Suspension issues

[Dpboofay]

Hi All -
Wondering if any Imagine 2800BH owners or actually any GD owners who have some insight or advise on faulty suspensions on these rigs. Ours is 2018.

So here is the issue: noticed our friends unit, that is the same unit as us, just 2 years newer sits higher than ours. So I crawl under theirs, snap some photos and notice they have the Dexter 4400 lb axles and 5 tier leaf springs & 225/75 15 tires. Ok then I come home crawl under to snap photos and notice right front spring is bent and one of the overload plates has snapped off...not good. Then I look at the other springs and they all are almost flat. I also noticed I have the Lippert 3500 lb axles, 4 tier springs and 205/75 15.

Currently talking with Lippert as this looks like it is under warranty. But my question is has anyone else had issues? I just wonder why GD went from these 3500 lb axles to the 4400 lb and increased the leaf springs and tire size?

I think there may be more to this story and will be trying to contact GD about it.

Any info from anyone will be helpful.
Thanks!

[geotex1]

Shouldn't take you more than a 5 minute Google search to find many days of reading of issues with suspensions in campers made by all mass production brands. The consolidation within the frame and axle suppliers is the crux of the problem.

Inspection of a camper's suspension has to be routine. After my own experiences, it's every trip. The amount of failure you've shown does not happen at once. Once repaired, do take steps to regularly inspect and maintain for the safety our yourself and family and those you share the road with.

[Dpboofay]

Lesson learned there but question is how has this happened. We don't boondock, have about 8K miles on the unit. Bearings are repacked yearly, tire inflation is checked each trip, etc. Certainly this will be more of a priority. Just seeing if anyone else has had a similar problem and how did they addressed it.

Thanks!

[geotex1]

Lesson learned there but question is how has this happened. We don't boondock, have about 8K miles on the unit. Bearings are repacked yearly, tire inflation is checked each trip, etc. Certainly this will be more of a priority. Just seeing if anyone else has had a similar problem and how did they addressed it.

Thanks!

It's the result of dynamic loading. The running gear understanding took a big leap backwards after Lippert and now only relearning old lessons. It's an industry that still thrives from trial and error versus planned engineering. If you were near or over your weight limits it'll happen faster, even if not, the more the travel the faster. There was also a run of inferior Lippert axles. In any event, you can upgrade to heavier axles, springs, wheels and tires. Play the situation correctly, you can probably get the axles and springs at no cost. Then just see what you're working with on wheels, and you likely need tires after running that way, and their useful life is only about 3-4 years past DOT date.

[Dpboofay]

Thanks Geoex1. That would be my goal. Talking with Lippert from the warranty standpoint. I see many folks out there have upgraded the springs to 2200# on 3500# axles. I just put the Goodyear Endurance tires on them last Oct. Also have on order the Morryde wet bolt kit.

Did you work with GD or Lippert on total replacement?

Sure appreciate you info and guidance!

[Second Chance]

Lesson learned there but question is how has this happened. We don't boondock, have about 8K miles on the unit. Bearings are repacked yearly, tire inflation is checked each trip, etc. Certainly this will be more of a priority. Just seeing if anyone else has had a similar problem and how did they addressed it.

Thanks!

@geotex1 and @gbkims have pointed you in the right direction and have given good advice. I would just add that loading can impact premature suspension failure. Have you weighed your trailer when it's loaded for camping?

Rob

[Dpboofay]

Hey Second Chance. I was waiting for you and sadly no. But I started doing some calculation and if I have 3500# axles x 2=7000# Unladened weight is nearly 6400#, and yet on the sticker it says you can carry up to 1149# over. Huh! My pencil just broke! Over 500# over what those axles should carry. GD has to explain this one to me. I am pretty conservative when it comes to packing the rig. We are pretty minimal o can’t think we overloaded it and that would mean on a regular basis. But the next call will be going to GD here shortly.

Thanks everyone for helping walk thru this nerve racking issue. Just glad I discovered it in the driveway and not out on the road.

[Second Chance]

Hey Second Chance. I was waiting for you and sadly no. But I started doing some calculation and if I have 3500# axles x 2=7000# Unladened weight is nearly 6400#, and yet on the sticker it says you can carry up to 1149# over. Huh! My pencil just broke! Over 500# over what those axles should carry. GD has to explain this one to me. I am pretty conservative when it comes to packing the rig. We are pretty minimal o can’t think we overloaded it and that would mean on a regular basis. But the next call will be going to GD here shortly.

Thanks everyone for helping walk thru this nerve racking issue. Just glad I discovered it in the driveway and not out on the road.

There are few folks that aren't surprised the first time they take their rig to the scales. We all fall prey to "weight creep" and load much more than we think. The only sure way to know is a visit to the nearest CAT scales (after you get your current issues resolves, of course).

Don't forget to subtract your tongue weight from your calculations - it's not on the axles.

Rob

[GeoffnCheri]

I started doing some calculation and if I have 3500# axles x 2=7000# Unladened weight is nearly 6400#, and yet on the sticker it says you can carry up to 1149# over. Huh! My pencil just broke! Over 500# over what those axles should carry. GD has to explain this one to me.

You have to remember most manufactures likely estimate axle rating for a particular model with the presumption that approximately 10% to 15% (travel trailers) an 22% to 25% (5th wheels) of the trailer weight will transfer to the tow vehicle. Using your numbers (6400 + 1149 = 7549) minus 12% (as an approximate 905.88 transferred to the tow vehicle) would leave 6643 on the trailer axles. You are correct that is a pretty tight margin but would technically be within their specs. I suspect the multiple failures in the earlier units resulted in GD increasing the axle margins.

[Dakota]

This may be a stupid question, but what am I looking for? Obviously if something is broken it should be obvious. Same for one side being lower then the other I would guess. What else should I be observing? Thanks!