Shackle Length?

[gregdan24]

Our Mountaineer 347THT has the Equa-flex Trailaire suspension with 3 1/8" shackles. I am planning to install a wet bolt kit using a Mor/ryde kit for the Equa-flex, which includes the bolts and heavier duty shackles.

I can get the 3 1/8" shackles, but they also offer 2 1/4" shackles. I am thinking a little extra lift might help my unit ride a bit more level and might even let me raise the hitch a bolt hole to get some more bed clearance. I'm at about the minimum right now, but the 5er rides pretty level.

Just wondered if anyone knows or can think of any problems with shortening up the shackles by almost an inch. Can't really see how it would, but wasn't sure if it might affect how the suspension works - either the Equa-flex or the leaf springs. Thanks in advance,

[noneck]

Hey Greg, I'm not sure shorter = increased height? It sounds to me like you'd be shortening the span to front and rear hangers by almost 2 inches which might cause you to have to compress the spring pack this would reduce your wheel to wheel well clearance as well as put the axles closer to the bottom-out location. Anyway really sounds more like reduction in height for the trailer.

[gregdan24]

quote:Originally posted by noneck

Hey Greg, I'm not sure shorter = increased height?

Thanks for the reply noneck. I was struggling a bit with the geometry part of this myself. I hope it's ok to link to another forum so we can look at a picture.

http://wildcatcamperforum.foromotion...-today-t98.htm

With those shackles shorter, I figure I would have to lower the end of the spring that connects up with the Equaflex, increasing the distance between the 5er and the tires. It might tend to flatten out the springs a bit, so that may reduce some of the clearance gained.

Probably the only way to get an official answer is to talk to a tech at Mor/ryde or Equa-flex to find out why they use a particular length shackle on a particular application.

[noneck]

I see that equa-flex is interesting...I did the wet bolt shackle upgrade kit from dexter. Didn't consider adding any addition movement as my unit tows very well.

My box of junk


Motivation to do the job


Used my porta power to get the bolt holes positioned