Mountainman198

My trailer has been outdoors 24x7 since new. Looks good still from prior years hand washing and waxing using 3m ultra marine paste wax, however this Spring I noticed the beginning of oxidation along the top leading edge. I have a small orbital but decided to bite the bullet on a Makita 9237 and assorted cutting and polishing pads. Per #Seadawg’s recommendation I will learn to use it on my 1989 Whaler first.

3 - I’ll be back. Lance Smeltekop Hull #898 Nederland,CO and Traverse City, MI

For those who are in the Midwest and near a Blain’s Farm and Fleet, they are having a buy three get one free sale on tires (including Cooper Discoverer HT3) right now. Even if you don’t buy from Blain’s, Discount tire will honor the pricing.

The pictures interrupted the text. It has been corrected. Thanks for the alert.

I have been away from my trailer since this post but just returned and the first thing I did was inspect the shackles both to measure as well as inspect the gap between the second leaf of the Alcan springs and the dexter equalizer arms. Here is what I found: -Hull #898 came stock with 2.25” shackles (see pic) -there was plenty of space between the equalizer arm and the second leaf of the springs (see pic) -there were no witness marks on the equalizer arms where the springs had made contact My experience does not mean that every trailer has 2.25” shackles (it appears that at least one E2 had 2” shackles)

It is a true Michigan classic in that while it only has 55k orig miles, MI road salt has gotten to it.

I use “The Collar” lock with a 2” ball with the shank cut off locked in the hitch. When gone for more than a week I also park my rusty K20 in front of it. With the threat of tetanus and the added bonus of a manual transmission I feel as though most bases are covered

Yes, stock shock for my trailer is the 555001. Appreciate the lookup of the equivalent Bulldog.

Seemed to have plenty of available up/down travel with the stock monroes after installing the Alcan springs. I plan to look long and hard at the Bulldog shocks when the monroes wear out

I hope not either as I have only hand washed and hand waxed since new.

My doghouse has developed similar yellow areas, mostly where the surface planes transition and along edges. Has only been washed and waxed. Planning to try polishing and buffing to see if it goes away. Interested in what you learn from Oliver

I re-used the stock shackles. Did you do the same or are your shackles “other”?

My Alcans do not hit like yours show, however if they did I think I would taper the square end of the second leaf with a grinder so it would clear. Let us know how you decide to proceed

Yes. Same here, although I do re-check tightness before each trip as one cabinet door that fell down previously had damaged a small area of Gelcoat and want to avoid this again

Streetside rear on my E2 sheared at the usual spot. Curbside rear was flattened and starting to form a slight “S” shape. Front two springs appeared normal.

I believe in this case 3” references the spring arch. Edit: my mistake. I responded too soon. You are likely correct in it being axle diameter

Last I spoke with them this past Spring they did not. As they are a custom shop, might be worth a call to see if they would make a set. If you do call, please report back here what you are told.

Can you provide a picture of what remains of the zerk in the shackle? This will help in diagnosing and recommending a solution (e.g. ez-out vs wrench vs?)

John, If you tell Alcan you want a set of springs for a Oliver Legacy Elite II they have a default for undersprung install and 3” u bolts almost all Oliver E2s should have a 3” diameter axle. I double checked mine with a set of calipers just to calm my ocd. The reason to check is just to reassure the correct u bolts are ordered at time of purchase as there had been at least one report of replacement axles on older E2s being of different diameters. Springs should be the same regardless You can certainly do the string circumference then to the math for diameter. You can also check the stickers on your axles. It should look something like this and say D52 capacity - 3500 lbs as our trailers are only a year apart you and I should have very similar axle specs

My theory of what happened may or may not be correct. We will have to wait for Chris to let us know what Oliver Service says and/or what his axle sticker says (if it is still there)

Without more specifics it is hard to prove for sure, but from what Chris has provided so far, I believe you are correct. From what I can tell, the current standard for E2 axles is a Spring Center(SC) measurement of 50.50”. This is the measurement from the center of each of the centering holes located on the axle spring perches, across each axle (see my axle sticker below). I do not know of Oliver manufactures the steel suspension frame to which the spring/axle assemblies are then bolted to the aluminum frame or if this component is provided as part of a complete suspension package provided by Dexter which is bolted to the aluminum frame. Regardless, it appears that there was a period of manufacturing where the axle SC measurement was less than 50.50”, necessitating that the spring hangers on the steel frame were moved inboard. Not a defect IMHO, rather a manufacturing change to meet the narrowed spring perches being provided on the axles at that time Couple of questions I have: 1) how many trailers were manufactured with these narrower spring perch mounts? 2) since the steel suspension frames are bolted to the aluminum frames, is it possible for those impacted hull#s to have the narrower steel suspension frame replaced with one with a SC of 50.50”, thereby allowing newer axles to be fitted? For those interested, HF (hub face) measurement of 68.75” (as shown on the sticker) is the outside to outside width of the axle, as measured by the outside of one hub, across the axle, to the outside of the hub on the other side. I believe that this should remain unchanged for all E2 trailers built.

There is no part number. When you call, ask for Lew or Mike and tell them you have a Oliver Elite II(this way they can make sure the centering pin is set up for our spring under axle configuration). According to Alcan, their springs are rated at 2,750 lb/ea. While most of us who have installed them notice very little incremental stiffness, you should be aware of this going into the purchase. If you order your new ubolts and nuts from them, make sure you know your axle diameter when you call so they send the correct ubolt size.

Here is the replacement spring info Oliver Service sent me for my 2021 E2. They can be found on Amazon in pairs for $68. Note that the springs on Amazon appear to have nylon bushings rather than bronze, but they would serve to get you back on the road and home where you can figure out your final solution Please open a service ticket with Oliver so they are aware of the issue and can advise for your exact hull#

Happy and safe travels to CO. At 8700’ daytime temps have been mid 70’s with nighttime temps in the 40’s. Should be a welcome relief