The Good and The Bad

 The first two trips with the camper I noticed a tugging between the camper and truck, like the camper was yanking it back. Watching my mirrors, it didn't take long for me to notice it was because the trailer was bouncing. I later learned this is called chucking.

I looked over the suspension, which on this trailer, like many others new and old, was axles attached to leaf springs. In the tandem (two axle) configuration, these two springs on each side (one for each axle) are attached on the ends to the frame and in the middle via an equalizer (a little metal triangle). All of the connection points have bushing to allow everything to move smoothly.  The suspension had been coated with something recently, but I was pretty sure it was original and the bushings looked like they were shot. I was going to take a guess this was the original suspension. It was time for replacement.

I found a local auto shop that would do the replacement. They were kind enough to send out someone to measure for parts in my driveway and confirmed the springs and bushings were shot. While waiting for more parts to come in, I did some more research and learned about chucking and how suspension problems can make it worse. Bingo! I had my solution.

I had to take the camper in early before work and the auto shop was a crowded lot with not a lot of room to maneuver. One of my greatest fears is to get stuck in a tight space with my camper and have to fight to get it back out. Unfortunately trying to get in and stay clear, I didn't watch my mirrors the whole time pulling in. The result was a crease in my side panel. It broken through just slightly to show insulation. It was not my shining moment and when I realized what I had done, my heart just sank. 

I finally got things lined up and got it around into position, only to find my electric lifts on the front to hook and unhook were dead. Luckily the shop had a portable battery charger to get me unhooked. 

It only took a day for them to call me. It was finished. The brakes were fine, they packed all the wheel bearing. One wheel bearing had to be replaced due to some chips. Of course, they also swapped out the suspension. 

Driving it back home was a dream. The suspension replacement made a huge difference. With a trip planned soon to South Carolina, I feel a lot more confident in the camper. Unfortunately, this experience leaves me feeling a bit less confident in myself. It comes with the good and the bad.