2017 Reflection 337 leafy springs

[Rick & Linda]

There are a lot of choices for suspension systems for our rigs nowadays.
One of my original, mostly flat, leaf springs broke. I am going to replace all four of them. I have 6000lb axles and 3000lb springs. I’m looking at 4000lb springs for replacement.
Does anyone have experience or knowledge on this upgrade?

 

[Calbar]

I think 4000 lb springs might make the ride to rough on the trailer. I have heard of people going up one size to 3500 lb springs though which would help. Better quality springs would help as well. Just need to be careful that you don't go too stiff because it will cause a lot more road wear to the trailer because the springs will not flex and the shock will go to the trailer frame and structure.

Have you measured the weight of your trailer to see how much is on the axles to make sure you are not overweight?

Rob

 

[huntindog]

There are a lot of choices for suspension systems for our rigs nowadays.
One of my original, mostly flat, leaf springs broke. I am going to replace all four of them. I have 6000lb axles and 3000lb springs. I’m looking at 4000lb springs for replacement.
Does anyone have experience or knowledge on this upgrade?

You will get a lot of naysayers that poo poo the idea. They will say that the ride will be too rough. None of them have actually done it though.

I have, and it is a great upgrade.
GD agrees, as on my Momentum, 7K axles/springs were standard, and 8K optional.

 

[Hoopy Frood]

There are a lot of choices for suspension systems for our rigs nowadays.
One of my original, mostly flat, leaf springs broke. I am going to replace all four of them. I have 6000lb axles and 3000lb springs. I’m looking at 4000lb springs for replacement.
Does anyone have experience or knowledge on this upgrade?

I went from 3,500 lb. rated springs to 4,000 lb. rated springs on our Momentum. No complaints, but I honestly can't tell any difference. The only thing I've ever done that I noticed changed the ride, was to install the EZ-Flex equalizers. It made a huge difference in the way the truck experienced feedback from the trailer over frost heaves and bridge approaches.

 

[Rick & Linda]

I went from 3,500 lb. rated springs to 4,000 lb. rated springs on our Momentum. No complaints, but I honestly can't tell any difference. The only thing I've ever done that I noticed changed the ride, was to install the EZ-Flex equalizers. It made a huge difference in the way the truck experienced feedback from the trailer over frost heaves and bridge approaches.

Thanks, we upgraded a while back to the CRE3000 and you are right, what a difference that made.

 

[Rick & Linda]

I think 4000 lb springs might make the ride to rough on the trailer. I have heard of people going up one size to 3500 lb springs though which would help. Better quality springs would help as well. Just need to be careful that you don't go too stiff because it will cause a lot more road wear to the trailer because the springs will not flex and the shock will go to the trailer frame and structure.

Have you measured the weight of your trailer to see how much is on the axles to make sure you are not overweight?

Rob

Yes, I have always, except maybe once, traveled underweight. We just don't pack a lot of stuff.
I might just look at some 3500s, Grand Design does not offer them in the size needed.

 

[Rick & Linda]

You will get a lot of naysayers that poo poo the idea. They will say that the ride will be too rough. None of them have actually done it though.

I have, and it is a great upgrade.
GD agrees, as on my Momentum, 7K axles/springs were standard, and 8K optional.

But wouldn't that be for axles and springs as an upgrade?

 

[Hoopy Frood]

Yes, I have always, except maybe once, traveled underweight. We just don't pack a lot of stuff.
I might just look at some 3500s, Grand Design does not offer them in the size needed.

Grand Design sources the springs from Dexter or Lippert, and both of those offer 3,500 lb. rated springs.

 

[huntindog]

But wouldn't that be for axles and springs as an upgrade?

Yes. Upgrading springs is good. doing axles as well is even better

 

[Skilletface]

There are a lot of choices for suspension systems for our rigs nowadays.
One of my original, mostly flat, leaf springs broke. I am going to replace all four of them. I have 6000lb axles and 3000lb springs. I’m looking at 4000lb springs for replacement.
Does anyone have experience or knowledge on this upgrade?

I would suggest searching for leaf springs something close to the original suspension engineering. Going up too much in leaf spring weight rating may have unintended effects. Instead, search for a leaf spring with additional leaf springs, example, if the current setup has 4 or 5 leaves, search for ones with 5 or 6. With the additional springs the flexing of the leaves will be distributed a little more evenly. The increase in height will be “1 to “1 1/2 with no impact on the overall height.

 

[Hoopy Frood]

I would suggest searching for leaf springs something close to the original suspension engineering. Going up too much in leaf spring weight rating may have unintended effects. Instead, search for a leaf spring with additional leaf springs, example, if the current setup has 4 or 5 leaves, search for ones with 5 or 6. With the additional springs the flexing of the leaves will be distributed a little more evenly. The increase in height will be “1 to “1 1/2 with no impact on the overall height.

Since the springs go on top of the axle, I don't see why an increase in spring leafs wouldn't add to overall height.

 

[Skilletface]

Since the springs go on top of the axle, I don't see why an increase in spring leafs wouldn't add to overall height.

The overall height does not change at the front if anything it reduces that little bit of nose high issue some experience and it really levels out that extra dip from those bridge transitions.

Overall height is referring the highest point usually the front bedroom A/C and the roof design typically slopes downward towards the rear on Reflections, therefore by adding height at the axels there is no effect on the overall height.

 

[Sportzfann]

Did the OP disclose the GVW of the trailer ? I have a 303rls and I had the broken spring issue as well, they were originally 2600lb. 4 leaf I think.
I replaced them with 3500lb. 6 leaf springs. (Etrailer ) I bought new ubolts, and the Mor ryde ce 3000 equalizer. And shackles. I had the axles aligned, and welded 1” steel tube crossmembers between the hangers.
I don’t know if the ride is any better, but I believe the suspension is beefed up beyond OEM, and I believe I have a more durable suspension than before. I continue to keep a close eye on the suspension,
but 6000 miles so far on the new setup and all is well.