I am currently wagon master on an RV caravan traveling through Mexico. Fortuneltely we are now in one spot for over a week. When i looked under my trailer the picture below is what I found. Also fortunatley my wife flew home and can return with a replacement set.
Bill and Linda said
07:30 AM Mar 3, 2016
This will happen to any set of shackles that can not (or are not) lubricated. The rotational wear from the bolts on the holes simply wears through over time.
If there are leaf springs on the trailer than there are shackles of one type or another similar to those pictured.
MOR/ryde offers a "wet bolt" kit which allows for greasing of the pivot points with a simple hand grease gun.
This is a pretty simple installation and one that is highly recommended for all rigs that travel any amount of time each year. Any local RV shop could do this or DIY if one is comfortable with this type of mechanical work which does include jacking up the trailer one side at a time.
There are "better," albeit more expensive, upgrades to the spring and shackle system but the wet bolt kit which allows for lubrication is, IMO, a necessity for safety.
On Edit: As Terry recommended below here is a contact at MOR/ryde:
Here's the deal - these parts are available via many distributers perhaps can be ordered direct and then installed at your local RV "fix it" shop. But Rob could perhaps advise on other items that might be of interest such as disc brakes, etc. which I recommend.It is possible to replace the shackles between the springs with a better support system which will improve the ride but you still may need wet bolts Rob can advise and provide options.
Gary Wheeler, also with MOR/ryde, has joined RV-Dreams Rallys as well providing information and support. He can be reached as well at the main number - 574-293-1581.
The people at MOR/ryde have always been helpful to me in the 10 years we've been a factory customer.
Bill
-- Edited by Bill and Linda on Thursday 3rd of March 2016 12:41:20 PM
-- Edited by Bill and Linda on Thursday 3rd of March 2016 12:48:12 PM
Terry and Jo said
08:52 AM Mar 3, 2016
Bill,
I'd say to go ahead and post that contact information. There is always the possibility that others on the forum may find a similar issue before they travel again. We'll be moving soon, and while our fifth wheel hasn't traveled much, I'll still be checking all the suspension before we do.
Terry
Bill and Linda said
12:47 PM Mar 3, 2016
Terry and Jo wrote:
Bill,
I'd say to go ahead and post that contact information. There is always the possibility that others on the forum may find a similar issue before they travel again. We'll be moving soon, and while our fifth wheel hasn't traveled much, I'll still be checking all the suspension before we do.
Terry
Terry, always a good idea to inspect the running gear but as you indicated, as you've been stationary, I'm confident you should be fine for the trip up to Oregon.
For those reading along - this is primarily a wear issue. That is miles on the rig. But installing bolts that have a grease fitting on them is a fairly inexpensive upgrade to better insure longer life of the suspension system. Most rigs don't have them simply to save costs. That's a shame but true just the same.
Bill
TRAILERKING said
04:57 PM Mar 3, 2016
Yeah telco.............Looks like they're all on their way out.
telco said
02:59 PM Mar 4, 2016
My wife just bought a morRyde kit down on the plane. 40 lbs
mds1 said
07:12 AM Apr 30, 2016
Bill,
Glad I saved a link to this thread. A couple blogs I follow just had a shackle problem.
-- Edited by mds1 on Sunday 1st of May 2016 10:01:49 PM
-- Edited by mds1 on Sunday 1st of May 2016 10:02:11 PM
Diana and Jim said
02:13 PM Apr 30, 2016
Thanks, Mark! Yes, I feel pretty strongly that wet bolts should be standard equipment, and I am pretty sure Lee and Trace do also. They have a photo showing the difference in thickness between the old and the new shackles.
Bill and Linda said
02:49 PM Apr 30, 2016
mds1 wrote:
Bill,
Glad I saved a link to this thread. A couple blogs I follow just had a shackle problem.
Mark, thanks for the links and the read. Nice to know our friend, he really has become that, Sergio at MORryde was able to help one couple out. We're always glad to be in "Sergio's bay." He's fast, but won't be rushed. He takes him time and makes sure everything is correct. His work and MORryde's product makes up for the trains in our view. Actually, when we are there overnight for work and are in the building it's really pretty quiet. Spend a number of nights inside the plant with the trailer on jacks for service over the years. Nice people.
