Clipper

[Lagman]

I’ve been trying to find out what the rating is for my ‘14 17fq Clipper. The axle bottomed out last week in Arizona and I was thing maybe bump them up a little. It’s a Dexter 3500# single. Maybe 2000# or 2500# spring will work but I don’t want It bouncing down the road.
Thanks

[SeaDog]

Your rig is rated at 2886 dry weight and max weight 3635 So if you have full water 273 lbs plus battery 35lbs plus propane 20 that leaves you with about 321lbs for everything else. If you are bottoming out I would weight the rig and see where you are at before changing suspension.

[Paulie1138]

Also take a look at the springs. You may be within weight of the axle, but springs may be weak or have a broken leaf.

If still in AZ, near Mesa/Gilbert/Chandler, great place for parts or help is Spectrac.

[archerrj]

Bottoming out is a common issue with these trailers, a lot of us do the "axle flip" to put the spring on top of the axle which gains you around 4" of additional clearance.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

More details in the attached post link.

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ip-116799.html

FYI the OEM springs are:
Tru Ryde DE-7242
1,750 lb. double eye trailer spring for 3,500 lb. axle.
Specs:
Spring width: 1-3/4"
Spring capacity: 1,750 lbs.
Axle capacity: 3,500 lbs.
Eye diameter: 9/16"
Number of leaves: 4
Eye-to-eye length: 25-1/4"

[Lagman]

Just finished the axle underslung. New seats, 2500# springs, wet bolts, bronze bushings. Also bought the shock kit. Didn’t run it any distance yet but it feels ok. Anyone else have anything I may have missed?

[archerrj]

Originally Posted by Lagman

Just finished the axle underslung. New seats, 2500# springs, wet bolts, bronze bushings. Also bought the shock kit. Didn’t run it any distance yet but it feels ok. Anyone else have anything I may have missed?

Sounds like you have the suspension upgrades covered.
What brand 2,500lb spring did you use & where did you buy it?

[Lagman]

I bought everything at Eastern Marine/Trailer Parts Superstore in Newark Delaware. The springs are Universal Brand. They have everything at this place and I’ve checked you can’t be their prices and there’s no sales tax. All in was $230.

[Lagman]

Just finished changing the entry step to a 2 step. Original frame manufacturer, Lippert, said they’d bolt right up. Wrong! Had to drill the 4 mounting holes. Had to use wood and clamps to hold em in place. Works good. Pretty much job is complete except for the receiver hitch. Any recommendations? Need to go up 8-9” above truck receiver to keep it level.

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by SeaDog

Your rig is rated at 2886 dry weight and max weight 3635...

Originally Posted by Lagman

Just finished the axle underslung. New seats, 2500# springs..

It sounds like a single axle rig, right? If so, isn't 2,500 pound springs pretty light?

Have you weighed to see how much the axle is carrying?

[Lagman]

Yep 3500# single. The springs are rated 2500# each. A little overkill but the shocks should help. I just don’t want to be worried about the suspension bottoming out and putting a little to much gear in there. I don’t run with a lot of water in the tanks but I will weigh it soon. I have 2 6v batteries and 2 propane tanks. Other than that just the normal gear we need.

[archerrj]

Originally Posted by Lagman

Just finished changing the entry step to a 2 step. Original frame manufacturer, Lippert, said they’d bolt right up. Wrong! Had to drill the 4 mounting holes. Had to use wood and clamps to hold em in place. Works good. Pretty much job is complete except for the receiver hitch. Any recommendations? Need to go up 8-9” above truck receiver to keep it level.

After I did the axle flip on my Clipper, but still staying with the OEM 13" tires, With my stock height 2016 F-150 4X4, I used this draw bar to achieve the correct hitch height: Hidden Hitch Reese 80233 Angle-Cut Class III Ball Mount - 16" Length x 4" Drop x 2-3/4" Rise, 6000 lbs. The extra long draw bar length allows just enough room for the tailgate to be lowered without hitting the trailer jack.
https://autoendurance.com/hidden-hit...000-lbs-gtw-2/

[archerrj]

This is the double step I used after the flip, which only required drilling two new holes & some washers for spacers.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/RV-Motorhom...72.m2749.l2649

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by Lagman

Yep 3500# single. The springs are rated 2500# each. A little overkill but the shocks should help. I just don’t want to be worried about the suspension bottoming out and putting a little to much gear in there. I don’t run with a lot of water in the tanks but I will weigh it soon. I have 2 6v batteries and 2 propane tanks. Other than that just the normal gear we need.

I was thinking you needed 3,500 pound springs since it was a 3,500 pound axle. Or is it 2,500 pounds per side and a total weight of 5,000 pounds?

[Lagman]

Originally Posted by archerrj

This is the double step I used after the flip, which only required drilling two new holes & some washers for spacers.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/RV-Motorhom...72.m2749.l2649

I went with the Lippert 2 step, since they make the frame for it. Those techs in support were wrong with the lineup of the holes.

[Lagman]

Originally Posted by ependydad

I was thinking you needed 3,500 pound springs since it was a 3,500 pound axle. Or is it 2,500 pounds per side and a total weight of 5,000 pounds?

2500# per side. Might be overkill, but I didn’t get anything from the board so I just went with it. Might be stiffer but hopefully the shocks help. I’ll have o take a ride in the trailer while it’s moving so I can check.
I’ve always be the overkill type. I don’t plan on overloading it. Just don’t ever want to worry about it bottoming out again and I needed the room below the drains. I’ll keep the 14” (new) till there beat then I’ll have to see what fits. 14’s or 15’s.
Anyone have.any suggestions of size after flip?
Thanks