Dexter Axle "Flip" on F2353

crburrows · 05-19-2022, 05:02 PM

Having bought a new (to me) truck that was significantly higher than my old truck it was time to "flip" (relocate) my axles from over the leaf springs to under them. The Sunline is a 1987 F2353 with dual 3500# Dexter axles. Thad had posted in the forum a short time ago about his process and here is mine.

Started disassembly removing the rear axle first.

crburrows · 05-19-2022, 05:11 PM

Upon removal of the forward axle I noticed that the equalizer links were not moving. Decided to take them apart to find out why and I'm glad I did! The equalizer links were worn out! Went online to etrailer.com and found a kit that had all new links, bolts, and an equalizer.

crburrows · 05-19-2022, 05:18 PM

The kit for the perches is Dexter Axle K7138400 for 2 3/8" diameter tubes and can be bought at either Amazon or etrailer.com. The kit for the equalizer was bought at etrailer.com and is #AP233 "Suspension Kit for Tandem Axle Trailers 1 3/4" Wide Double Eye Springs 2 1/4" Links". The axle tubes had a slight coat of surface rust so I power wire brushed them clean, primed, and painted them after installing the new perches.

crburrows · 05-19-2022, 05:21 PM

Cleaned up the frame with a power wire brush, primed, and painted it as well.

crburrows · 05-19-2022, 05:24 PM

Installation was pretty straightforward.

crburrows · 05-19-2022, 05:28 PM

After I finished the trailer sat way high! The suspension needed to be "worked" so the equalizers would settle.

crburrows · 05-19-2022, 05:37 PM

The next day I drove it around and it settled nicely. The photos below show what it looked like before, about a year ago, and what it looks like now. Almost perfectly level. My only criticism of the equalizer kit is that the new bolts are not shoulder bolts. You can tighten them to the point of binding the suspension. I snug tightened them and if the back off I'll re-tighten them and tack weld the nut to the bolt.

**JohnB** · 05-19-2022, 09:26 PM

Hi Crburrows,

You did a great job! Thanks for sharing and great pics.

The shackle flop, as it is nicknamed, yes that can happen when you are assembling the equalizer. It's something to watch for and get it flipped the right way before letting the weight get back onto the camper. Or jack the camper back up, support the axle tube with a jack, take the weight off, pull a shackle pin, lift the axle tube and put it back together.

And there is a jacking way to flip it too once the camper has weight on it. Dexter told one of my friends this and it does work, but it makes one real loud bang, and to watch out when it happens. You place a bottle jack under the flopped axle seat, right in the center where the U bolt plate would go. Or the axle seat in a flipped situation. This way you do not bend the axle tube. Then slowly jack up that axle and watch as the shackle will become close to going over center. At the point the shackle becomes close to going over center, and you just go over center, a loud bang and the shackle will flip back up. Then let the axle back down. For sure do not put any body parts in the way of that shackle flipping up. It is uncontrollably once it goes past center until it flips up.

If all you did was drive around and it came back up, that is not common that I have found. You would have to get into a full suspension travel situation with one wheel way up and the other way down to get enough movement to have it flip back. Out of curiosity, how did you get it flipped back up?

Again, great work!

John

crburrows · 05-20-2022, 10:45 AM

Thanks John B! In the assembled photos the trailer is on one side of my driveway closer to the front. In the first photo, before I started, is the trailer's parking spot. I was ignorant of the links being in the wrong position. I moved the trailer back to it's regular spot by pulling forward and turning left over my front lawn which has a slight rise in elevation. Then I backed it up to the other side (actually back and forth until I aligned with the leveling ramp). That is when the trailer links must have flipped back into position!

apackoftwo · 05-26-2022, 06:57 PM

Wow! Good job!

Tkch88 · 05-28-2022, 06:49 AM

Great pictures and description! I wish I did this 20 years ago on my 2001 2075. Flipping the axles, and installing a black water tank with a better slope is what I needed. Has anyone replaced their tank? Its my only complaint with the trailer, as draining and cleaning it is slow and tedious.

crburrows · 05-28-2022, 02:34 PM

TKch88 it's funny you mentioned your tank. While under mine I found a crack in my blackwater tank! purchased a sheet of ABS plastic and some ABS cement and plan to fix it soon. My tanks didn't drain well at a particular site I frequent in NH soo when we return there in early October it should drain better with the increase in height. The additional height is about 4"

**JohnB** · 05-30-2022, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crburrows

I moved the trailer back to it's regular spot by pulling forward and turning left over my front lawn which has a slight rise in elevation. Then I backed it up to the other side (actually back and forth until I aligned with the leveling ramp). That is when the trailer links must have flipped back into position!

Ahhh, ok. Thanks for reporting back. That unique situation would of out the suspension close to full travel and it flipped back up. I can now see that happening. For sure not normal, but it obviously worked. Great!

apackoftwo · 05-30-2022, 05:05 PM

I have a 2005 1950 and its not my black tank but my grey tank that drains slowly. All depends where there are located on your rig I imagine

apackoftwo · 05-30-2022, 05:07 PM

Axle Flip!

Thad · 10-28-2022, 09:51 AM

looks good!