The Project

I began replacing the bushings in the spring shackles of my fifth wheel today. It is a bit challenging when you consider that you need to lift the trailer, remove the wheels then set the trailer back down on blocks. Today's task was to learn which type of bushings had been used at the factory so I know what parts I need to buy.

I used a couple of hydrolic jacks to lift the trailer so I could remove the wheels and set it down on blocks. I also used them to control the pressure on the springs as I removed the bolts and then the old bushings from the ends of the spring assembly. As you can see, the bushings in my rig are worn out. These are nylon bushings and I will be replacing them with the same type. I could order a kit for about $200.00 but I decided to go this way. My rig is a 2006 Montana 3500RL and I would guess it has about 12,000 miles on it.

I called the RV repair shop in my area to check to see if they had these bushings in stock. Of course they were out and had to order them. The say they will be there tomorrow.

Once I have all the parts I'll work on the rest of the places that need bushings. I need to put a new bushing at each bolt location. Each side gets a total of seven bushings.

Removing the old bushings from inside the spring ends was fairly easy. I used a threaded lag bolt about four inches long. The head of my bolt just fits through the hole which is 3/4 inch in diameter. I just put the bolt though the bushing and a large deep socket. I put a washer and a nut behind the washer and simply tighten the nut. This pulls the bushing out of the shackle and into the socket. These come out easily so there isn't much to it.

While I had the wheels off, I used the opportunity to check my wheel bearings and brake shoes. The bearings are good and the brakes are at 30 to 40 percent. Since I will be heading South down Highway 101 and on to Arizona in a few months I think I'll go ahead and replace the brake shoes now. I'll feel better about it, and it might prevent me from having to do this again for awhile. I'll get new seals for the bearings and clean and repack them while I'm at it too.

My rig has Dexter Axles with 12 inch drums. I learned that to get to the brakes I had to remove the crown nut and pull the entire hub off the spindle. This could allow dirt to get into the bearings so it'll be much cleaner to just do it right all the way.

Wells that's it for now, I'll continue as I progress with the project.

What tools and equipment do I need in my RV

I carry lots of tools. They add weight but as a full timer I don't have a shop back home to go to when I have a project to do.

All my tools are placed on the left side of the trailer where my dump valves and other " trailer business" type stuff is. I carry a two drawer tool box in my rig. This is also where I keep the wrench for lowering the rear stabilizers and the one for lowering the spare tire and so on.

Inside my tool box I have a large assortment of adjustable wrenches, a 3/8drive socket set, vehicle and household multi-testers, cutting tools, screwdrivers, and so on. I also carry a small Dremel tool set, a battery charger, and one of those Black and Decker battery powered kits that includes a drill, saw and other tools. I have a small block plane, dovetail saw, and a little handsaw with four changeable blades. I haven't seen one of these for sale in years and don't know if you can even get them anymore but mine is really handy. Because I occasionally modify some of the features of my trailer, I also carry a hole saw kit for when I need to knock a hole in the side of my rig for another accessory or something. (See a previous post about make the rig suit your needs.)

A couple of other essential items for me include my 18 gauge DeWalt Brad Nailer and a small Campbell air compressor. The brad nailer is the same size the factory uses to tack trim and a lot of other parts of your rig together and I often state I could rebuild my rig with mine if I had to.

I have several large Rubber Maid tubs that I store other stuff in. One contains all my spare sewer hose and connectors. Another holds all the extra electronic items I might need like television cables, junction boxes, switches, and so on. Two other large tubs hold caulking and sealers that I use for emergency leak repair, and other misc. items that I might need and usually do. One final tub holds all the various cans of cleaner, lubricant, paint, polish, soap, and stuff for washing the truck and trailer and providing maintenance as needed.

I have one small plastic container with all the fresh water connectors and what not too. It's just large enough to put a couple of new water filter cartridges in for use later.

That's about the size of it. I can fix my roof, make minor repairs to my truck, build small things out of wood, and generally handle about anything that comes along if I have to. Owning and living in an RV full time isn't much different than owning a house. You still need to be able to make repairs or do maintenance from time to time. Some folks can afford to pay someone else to work on their rig. I prefer to do it myself unless it's beyond my ability.