Best Equalizer Suspension Upgrade For Tandem 3,500 lb Axles

Question

Question:

How does the Lippert Road Armor equalizer compare to the Morryde SRE 4000, and will either one work with a Dexter 3500 lb. axle? Would they be a better choice for a heavier trailer, or would either one be OK for a 5000 lb. trailer? Ive also looked at the Morryde CRE 3000, but like the idea of the added cushioning of the Road Armors extra bumpers on the bottom. Does the SRE 4000 also add extra cushioning on the bottom?

asked by: Matthew K

0

Expert Reply:

Those are some good options, and the best overall upgrade (without getting too crazy like you said!) for your Jayco with tandem 3,500 lb axles is going to be the MORryde CRE3000 with the X-factor crossmember. The Road Armor is good, but the combination of the upgraded MORryde equalizers with the crossmember will give you more added benefit.

The cushioned equalizers are going to provide you with a more comfortable ride due to their rubber construction and suspension travel, which is going to absorb shock and vibration. They will also help limit the annoying, uncomfortable, back-and-forth movement, or chucking, that is all too common when towing. Then the crossmember is going to give you some slight help with sway while reinforcing your trailer's frame, reducing the stressors put on it, particularly when making turns.

I'll list out the crossmember and equalizers, and to determine the correct equalizers, what you'd need to do is measure your wheelbase, which you do by measuring the distance from the center of the front wheel to the center of the rear wheel:

- 33" Wheelbase: MORryde Shock Absorbing Suspension Equalizers # MR87ZR

- 35" Wheelbase: MORryde Shock Absorbing Suspension Equalizers # MR27ZR

- 42" Wheelbase: MORryde Shock Absorbing Suspension Equalizers # MR54AR

- Crossmember: MORryde X-Factor Crossmember # MR33WR

I also highly recommend adding the MORryde upgraded hardware kit with 1/2" shackle straps and wet bolts as they will be stronger, more durable, and easier to maintain. You'll just want to measure your shackle straps and get the one with the closest length.

- 2-1/4" Long Shackle Straps: MORryde Suspension Upgrade Kit for Tandem Axle Trailers # MR46ZR

- 3-1/8" Long Shackle Straps: MORryde Suspension Upgrade Kit for Tandem Axle Trailers # MR76ZR

As for the replacement leaf springs, we do have a couple for 3,500 lb axles, both of which are 4-leaf springs. What you'll need to do to find the right one is measure your current leaf spring from center eye to center eye and match that as close as you can to the following lengths: 4-Leaf Double-Eye Spring for 3,500-lb Trailer Axles - 25-1/8" Long # e54SR or 27" Long # SP-210275.

expert reply by: Kyle S

0

Matthew K.

2/2/2022

How does the Lippert Road Armor equalizer compare to the Morryde SRE 4000, and will either one work with a Dexter 3500 lb. axle? Would they be a better choice for a heavier trailer, or would either one be OK for a 5000 lb. trailer? Ive also looked at the Morryde CRE 3000, but like the idea of the added cushioning of the Road Armors extra bumpers on the bottom. Does the SRE 4000 also add extra cushioning on the bottom?

Reply

Kyle S.

2/2/2022

So the MORryde SRE 4000 is only for trailers with axles that are 5,200 to 7,000 lbs, so it isn't for your 3,500 lb axles. If your decision was between that and the Road Armor, then you would want to go with the Road Armor: - Road Armor Shock Absorbing Equalizer Kit - Tandem Axle # LC696740 The # LC696740 is for axles rated up to 8,000 lbs so it will work on your 3,500 lb Dexter axles, but you need to make sure your current equalizers have the same (or very similar) measurements. They will need to measure 6 inches horizontally from center to center of the bolt holes, and 3-1/2 inches from the center of the equalizer to the center of the top bolt hole.

Reply

Answer 1

You are indeed right to think this way. When picking out the appropriate leaf springs for your custom built trailer you will want to choose them based on what the actual loaded weight of the trailer will be. Just make sure that the leaf springs…

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Answer 2

Yes, you can use 4-leaf springs in place of 3 leaf springs. The extra height of an additional leaf is minimal and won't really affect anything on the trailer. Provided that the springs used are replaced in pairs and not just one side of the…

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Answer 3

The Tandem-Axle Trailer Hanger Kit for Double Eye Springs #APT5 may have the correct equalizer but you will need to measure the current equalizer to find out. The length from the center of the left-most eye to the center of the right-most eye of…

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Answer 4

I am happy to help! Starting with the two holes in the shorter hangers included in the Tandem-Axle Trailer Hanger Kit for Double-Eye Springs - 2-1/2" Front/Rear, 4-1/2" Center #APT8 you were looking at. Those holes are not for…

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Answer 5

The center hangers in the Tandem-Axle Trailer Hanger Kit #APT8 that you recently purchased are indeed longer. This is actually pretty common for tandem axle trailers. The reason for the extra length on the middle hanger is related to the shackle…

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Answer 6

You are on the right track for picking out springs. You would want to split the total trailer capacity in two and then go with that number when picking out springs. Our springs are rated per axle though. The closest to that would be the part #e66SR…

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Answer 7

Thanks for the pictures! Since your current equalizer is 14-5/8" long the Equa-Flex Cushioned Equalizers - Double Eye Springs - Tandem Axle - 5.2K #LC314336 you were looking at will be an exact replacement. Based on the pictures it looks like…

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Answer 8

I recommend the LubriMatic LMX Industrial Strength Grease #L11390 for your Dexter axle on your 2021 Vista Cruiser Travel Trailer. This grease is specifically formulated to work in extreme hot and cold temperatures under high pressures. It is also…

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Answer 9

Thanks for the pictures! If you're getting that loud of noise out of your 2019 Jayco Eagle Fifth Wheel's equalizers then it is time to replace them. Greasing them won't fix that loud clunking noise. If your axles are 35" on center…

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Answer 10

Though it will depend on the size of your current equalizer, the MORryde 14-3/4" Shock Absorbing Equalizers #MR34AR will measure 3-1/4 inches from the center of the bolts on the outside to the top bolt. I included a diagram that should explain…

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Answer 11

Based on your measurements, the MORryde 14-3/4" Shock Absorbing Equalizers for Tandem Axle Trailers w/ 42" Wheelbase #MR34AR will be a perfect fit for your trailer. Since you have 2-1/4" shackles I also highly recommend adding the…

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Answer 12

I contacted the manufacturer regarding the measurements you were needing on the MORryde 14-3/4" Shock Absorbing Equalizers #MR34AR. I have included a diagram labeling some of these measurements. They did not provide a measurement for the…

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Best Equalizer Suspension Upgrade For Tandem 3,500 lb Axles

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