Suspension
- Thread starter mballough
- Start date
Had them on my old unit along with centerpoint air. Worth it.
I haven’t but I’m having the independent suspension installed on my 350Rl. I’m kind of a suspension nerd and can tell you that as long as you are using gas shocks you’re going to see a noticeable improvement providing your leafs are in good repair.Shorter stops (meaningfully), vertical oscillation will be reduced, longer useful life of springs, bushings, equalizers, lower stress on the frame are all benefits that can be measured. Plus, you should have a much more relaxed driving experience.
I might be stating the obvious and apologies if so…good intentions only.
I searched my pc for the SAE study on trailer suspension. It’s out there somewhere I just can’t find it right now. After reading that and a few other studies, the benefits of adding gas charged shock absorbers becomes indisputable. The reduction in stopping distance alone might sell you on it. Can’t argue with physics.
I might be stating the obvious and apologies if so…good intentions only.
I searched my pc for the SAE study on trailer suspension. It’s out there somewhere I just can’t find it right now. After reading that and a few other studies, the benefits of adding gas charged shock absorbers becomes indisputable. The reduction in stopping distance alone might sell you on it. Can’t argue with physics.
CaptainGibson
New member
Currently on my first long trip(2000+ miles) with roadmaster shocks. Wish I hadn’t waited a year to put them on. Just drove through Louisiana on i20. The last time I did that I didn’t think my camper would survive but this time I hardly felt the wheels from the camper. Also didn’t see the usual dirt and dust everywhere after a day of driving. For as little as they cost Alliance should put them on at the factory. I also replaced the 4-leaf springs with 6-leaf at the same time because the driver side springs had flattened out.
I can’t wait to hear your opinion! It will be great having that really close in time observation.
I will keep you updated. Install is tomorrow I have a trip planned for Friday.
I'm sold on disc brakes I had them on my last rig.
I was talked into Roadmaster by a buddy of mine. He claims it makes a huge difference. I'm a bit more skeptical on the Roadmaster.
I had no real gripes with the OEM CRE3000 system
But much like drum brakes vs. disc. You don't realize how poorly your RV drum brakes are performing until you experience disc brakes.
Maybe I will experience a similar phenomenon with the roadmaster suspension.
I'm sold on disc brakes I had them on my last rig.
I was talked into Roadmaster by a buddy of mine. He claims it makes a huge difference. I'm a bit more skeptical on the Roadmaster.
I had no real gripes with the OEM CRE3000 system
But much like drum brakes vs. disc. You don't realize how poorly your RV drum brakes are performing until you experience disc brakes.
Maybe I will experience a similar phenomenon with the roadmaster suspension.
BryanValRox
Well-known member
Congratulations on the upgrade, we love our disc brakes!
Please keep us posted on the results.
Travel safely today!
Looking good! Curious if they refer to the center coupler as an equalizer, junction, box, etc. Really, it performs as an isolation point I guess. Anyhow, if you know it would be appreciated.
You’re going to love it I’m sure( and I hope so given that is not a tiny price tag attached).
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Sorry for so many questions. Did you weigh before and after? Also, I’m curious how the new suspension geometry influences pin weight.
BryanValRox
Well-known member
I’ll bet I know how!🤫. Obviously, if my suspicions are correct it is not a recommended practice.
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I'll try to answer what I can I have no weights. Shamefully I have never weighed this RV. I have had it about a year but have never weighed it. I'm not really worried about my.
weight but I should have scaled weights just for reference if nothing else, I know better.
The rig was lifted with the leveling system. Jack stands were placed underneath as a precaution. but essentially the leveling system did all the work.
For the record I did not do the install. It was done by Wandering bear RV. He came out to my house and did the install in my back yard where I keep my RV.
While generally I would have been leery using leveling jack to raise RV.
He had no concerns doing it that way. In the end there were no issues doing it that way.
I took a test ride yesterday and towed from outside of Baltimore to Harrisburg PA.
I was more focused on wearing in the brakes than observing the suspension.
Braking started slow but improved as I used them more. By the time I arrived they were good. Maybe because I'm used to disc brakes from my last rig. I did not feel the drastic difference between discs and drums that I remembered from my last rig.
On the suspension. Definitely smoother. Where I really notice the difference was crossing bridge joints. Yes there was the initial bump from crossing the uneven joint but it quickly went away and did not reverberate. It was like a bump and then things smooth out quickly. There also seemed to be a little less wiggle when changing lanes.
I felt the trailer a bit less. The idea that some claim you can't even feel it back there was in play. I won't goes as far as to say I did not feel it back there, But I did feel it less with the new suspension.
All in all I'm happy with everything, though I was focused more on everything just working without issue vs. being improved. No brake line leaks, pads wearing in, brake pump functioning, suspension tight, no rattles etc. brake controller adjusted correctly, lug nuts torqued.
I will keep observing and report back
weight but I should have scaled weights just for reference if nothing else, I know better.
The rig was lifted with the leveling system. Jack stands were placed underneath as a precaution. but essentially the leveling system did all the work.
For the record I did not do the install. It was done by Wandering bear RV. He came out to my house and did the install in my back yard where I keep my RV.
While generally I would have been leery using leveling jack to raise RV.
He had no concerns doing it that way. In the end there were no issues doing it that way.
I took a test ride yesterday and towed from outside of Baltimore to Harrisburg PA.
I was more focused on wearing in the brakes than observing the suspension.
Braking started slow but improved as I used them more. By the time I arrived they were good. Maybe because I'm used to disc brakes from my last rig. I did not feel the drastic difference between discs and drums that I remembered from my last rig.
On the suspension. Definitely smoother. Where I really notice the difference was crossing bridge joints. Yes there was the initial bump from crossing the uneven joint but it quickly went away and did not reverberate. It was like a bump and then things smooth out quickly. There also seemed to be a little less wiggle when changing lanes.
I felt the trailer a bit less. The idea that some claim you can't even feel it back there was in play. I won't goes as far as to say I did not feel it back there, But I did feel it less with the new suspension.
All in all I'm happy with everything, though I was focused more on everything just working without issue vs. being improved. No brake line leaks, pads wearing in, brake pump functioning, suspension tight, no rattles etc. brake controller adjusted correctly, lug nuts torqued.
I will keep observing and report back
That is great to hear you're happy with the outcome!
BryanValRox
Well-known member
Hi Lantley,
Glad to hear you are happy with your investment!
I am curious, what gain did you end up on? What were you on electric vs electric over hydraulic settings?
Also, I am a bit curious if you are willing to share, where did you end up in Harrisburg Pa?
I grew up just outside of that area.
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Good question. I'm tinkered with the gain the entire trip. I was on 7.0 when I arrived debating if that was good! The installer felt Chevy's had a higher gain setting than Ford or Ram. He felt a Chevy could be as high as 8.5. He also said if I got as up to 9.5 to call him. He felt that would be too high indicating a problem.
I'm staying in the Highspire area at Harrisburg east campground and storage.
Its a campground and mini storage place... LOL!
My wife is from the area, we are in town for mothers day.
I'm staying in the Highspire area at Harrisburg east campground and storage.
Its a campground and mini storage place... LOL!
My wife is from the area, we are in town for mothers day.