Suspension Replacement

[RiversToRidgesRV]

Has anyone replaced their entire suspension with something better? If so, any suggestions? I've had two broken leaf springs and a broken spring hanger this year on a 2018 Reflection fifth wheel. I'm trying to decide if this camper is worth keeping. Thanks

We have a 2021 Grand Design Momentum 397TH and had two wet-bolts break on us and a bent leaf spring hanger. We changed our suspension to the RoadMaster Slipper Springs and shocks. We haven't had any issues since we upgraded. Here's a video that explain what happened to us and what we did to fix it.

Warning! Is Your RV Suspension Due For An Upgrade?

 

[Stedham]

Has anyone replaced their entire suspension with something better? If so, any suggestions? I've had two broken leaf springs and a broken spring hanger this year on a 2018 Reflection fifth wheel. I'm trying to decide if this camper is worth keeping. Thanks

I hear you. I broke a leaf spring in my 2018 Reflection last year. The shop I took it to told me all the springs were minimum thickness required and same for the hangars. (Apparently the GD dumps the money inside for the wife to see the nice hardwood doors and cupboards etc.) I went with my mechanics advise and replaced all the leaf springs, hangars and even the tires to heavy duty units. Now I feel confident on the road. (Sorry, can't recall exact part #'s but any spring shop would know what you need.

 

[Too Tall Paul]

First of all, please make sure the trailer is level when towing. That's most important to allow the stock setup to handle the load. An unlevel frame will overload 1 axle on a dual-axle setup. I see this all the time, trailers with dual axles being towed unlevel.

 

[420CHem]

gkosano,
IMHO, you are not going to get away from suspension issues by trading for a different brand in the Reflection price range.
Before you start down the road of suspension upgrades, decide how much you are using it and where you’ll be dragging it.
Me personally, I am and always have been a fan of increasing the number of leaves in the leaf spring pack to aid in support of the other springs, not necessarily increasing the GVWR. MORyde offers good quality products that are easily installed.
Independent Suspension are top of the line when coupled with disk brakes if your budget allows, not sure of the return on investment.

We have a 2023 Grand Design Reflection 370FLS with around 6K miles on it, already had to replace all brakes and a HUB, which was metal on metal. Now the grinding sound and hot wheels are starting back up again, with only 1200 miles. We plan on putting MORyde's Indepenent suspension next year and get rid of Lippert's test ABS system. So new no one knows how to fix

 

[Scott'n'Wendy]

So new no one knows how to fix

Reminds me of my Ford 6.0L diesel. Had one in the first year offered. Nobody at the time knew how to keep it running.

 

[tjndsa]

One key factor to keep in mind, that not many people pay attention to, is the cheap rebound clips on the springs. They are super thin, cheap, and usually slide down the springs or fall off. The whole purpose of the rebound clips is to keep springs together and to keep the springs from opening up and slamming into the one above it causing it to brake from some off our wonderful roads we all love. We have replaced rebound clips on all our trailers and traveled thousands of miles across our country and not had one spring failure or any other suspension failures. ( now I jinxed myself) Maybe the rebound clips work or not but it’s just one more thing to give me peace of mind when traveling.

 

[Scott'n'Wendy]

( now I jinxed myself)

You sure did....

 

[Wileykid]

One key factor to keep in mind, that not many people pay attention to, is the cheap rebound clips on the springs. They are super thin, cheap, and usually slide down the springs or fall off. The whole purpose of the rebound clips is to keep springs together and to keep the springs from opening up and slamming into the one above it causing it to brake from some off our wonderful roads we all love. We have replaced rebound clips on all our trailers and traveled thousands of miles across our country and not had one spring failure or any other suspension failures. ( now I jinxed myself) Maybe the rebound clips work or not but it’s just one more thing to give me peace of mind when traveling.

Lots of debate on if one needs a rebound clip. Most say they are on to keep the spring together until it is mounted. Others say absolutely need it, take a look at our trucks, them are some beefy clips. I replaced all mine after loosing several on the road, with better ones, and still had a spring break.

I am not sure which is correct, other than the cheap OEM springs are 98% of the problem.

 

[Cyclone Tom]

Late to the party but for what its worth I took my Solitude 382WB to Morryde right after I got it and had independent suspension and disc brakes put on it. Best mod I have ever done - huge improvement.

 

[tjndsa]

We have an appointment in April 2025 at Morryde to have our Momentum 397th upgraded from 8k axle with disk brakes to IS for more peace of mind and less potential suspension problems.