Independent suspension

[avvidclif]

Comprehensive should have paid for it. Just like it pays for tire damage.

 

[Bohemian]

Several toured DRV in June. My understanding at factory was same as what Jay has said. The IS and disc brakes adds about 700# over the weight of axles and drum brakes that come from factory. I had it installed at Mor=Ryde 2 years ago. If done at factory it would show in UVW which would reduce carrying capacity unless GWVR was raised. I think the weight of IS is some the reason not offered as an option.

Uh, it DOES reduce carrying capacity. No matter where or by whom it is added. The GVWR does not change. Personally I would not be concerned. It is not suspended weight. GVWR should be increased, but it isn't.

 

[avvidclif]

Why should GVWR be increased? It's based on a number of things, not just the axle rating.

 

[Bob&Patty]

I'm not sure about the IS being un-sprung weight. What is welded to the frame would be sprung weight but the tires, wheels and brakes would be un-sprung weight.

 

[TomMontague]

We canWe can debate all day long but the fact is the GVWR will not change.

Hopefully this helps.

TAlk soon
tom

 

[porthole]

We can debate all day long but the fact is the GVWR will not change.

Hopefully this helps.

Doesn't help this thread at all.

Uh, it DOES reduce carrying capacity. No matter where or by whom it is added. The GVWR does not change. Personally I would not be concerned. It is not suspended weight. GVWR should be increased, but it isn't.

MOR/ryde IS is a combination of both "suspended" and "unsuspended" additional weight over the lightweight cheap imported steel springs it replaces.

Looks to me like this is a great time for the IS. Keep in mind there are no springs or spring hangers with the IS. Let Mor-Ryde take care of it.

MOR/ryde IS does use springs. Their term is rubber shear springs.

I remember that Tom M. was going to discuss this with management a few months ago but nothing has changed.

It is my understanding that when DRV builds a unit with IS and disk brakes, they install the equipment in their factory and then have it checked by Mor Ryde for QC. I'm not certain how other manufacturers handle IS and disk brake installs.

As Jay says.

I happened to be at the MOR/ryde plant when DRV's started rolling in with no graphics and MOR/ryde IS hanging underneath.
A conversation with Ben Wiginton, the man in charge at the main MR plant, explained to me that DRV worked out a deal with MR.
DRV was trained in MR IS installation, but to get MR to sign off on the installation, the coachs were to be delivered to MR for wheel alignment and final inspection - QC.

 

[TravelTiger]

I happened to be at the MOR/ryde plant when DRV's started rolling in with no graphics and MOR/ryde IS hanging underneath.
A conversation with Ben Wiginton, the man in charge at the main MR plant, explained to me that DRV worked out a deal with MR.
DRV was trained in MR IS installation, but to get MR to sign off on the installation, the coachs were to be delivered to MR for wheel alignment and final inspection - QC.

So it can be done, but sounds like an expensive and long process. And DRV is about 20K more than a Landmark.

- - - Updated - - -

We canWe can debate all day long but the fact is the GVWR will not change.

Hopefully this helps.

TAlk soon
tom

I read this and interpreted it to say that they don't intend to increase the GVWR on Landmarks. So adding something during the build that would require it probably isn't going to happen.

 

[Bones]

How about air ride suspension. That would increase the smoothness of the RV ride

 

[Nabo]

We have the Center Point Air Ride system with the Joy Rider shock system on our Landmark and it really makes a big difference on the ride of the camper. The original shocks that came on the LM, because of the way they were mounted, really didn't do anything and were useless. Only down fall was that it raised the camper up about an 1" or so.

 

[Bones]

We have the Center Point Air Ride system with the Joy Rider shock system on our Landmark and it really makes a big difference on the ride of the camper. The original shocks that came on the LM, because of the way they were mounted, really didn't do anything and were useless. Only down fall was that it raised the camper up about an 1" or so.

That would be a good excuse to raise the truck too

 

[Jesstruckn/Jesstalkn]

We have the Center Point Air Ride system with the Joy Rider shock system on our Landmark and it really makes a big difference on the ride of the camper. The original shocks that came on the LM, because of the way they were mounted, really didn't do anything and were useless. Only down fall was that it raised the camper up about an 1" or so.

Did you notice a big improvement over the stock ride ? Enough to justify the cost.?

