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Old 10-24-2017, 10:45 AM   #1
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Axles/leaf springs

Why would Forest river put only 3500 lb. axle/springs on a 2013 Salem 27RKSS with a dry weight of 6366 lbs.and cargo capacity not to exceed 1316 lbs. for a total of 7682 lbs. I realized this After discovering a broken leaf spring on one set and the other three sets flattened. This seems unsafe to me. Am I wrong?
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Old 10-24-2017, 11:25 AM   #2
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If your GAWR is indeed 3500# each axle and if your axle is is indeed configured correctly:
2 x 3500 = 7000#
7682 x 12.5%(avg. hitch weight)= 960#
7862 - 960 = 6722#
7000 - 6722 = 278#
Looks fine.
If you found 1 broken leaf and 3 flat spring sets on at the other wheels, seems like misconfigured axles UNLESS you have overloaded your trailer to cause the springs to flatten/break. Or, since it is a 2013, could the springs have fatigued from overloads over the years?
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Old 10-24-2017, 11:31 AM   #3
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You must subtract the tongue weight from the total to get the true axle weight.
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Old 10-24-2017, 01:06 PM   #4
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For my Rockwood 2306 I found that each axle was 2200 pounds. So I called Dexter Axle and asked the very same question that you did here. And they told me what others have already replied, that once you take off the tongue weight, the axles are in spec for the trailer.

And that's when I had on of life's "Oh, duh" moments. [emoji1]
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Old 10-24-2017, 02:02 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by windsurfdog View Post
If your GAWR is indeed 3500# each axle and if your axle is is indeed configured correctly:

2 x 3500 = 7000#

7682 x 12.5%(avg. hitch weight)= 960#

7862 - 960 = 6722#

7000 - 6722 = 278#

Looks fine.

If you found 1 broken leaf and 3 flat spring sets on at the other wheels, seems like misconfigured axles UNLESS you have overloaded your trailer to cause the springs to flatten/break. Or, since it is a 2013, could the springs have fatigued from overloads over the years?


Thanks I’m a novice so I figured I was missing something. The hitch weight on my trailer is 760# according to paperwork. The numbers still work just barely. Trailer has never been close to overloaded we only go on four day trips less than 6 hours from home and never carry water in any of the tanks. Just clothes,food and normal camping stuff which most of that is in the back of my tow vehicle.
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Old 12-10-2017, 11:30 PM   #6
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Lightbulb Axles/leaf springs

Once again I found what I was looking for just by seeing what others had to say. So thanks to afff2018 for his asking, and thanks to windsurfdog and old 40ford for answering. I had the same question, and now have the answer. And the light turns on.
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Old 12-10-2017, 11:46 PM   #7
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Axles/leaf springs

Now remember that the same logic you just read applies to the tires also. My original LRC tires were within (think over) 200lbs of max weight. Then was told to subtract the tongue weight.

I don’t know about you all but that is too close to the line for me and I upgraded to D’s.
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Old 12-11-2017, 12:50 AM   #8
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I posted my frustration on this topic several months ago, bent both axles on my 2016 Evo220rbs on trip to Alaska. Most seem to assume overloading, too fast on rough roads,etc. I am careful to do neither, and it does not change the fact that the axles are all at the ragged edge of being maxed out instead of leaving a comfortable safety margin. Now spending thousands to upgrade axles so I don't have to worry about this happening every time I hit a bump. Forest River is no different than any other manufacturer in this regard, but sure wish they all would spec a bit heavier duty on at least the suspension and tires. Way too many people have failures with these components.
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Old 12-11-2017, 06:00 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by windsurfdog View Post
If your GAWR is indeed 3500# each axle and if your axle is is indeed configured correctly:
2 x 3500 = 7000#
7682 x 12.5%(avg. hitch weight)= 960#
7862 - 960 = 6722#
7000 - 6722 = 278#
Looks fine.
If you found 1 broken leaf and 3 flat spring sets on at the other wheels, seems like misconfigured axles UNLESS you have overloaded your trailer to cause the springs to flatten/break. Or, since it is a 2013, could the springs have fatigued from overloads over the years?
Those figures are too close to the edge of the envelope for me. I had my choice of two Salem 27RKSS's in 2016, and both had 5200 axles underneath. Never looked at a 2017 model, but my dealer has one 2018 and it is equipped with 5200's as well.
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