| User | Post |
|
11:05 am
February 18, 2013
|
mitch36
| | Oak Lawn, Ill. | |
| Member | posts 40 |
|
|
Post edited 6:06 pm – February 18, 2013 by mitch36
Howz it going everyone, just wondering if anyone here has attempted to upgrade the springs on your Sportsmans? I have been contemplating stepping up to a higher weight spring and 14 inch tires/wheels. I have already done the axle flip on my 16BH and am in the process of fabbing up a rear hitch assembly to carry a 4 bike rack. The slim margin of payload weight on the stock springs doesnt leave much wiggle room for extra loading –safely. I was also toying with the idea of a shock absorber set-up to control sway and excessive bouncing. If anyone has done this or has ideas, I would appreciate hearing them. Thanks, Mitch.
|
|
|
12:49 pm
February 18, 2013
|
camphappy
| | Regina, Canada | |
| Member | posts 27 |
|
|
Hey Mitch…I have the 19SBT model and am contemplating putting on a bike rack on the rear. What is the weight capacity for the rear bumper on these trailers? I'm looking @ two bikes.
I also did the axle flip which I am happy that I did but have not considered changing the springs. We did a lot of miles last summer and the trailer performed very well as is.
Paul
|
2011 Sportsmen classic 19SBT Towed with 2007 Toyota Tacoma TRD V6 4×4 with 4.0L engine and towing package
|
|
|
4:45 pm
February 18, 2013
|
mitch36
| | Oak Lawn, Ill. | |
| Member | posts 40 |
|
|
Paul, I'am not going to attach the bike rack to the bumper as the steel is too thin. I'am making a frame mounted hitch to spread the load out over a larger area. The bike rack I have weighs about 50 pounds alone plus the 4 bikes , the constant bouncing would rip the bumper off in no time. I had thought about extending the front of the frame and building a platform like I have seen on other trailers but its easier to make the hitch. Hopefully the added weight on the rear wont screw up the way the trailer tows. Only time will tell. Mitch.
|
|
|
10:04 am
February 19, 2013
|
Eugene
| | Eugene, Ore. | |
| Member | posts 29 |
|
|
Paul:
I found this citation in the owner's manual for my 2011 14RB about weight capacity of the rear bumper. Could be different for your trailer, but here's what my manual said:
The rear bumper on the frame of your recreational vehicle is NOT designed
to carry over 100 pounds of weight. Installation of items exceeding 100
pounds, including bike racks, generators, cargo containers, etc. could
cause metal fatigue and weld stress. Any such failures could damage your
property and endanger vehicles following your camper during travel, which
could result in an accident. The frame is NOT designed or built to tow any
trailer.
Jim
|
2011 Sportsmen Classic 14RB pulled by a 2012 Toyota Tacoma V6 4WD, 6-speed manual
|
|
|
4:54 pm
February 19, 2013
|
camphappy
| | Regina, Canada | |
| Member | posts 27 |
|
|
Thanks for the info! I have always brought the kids bikes camping (2) and would like to bring myself and my wife's bikes as well. I put the kids bikes in the truck bed and still have room for other things as well. With our bikes as well it would be difficult. I have thought about putting them inside the trailer but would rather not. Any idea's would be helpful.
Paul
|
2011 Sportsmen classic 19SBT Towed with 2007 Toyota Tacoma TRD V6 4×4 with 4.0L engine and towing package
|
|
|
2:06 pm
February 20, 2013
|
mitch36
| | Oak Lawn, Ill. | |
| Member | posts 40 |
|
|
Post edited 9:06 pm – February 20, 2013 by mitch36
Paul, I know that Camping World sells a hitch designed for the rear of motorhomes that looks to be easily adaptable to travel trailers. I believe its a bolt on hitch that has adjustment for frame width. I'm welding my own up from a discarded hitch from a truck at work, I dont plan on towing anything behind the traler as that is illegal in Illinois, it will just be for the bike rack. Mitch.
|
|
|
11:47 am
February 24, 2013
|
camphappy
| | Regina, Canada | |
| Member | posts 27 |
|
|
Mitch thanks for the input. I looked on campingworld and there are lots of neat things to see.
