Recommended Suspension Upgrade for Grand Design 17MKE Travel Trailer

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Question:

What about the Timbren Axle-Less Trailer Suspension? What I'm trying to achieve is to make a regular travel trailer somewhat off road capable for boondock.

asked by: Alex R

0

Expert Reply:

Since your Grand Design 17MKE has a GVWR of 6,395 lbs, you more than likely have 3,500 lb axles. That being the case, the Roadmaster Comfort Ride Leaf Spring Suspension Kit # RM-2460-2560 will not fit your travel trailer. Although Roadmaster does not have a kit like this for 3,500 lb axles, I do have another option.

I recommend the Roadmaster Comfort Ride Shock Absorbers for Tandem Axle Trailers # RM-2450 which are designed for 3,500 lb axles. Your trailer will need to have the leaf springs on top of the axle for these shocks to fit. If they are currently below the axle, you can use the Dexter Trailer Springs Over-Under Conversion Kit # K71-384-00 to move them. Doing this will raise the trailer by the thickness of the leaf spring stack and diameter of the axle.

Along with the shock absorbers, I recommend the Road Armor Shock Absorbing Equalizer Kit - Tandem Axle - Qty 2 # LC696740. These cushioned equalizers, combined with the shock absorbers, will be the best upgrade you can make and the equivalent to the full Roadmaster kit.

I have attached some review and installation videos for you to check out, including one for a 2020 Grand Design Imagine where you can see the Road Armor equalizer working together with shock absorbers.

expert reply by: Robin H

0

Alex R.

11/15/2021

What about the Timbren Axle-Less Trailer Suspension? What I'm trying to achieve is to make a regular travel trailer somewhat off road capable for boondock.

Reply

Robin H.

11/15/2021

For something that will give you more off-road capability, the Timbren would be your best choice. I recommend the Timbren Heavy-Duty Axle-Less Trailer Suspension - 4" Lift Spindle - Off-Road Tires - 3,500 lbs. # ASR35HDS02. Two of these (four total units) will be able to replace your existing 3,500 lb axles. The units work independently which will be ideal for off-road conditions. The 4" lift will give you additional clearance, and they are compatible with low-pressure, off-road tires. These have a 5 bolt brake flange pattern, and use inner bearing # 25580 and outer bearing # 15123. The inner grease seal diameter is 2.125". If you need a new hub and drum assembly, I recommend the Dexter Trailer Hub and Drum Assembly - 5,200-lb and 6,000-lb E-Z Lube Axles - 12" - 6 on 5-1/2 # 8-201-9UC3-EZ. For brakes, check out the Dexter Nev-R-Adjust Electric Trailer Brake Assembly # 23-459 for the right and # 23-458 for the left. I have attached a review of the Timbren system for your reference.

Reply

Answer 1

Well shackle length is mainly based on the height difference between the front and rear hangers. The rear hanger normally doesn't hang as low as the front so that the shackle can offset the difference and add the ability to move. What is the…

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Answer 2

You shouldn't loose any wheel clearance with the Dexter E-Z Flex Suspension Kit. First you will want to see which of the Equalizers you need. There is a 6,000lb Equalizers #K71-654-00 (5-5/8") and 8,000lb Equalizers #K71-655-00…

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Answer 3

The shackle strap length of the Dexter E-Z Flex Heavy Duty Rubber Suspension System #K71-653-00 are 3-3/4 inches long and 2-1/4 inches on center. I've attached a photo to assist. The adjustment of the equalizer should allow for a great fit.

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Answer 4

The equalizers in the E-Z Flex system #K71-653-00 are designed to fit in place of equalizers that measure 7-1/4 inches to 8-1/4 inches so they will still fit but might not provide as good of a ride as they possibly could if the axle spacing is in the…

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Answer 5

I believe you are referring to the wear pad where the leaf springs make contact on the #RM-2460-2560. You can use an all purpose grease here at the point of contact. Assuming that is where the sound is coming from this should eliminate the squeaking.…

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Answer 6

Since your 2022 Grand Design Imagine 2910BH has two 4,400 lbs 3" diameter axles, I recommend the Roadmaster Comfort Ride Shock Absorbers item #RM-2460. This system has nitrogen-charged shock absorbers that help to eliminate trailer bouncing,…

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Answer 7

Since the Lippert 4,400 lb trailer axles are 3 inch in diameter the Roadmaster Comfort Ride system part #RM-2460-2560 is correct as that is what diameter axle it is designed to fit. It is also perfectly compatible with the other dimensions you…

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Answer 8

You will need to use the Roadmaster Comfort Ride Leaf Spring Suspension Kit #RM-2460-2560 for your 2022 Winnebago Minnie 2529RG travel trailer. These leaf springs are rated for 5,000lb axles while the ones in the Kit #RM-2460-2580 you found are rated…

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Answer 9

I do have options for you but we would not have a direct replacement for your 3,500 Lb Lippert Axle. Instead, we have the Timbren Axle-Less Trailer Suspension System part #ASR3500S05 or part #ASR3500S06 which as the title states is an axle-less style…

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Answer 10

According to our contact at MORryde, the MORryde X-Factor Crossmember for CRE, SRE, or Stock Leaf Spring Suspension #MR33WR works with the Road Armor cushioned equalizers so this would be what you'd want.

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Answer 11

The Roadmaster Comfort Ride system part #RM-2460-2560 is a much more complete and better performing kit than just shock kits. The shock kits are sometimes challenging to install since they don't always like to easily fit all applications well…

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Answer 12

It's a good question, but your Grand Design's double-eye springs aren't compatible with the bracket for the slipper springs (which have a different style) of the Roadmaster Comfort Ride Leaf Spring Suspension Kit #RM-2460-2560. You're…

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Recommended Suspension Upgrade for Grand Design 17MKE Travel Trailer

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