Trailer Life Magazine Open Roads Forum: Dexter HD Suspension & EZ-Flex Install (long w/ pictures)
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 > Dexter HD Suspension & EZ-Flex Install (long w/ pictures)

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jz1028

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Posted: 10/12/09 10:30am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

I will be doing my trailer this week and that is a good question. I just assumed that you start at the ez flex at the center and work you way out to the spring ends.

What is the consensus on where to begin before I get underway and start pressing bolts out?

Thanks

Jay

Learjet

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Posted: 10/12/09 12:11pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

I took one side of the suspension completely apart, while the other side was still attached. Then, I worked from the spring ends to the center pivot attachment. Had no problems getting it to align.


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Posted: 10/13/09 01:54pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

You may find the axle will move easier if you support the axle with a floor jack and then use a bottle jack under the front hanger of that spring. It does take a little coordination to lift and drop the jacks to make the spring move towards the rear.

I found that once I was close, I could just tug on the axle just a little to get the hole lined up.


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2inAlabama

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Posted: 10/15/09 02:59pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Hi Guys,

I am trying to determine if I really need to do this mod. What is the potential damage to my TT over the next 10 years if I don't do it? I realize the combination of the Ez-Flex and the shocks would give the TT a smoother ride. My TT has an aluminum frame.


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TURK2500

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Posted: 10/15/09 05:45pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

2inAlabama wrote:

snip.....What is the potential damage to my TT over the next 10 years if I don't do it?...snip

If your TT sits on a seasonal lot all summer, then nothing. But if you intend on putting some road miles on the TT over the next 10 years then IMO the EZ-Flex upgrade will greatly reduce the potential of leaf spring component breakdown during travel, and reducing the transfer of road imperfections to the TT can't hurt.

Turk2500


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Learjet

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Posted: 10/15/09 06:57pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

TURK2500 wrote:

2inAlabama wrote:

snip.....What is the potential damage to my TT over the next 10 years if I don't do it?...snip

If your TT sits on a seasonal lot all summer, then nothing. But if you intend on putting some road miles on the TT over the next 10 years then IMO the EZ-Flex upgrade will greatly reduce the potential of leaf spring component breakdown during travel, and reducing the transfer of road imperfections to the TT can't hurt.

Turk2500



Excellent point. I put 26,000 miles in 4 years, so I wanted and needed the upgrade because of failing shackles (see pics a few pages back).

LAdams

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Posted: 11/16/09 06:34pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

I agree... If your rig is sitting on a seasonal site, there will be virtually no wear to the suspension components aside from towing it to the site and back... If on the other hand your putting on miles like LearJet, then the upgrade is a very good idea...

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2inAlabama

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Posted: 11/18/09 04:37pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

OK, I am going to do the Ez-Flex upgrade. While I am at it, I am wondering about installing the Monroe Shock kit from shockwarehouse.com ( http://www.shockwarehouse.com/site/mon_retrokit.cfm ). Has anyone here installed this shock kit? If so, what are the noticeable improvements for the TT ride and towing experience? Are there any complications with the install? Is it truly just a bolt-on process?

RCMAN46

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Posted: 11/18/09 05:00pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

2inAlabama wrote:

OK, I am going to do the Ez-Flex upgrade. While I am at it, I am wondering about installing the Monroe Shock kit from shockwarehouse.com ( http://www.shockwarehouse.com/site/mon_retrokit.cfm ). Has anyone here installed this shock kit? If so, what are the noticeable improvements for the TT ride and towing experience? Are there any complications with the install? Is it truly just a bolt-on process?
Bolt on Process?? Depends on your trailer and if there are any shock mounts already on the trailer. I have done the shock kit install on 4 trailers. I had to drill a hole in the trailer frame for the upper shock mount on all 4 trailers. On the two trailers that had I beam frames I used what is called a chain pocket instead of the Monroe kit. Monroe upper kit I got the pockets for $3.50 each. The pockets fit in the I beam perfect. I mounted them with 4 3/8 bolts. Then there is a 1/2 hole in the center and a 1/2 hole in the trailer frame. I also made a spacer from 1/2 inch water pipe that goes between the frame and the pocket. This allows full torque on the 1/2 inch grade 8 bolt that is the upper shock mount. The trailers handle much better. One is a small utility trailer. After going across a railroad track of rough spot the trailer would bounce around a little. Now it is stable as a rock. This is one I pull behind my 5th wheel. Very important it does not dance around. The 5th wheel behaves much better after the shocks.

2inAlabama

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Posted: 11/18/09 06:19pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

No, my TT doesn't have shock mounts. That's why I was concerned about how this kit works. Thanks for the tips.

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