Mor/ryde IS vs Dexter Torflex Axles

[MCraven210]

I just purchased a 2004 Double Tree Mobile Suites 36 CK3. It has 7000lbs leaf spring axles with standard shackles. I am wanting to increase the safety margin for the 16,000 GVWR. I am wanting to replace the axles from the 7000 to 8000 and change from the 16" wheels to the 17.5". My trailer guy has suggested using the Dexter Torflex axles and most everyone here is recommending the Mor/ryde IS. Looking for some thoughts. Does anyone have the Dexter Torflex on there 5th wheel?
Thanks

[wingnut60]

I have been researching this same topic some--have an '05 with the 7K axles. Have already gone to 17.5" wheels/tires.

You are actually under the 14000lb axles rating since the pin weight is on the tow vehicle/front jacks. Would be nice to have th 8k rating, tho.

Cost for MR IS would be about $3200 if I use my old brakes/tires/wheels.
Problem with that is, I have the Nev-R-Lube bearings and they are past the 5-year warranty. What about your bearings/brakes, etc?

Putting disc brakes, whole shebang under the trailer would approach $6k I believe.

People who have gone from spring to IS say the difference is remarkable.
And the work has to be done at the MR plant--Dexter has some certified shops that can do the Torflex/EZFlex work
Hope this helps.

Joe

[MCraven210]

Joe, the quote from Mor/ryde for everything was over $8000. This is more than I am willing to spend at the moment. I'm waiting on a quote from my trailer guy. I was not planning on using the never lube. I'm old school and prefer to pack my own bearings. After reading all of the issues with never lube I don't want them. I'm still deciding on the disc brakes. The 8k axles have bigger drums and since I pull with a HDT it is not such a big deal. I'm just trying to up the safety margin and keep the $ in check. That sometimes can be hard.

[wingnut60]

Mike,
I too am reluctant to put a ton of money into a suspension upgrade. My trailer already has the 8k brakes (why, don't know) so I am prob going to replace the spring paks with 4k springs--I could just replace the 3.5k springs and that would be better than what I have, but it is a minor amount to upgrade the springs. I will still have the problem of the old bearings--they are $120 each + the labor to press them out/in, and not many shops around here know what they are. When you walk in and ask them if they have Nev-R-Lube bearings, they just look puzzled--not a confidence-builder.
Sure wish the original owner has thought this out a little better...or why in the world DRV let this out the door with 815lbs of carrying capacity w/o any thought to water!!! Insane to sell one so close to gross weight.
Joe

[USA in a Chevrolet]

I had MorRyde install both IS suspension & hydraulic disk brakes & cost was just a little over $5000. This was done on my Select suites 2010. I had MorRyde do the same change out on my Jayco Designer a few years ago. MorRyde is the nicest company I have ever dealt with. They will let you stay in your trailer overnight at the factory while work is done. You will have 30 amp hookup & cable tv in the factory. Plus they have hookups outside the factory for you to use the night before your appointment. In addition, they feed you breakfast & lunch every day you are there. Quality of work is excellent. The IS suspension is super smooth! Ben Wiginton is the Service Manager & he is excellent. Give them a call & ask for a quote. This is the time of year things slow down for them & they may give you better pricing. Any questions, pm me.

[billr]

Ref the Neverlube bearings, According to Paul Cross, he said he has only seen one or two of the Dexter neverlubes fail. Nothing like the Lippert Chinese units. If you have an older Suite, it likely has the Dexter. They are recommended for 5yr/100K miles.

I would not be too worried about them if they are the Dexters. He did say the others were not as reliable.

With Lippert having bought Dexter out, makes you wonder where we may be heading.

Bill

[wingnut60]

Bill,
Have to assume that the bearings are Dexter, as I don't believe that the Chinese connection came until much later than 2005. Just nervous, I guess. Still have to have the springs reworked, as the heavy side is sitting a couple inches lower than the other--hangers are very solid, the large plate ones, so ok on that part.
Somewhere I had heard that the Nev-R-Lube bearings now are also Chinese--not sure about this.
Joe

[billr]

Bill,
Have to assume that the bearings are Dexter, as I don't believe that the Chinese connection came until much later than 2005. Just nervous, I guess. Still have to have the springs reworked, as the heavy side is sitting a couple inches lower than the other--hangers are very solid, the large plate ones, so ok on that part.
Somewhere I had heard that the Nev-R-Lube bearings now are also Chinese--not sure about this.
Joe

Have a look at this thread: http://www.suitesowners.com/forums/showthread.php?1604-Wheel-Bearing-Problem/page2

Good info on the Lippert made axles and Never Lube bearings.

I had our Nev R Lube dexter bearings checked by Paul at Indiana Interstate and they were fine. Now they are 6 yrs old, but have far less than 100K on them. Dexter says they are good for 5yr/100K for warranty purpose. Paul had seen several of the Lippert bearings fail, they are the ones that have caused wheel fires as well. When he called to find out about warranty and life expectincy, they had no aswer according to him.

I think any time we reach 6ys plus and 80K its time to replace. Maybe the greasable type are the answer. At least with an annual repack we know what we have.

Bill

[wingnut60]

Bill,
Thank you for the link to the earlier posts--I had forgotten about them.
Joe