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Old 06-20-2019, 10:07 PM   #41
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I was going to say the springs were flattened and then read the rest of the posts before replying that. Glad to see LCI sent you a set for free (and always replace them in pairs - right and left on at least one axle). I presume they sent you a set of 4. I would also suggest cleaning up the edges of that black material under the floor and hitting it with some rubber automotive undercoating to reseal from the weather.

One other question I have is what model Freedom Express do you have? I have a 2015 FE 246RKS and my axle tube is over the springs, not under like in your photo. I have a pair of the 3,500lb LCI axles with 3" tube. Was yours like that from the factory or has someone flipped the axle?

Also the Marathon and Endurance tires are the same diameter for the same tire sizes, so I doubt it's the tires.
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Old 06-21-2019, 04:50 AM   #42
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I sent them my axle info for them to match up and that’s what they sent.Click image for larger version

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Old 06-21-2019, 05:14 AM   #43
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I might be a little late to the party, but the only time I have seen this is when the trailer was overloaded causing the tire to rub the bottom. I did not see this in any of the discussions.
Just curious if this has been considered.
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Old 06-21-2019, 06:28 AM   #44
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I sent them my axle info for them to match up and that’s what they sent.Attachment 207879
They sent you 1350lb springs and you have 3500lb axles? Maybe I don't understand how the springs carry the weight. Maybe ask them how that is supposed to work.
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Old 06-21-2019, 06:31 AM   #45
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I might be a little late to the party, but the only time I have seen this is when the trailer was overloaded causing the tire to rub the bottom. I did not see this in any of the discussions.
Just curious if this has been considered.
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OP first post.
"Have a freedom express and the tires are hitting the floor, causing some burn/tear marks. The gap between the tires and floor is very small. The camper itself is unloaded. The leaf springs also appear to have very little curvature. Is all of this normal? I never looked at the gap between tires and floor before now."
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Old 06-22-2019, 05:37 AM   #46
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Yea, it’s at near dry weight with only 3/4 of one propane tank full and 3-4 chairs.
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Old 06-22-2019, 05:43 AM   #47
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It’s a 292 bunkhouse model and I did purchase it new, receiving it a week or two after manufacturing date with no modifications to axle. New springs on it with same look. The springs were sent based on axle and VIN.
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Old 06-22-2019, 03:06 PM   #48
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It’s a 292 bunkhouse model and I did purchase it new, receiving it a week or two after manufacturing date with no modifications to axle. New springs on it with same look. The springs were sent based on axle and VIN.
Something is bad not right. I think they put the wrong springs on your trailer at the factory.

You say your model is a 2015 FE 292BHDS, but the GVWR of the 292BHDS is 6,798lbs. That is more than 4 of the 1,350lb springs are rated to carry. The dry weight listed for the 2015 292BHDS is 5,492lbs. If the LCI springs were 1,350lb springs instead of the 1,750lb springs (for a 3,500lb axle), then no wonder the springs were flat. They were overloaded coming off the factory floor. Capacity of 4 of the 1,350 springs is 5,400lbs and the dry weight is listed in the 2015 FE brochure as 5,492lbs (I have a 2015 FE 246RKS). You need to call LCI and ask them about those 1,350lb springs. The new ones will also fail for the same reason if they are 1,350lb springs.

What does the sticker on the side of your trailer on the curb side front of the trailer say about weights? There should be a GVWR listed and the dry weight as well. The sticker weights are for that individual trailer and the advertised weights are more in general. So the sticker will rule.

Can you post photos of your weight stickers?
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Old 06-22-2019, 03:24 PM   #49
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Something is bad not right. I think they put the wrong axles on your trailer at the factory.

