Made in USA leaf springs

[John Dorrer]

48 minutes ago, Geronimo John said:

If we are going to keep this thread alive with near continuous advertisements for Alcan's that are over sprung for the vast majority of OE2's, and also quite expensive. 

So in the case of "equal time", there is the quite suitable 2400 pound Dexter PR4 exact fit set for the OE2's.  Dexter PR4's with all new hardware and brass shackle inserts with shipping cost me $392 in April 2024.  I would wager that these springs will end up being the OTT OEM spring for OE2's down the road.  Not the Alcan's.  Anybody want to wager on that?

GJ

First, the Dexter suspension comes with Dexter springs. The suspension comes with a warranty. Dexter isn't going to approve or warranty their suspension with Alcan Springs or anybody else's spring. Maybe Oliver goes to Dexter 5-leaf. The moment Oliver switched out the Dexter Springs with Alcan's, everyone's warranty goes bye-bye. Bet would be pointless🤣

Edited Monday at 08:47 PM by John Dorrer

[Gliddenwoods]

1 hour ago, Geronimo John said:

If we are going to keep this thread alive with near continuous advertisements for Alcan's that are over sprung for the vast majority of OE2's, and also quite expensive. 

So in the case of "equal time", there is the quite suitable 2400 pound Dexter PR4 exact fit set for the OE2's.  Dexter PR4's with all new hardware and brass shackle inserts with shipping cost me $392 in April 2024.  I would wager that these springs will end up being the OTT OEM spring for OE2's down the road.  Not the Alcan's.  Anybody want to wager on that?

GJ

Where are they made?

[2008RN]

2 hours ago, Geronimo John said:

 I would wager that these springs will end up being the OTT OEM spring for OE2's down the road.  Not the Alcan's.  Anybody want to wager on that?

GJ

I have to agree with you.  All monetary reasons.  It is much cheaper, to upgrade to the strong leafs, it only cost is the difference between the 2 leaf packs.  And as also mentioned it would most likely void Dexters warranty leaving Oliver holding the bag if there are problems.   They would probably charge their customer several thousand more for the Alcans vs a $500 more for the extra $120 it will cost them to upsize to the PR4.  They are in business to make a decent trailer for a niche market at a profit.

Edited Monday at 10:20 PM by 2008RN

[John Dorrer]

1 hour ago, Gliddenwoods said:

Where are they made?

CHINA

[jd1923]

2 hours ago, Geronimo John said:

Dexter PR4's with all new hardware and brass shackle inserts with shipping cost me $392 in April 2024.

The $1700 cited included new HD shackles and wet bolts, tax on parts and reasonable installation labor. The cost of 4 Alcan leaf springs alone is $600 (plus tax in CO or shipping out of state).

Made-in-USA is priceless! Personally, I must buy Made-in-USA, never China if there is ANY possible alternative, even when double the cost. We were T-shirt shopping in SW CO recently. If the label stated made in China, nope not a possibility (any other country OK).

Wondering do the PR4s have the same "sheer point" as the PR4Bs?
You get for what you pay for. GJ, love ya buddy, but you are alone in your purchase decision vs reports say near 100 Oliver owners have gone with Alcan. 

It's good to be different though. It's usually me, but not this time! 🤣

3 hours ago, John and Debbie said:

In looking at what we have and what he makes, it reassured me that we made the right decision.

[Geronimo John]

19 hours ago, John Dorrer said:

The moment Oliver switched out the Dexter Springs with Alcan's, everyone's warranty goes bye-bye. Bet would be pointless🤣

And you are correct the cost of the Alcon's is beyond what they would do.  Especially when they are married to Dexter.   So I guess I should consider my wager won by default.  Drats, the jig is up  now!

On the other hand, the spring failures have from my count always been with years and miles on then.  Said differently the failures appear to be well out of OTT or Dexter warranty.  So we could say bye-bye to the moon and all the MFG's would give us the same single finger salute. 

Oliver's window to step up and own the spring issue, as well as Dexter's was a long time ago legally for the majority of us.  But their opportunity to "Do the Right Thing" never expires.... in my ole eyeballs anyway......But they could at least reimburse us for the cost of replacement 2400 pounder Dexter's..  Maybe even give us a OTT Towel to cry on for our labor for us DIYers.  Ok silly says silly goes bye bye!

LOL

GJ

Edited 19 hours ago by Geronimo John

[Geronimo John]

21 hours ago, jd1923 said:

I must buy Made-in-USA, never China if there is ANY possible alternative,

Oh Gotch you on one of those absolute words again JD.  

What I really would like to see is a lot more American Made stuff that we need.  Even if it costs a bit more.  It is the right thing to do.

 

 

Edited 15 hours ago by Geronimo John
Edited as I have hammered JD enough about use of absolute words.

[Geronimo John]

I think it is about time to bring back the dead horse again.  This thread is run it's course at 27 pages.      

[jd1923]

1 hour ago, Geronimo John said:

I think it is about time to bring back the dead horse again.  This thread is run it's course at 27 pages.      

For sure, soon to be 28 pages!

We cannot make purchase decisions for OTT. But we can make our personal choices. 😂

Made in USA products are scarce, due to decades of bad politics. I'll do what I can within our means to "put our money where my mouth is!"

Gonna love my Alcan springs when I received the D52 axles and work the installation. To bad Alcan doesn't make axles. I'd pay 50% more for theirs over Dexter!

I observed care and respect at Alcan Springs, in their efficient operation, local following and now a national customer base, a family-oriented business. Hard to say that about Dexter and Dometic, Lippert, Camco... and the many large RV suppliers.

I've never been one to care about warranties. I buy used and with the money saved, I'm self-insured. I purchase what I need in parts and make my own repairs. Why do some think OTT owes us something more than a few years after purchase? They don't.

