RV Repair: RV furnace, dexter axles, mud daubers

Question
Howdy!  My Q's refers to '87 36' Prairie Schooner 5th-wheel [now-defunct Mallory corp.] I brought back fr MO last summer, put a LOT more time/money into it than expected [almost all ext. -int. was mostly excellent] I'm "handy" and trailer-exp'd, but no RV tech! :-) [Also, relevent, am on sm VA Pension]
1] the thermostat-operated furnace has gas to it and can see spark thru the window but won't light; is it safe to assume this is a valve, or is it more complicated than that?
2] got 4 rusty-looking shocks: are these important, and how can I test them? {don't know full weight, but dry there's 7300# on axles)
3] are there any RELIABLE guides as to whether or not I have "enough truck" for long-distances and/or mountain-country w/ this trailer?
Any insights or point-me-in-the-right directions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks! -Tom in Mountainair NM

Answer
Hi Tom,

      I'll try to go over these in the same order you did.  
1.  If the fan is blowing and you can see it sparking then that tells me that the sail switch and limit switch should be okay.  The problem is most likely the printed circuit board, the gas valve, the gas pressure, or the fuel/air mixture.  Look into the intake and exhaust tubes on the outside of the unit and see if there is any kind of obstruction (mud daubers or wasps nests).  If there isn't and everything else on LP is working okay its probably the PCB or gas valve.

2.   There are really only two shocks that I know of that are available for towable RV's.  One is for Dexter axles, the other for Mor-ryde.  I don't think I have ever seen any on an Alko axle.  I have towed trailers with them and without them and to be honest I really can't tell any difference.

3.  As for having enough truck I would go by the truck manufacturers tow rating.  They generally rate their trucks based more on stopping ability rather than towing ability.  If you are under their ratings you should be fine.  It's a good idea to weigh your trailer after you have it loaded to insure that you aren't overloading it also.  That will help prevent tire problems especially on long trips.

I hope this information helps.  If you need more specific information if you can get me the furnace model # and serial # and the make and model of your truck I will be happy to help out some more.

Darren