Springs Failures

[whaines]

I'm surprised no mention of spring failures. it's all over the place on GD facebook?

 

[TucsonJim]

I just did a quick search and found several threads discussion broken springs. Here are a few:

https://www.granddesignowners.com/f...-You-Inspecting-Yours?highlight=broken+spring

https://www.granddesignowners.com/forum/showthread.php/8111-Broken-spring?highlight=broken+spring

https://www.granddesignowners.com/f...on-Mo-380TH-twin-axle?highlight=broken+spring

https://www.granddesignowners.com/f...orward-axle-left-side?highlight=broken+spring

It's important to note that GDRV switched to Dexter springs on all models starting around the first of September, 2017. It will be interesting to see if the broken spring issue goes away.

Jim

 

[trueweb]

This happened to me long before I had a GD and now I make it a point of carrying an extra spring just in case.

 

[bertschb]

I'm new to this spring failure issue. Does anybody know if it would help reduce the odds of a spring failure by upgrading from the Lippert Equaflex suspension to the MORryde SRE4000?

 

[Second Chance]

I'm new to this spring failure issue. Does anybody know if it would help reduce the odds of a spring failure by upgrading from the Lippert Equaflex suspension to the MORryde SRE4000?

Only if springs are part of the package. The issue, if I recall, was mostly on the 303 and on the driver's side due to the large side-to-side weight difference because of the kitchen slide. "Other Rob" (the Canadian one) wrote quite a bit about this, I believe. Perhaps he'll see this and chime in.

Rob

 

[whaines]

I don't know what the effect tires might have on the suspension, some owners are going to heavy duty tires that weigh 60 lbs verses the stock tire is 30 lbs!

 

[Cate&Rob]

I don't know what the effect tires might have on the suspension, some owners are going to heavy duty tires that weigh 60 lbs verses the stock tire is 30 lbs!

My "spring work" was more about matching the strength of the springs to the load being carried. On the 303, this means OE 2600 lb springs on the right and upgrading to 3000 lb springs on the left . . . to get the trailer to ride level despite being about 800 lbs heavier on the left side. This seemed obvious to me (and to others on this forum) but LCI would not even consider it. I wonder if Dexter matches the springs to the load being carried ?

whaines brings up an interesting point that I have wondered about in the past. It would be interesting to chart spring breakage against tire upgrades. The springs and tires share the load carrying and particularly the impact absorbing. If either one is significantly strengthened, the other is going to be doing most of the flexing. Upgraded tires running at higher pressure than original will also put a lot more impact loads into the frame, body and contents. Consider how your truck would ride if you significantly increased it's tire pressures.

In the case of the 303, changing the left side springs levels out the trailer when towing, but the left side tires are still carrying 800 lbs more than the right side tires. I have not encountered a broken spring, but my original 2600 lb left side springs were permanently deformed by the weight they were carrying.

Rob

 

[J&G garage]

When our spring broke we were on the original Westlake tires. Our trailer empty has a 40# weight delta side to side so I don't think that had anything to do with the failure. I think they are just poor quality springs and in the case of our trailer probably over loaded by design. Hopefully the Dexter springs are made in a different part of China.

 

[bertschb]

...despite being about 800 lbs heavier on the left side...

Wow! I thought my rig was lopsided at about 440lbs heavier on the street side.

 

[Cate&Rob]

Our 303 started out 474 lbs heavier on the left side from the factory (4022 vs 3548). Then, all the storage . . . entertainment center cupboards, pantry, drawers beside stove, fridge, buffet, bedroom closet . . . is on the left side. Not difficult to add 325 lbs in all that storage space. The right side still weighs about what it did empty . . . the only storage on that whole side is the small cabinets above the recliners. The 337 is more-or-less the same and this will only get worse for these layouts with the new larger fridges. Don't get me wrong . . . we love the layout of our 303 and wouldn't choose any other. It just took a little extra work to get it to tow level side-to-side .

Rob

 

[Lowlevl]

On our 375RES after delivery I noticed the springs had negative arch. After some discussions GD told dealer to replace springs. I'm wondering if this is a result of above failures. Now the issue is the new springs cause the rig to sit too high. I leveled the rig using only the front jacks and it now measures 13' 8.5 in high. Dealer is in the process of contact GD for how to lower back to a legal 13' 6" as stated on pamphlet and legal requirement east of the Mississippi.

 

[drummer331]

I just experienced the "busted spring" problem on the driver side rear wheel on my 2017 Solitude MBS. I asked the dealer the same question about the Morryde equalizer as an upgrade over the Equaflex. They told me the Morryde's, that they actually carry, have had problems and been subject to recall. He didn't recommend, but I also am looking at adding Joyrider shocks and the dealer said they would do more to help support the springs, especially over bad roads. He said the Joyriders look better than the LCI shocks, but the shop foreman said it is 50/50 whether they would install without rubbing the tires.

 

[TucsonJim]

They told me the Morryde's, that they actually carry, have had problems and been subject to recall.

That's the first I've heard about it. I checked the Fed recall page and I couldn't find any listings for MorRyde recalls. Did the dealer give you any more information on that? I'm running on MorRyde equalizers, wet bolts and shackles, and if there is a recall, I'd sure like to know about it.

Jim

 

[Second Chance]

That's the first I've heard about it. I checked the Fed recall page and I couldn't find any listings for MorRyde recalls. Did the dealer give you any more information on that? I'm running on MorRyde equalizers, wet bolts and shackles, and if there is a recall, I'd sure like to know about it.

Jim

No recalls on NHTSA web site for MOR/ryde. Sound like dealer BS to me...

Rob

 

[whaines]

Has anyone called mor/ryde?

 

[Steven@147]

I just did a quick search and found several threads discussion broken springs.

It's important to note that GDRV switched to Dexter springs on all models starting around the first of September, 2017. It will be interesting to see if the broken spring issue goes away.

Jim

Very good point Jim, That statistic would be very interesting. Those units having Dexter suspensions not having any problems with broken springs or equal-flex units going bad.
I am following all this info on LCI suspensions. We must be blessed with our Imagine 2950RL. Haven't had any problems with it. It had 4400# axles to start with and I installed the MORryde CRE 3000 and shackle / wet bolt upgrade. Seems to be operating fine so far. What was it, the 2800BH had weerker axles that started to have problems and they upgraded those to 4400# axles?

Doesn't bode well for LCI. I noticed that on the video the Solitude 3350RL had equal-flex but should have Dexter axles and springs, right?. That may make up our minds on a new RV.