pulled off so I could see the actual condition and then clean and hand pack the bearings and reinstall..
If you do this then you should be good for around 12K miles on the bearings and brakes before additional preventative maintenance is required
If the image you posted is your RV then you can see the zerk fittings on the bolt heads in the pic.. Grease each using Red & Tacky grease until you see some on each side of the spring bushing...
If you do this several times a year "grease" the wet bolts, bushings and links will last many years..
Yours is an OEM install "Blue color".. according to Lippert..
I'd highly recommend the MorRyde heavy shackle/wet bolt kit! This kit comes with 1/2" thick shackles, wet bolts & enough bronze bushings to do both ends of the springs & the equalizer with a couple spares. Measure center to center of your existing shackle bolts & contact MR for the proper kit part number, then you can find them online.
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Full-timed 10+ years
Sold '13 Redwood FB
Traded '13 GMC Denali DRW D/A
Replacement undetermined
The OEM install Lippert equalizer system you have will most likely not hold up well down the road. as others said invest in a good wet blot kit with the heavy duty links and bronze spring eye insert bushings and enjoy many trouble free miles of towing.. with proper lubrication and common sense applied when backing... avoid hard 90 degree backing as this WILL bend the links and the spring hanger welds will not like it
I'd highly recommend the MorRyde heavy shackle/wet bolt kit! This kit comes with 1/2" thick shackles, wet bolts & enough bronze bushings to do both ends of the springs & the equalizer with a couple spares. Measure center to center of your existing shackle bolts & contact MR for the proper kit part number, then you can find them online.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ChuckS
The OEM install Lippert equalizer system you have will most likely not hold up well down the road. as others said invest in a good wet blot kit with the heavy duty links and bronze spring eye insert bushings and enjoy many trouble free miles of towing.. with proper lubrication and common sense applied when backing... avoid hard 90 degree backing as this WILL bend the links and the spring hanger welds will not like it
Sorry, yes you are looking for a zerk in the head of the bolt. The shackles are normally a lot thicker also. With the greaseable bolt a the bronze bushing that gets greased from the bolt this system usually holds up much better.
The OP has a wet bolt kit already on his rig. I see no need to replace them at this point as long as he keeps them greased. Maybe down the road, but for now he should be good to go.
The OP has a wet bolt kit already on his rig. I see no need to replace them at this point as long as he keeps them greased. Maybe down the road, but for now he should be good to go.
No unfortunately I do not have them..will be getting them soon
The first picture I posted was a stock picture..the second one was a few posts down
The Keystone Cougar 5th wheel line now come standard with the road armor trailers do not. I don't know why Keystone does not install the wet bolts at the same time. I added both to my trailer. The only negative thing I have heard about them is greasing them. If you don't install the bolt with the grease port facing up you may have difficulty getting grease into the Zerk.
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