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Old 09-12-2018, 10:53 AM   #1
cgeis48
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Dexter Axle Suspension FAILURE on my 2019 Montana 3721RL Legacy

Today, 10:56 AM
My brand-new 2019 Montana with 1800 miles of travel experience awakened me at 6 AM with a big jolt and a "bang" type of sound. A thorough inspection of the interior and exterior revealed nothing damaged or out of place. A test of the slides revealed they were working normally. The hydraulic auto level was checked and seems to be working normally. I waited until daylight to inspect Under the trailer and I found one of the four Spring clips had failed. I called Dexter axle, my selling dealer, and Keystone customer service. Responses I got varied from "we are advising against taking the unit on a 1400 mile trip in this condition" to "get it fixed before you move the trailer". NOTE: I learned that Dexter also makes the leaf spring suspension for this trailer. Road Armor makes the block and shackle.

Should this require owners to inspect the suspension? Should Dexter initiate a recall?

Here is what Dexter Axle and Suspension wrote:
We would recommend replacing the clips with preferably hose clips as we had verbally discussed to prevent the spring leaves from spreading. Once the hose clips are installed you should be fine to tow your unit the 1400 miles with no problems. Once you get to a place where new leaf springs can be shipped simply contact us and confirm the shipping address where you would like the new leaf springs shipped. We will then make arrangements to get the old leaf springs back.
I have assigned our warranty claim number for the tracking of this reported problem. If you have any questions or if we can be of any further service please contact us.
Best Regards,
Connie Massie / Warranty Administrator
Dexter Axle Company - Corporate Headquarters
2900 Industrial Pkwy E., Elkhart, Indiana 46516, USA
cmassie@dexteraxle.com . Direct Tel: (574) 296-7301
 
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Old 09-12-2018, 11:26 AM   #2
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Carl,

Not clear what "hose clips' are but agree that I would not pull it until you sort it out. Recommend you talk to Keystone about getting a mobile repair tech out to look at it.
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Old 09-12-2018, 12:19 PM   #3
1retired06
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Likely referring to hose clamps. 3 or 4 installed side by side at the broken clip might be enough to move the rig to a repair shop with speed kept down.
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Old 09-12-2018, 01:01 PM   #4
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Can you take any pic's so we can see what broke if made a big noise it sounds like there is more to it than a broken clip?
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Old 09-12-2018, 01:32 PM   #5
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Yes pix please I cannot figure out what broke.

Thanks
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Old 09-12-2018, 07:45 PM   #6
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I'm understanding one of the clips that surrounds a spring pack, on on end, has failed. I'm not understanding how that would make the big jolt and bang you describe. If that's the problem, a few hose clamps might make it safe enough to drive. I recommend, however, doing a further examination to see if a spring mount or bolt has sheared. Another possibility is that one of your brake drums was bound up and suddenly released. When that happened to me, just one time, I was outside the RV and I nearly jumped out of my shoes.
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Old 09-13-2018, 06:08 AM   #7
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No way one of those spring bands caused that noise. I installed all new springs/wet bolts/u bolts on my 2011 3455sa. The bands on the new springs were somewhat loose from the get go. They could be slid back and froth on the spring. I am not convinced they do much at all anyways.
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Old 09-13-2018, 08:40 AM   #8
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cgeis48, I don't think there'd be any evidence after the fact. I concluded, when one of my brakes bound up and subsequently released violently, it was because the self-adjusting feature locked up when I backed the trailer into the site. It occurred within seconds after the LCI levelers showed jack's down and successful level. My first thought was a jack failed, then something in the suspension. A thorough exam showed nothing, so I concluded it was a brake. The more I think about it, the spring retainers only serve to keep the individual leaves aligned, and your spring perch u-bolts would have to be a bit loose for the leaves to start wandering. I've seen that occur, but I think very unlikely.
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Old 09-13-2018, 09:58 AM   #9
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I'm also wondering what broke: Dexter is going to replace all of the leaf springs because one spring clip failed? Sounds like Dexter feels this issue is serious... I'd really like to see a picture of 'what broke', the failure area/component/etc. Thanks!
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Old 09-13-2018, 10:39 AM   #10
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I also have a curious mind about this. I would like to see the parts that broke since I have the same Year and Model Montana. And in two weeks my Wife and I are going out on the road for two weeks 2800 miles round trip......
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Old 09-16-2018, 06:37 PM   #11
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I drove on broken springs for 700 miles without knowing it. I remember looking in the review mirror and seeing the front of the 3720 seem to lean to one side. I chocked it up to pavement and drove on. After getting home I had an appointment for some service. Dropping it off at the dealer, I took note of the lean again and noticed I was on level ground. I said something to service, they said they would call me. They did about a week later and said I had two broken springs on driver side. Extended warranty fix.
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Old 09-18-2018, 07:41 AM   #12
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Photos

Spring clip that failed.
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Old 09-18-2018, 09:06 AM   #13
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I looked on my camper. I don’t think that bracket is all that important. I wouldn’t be a bit afraid to pull a camper with it broke. Put a few hose clamps on it and it should be as good as new.
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Old 09-18-2018, 09:52 AM   #14
SteveandTerri
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Broken Clip Pictures - Thank You

Thank you for posting the pictures. I'm surprised Dexter is going to replace the leaf springs rather than just install new clips...
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Old 09-18-2018, 12:54 PM   #15
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John and Peggy, Huskers

The reason the clip snapped is because the weight of the trailer was off of the springs. The clips are designed to keep the spring aligned when loaded to keep them from twisting. Many springs do not even have clips.
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Old 09-18-2018, 05:14 PM   #16
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May be popping noise from hydraulic landing gear. Do a search on lippert popping noise. We had it and added recommended oil.
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Old 09-18-2018, 05:28 PM   #17
civilengineer42
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Thank You for posting the pictures.......Dexter is right......In a pinch a Hose Clamp will do for the short term to get it to the shop........Be Safe and enjoy your RV.......
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Old 09-18-2018, 08:29 PM   #18
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Another thing to be aware of and check is the torque on the u-bolt nuts. With the 1/2" u-bolts, they should be pretty close to 70 ft lbs. Our neighbor in the park we are in right now is servicing his bearings and I just mentioned to him that while he is down there he might check the nut torque on his u-bolts, even loaned him a torque wrench. He just came over less than an hour ago and told me he got at least a full turn on his nuts before he was able to get 70 ft lbs. He was happy I told him about checking them and a bit disappointed that his were loose too, but again happy to have them tightened properly. With them tight, it is highly unlikely that the spring leaves will move, with or without those clips. I'm fully in agreement with wal_mart that the sound that was heard was the hydraulics popping from a stiction issue, and the Lippert fix is adding stiction fluid to the hydraulic fluid. https://www.lci1.com/images/support/lipsheet/0295.pdf
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