Leaf spring help.

[jonzey]

Hello. I have a 2001 keystone cabana, I think the 1701 model. I have called the manufacturer to get the eye to eye measurement but unfortunately they said it's too old and they no longer have the information. Can anyone help point me in the right direction to find the info or is there anyone that might know what the eye to eye measurement is. Thank you in advance.

 

[Viper02]

Locate the serial number off that axle ( found at the center of the axle ) and contact Dexter axle with that info and they should be able to provide you with the info needed

 

[jonzey]

Ok I'll give that a try thank you.

 

[jonzey]

I contacted dexter and they directed me to another # because the axle is so old. No one answers at that number so if anyone has anymore help I would greatly appreciate it.

 

[chuckster57]

What is the number(s) on the axle?

 

[JRTJH]

Trailer suspension hasn't changed much in the past 50+ years. It's still the same "technology" and the same parts with some upgrades to facilitate the chinese writing on the packages. Otherwise, not much change. RV suspension hasn't changed related to spring suspension, although there are a couple of "newer types of torque-flex suspension. Keystone didn't use any of that 25 years ago. I'd suspect that your springs are the standard 25.25" multi-leaf springs that are still being used today. When you consider that there's a shackle on every spring under the trailer, that shackle allows for slight variances in spring length. That's why as springs "flatten with use" they still fit the spring hangers....

I'd suspect that if you measure your current springs, you'll get a 25.25" measurement "eye to eye", or even if your springs "might be flattened a bit" the measurement will be very, VERY close to 25.25"....

Potentially, if you want to verify that, measure the spring hanger separation on your current trailer and then compare it to the spring hanger separation on a newer trailer. If the spring hanger "eye to eye" distance is the same on your trailer and on a "new one sitting on the dealer's lot" then they use the same length springs....

ADDED: Also keep in mind that the springs, while shipped with axles (in many situations) are not always the same based on "axle part number"... As an example, the 3500 pound axles on Cougar travel trailers (33" wheelbase) are the same 3500 pound axles used on the Bullet "wide axle suspension". The only difference is that wheelbase is, I think, 44" and the mono-leaf springs are 30" eye to eye. Consider yourself lucky that you do not have those springs. They're only available through Keystone and in limited supply. One member was stranded for a couple weeks trying to find a spring when one broke, another member's trailer was laid up for several weeks waiting for the springs to arrive. Those springs are not available locally anywhere that I'm aware of. So, in this example, the same 3500 pound axle is supplied with two different length springs, so don't rely on axle part number for spring length....

 

[jonzey]

With the tires on the ground I'm getting really close to 26" eye to eye center to center. My springs look pretty flattened out. Is it possible they were 25.25" and have flattened out 3/4"?

 

[jonzey]

What is the number(s) on the axle?

This is what I found on the axle.

 

[JRTJH]

They probably have not flattened. The spread is caused by the weight of the trailer "pushing down on the springs"... I'd say they are normal. Why are you wanting to replace them ??

ADDED: I noticed that your axle tag is an ALKO axle. They are no longer in business and were bought out several years ago by Dexter and then they "discontinued some ALKO axle lines because they were duplicates of Dexter axle lines... The ALKO 4400 pound axle is one that has caused some significant grief for RV owners since no bearings, brake assemblies are available. So, when the current parts "go south" the axle "goes along with the busted parts" and owners end up looking for replacement axles, not replacement bearings.... You might want to verify whether parts are available for that axle... If not, then some "hard to swallow decisions" might be in your future... If parts are still available, you might consider buying a set of bearings and brake assemblies "for when you need them"....

 

[jonzey]

They probably have not flattened. The spread is caused by the weight of the trailer "pushing down on the springs"... I'd say they are normal. Why are you wanting to replace them ??

ADDED: I noticed that your axle tag is an ALKO axle. They are no longer in business and were bought out several years ago by Dexter and then they "discontinued some ALKO axle lines because they were duplicates of Dexter axle lines... The ALKO 4400 pound axle is one that has caused some significant grief for RV owners since no bearings, brake assemblies are available. So, when the current parts "go south" the axle "goes along with the busted parts" and owners end up looking for replacement axles, not replacement bearings.... You might want to verify whether parts are available for that axle... If not, then some "hard to swallow decisions" might be in your future... If parts are still available, you might consider buying a set of bearings and brake assemblies "for when you need them"....

Great info thank you. I'll have to do that. So you think it's a 25.25" leaf spring just with weight on it?

 

[JRTJH]

That's what I'd put my money on.... These days, pretty much all spring packs are manufactured in china with "second rate steel" so it really doesn't matter where you buy them from, you'll get the same "quality" (or lack of quality) so buy where they're cheapest for the size you need. If that's Amazon you can return them if they're the wrong size, but that's something I'm thinking 99% that the 25.25" spring packs are the correct size.

 

[jonzey]

That's what I'd put my money on.... These days, pretty much all spring packs are manufactured in china with "second rate steel" so it really doesn't matter where you buy them from, you'll get the same "quality" (or lack of quality) so buy where they're cheapest for the size you need. If that's Amazon you can return them if they're the wrong size, but that's something I'm thinking 99% that the 25.25" spring packs are the correct size.

Much appreciated thank you.

 

[JRTJH]

One topic you didn't address in this thread is the recommendation to use NEW (not the existing) U bolts and nuts/washers when replacing springs. All the instructions (and best maintenance practices) recommend not reusing the hardware. You may already be planning to buy new U bolts, etc, but that wasn't included in the prior discussion...

 

[jonzey]

One topic you didn't address in this thread is the recommendation to use NEW (not the existing) U bolts and nuts/washers when replacing springs. All the instructions (and best maintenance practices) recommend not reusing the hardware. You may already be planning to buy new U bolts, etc, but that wasn't included in the prior discussion...

Thanks for the info. I already have all new hardware. Just seemed like a safe practice. I'm not one to mess around and find out on something like this.