Americana Leaf Springs Undersized!

[Docgeo]

Americana leaf springs undersized!
I don't know if this is Forest Rivers fault or Americana RVs fault.
Since the first trip in this fifth wheel I've had leaf spring problems. The first time was just a couple months after picking up the new rig.
I finally traced paperwork back to the first warranty spring replacement and found they are only rated at 3300 pounds. Alko Kober 8114
The fifth Wheel has a GVWR of 15500.
I have asked Americana several times and they said I was the only one having problems.
I'm not an engineer but shouldn't this suspension be heavier.

[Platokidd]

I dont think forest river has anything to do with Americana rv

[Docgeo]

I'm sorry to tell you you're wrong!
Americana took a Cardinal and customized it. You can see by my VIN#4X4FCAM237G######
The fifth letter is the manufacturer

[AquaMan]

Originally Posted by Docgeo

I'm sorry to tell you you're wrong!
Americana took a Cardinal and customized it. You can see by my VIN#4X4FCAM237G######
The fifth letter is the manufacturer

Regardless, once Americana altered the trailer, FR is off the hook. I know nothing about Americana, but if this is what they actually do, they may be adding a lot of weight to the trailer and not upgrading the suspension.


Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

[Ida Ratherbe Camping]

From their website....


Here’s how the factory warranty adjustment plan works:

It’s amazingly simple and more convenient for our owners than having to haul their fifthwheel many miles to a selling dealer for adjustment; when many qualified independent RV service companies are often close at hand. Most of our customers find they can use the same nearby independent service company who did satisfactory service on their previous RV.

In Richard’s case he was able to take his Americana model to the same service company, located just a few miles from his home, who used to fix his 30’ travel trailer; rather than taking his new fifthwheel to the factory’s closest service point, located many miles away and across the Hudson river in New Jersey.

Our plan really works. It has proven to work better than selling reluctant dealer service, offered by most manufactures. Normally owners have to take a broken RV back to a selling dealer. We have found that RV dealers generally are not necessarily the best warranty service points. Therefore we normally have our customers use small independent RV service companies. Dealers make their real profits selling things and not fixing things. Independent RV service folks make their living fixing RV's and they need repeat business in order to stay in business. So independents normally do a better job than dealers. Most RV service companies will contact the Factory Warranty administrator for work approval and will bill the factory directly. Warranty work needs to be pre-approved. Our basic coach supplying factory (one of the largest RV national companies company) pays their bills on time and therefore has excellent credit. If the service company will not give the factory credit then the customer can submit a factory approved expense for reimbursement. Independents are normally warranty points for the appliances used in the fifthwheel. We use national brands of appliances such as Dometic, Suburban, Surflo, Magic Chief, etc. You don't have to contact the factory for warranty repairs on these appliances.

We have created the best of two worlds; warranty backing by a multimillion dollar company combined with good local service.

Good luck with your springs..

[youroo]

Americana lists (Air Ride) on their New units Youroo!!

[Platokidd]

From their website...
We do build custom fifthwheels (the Sequoyah designed full basement/garage model) at our small factory in Michigan, just across the Indiana border from Elkhart. It takes 5 times more labor to build a custom fifthwheel than a modified production unit.

Docgeo, hope you get your leaf-spring problem worked out.
And welcome to the forum

[TURBS]

Welcome!




I think you need to look at the pdf again sir.

An 8114 alko axle is rated at 7000# with 3500# springs "each"
Sounds like to me you have 14,000# worth of axles under your rv.

[ependydad]

Have you weighed the unit to get pin weight and axle weights?

[TURBS]

8114 PP-6/UNA-222/72-27/SW6 spring rating 3500 24.875” 1.75” 6 DE. Axle rating 7000

Looks like enough spring and axle from where I stand

[amxpress]

What kind of spring problem are you experiencing? Are the leaves breaking? Are the springs bowed or sagging?