Dexter Shackles - Montana Owners Club

Montana_2953 · 05-15-2005, 02:39 AM

There is a post in the General area about the Dexter Shackles and the damage that is done without the owner knowing it. Please read it and take a look at your shackles. They recommend looking as many haven't and when they did guess what? There was wear and alot of damage. The pictures tell the whole story. There are also websites where you can click and go to to get the parts. Very good post. Hats off to the author.

CountryGuy · 05-15-2005, 02:55 AM

Paul, Can you find the URL for that and post it?

Is that Dexter Shackles or Axles, or AlKo Kobler Axles?? Dexter Axles have not been on Montana units for very long, maybe a year, 18 months?? I would be surprised if many of our MOC members have enough mileage yet for the shackles on those to have worn out already, although a few of the full timers might have accumulated enough miles for that.

Just wondering, course, it is only the first cup of java in the AM time, and maybe the ole cells don't have enough caffine yet!

Montana_2953 · 05-15-2005, 03:01 AM

Its under the General Discussions of the MOC and under General. The post is called Dexter Shackles on AL-CO.

CountryGuy · 05-15-2005, 03:34 AM

ahhh, the one where they are using DEXTER to replace OEM?? Is that it?? Am I reading wrong? I thought I read they are not replacing DEXTER shackles, but that they are using DEXTER to replace OEM (which in many cases is AlKo Kobler OEM).

Do I still need more coffee???

Montana_2953 · 05-15-2005, 03:39 AM

We all need more coffee!!! But in any case it is a really serious thing when that happens. Can you imagine you are out in the Boonies and on some dirt road and they give out!!! Not a good thing. I have the new 3400RL but you can bet that I will be watchin mine. Very closely.

CountryGuy · 05-15-2005, 03:56 AM

haha Paul, Yes, coffee is a good thing and NO broken shackles are NOT a good thing!

Been there, done that! First time, was in the yard, discovered about 10 minutes before scheduled departure time. Departure did not happen with that TT in tow, we switched over to travel van, left trailer set in yard, did our weekend and then fixed. If memory serves (remember the coffee), Al fixed in the yard?? Then had other side done by dealer??

Then there was the time with the next TT that we were coming home, 1.5 miles down gravel roads. Little did we know until the neighbor that had been following us came over and said "we think you are leaning a little to the right". DUH, another set of broken shakles. Again, if memory serves, Al drug that trailer almost 10 more miles to a dealer, VERY VERY VERY slowly, to get it fixed.

Proof there is nothing like continual inspection of your RV, from top to bottom and underneath as well! And, sometimes ya still get caught draggin it down the gravel roads with a broken shakle. (Now when Al gets home and reads this he may have to edit out my bad memory moments!)

Carol

Montana_2953 · 05-15-2005, 04:07 AM

Carol, I don't ever want to have to drag that albatross anywhere. That thing is huge. It looked so just right for the driveway when it was on the lot. Then when we got it home, OH MY GOODNESS!!!! We had to take down the fence between our house and the neighbors just to get it into the driveway. We hired a few day workers from around the corner to come over and dig up the posts to the chainlink fence. It was really funny. Didn't think it was that big. But I guess it is. We knew what the length was, but with the 4 slides out, that was something else. You should have seen it, the neighbors are all coming out of their houses just to watch and see if I could get it backed into the driveway. I did it, with some assistance. That was a real test.

drhowell · 05-15-2005, 04:24 AM

You are correct! The Dexter kits do replace the original Al-Ko shackles. It is important that you upgrade to the heavy duty oilite (brass) bushings and greaseable shackles. If you replace the original nylon type with OEM nylon type they will not last any longer than the original ones.

Interesting information on the length of the equalizer hanger for proper spring action and to keep it from bottoming out. Will check it next! I think the shocks are also important to check. If they are installed but are not working correctly it could cause the axle to bottom more easily.

I hope Keystone gets the message that they need to contact all owners to have them check their suspension. They should cover the cost to make this right.

CountryGuy · 05-15-2005, 04:43 AM

Paul,

the size will diminish with age! HAHAHAHA

before we purchased, we looked for 5 years, I told Al, NO MORE THAN 32 foot, real length! Then I walked into the 3295, all thoughts of length flew out of my ole brain cells, me was in love!

But, wise to remember that they take up room in width when those rooms are out! Don't hit the electric service in the campgrounds, measure before you decide where to drop Montana!

Watch for trees and such too, best to choose sites that are not loaded with trees (another story there, Lake Charles Louisiana, 45 minutes to just back in, with help of all the other RVer's, pulling foward we drove right under the patio awning of nice neighbor, who kept telling us, COME ON COME ON, YOU AIN'T IN MY FRONT ROOM YET! when we finally got set up Al could stand shoulder to shoulder between the tree and front and I could do likewise on other side in the rear. but we were IN! and had a great time with those very nice people all weekend!)

But, you will adjust and get used to the size. I have found that in pulling it is more the width that concerns me, and make LONG turns! The length pulls just fine!

Carol

Montana_2953 · 05-15-2005, 05:00 AM

Well, I have alot of learning to do. We are headed up to Whitefish Montana June 20th. So we did get reservations ahead of time. Our daughter lives there and we called her, gave her the measurements, sent her to scope it out. She called back and told us she talked to the owners and they gave us the biggest spot in their place. We don't back in, we pull through. Don't want to hit anything. We went to Oceanside Ca. for our reunion at the end of April and it took us 4 times around the park before we pulled in just right. So see practice makes perfect. I guess....

CountryGuy · 05-15-2005, 05:35 AM

Paul,

Keep pulling around UNTIL you like where the unit is sitting! Tune out anyone who is playing Mayor, and watching you. Remember, it is your unit, your site and your $$ !!!

Get set up, pull out favorite beverage, sit back and ENJOY!! It does get easier after you have pulled it around and set it up a few times!

Cheers, Carol

Montana_2953 · 05-15-2005, 06:24 AM

Thanks Carol. We have found that it is getting easier. We went to Laughlin NV. last weekend for 4 days. We pulled right in. Set up, and yes we did get that favorite beverage!!!! Beer and a Margarita for Kathi. Wasn't hard at all. We just couldn't get the awning out. So no awning for us. Kathi's father has a motorhome so when we got home we ask him how the awning worked. He showed us, we were doing it right just didn't try hard enough. I guess we were just to tired from the long drive. Besides we were in to much of a hurry to get to the casino's. Have a great Sunday. It is going to be 95 degrees here again today. Nice to have sun instead of rain.

CountryGuy · 05-15-2005, 06:26 AM

95, oh, be still my heart, I am barely at 50!

Off to Ft Wayne for several days of research, see ya all on the flip side, although I am supposed to have WIFI at the hotel so, ya know I will be checking in!

Montana_2953 · 05-15-2005, 06:28 AM

Well have a great time.

sreigle · 05-15-2005, 02:49 PM

Paul, let me tell ya, no matter how much experience you get putting that thing into a site, there will be times when you will screw it up. If not, you're a better man than me. This particular site we're in now was not very easy to get into. In fact, it was rather intimidating. The site is fine, it's the access road that made it difficult. And, naturally, there were two neighbors standing there watching me back it in. So I took it verrrrryyy slow. I got it almost perfect first try, just had the tires up against the concrete patio on the side I couldn't see so had to pull forward and over and then back up again. Vicki was a big help guiding me in putting this thing in place. That makes a big difference. The times I get it perfect first try there's nobody around to see, naturally.

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