You say your model is a FE 292BHDS, but the GVWR of the 292BHDS is 7,700lbs. That is more than 2 of the 3,500lb axles are rated to carry. Hell the dry weight listed for the 292BHDS is 6,424lbs. That is dang near the axle limit without anything in it.
You need to also add in the tongue weight with the axles to get the gvwr. (3,500 × 2) + 700 = 7,700. But I agree it's cut to the bare minimum. If it were me, I'd just spring for new 5,200 lb. axles and springs and be done with it.
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Old 06-22-2019, 03:42 PM   #50
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First, axles can be either "under-slung" or "over-slung" and there is a kit for converting from over to under-slung.

TT manufacturers are famous for installing axles with the lowest rating possible. You MUST deduct the tongue wt. from the total TT weight. Needs to be based on actual wts., not dry weights. One of the spring sets in the photo looks severely flattened and even reverse-arched. Wow!

It sound like the replacement spring rating was under-sized and wrong. Al-ko has excellent axle information and can be found here: AL-KO According to the info. here, the springs for a 3500 lb axle are supposed to be rated 1750 lbs, which makes perfect sense. Axle rating needs to be based on the GVWR since TTs are often loaded up to or near GVWR (like in our case for ex.).

Not sure if Dexter has similar axle specs, but I would go back to them and tell them they made an error. I have read a number of reports over the years of manufacturers installing under-sized axles and at least in one case, there was a recall.

Our story is that we used to have a TT (brand name withheld) that came with a weak frame design and 3500 lb axles. It had a frame issue, and long story short, the entire TT got replaced with a new one (after a not-so-easy battle). The new one came with a VERY heavy duty frame and 5200 lb axles. What an amazing improvement! We also installed shock absorbers. Also an amazing improvement - highly recommended! And, we also installed the Dexter equa-flex equalizers and wet bolts.
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Old 06-22-2019, 10:51 PM   #51
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Tires hitting floor

So that would mean that everyone will have the same issue with the same rv? They spec’d the springs by the axle tag I gave them and the VIN. Dry weight is like 6,400 lbs.
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Old 06-24-2019, 11:17 AM   #52
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Tires hitting floor

I see by your picture the axles are marked 3500. That was the first thing my supplier asked when ordering. Mine are also 3500, and he said you need 1750 springs. That's what I bought. If they sent you 1350, then that's not right. You need to go back at them.
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Old 06-24-2019, 11:53 AM   #53
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Good catch, it was on my error. I went back and verified 1750 is what was actually sent.
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Old 06-24-2019, 12:44 PM   #54
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Tires hitting floor

Good,
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Old 06-25-2019, 06:03 AM   #55
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Didn't Coachmen have a recall out on the Freedom Express for tires rubbing.

I have a 204RD with a gross trailer weight of 6K. Would you like a picture of my suspension?
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Old 06-25-2019, 07:06 AM   #56
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kho6658 View Post
OP first post.
"Have a freedom express and the tires are hitting the floor, causing some burn/tear marks. The gap between the tires and floor is very small. The camper itself is unloaded. The leaf springs also appear to have very little curvature. Is all of this normal? I never looked at the gap between tires and floor before now."
Yes, I saw that. So every time this camper has been pulled, it has been "unloaded" .

Has the Op actually weighted the trailer to get his starting empty weight or is just looking at a brochure posted weight.
Have any mods been done or are there any dealer add on items.
Fresh, Black and grey tanks all empty.


3500Lb axles with 1750Lb springs on a GVWR 6000Lb trailer with tire rub means over weight.
(Assuming tires are original size and load rating).


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Old 06-25-2019, 12:57 PM   #57
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Sure, but the whole point now is that there are brand new never been loaded springs on the camper that have the same flex and distance to floor board. So, yes they have been pulled unloaded every time.
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Old 06-25-2019, 12:59 PM   #58
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A picture would be great but I’m hoping someone with the same tt could send me a pick.
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Old 06-25-2019, 05:09 PM   #59
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2019 Freedom Express 204RD with 3.5k axles. The trailer has its fresh water tank full, 450lbs.
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Old 06-25-2019, 06:06 PM   #60
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Changing the subject here a touch but pervious posts mentioned a "flipped" spring after a tire change. Can someone explain the mechanics of this? I picture of the condition would be helpful.
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