Hamlet
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Post by Hamlet on Mar 5, 2022 14:31:27 GMT -8
About six months ago, I noticed that Hamlet was lower on the curb side than the street side. My hubby disagreed, said that the trailer was just sitting on uneven ground or that he was loaded unevenly. So a couple weeks ago I took several measurements and checked things with a level. Sure enough, Hamlet is lower by three inches on the front curb side. There is no sagging of the skin in front, and it passes the ice pick test. The measurement at the wheel wells and in the rear are exactly the same on both sides. He says that the undercarriage looks fine. I’m scratching my head. Any thoughts, ideas?
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nccamper
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1962 Forester- 1956 Shasta
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Post by nccamper on Mar 5, 2022 20:09:03 GMT -8
Just the front corner is lower? No sag at the outriggers?
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Hamlet
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Post by Hamlet on Mar 5, 2022 20:18:48 GMT -8
Not sure what outriggers are, but there doesn’t seem to be any sag, only the lean. I’m wondering about those 60+ year old leaf springs.
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Post by vikx on Mar 5, 2022 21:39:37 GMT -8
I had to change both leaf springs on my 61 Terry. I'm guessing you nailed it...
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WhitneyK
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'67 Shasta Compact
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Post by WhitneyK on Mar 6, 2022 6:00:36 GMT -8
Find a good level paved spot and measure from the ground to the bottom of the metal frame in various but matching (side to side) locations along each side and compare. Might even want to level the floor before you start. Hopefully that will tell you were the problem lies. Also measure between the bottom of the axle and ground just for kicks. Just a thought, didn't say it was a good one...but that's what I'd do. Whitney
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Post by Teachndad on Mar 6, 2022 6:01:40 GMT -8
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Mar 6, 2022 6:25:10 GMT -8
Thanks rod for the outrigger photo.
On my Forester I needed to move the leaf spring eyes to get the new springs to work. As Rod said, the old spring size was not available.
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Mar 7, 2022 11:33:41 GMT -8
Port and starboard… Nautical terms meaning left and right.
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Post by Teachndad on Mar 7, 2022 21:07:43 GMT -8
Port and starboard… Nautical terms meaning left and right. Port is streetside Starboard is curbside
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Hamlet
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Post by Hamlet on Mar 8, 2022 8:48:04 GMT -8
Port and starboard… Nautical terms meaning left and right. Port is streetside Starboard is curbside Well, dang, I was looking at it from the front. I know better than that. When in a watercraft, port and starboard are always from the pilot’s view. I should change the thread to “Listing to starboard!”
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Post by vikx on Mar 8, 2022 12:28:43 GMT -8
No worries, Hamlet. Just be sure to replace BOTH springs. Wonder how I know that??
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Mar 8, 2022 18:38:31 GMT -8
Port is streetside Starboard is curbside Well, dang, I was looking at it from the front. I know better than that. When in a watercraft, port and starboard are always from the pilot’s view. I should change the thread to “Listing to starboard!” So it wasn't listing at all but actually slowly sinking at the bow?
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Post by wisconsinjoe on Mar 9, 2022 5:25:34 GMT -8
Dang. Keep us posted
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Hamlet
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Post by Hamlet on Mar 9, 2022 8:35:09 GMT -8
Well, dang, I was looking at it from the front. I know better than that. When in a watercraft, port and starboard are always from the pilot’s view. I should change the thread to “Listing to starboard!” So it wasn't listing at all but actually slowly sinking at the bow?
I guess I should start packing my life jacket when we head out on a trip.
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Hamlet
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Post by Hamlet on Mar 22, 2022 7:42:58 GMT -8
An update: We tok Hamlet to a place that does suspension-related work. Apparently the leaf springs weren’t original and were too small for the trailer, so they were pancaking, the curb side worse than the street side. What we hadn’t noticed was that the trailer is riding lower than it did a dozen years ago. The folks at Gitt’s Spring has ordered the appropriate leaf springs and Hamlet will have a new spring in his step on Friday.
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