Mountainman198
-
Posts
322 -
Joined
-
Last visited
-
Days Won
4
Posts posted by Mountainman198
-
-
5 minutes ago, MAX Burner said:
2 - Art and Diane FLYNN Hull #226 Placitas, NM
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.
-
2
-
2
-
-
1 minute ago, rideandfly said:
The EZ Flex kit I installed on LE2 #75 has 2.25" shackles. Assume that's a typo beside the photo saying 2" since you said 2.25" earlier.
The pictures interrupted the text. It has been corrected. Thanks for the alert.
-
1
-
-
On 8/3/2024 at 11:02 AM, Mountainman198 said:
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
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)
-
2
-
2
-
-
6 minutes ago, Mike and Carol said:
Lance, that truck is a classic, the rust is just an added feature! Mike
It is a true Michigan classic in that while it only has 55k orig miles, MI road salt has gotten to it.
-
3
-
1
-
-
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
-
1
-
2
-
5
-
-
6 hours ago, John Welte said:
I get the impression that the Bulldog shocks are better made. They don't seem very expensive. Is your Monroe shock the 555001. I can look at what the equivalent number is on the Bulldog. Thanks
John
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
-
2
-
3
-
-
18 minutes ago, CRM said:
I had something similar happen on an old boat that had been compounded with an orbital buffer one too many times. The gelcoat became so thin that you could see the fiberglass showing through in spots. I hope that's not what is going on with your doghouse...
I hope not either as I have only hand washed and hand waxed since new.
-
1
-
-
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
-
5 minutes ago, rideadeuce said:
My question is why doesn’t yours hit. Do you have the same EZ-flex and 2 in or 2 1/4 in shackles. Does your 2nd leaf extend to the eyelet like mine?
I re-used the stock shackles. Did you do the same or are your shackles “other”?
-
1
-
-
13 hours ago, rideadeuce said:
Update to shackle issue installing ALCAN leaf springs.
Received the 2 1/4 in long shackles and installed today. Installation went straight forward but when I was greasing the assembly I noticed that when fully articulated the 4th leaf was still hitting the arm of the EZ-flex. So I called Lew and after some discussion he recommended to just keep an eye on it and that he didn't think it would cause any issues since so many other people had many miles on theirs with no reported issue. Also, offered the option using a cut-off tool to take a 1/2 in or so off the length of the leaf. Didn't go that route.
I am interested in what others may notice upon maintenance if theirs hit when fully articulated. @Mountainman198 @MAX Burner and many others. My axles are 3500 lb 3 in diameter axles so may not be the same for everyone.
My trailer is back together with new tires, shocks, and springs. Finally.
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
-
3
-
-
On 5/27/2019 at 5:03 AM, topgun2 said:
I've had them come loose but not fall off as yours did. After tightening those three or four times I re-assembled them with a couple of drops of Locktite (blue) on each bolt. They have not come loose since.
Bill
p.s. be careful to not overtighten and see if you can find that washer. The plastic can crack if you overtighten.
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
-
3 hours ago, jdmmtx said:
I wondered the same thing. Ours was curbside rear. The other 3 still had good shape.
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.
-
2
-
-
11 minutes ago, mossemi said:
Thank you!
@Gliddenwoods asked the question about increased hight and it caused me to wonder while I was at my keyboard.
And now a question for all of the Dexter axle spec sheet interpreters, please see the attachment.
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
-
1
-
-
46 minutes ago, mossemi said:
I may have missed this fact in this great 17 pages and growing post, does Alcan make a 4 leaf spring pack that would also work for a LE2 and still be a capacity upgrade?
Mossey
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.
-
1
-
-
2 hours ago, MSURRATT said:
I planned on greasing the zerks and on my second one it would not take the grease. While trying to disconnect the grease gun the insides of the zerk broke off and is stuck in my grease gun. What do I need to do to replace that zerk? I plan on jacking the trailer up to take weight off moving forward.
2023 elite 11 hule 1443.
Thank You,
Mark
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?)
-
1
-
-
20 minutes ago, rideadeuce said:
1/2 is 65 ft/lbs
9/16 is 90 ft/lbs
Is correct.
Make sure to tighten bolts in a cross-pattern and re-torque after 100 miles.
-
2
-
3
-
-
19 minutes ago, John Dorrer said:
We have a 2022, so I'm keeping a close look on our springs.
When we do switch it will be to Alcan.
Somewhere I read that we need to supply the axel diameter to Alcan. Can someone confirm this
Can Oliver confirm the diameter or do I just take a string and then measure. What has everyone done? Thanks.
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
-
2
-
2
-
-
1 hour ago, CRM said:
An important question for anyone who has the narrower spacing shackles- are there any new model Dexter axles that will fit that spacing if their axles ever need replacing?
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)
-
3
-
-
1 hour ago, mossemi said:
I’m not quite sure that OTT created any defect. It seems to me that Chris's 2016 LE2 was built to the axle specifications used on his trailer and have been in service for about 8 years without any problems.
Mossey
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.
-
2
-
-
2 hours ago, Wayfinder said:
Hey guys. I tried trudging through some of the 8 pages on the Alcan leaf spring thread listed above. Wow, that was a long thread. But I did not see mention of an actual part number to reference for the Alcan. Did I miss it or do they go off the basic specs of the springs that @Geronimo John mentioned in his attached document (very handy, thank you).
EDIT: Ah I see, it's a super small business, so likely no specific part number, and just give them the specs.
Thanks.
Chris
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.
-
5
-
-
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#
-
2
-
4
-
-
1 hour ago, Mike and Carol said:
We’re on our way to Colorado to escape the south Texas heat. Overnighting in Roswell, NM which does not get us out of the heat! It was 106 when we pulled in to our campground. No sitting outside, we’re enjoying 70s inside with our loud Dometic AC. We’re at the Red Barn RV Park, very small but clean and convenient. We’ve stayed here at least a dozen times on our way to/from Colorado.
Yes, that’s a Red Barn. It’s the office, rec room, rest rooms. She keeps a cooler there with bagged ice, food, ice cream and drinks.
Farm field behind us, there’s only about 12 sites total and several are long term folks.
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
-
1
-
2
-
Wanting to purchase a nice Orbital buffer for use on the Ollie gelcoat.
in Mechanical & Technical Tips
Posted
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.