Shackles Flipped

[RCAircraft]

Have noticed comments on suspension shackles being flipped when lifting the Redwood. Any photos on what a flipped shackle looks like? How are they unflipped or returned to their proper position?

[markw]

It only happens if both tires on the same side are of the ground, at the same time. However it doesn't always happen. The equalizer swings forward or backwards ,causing a shackle turn under the equalizer.

The fix is raising both wheels back up and using a pry bar to straighten the equalizer so both shackles are up. Then lower them back down.

If you switch to the SRE 4000 with the shorter shackles, it can't happen. I hope this is somewhat clearer than mud.

Mark

[hoosierguy]

Originally Posted by markw

It only happens if both tires on the same side are of the ground, at the same time. However it doesn't always happen. The equalizer swings forward or backwards ,causing a shackle turn under the equalizer.

The fix is raising both wheels back up and using a pry bar to straighten the equalizer so both shackles are up. Then lower them back down.

If you switch to the SRE 4000 with the shorter shackles, it can't happen. I hope this is somewhat clearer than mud.

Mark

Mark.......you nailed it. I only had that happen once when I lifted the coach high enough with the hydraulic jack system to lift the wheels off the ground. It made a rather loud BANG and an even louder Bang when I put the trailer back down and the shackles flipped back the right way. Believe me, it will get your attention. It sounds about like you broke an axle.

[travelin' texans]

1217141417.jpgHere's what look like almost completely flipped.
The ends attached to the spring eyes should be above the ones on the equalizer.

[mhs4771]

Another advantage of IS, no more shackles to worry about!

[travelin' texans]

I agree, the problem is we're $2999 short of being able to afford it.

[RCAircraft]

Originally Posted by travelin' texans

Attachment 2072Here's what look like almost completely flipped.
The ends attached to the spring eyes should be above the ones on the equalizer.

Thank you for the very helpful photo. As both spring eyelets appear to be lower than the other end are both "flipped" in your photo? I ask as mine have been positioned as yours since day one. After last year's install of the Titan brakes the install team had a tussle getting the shackles unflipped. I drove a few miles back to Shipshewana and found the shackles flipped again. When the new 17-inch load range G tires (with a 5,000 pound per tire rating) and new rims are installed this week in Bremen, IN I will have the shop unflip the shackles then I will check them after returning home (assuming I don't experience another damaging blowout).

[travelin' texans]

The only way I could see them flipping is if when you level up it raises both wheels off the ground. Mine unflipped themselves once I put weight back on them, with a VERY bang I might add.

[RCAircraft]

Originally Posted by travelin' texans

The only way I could see them flipping is if when you level up it raises both wheels off the ground. Mine unflipped themselves once I put weight back on them, with a VERY bang I might add.

The level up system does not seem to lift the unit very far up. Never seen the wheels out of contact with the ground during leveling. One of the repairs this week in Bremen is with the Lippert Level Up by the Lippert factory technician. The new redesigned hydraulic pump/valve block, installed three weeks ago does not work. It was hand built at Lippert's IN plant however it appears the new assembly is not compatible with the Level Up controller. Lippert is over at the Bremen plant today trying to debug the system while the shop repairs the tire blowout damage.

[GWHoll]

Had this happen to me today after auto level. The auto level did lift the back tire off the ground, but I think the front stayed on the ground. The shackle on the front axle on both sides of the RW flipped. Tried jacking the axle up and flipping it back in the spring up position to no avail. Ended up hooking the RW back up to the truck and went in reverse slowly while holding the brake control. This turned the shackles back in the right place.

[Grizzby]

Originally Posted by GWHoll

Had this happen to me today after auto level. The auto level did lift the back tire off the ground, but I think the front stayed on the ground. The shackle on the front axle on both sides of the RW flipped. Tried jacking the axle up and flipping it back in the spring up position to no avail. Ended up hooking the RW back up to the truck and went in reverse slowly while holding the brake control. This turned the shackles back in the right place.

Good idea...I wouldn't have thought of that. I normally only think of using brute strength...which I don't have!

[RCAircraft]

Originally Posted by GWHoll

Had this happen to me today after auto level. The auto level did lift the back tire off the ground, but I think the front stayed on the ground. The shackle on the front axle on both sides of the RW flipped. Tried jacking the axle up and flipping it back in the spring up position to no avail. Ended up hooking the RW back up to the truck and went in reverse slowly while holding the brake control. This turned the shackles back in the right place.

Nice solution.

[Char & Steve]

This is interesting since I have lifted the RW completely off the ground about 2" to work on it and none have ever flipped. Guess I must just be lucky.
I did ask the LCI guy at the rally what these jacks are rated for and he said the system will easily lift 3 times the weight of the RW's.

Steve

[rob_fla]

Originally Posted by Char & Steve

This is interesting since I have lifted the RW completely off the ground about 2" to work on it and none have ever flipped. Guess I must just be lucky.
I did ask the LCI guy at the rally what these jacks are rated for and he said the system will easily lift 3 times the weight of the RW's.

Steve

Yep Steve, the LCI Guy said 60,000 lbs. total lifting capacity on the Level Up System

[mhs4771]

I think each front jack capacity is something like 12000 Lbs

[rob_fla]

Originally Posted by mhs4771

I think each front jack capacity is something like 12000 Lbs

As I remember from the Lippert seminar at the Rally last year, the two front jacks were 25,000 lbs. and the 4 rear jacks were 35,000 lbs. for a total of 60,000 lbs.

[slideone]

I experienced this on our last trip out, not any fun. I had to have a repair guy come to the campground and get them flipped back over ($165) last time that will ever happen. When I got it back home I decided I would fix this so it could never happen again. I have installed chains under the end of the shackles with just enough slack that they can only go down far enough, yet in doing so they can't go far enough to not come back up where they belong. When the wheels come off the ground the chain catches the end of the spring and just holds the wheel and axle off the ground without flipping the shackles. We have been several places where the wheels are off the ground when the level up is finished.

[NW Snowbirds]

It's not a big deal. Put a 2x4 on the ground and drive over it with both wheels. The shackles will snap back into place with a bang.

[travelin' texans]

Don't know where you're driving through/over to flip the shackles, but I do know you got taken on the price to flip them back. If they flipped one way by themselves they should flip back but with one helluva bang. The only time mine have flipped is having both wheels on one side off the ground & they flipped back by themselves in about 10 ' of travel.

[GWHoll]

Originally Posted by slideone

I experienced this on our last trip out, not any fun. I had to have a repair guy come to the campground and get them flipped back over ($165) last time that will ever happen. When I got it back home I decided I would fix this so it could never happen again. I have installed chains under the end of the shackles with just enough slack that they can only go down far enough, yet in doing so they can't go far enough to not come back up where they belong. When the wheels come off the ground the chain catches the end of the spring and just holds the wheel and axle off the ground without flipping the shackles. We have been several places where the wheels are off the ground when the level up is finished.

Can you show some pictures of your chain setup?