Posted 2011-10-30 8:26 AM (#138618) Subject: Removing dividers in Sunlite Stampede
New User
Posts: 2
Location: IL
I feel sort of stupid admitting this, but my husband and I can find no easy way to remove the dividers in our little 3 horse Sundowner Stampede trailer. We would like to be able to use it to haul hay during the winter months, and the dividers make it awkward. *Is* there an easy way to remove the dividers, or is it a major procedure? TIA for any tips!
Posted 2011-10-30 5:15 PM (#138628 - in reply to #138618) Subject: RE: Removing dividers in Sunlite Stampede
Expert
Posts: 2955
Location: North Carolina
I have avoided removing the dividers from my Sundowner because of the springs that swing the dividers toward the wall. They look to be a major pain to re-install.
Posted 2011-10-31 8:06 AM (#138637 - in reply to #138618) Subject: RE: Removing dividers in Sunlite Stampede
Elite Veteran
Posts: 800
Location: Tenn/Ala.
Let me share a "trick of the trade" so to speak regarding that little spring, because it is very stout.
We take a regular light duty ratchet strap and hook one end on the divider by the latch, and run the other on the front side of the divider to the spring's eye. A couple of ratchets, and the spring is pulled back out of the way making removal easy. We'll leave the ratchet on it until the divider is reinstalled, then release tension and all's back to normal.
Posted 2011-10-31 4:02 PM (#138645 - in reply to #138618) Subject: RE: Removing dividers in Sunlite Stampede
Expert
Posts: 2955
Location: North Carolina
RTsmith ... Thanks for the hint.. Unfortunately ... Someone reversed my springs. The eye end of the spring is against the divider and the plain end is against the trailer wall. A strap connected between the divider latch and spring eye wouldn't hold the spring tension. I have a Sundowner valuelite if thaat makes any difference ...
Posted 2011-10-31 4:43 PM (#138646 - in reply to #138618) Subject: RE: Removing dividers in Sunlite Stampede
Elite Veteran
Posts: 800
Location: Tenn/Ala.
HP- You're right. My plan won't work for you. Normally the eye is on the wall.
However, a lot of times if you'll collapse the rear tack allowing the dividers to move all the way around, it just might open enough to take most if not all of the tension off the spring. Might be worth a try sometime. If it works, then you can reverse the springs and pull the eye next time.
Posted 2011-11-01 4:33 PM (#138660 - in reply to #138618) Subject: RE: Removing dividers in Sunlite Stampede
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 447
Location: cedar rapids iowa
Mine had not been in correctly either and when reinstalling my divider I opened it up all the way and put a heavy duty screw driver going from the bottom up through the hinge and then through the bottom of the spring. Then took the pin from the top and hammered it down through the spring while also pushing on the top of the spring with a crow bar to line it up. Definately not a 1 person job.
Posted 2011-11-05 1:00 PM (#138724 - in reply to #138618) Subject: RE: Removing dividers in Sunlite Stampede
New User
Posts: 1
Is there an easy way on a 96 Sooner to compress the springs? Mine has two little hooks on either side of the spring, and the springs are loose... it's been too long since the last time we did it, I can't remember what we did to get them back in easily. They are a booger!