Broken Spring Hanger!

[Joseph143]

I guess I can look for a shop that installs mor ryde products. I just don’t think most local welding shops would be familiar with these hangers and the problems associated with them. Anyone know a good shop in Pa?

[Calbar]

Has this happened on any of the smaller trailers like my 297 RSTS or is this limited to the heavier units? Has anyone been able to get GD or Lippert to pay for reinforcing this prior to failure. Could be a dangerous situation if it breaks while towing. I would hate to have this happen on the road and ruin vacation or worse.

Rob

[ncitro]

Has this happened on any of the smaller trailers like my 297 RSTS or is this limited to the heavier units? Has anyone been able to get GD or Lippert to pay for reinforcing this prior to failure. Could be a dangerous situation if it breaks while towing. I would hate to have this happen on the road and ruin vacation or worse.

Rob

Your 297 weighs about what my 28bh does I think. Not sure how it being a travel trailer rather than a fifth wheel would affect it.

[Cate&Rob]

Has this happened on any of the smaller trailers like my 297 RSTS or is this limited to the heavier units? Has anyone been able to get GD or Lippert to pay for reinforcing this prior to failure. Could be a dangerous situation if it breaks while towing. I would hate to have this happen on the road and ruin vacation or worse.

Rob

Hi Rob (Calbar),

This seems to have occurred predominantly on 5th wheel Reflections. But, this could be because there are more of these than any other configuration. There are two different lengths of spring hangers used by LCI. I don't know about Dexter. For the Reflection 5th wheels, it is a struggle to get these high enough to tow level with reasonable overhang clearance to the newer taller trucks. This seems to translate into GDRV/LCI using the tallest spring hangers . . . which end up being the most susceptible to flex. This would not be a concern with TTs . . . so, maybe these use shorter hangers?

My hangers (the "tall ones") are 4 1/4" from frame rail to bolt hole.

(another) Rob

[J&G garage]

Has this happened on any of the smaller trailers like my 297 RSTS or is this limited to the heavier units? Has anyone been able to get GD or Lippert to pay for reinforcing this prior to failure. Could be a dangerous situation if it breaks while towing. I would hate to have this happen on the road and ruin vacation or worse.

Rob

We have lost 3 spring hangers (2 left rear, one right rear) and our trailer is one of the lightest when built. Barely noticeable when driving with a broken hanger. You're not going to be thrown in a ditch or anything. Only assistance with covering any repairs was our extended warranty. We were well out of GD warranty when the first one failed. It shouldn't be hard to find a weld shop that has performed this repair before. It's a pretty common failure on light trailers.

[TucsonJim]

Hi Rob (Calbar),

This seems to have occurred predominantly on 5th wheel Reflections. But, this could be because there are more of these than any other configuration. There are two different lengths of spring hangers used by LCI. I don't know about Dexter. For the Reflection 5th wheels, it is a struggle to get these high enough to tow level with reasonable overhang clearance to the newer taller trucks. This seems to translate into GDRV/LCI using the tallest spring hangers . . . which end up being the most susceptible to flex. This would not be a concern with TTs . . . so, maybe these use shorter hangers?

My hangers (the "tall ones") are 4 1/4" from frame rail to bolt hole.

(another) Rob

Rob (Calbar). My 297RSTS is in the shop, so I can't measure the spring hanger. But it looks like we have the shorter version hanger. Using a picture that I had previously taken, the spring is approximately 1-3/4" across. If so, then it appears to be about 3 to 3-1/4" from the frame rail to the bolt hole.



Jim

[Calbar]

Rob (Calbar). My 297RSTS is in the shop, so I can't measure the spring hanger. But it looks like we have the shorter version hanger. Using a picture that I had previously taken, the spring is approximately 1-3/4" across. If so, then it appears to be about 3 to 3-1/4" from the frame rail to the bolt hole.



Jim

Thanks Jim,

My hangers are different. I have 16" wheels and there was a recall where GD added an extension to the hangers as the tires could hit the slideout push rod. I will have to take some pictures next time I go to the storage site. I think what they did with the extension makes things stiffer so less flex as well but not sure. Once I get the pics I will post again for input from the group.

Rob

[Calbar]

Hi Rob (Calbar),

This seems to have occurred predominantly on 5th wheel Reflections. But, this could be because there are more of these than any other configuration. There are two different lengths of spring hangers used by LCI. I don't know about Dexter. For the Reflection 5th wheels, it is a struggle to get these high enough to tow level with reasonable overhang clearance to the newer taller trucks. This seems to translate into GDRV/LCI using the tallest spring hangers . . . which end up being the most susceptible to flex. This would not be a concern with TTs . . . so, maybe these use shorter hangers?

My hangers (the "tall ones") are 4 1/4" from frame rail to bolt hole.

(another) Rob

Thanks Rob,

Mine are shorter like what Jim posted but mine have an height extension from a recall due to GD using 16" tires on some of the 2018 models and having clearance issues. I will post pics once I go to the storage site sometime to see what the group thinks.

Rob

[Cate&Rob]

Thanks Rob,

Mine are shorter like what Jim posted but mine have an height extension from a recall due to GD using 16" tires on some of the 2018 models and having clearance issues. I will post pics once I go to the storage site sometime to see what the group thinks.

Rob

Hi Rob,

It will be interesting to learn whether these “factory” extensions reinforce the hangers or extend the leverage on the hanger welds.

Rob

[acadiaforever]

Rob (Calbar). My 297RSTS is in the shop, so I can't measure the spring hanger. But it looks like we have the shorter version hanger. Using a picture that I had previously taken, the spring is approximately 1-3/4" across. If so, then it appears to be about 3 to 3-1/4" from the frame rail to the bolt hole.



Jim

Is it just me, or does it look like your hanger is already bent?
-Al