Paul
|
2011 Sportsmen classic 19SBT Towed with 2007 Toyota Tacoma TRD V6 4×4 with 4.0L engine and towing package
|
|
|
5:56 pm
April 5, 2013
|
mitch36
| | Oak Lawn, Ill. | |
| Member | posts 40 |
|
|
Well, I ordered my DEXTER greasable spring bolt/ shakle kit and my new 3660 pound springs, just waiting for them to arrive so I can get started. I bought two new rear hangers which I modified with a piece of heavy wall tube reamed to fit the new greasable bolts. I will cut the old ones off and weld these on in the CORRECT position, this way all the suspension hardware will be fully supported and greased, no more squeeking !! My trailer has a 3500# axle under it so I went with the 1830# springs (3660# total weight) for more load capacity and will upgrade to 14″ wheels and tires before heading out for the season. I thought for a split second to buy the 2500# springs for a total of 5000# capacity but felt that might be overkill. I will keep you posted on how this works out. Two trips from Chicago to Fla and one from ChiTown to Evergreen, Co. should test the new set up well. Thats all for now, Mitch.
|
|
|
7:16 pm
April 5, 2013
|
Sportsman Matt
| | Central MA | |
| Moderator
| posts 95 |
|
|
Hi Mitch, sounds like you're on the right path, just remember the axle can only handle 3500# max rating, so going to heavier springs changes the weak link in the suspension from the spring to the axle. Possiblity down the road you may have to go from a 3500# axle to a 4000# axle.
Biggest thing is to make sure the load doesn't reverse the camber on the axle, they come with a bend upward for a reason.
And don't forget that if you add a hitch to the frame, you move the weight balance point of the trailer rearward, which may not ammount to much but adding a bike carrier and a few bikes can move that magic point rearward enough that you may have stability issues while towing.
Good luck and post pics if possible.
|
|
|
7:28 pm
April 5, 2013
|
mitch36
| | Oak Lawn, Ill. | |
| Member | posts 40 |
|
|
Matt, I really dont think I will EVER have that much extra weight in the trailer to hit the GVWR of 3500#, just wanted to increase my safety margin. Havent really decieded on the rear bike carrier yet, I'm still toying with the idea of extending the front of the frame and putting the bike carrier there. The extra tongue weight ( maybe 75#-100# tops) shouldnt be an issue for my van and I dont believe a bit extra weight in front would screw with the handling like rear weight would. we will see, Mitch.
|
|
|
3:21 am
April 13, 2013
|
Suzy-Q
| | Oklahoma | |
| Member | posts 54 |
|
|
Post edited 10:22 am – April 13, 2013 by Suzy-Q
Mitch;
I have a 2010 14RK with the axle flipped. If you are looking for a better tire than an ST, look at the new EU Cargo tires like the OEM on the Ford Transit. They are said to be equal to LTs. One big advantage is they are not limited to 65mph like the STs.
Search for Goodyear G26 or Continental Vanco.
I am changing to the 195/70R15C Continental Vanco4Season or Vanco2 tires and 5 on 4.5, 15 x 6 wheels from Discount Tire.
The tire specs; load 1984lbs, 65psi, Load range D 8ply rated, 25.7in diameter, load/speed index 104/102R.
HTH;
John
|
|
|
|
|
10:03 am
April 16, 2013
|
mitch36
| | Oak Lawn, Ill. | |
| Member | posts 40 |
|
|
John, I looked at both tires on line and they look like an alternative to ST rated tires. The smallest 15 inch is about 25.7 inches and Continental makes a 14″ about the same size so there would not be a clearance issue with the axle flip. I'm trying to get some FORD Ranger or Aerostar ( 4.5 bolt circle) rims for free, I just need to find 3 that have close to zero off-set like the existing trailer rims. My springs should be here tomorrow so barring any crappy weather I can get them installed with the new hanger/ shackle hardware and get this show on the road. Mitch.
|
|
|
5:09 pm
April 16, 2013
|
Suzy-Q
| | Oklahoma | |
| Member | posts 54 |
|
|
Mitch;
I have learned that they are EU Commercial/Cargo type and are indeed equal to our LT rated tires. I almost got trailer pull-off rims from a trailer shop but they were 15×5. I am going with the Vanco4Season and 15×6 rims.
HTH;
John
|
|
|
|
|
6:16 am
May 1, 2013
|
Suzy-Q
| | Oklahoma | |
| Member | posts 54 |
|
|
A better tire choice and keep 13″ rims!
Hankook LT RA-08 175/R13
http://www.hankooktire-eu.com/…..rucks.html
Load index 1609lbs. Speed index 100mph.
Click 'read in details'.
HTH;
John
|
|
|
|
|
8:07 am
May 29, 2013
|
Suzy-Q
| | Oklahoma | |
| Member | posts 54 |
|
|
And a better choice! Kumho Radial 857, Q=100mph, D(8 Ply Rating).
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/…..;tab=Specs
Needs a 14″ wheel.
HTH;
John
|
|
|
|
Login
Forum
No Status Selected
Print this Post 
Topic RSS 
Search 