5th wheel suspension problems

[5thhand]

Any suggestions for beefing up my suspension? My 5th weiighs 17000lbs. I keep breaking the shakels holding my leaf springs. I fave two axles and I think adding a third would be monumental. Thanks

I mentioned the wrong part. I am minus the part at the other end of the spring that is bolted to thr bracket attached to the frame. I must have hit a big pot hole and this part snapped off. All I have left is the bracket. On my unit this is a yellow square part.

[lungesport]

Greetings all, new member here...
I wanted to weigh in on suspension upgrades with my solution. After years of towing with leaf springs and electric drum brakes on several TT and finally my 2015 Cougar,I decided that this system is marginal at best, so I performed an upgrade. I decided on Dexter Torflex 7k axles using 13'' rotors, 4 piston calipers, and 😎 9/16'' bolts. I used 17x9'' wheels and 245/75 17'' e rated tires.
The stock set up had 4400# leaf spring axles, 15x6'' wheels, and 225/75 15'' d rated Trailer King tires.
It tows and brakes sensationally. I have my own website with a detailed description with pics if you're interested in seeing the complete project. BTW, I am not selling anything, just posting my projects.

[Cummins12V98]

dapperdan wrote:
Another vote for the IS system! It's simply the "best"! :B

Dan

Agreed. Nothing else comes close.

[dapperdan]

Another vote for the IS system! It's simply the "best"! :B

Dan

[ford_truck_guy]

5thhand wrote:
Any suggestions for beefing up my suspension? My 5th weiighs 17000lbs. I keep breaking the shakels holding my leaf springs. I fave two axles and I think adding a third would be monumental. Thanks

I mentioned the wrong part. I am minus the part at the other end of the spring that is bolted to thr bracket attached to the frame. I must have hit a big pot hole and this part snapped off. All I have left is the bracket. On my unit this is a yellow square part.

Take the entire system, from frame down out of the equation and add the MORryde IS...

[azrving]

Remember those Wendy's commercials?

WHERE'S THE BEEF!!
It needs more metal and reinforcement. Find someone or somewhere that can weld and fabricate.

[Dayle1]

5thhand wrote:
Any suggestions for beefing up my suspension? My 5th weiighs 17000lbs. I keep breaking the shakels holding my leaf springs. I fave two axles and I think adding a third would be monumental. Thanks

Adding a 3rd axle is not practical in the first place and while turning, three axles put more stress on the suspension and could make things worse rather than better. Either get Mor/ryde to install their IS or have beefier shackles with cross bracing installed.

[tinner12002]

If you get the wet bolt kit from Dexter it comes with shackles that are twice as thick as the stock ones, mor-Ryde maybe also. The IS suspension would be great too but if I recall they wanted $8600 for install on a tri-axle toy hauler, not cheap but certainly looks like a nice setup!

[Cummins12V98]

Well worth the $$$ MORryde IS

[glkids2]

Check these shackles out
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B007HRICH2/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1524392358&sr=8-1π=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=morryde+heavy+duty&dpPl=1&dpID=41oaH1ti8NL&ref=plSrch

[TXiceman]

Mor/Ryde IS is your answer.

Ken

[stickdog]

Take down to Morryde and get IS installed.

[momentum_rv]

Get heavy duty shackles with longer bolts.