I have all I'll ever need from them. They built a good travel trailer which keeps getting better in well considered mods and sweat-equity.

Anybody here ever have fun with a warranty claim? Isn't it a lot like working with an insurance adjuster and as painful as a root canal! 🤣

Edited yesterday at 04:57 AM by jd1923

[Ronbrink]

‘Very entertaining the squabbles they are’, as Yoda may have said it! 

[Mike and Carol]

2 hours ago, Ronbrink said:

‘Very entertaining the squabbles they are’, as Yoda may have said it! 

Yes they are.  Thankfully the squabbles are congenial and so will probably continue.  I’m over it… I have the Alcan springs (installed by Oliver) and am very happy with their performance.  Mike

[rideandfly]

Question, are the Alcan wet pin bronze bushings (assume bronze) thicker (larger OD) than the Dexter bronze bushings? The Dexter bronze bushings are so delicate, during installation in the springs, it was easy to damage them. I may have missed this point in this thread.

Installing the bronze bushing on a Dexter 5 leaf spring coated with castor oil:

 

 

 

 

Edited 18 hours ago by rideandfly
correction

[Mountainman198]

14 minutes ago, rideandfly said:

Question, are the Alcan wet pin bronze bushings (assume bronze) thicker (larger OD) than the Dexter EZ Flex bronze bushings? The Dexter bronze bushings are so delicate, during installation it's easy to damage them. I may have missed this point in this thread.

Installing the bronze bushing on a Dexter 5 leaf spring coated with castor oil:

 

 

Yes. While I.D. Remains the same as stock, the bushing wall thickness on the Alcan is greater than the dexter ( Alcan is bottom in attached photo while stock dexter-supplied spring is on top). 

[John and Debbie]

4 minutes ago, Mountainman198 said:

Yes. While I.D. Remains the same as stock, the bushing wall thickness on the Alcan is greater than the dexter ( Alcan is bottom in attached photo while stock dexter-supplied spring is on top). 

You were the first to get the Alcan springs.  Lew also said his wet bolts are specially made and have more space for the grease with no taper inside.  Something like that.

John

[rideandfly]

4 hours ago, Mountainman198 said:

Yes. While I.D. Remains the same as stock, the bushing wall thickness on the Alcan is greater than the dexter ( Alcan is bottom in attached photo while stock dexter-supplied spring is on top). 

 

Thanks, this is another plus for Alcan over Dexter springs.

When I installed the Dexter EZ-Flex system on Ollie several years ago, I did not like how delicate the Dexter bronze bushings were in the springs. 

 

 

 

Edited 17 hours ago by rideandfly
correction

[mountainoliver]

We’re in Grand Junction this morning with the guys at Alcan installing new 5200 pound axles and new springs! I also noticed that heavier bronze bushings are used in the Alcan springs. The Dexter bushings are sintered bronze AKA Oilite bearings. These thin wall type bearings are the wrong application for use in a rough bore because they are so brittle. Typically they should be pressed into a finished bore then final reamed to correct final diameter. Anyway, the Alcan bushings are machined from bronze bar stock and are the correct application. 

[Geronimo John]

2 hours ago, Mountainman198 said:

Yes. While I.D. Remains the same as stock, the bushing wall thickness on the Alcan is greater than the dexter ( Alcan is bottom in attached photo while stock dexter-supplied spring is on top). 

Is the comparison of a 1750 pound bushing to that of a 3000 pound bushing logical?

[Geronimo John]

JD and I actually see eye to eye on most topics.  On the topic of this thread, we both agree it's run the course.

We request you put this horse down.

GJ and JD

[Mountainman198]

7 minutes ago, Geronimo John said:

Is the comparison of a 1750 pound bushing to that of a 3000 pound bushing logical?

Which bushings do your 2,600 lb PR4 springs have?

[Geronimo John]

Dexter..... LOL

Sorry, I'm 4,000 miles from my OTT or I would mike them for you.

Below is what AI says.  I would assume that the brass ones I and others have used are the same ID/OD.  

• Type: 4-leaf double eye spring
• Capacity: 2,400 lbs per spring (Some sources list slightly different capacities)
• Length (eye to eye): 25 1/4 inches
• Width: 1 3/4 inches
• Eye Diameter (with bushing): 9/16 inch
• Eye Diameter (without bushing): 11/16 inch
• Bushing Material: Nylon 

[Mountainman198]

5 minutes ago, Geronimo John said:

Dexter..... LOL

Sorry, I'm 4,000 miles from my OTT or I would mike them for you.

Below is what AI says.  I would assume that the brass ones I and others have used are the same ID/OD.  

• Type: 4-leaf double eye spring
• Capacity: 2,400 lbs per spring (Some sources list slightly different capacities)
• Length (eye to eye): 25 1/4 inches
• Width: 1 3/4 inches
• Eye Diameter (with bushing): 9/16 inch
• Eye Diameter (without bushing): 11/16 inch
• Bushing Material: Nylon 

The pair of PR4 springs I got to replace my failed stock springs and limp home last year had the same size bushings as my old 1,750 stock springs. Perhaps yours are different?

[Mike and Carol]

3 hours ago, Geronimo John said:

JD and I actually see eye to eye on most topics.  On the topic of this thread, we both agree it's run the course.

We request you put this horse down.

GJ and JD

I agree that the back and forth on the merits/drawbacks of the ALCANS has run its course so lets just let that horse head out to pasture.  There may be owners who still have genuine questions and to serve them best I think we should keep this open.  Mike

[Patriot]

Let it be said, let it be written, let it be etched in stone! 😂

 

[Geronimo John]

I give up

GJ