Bill
Rob_Fla said
03:33 PM May 1, 2016
I replaced the Shackles on my Redwood shortly after I bought it with the Moryde Heavy Duty shackles and Wet Bolt Kit as a preventative / predictive maintenance item. If you are stationary and travel very little, the factory shackles will be fine but if you move as frequently as I do, a shackle upgrade is a minimum investment in preventative / predictive maintenance.
-- Edited by Rob_Fla on Sunday 1st of May 2016 03:33:51 PM
I am currently wagon master on an RV caravan traveling through Mexico. Fortuneltely we are now in one spot for over a week. When i looked under my trailer the picture below is what I found. Also fortunatley my wife flew home and can return with a replacement set.
This will happen to any set of shackles that can not (or are not) lubricated. The rotational wear from the bolts on the holes simply wears through over time.
If there are leaf springs on the trailer than there are shackles of one type or another similar to those pictured.
MOR/ryde offers a "wet bolt" kit which allows for greasing of the pivot points with a simple hand grease gun.
http://www.morryde.com/uploads/downloads/1447944883-Wet%20Bolt%20Kit%20Flyer.pdf
This is a pretty simple installation and one that is highly recommended for all rigs that travel any amount of time each year. Any local RV shop could do this or DIY if one is comfortable with this type of mechanical work which does include jacking up the trailer one side at a time.
There are "better," albeit more expensive, upgrades to the spring and shackle system but the wet bolt kit which allows for lubrication is, IMO, a necessity for safety.
On Edit: As Terry recommended below here is a contact at MOR/ryde:
Rob KoleanAftermarket Sales Rep574-293-1581 Ex 256Rob.Kolean@morryde.com
www.morryde.com
Here's the deal - these parts are available via many distributers perhaps can be ordered direct and then installed at your local RV "fix it" shop. But Rob could perhaps advise on other items that might be of interest such as disc brakes, etc. which I recommend.It is possible to replace the shackles between the springs with a better support system which will improve the ride but you still may need wet bolts Rob can advise and provide options.
Gary Wheeler, also with MOR/ryde, has joined RV-Dreams Rallys as well providing information and support. He can be reached as well at the main number - 574-293-1581.
The people at MOR/ryde have always been helpful to me in the 10 years we've been a factory customer.
Bill
-- Edited by Bill and Linda on Thursday 3rd of March 2016 12:41:20 PM
-- Edited by Bill and Linda on Thursday 3rd of March 2016 12:48:12 PM
Bill,
I'd say to go ahead and post that contact information. There is always the possibility that others on the forum may find a similar issue before they travel again. We'll be moving soon, and while our fifth wheel hasn't traveled much, I'll still be checking all the suspension before we do.
Terry
Terry, always a good idea to inspect the running gear but as you indicated, as you've been stationary, I'm confident you should be fine for the trip up to Oregon.
For those reading along - this is primarily a wear issue. That is miles on the rig. But installing bolts that have a grease fitting on them is a fairly inexpensive upgrade to better insure longer life of the suspension system. Most rigs don't have them simply to save costs. That's a shame but true just the same.
Bill
Bill,
Glad I saved a link to this thread. A couple blogs I follow just had a shackle problem.
Camper Chronicles just posted.
ExploRVistas just posted also.
Both their blog posts are good reads.
-- Edited by mds1 on Sunday 1st of May 2016 10:01:49 PM
-- Edited by mds1 on Sunday 1st of May 2016 10:02:11 PM
Mark, thanks for the links and the read. Nice to know our friend, he really has become that, Sergio at MORryde was able to help one couple out. We're always glad to be in "Sergio's bay." He's fast, but won't be rushed. He takes him time and makes sure everything is correct. His work and MORryde's product makes up for the trains in our view. Actually, when we are there overnight for work and are in the building it's really pretty quiet. Spend a number of nights inside the plant with the trailer on jacks for service over the years. Nice people.
Bill
I replaced the Shackles on my Redwood shortly after I bought it with the Moryde Heavy Duty shackles and Wet Bolt Kit as a preventative / predictive maintenance item.
If you are stationary and travel very little, the factory shackles will be fine but if you move as frequently as I do, a shackle upgrade is a minimum investment in preventative / predictive maintenance.
-- Edited by Rob_Fla on Sunday 1st of May 2016 03:33:51 PM