Opinions on leaf spring condition

[JoelKunze]

I don’t have any experience prior to this camper so I’m hopping to get some opinions on leaf spring condition. The attached photo is the front passenger spring, the lighter side of the camper. The others look pretty similar. This is with the trailer fairly empty, less than 1/3 fresh water (guessing about 90 pounds). I do have solar panels, some batteries and inverter at about 300 pounds as well. We have had the camper since fall of 2020 and put a little over 10K miles on it. They seem a little flat to me. Thanks in advance for any thoughts. I can try to get better pics if that will help.
Joel

[Cate&Rob]

Hi Joel,

The spring in you picture does look “W” shaped . . . which is an indication of a failing spring. There is a way to measure the exact compression of your springs. This is called “loaded arch height” and should be 1.5” or more of the unloaded 3” arch height. See this post for more information on how to do this.
https://gdrvowners.com/forum/operati...-height-how-to

Rob

[TucsonJim]

As Rob states, the spring is taking on the classic "W" shape. Don't risk it. New springs are reasonably priced. while you're at it, I'd consider replacing that solid equalizer with a MORryde CRE3000 or similar product. And since your trailer is nearing three years old, it's time to disassemble the suspension and inspect the bushings. If you have everything apart, I'd purchase a wet bolt and heavy duty shackle kit.

Jim

[Jlawles2]

How is the unit currently sitting? Reason I ask is the equalizer is showing that the other spring (rear curb side) is high vs the rear if you will not the "arms" that should be in roughly mirror orientation. This actually leads to the curb side front spring actually carrying more load than it's sister on the same side.

Unfortunately the way the equalizer is built: one axle gains load and one looses as they move. In your case the rear is higher than the front and it's distance from the center of the equalizer increases causing it to loose load while the opposing increases load.

[JoelKunze]

How is the unit currently sitting? Reason I ask is the equalizer is showing that the other spring (rear curb side) is high vs the rear if you will not the "arms" that should be in roughly mirror orientation. This actually leads to the curb side front spring actually carrying more load than it's sister on the same side.

Unfortunately the way the equalizer is built: one axle gains load and one looses as they move. In your case the rear is higher than the front and it's distance from the center of the equalizer increases causing it to loose load while the opposing increases load.

Looks like the ground was not very flat there, I think it is enough to cause that amount of tip in the equalizer. I will be looking at it closer when I get a chance, thanks for pointing it out.

also thanks to Cate&Rob and TucsonJim!
As for the measurement of how compressed/flat the springs are, I measured a little over an inch between the top of the spring and the center of the eyes on the heavy side springs and between 3/4 to 1 inch on the light side. That seems backwards to me that the lighter/passenger side is more compressed, but that’s what I got.

Thanks again everyone!

[JoelKunze]

Thanks again to everyone!
I replaced the springs, and switched to the dexter ez-flex equalizer with wet bolts. One of the new bolts on a shackle was not fully drilled. Thanks to this forum and another thread I knew to check them before installation and it was just the smallest amount of drilling to get the axial hole drilled into the radial hole and grease flowed.

[TucsonJim]

Good deal Joel. And those new red equalizers look terrific. Maybe I need to get my can of spray paint out...

Jim