 

[Nabo]

Yes - this is the second coach that we added the Center Point Air Ride system and would do it again. When we got the LM last year (without CPAR) and pulled it to another state and back, everything, and I mean everything, bounced around or off the counters/sofa/chairs. We called the dealership because we were afraid that the axles were placed incorrectly on the frame who contacted the LM mgr (Tom M). He assured the dealer/us that the axles were correctly installed so that is when we decided to go back to the CPAR. At the time of adding the system on, we elected to also change the shock system out. What a huge difference. The wife wanted to see how the camper rides on one trip so in she went for about 100 miles and was very pleased that stuff on the counters and chairs didn't move at all. Her only concern was the suspended light fixtures over the center island. That's a design problem. Remember that the trucking industry uses air ride suspension not independent system.

 

[Bones]

Yes - this is the second coach that we added the Center Point Air Ride system and would do it again. When we got the LM last year (without CPAR) and pulled it to another state and back, everything, and I mean everything, bounced around or off the counters/sofa/chairs. We called the dealership because we were afraid that the axles were placed incorrectly on the frame who contacted the LM mgr (Tom M). He assured the dealer/us that the axles were correctly installed so that is when we decided to go back to the CPAR. At the time of adding the system on, we elected to also change the shock system out. What a huge difference. The wife wanted to see how the camper rides on one trip so in she went for about 100 miles and was very pleased that stuff on the counters and chairs didn't move at all. Her only concern was the suspended light fixtures over the center island. That's a design problem. Remember that the trucking industry uses air ride suspension not independent system.

Sold Looks like I can do this in my driveway. Check added to my want list.

 

[Jesstruckn/Jesstalkn]

Yes - this is the second coach that we added the Center Point Air Ride system and would do it again. When we got the LM last year (without CPAR) and pulled it to another state and back, everything, and I mean everything, bounced around or off the counters/sofa/chairs. We called the dealership because we were afraid that the axles were placed incorrectly on the frame who contacted the LM mgr (Tom M). He assured the dealer/us that the axles were correctly installed so that is when we decided to go back to the CPAR. At the time of adding the system on, we elected to also change the shock system out. What a huge difference. The wife wanted to see how the camper rides on one trip so in she went for about 100 miles and was very pleased that stuff on the counters and chairs didn't move at all. Her only concern was the suspended light fixtures over the center island. That's a design problem. Remember that the trucking industry uses air ride suspension not independent system.

Thanks for the info
Yes I have air ride on my Pete and most of my trailers. And the air ride trailers ride 10 times better then the spring ride trailers do. It is a night and day difference. However it is a much different set up then this. I also have air helper bags in my pickup but they are not the same as the full on 4 link air ride system that I want to put on it. Also adding the air pin box this week. I know it works because I had one on my last trailer.
We have been on 4 trips with a total of 900 miles and we leave the kurig coffee pot on a piece of non skid liner on the counter and it doesn't move a bit.
If you say it works I will look in to it thanks

 

[murry135]

By the time you add the expense of all the above you might just add the IS. I have had three 5er's and this is the first unit with the IS (2013 Key Largo). Yes, expenseive but worth it. Nothing comes close to it. Others who use other systems like there systems but never compared there system to an IS system. Have you seen a post yet where a owner went to a an IS then back to a Air bag assist system? I will let you answer that question. Again it is pricely but if you plan on travelling with you camper and keeping it, consider installing it. And, while installing the IS, go for the DISC brakes now no one has said not to do that install yet. Total night and day difference.

 

[danemayer]

If we had a couple of volunteers at a national or regional rally, there could be a comparison test done. If we had similar rigs with different suspensions, using a device that logs shocks, like this one, might let everyone know which solution is best, and by how much it beats the others.

Maybe MorRyde could be talked into sponsoring the comparison to prove that the price is justified. Or maybe Lippert would like to challenge MorRyde.

 

[jmgratz]

I would say yes to the IS also. As far as the price it is worth it IMHO. I also would like to say the time involved is 3 days. Not long at all. Yes you would have to go to Mor-Ryde in Elkhart to have it done but you can stay in your RV INSIDE the Mor-Ryde plant during the install (stay at night and be out of the rig during the day) If you have never been to Elkhart there is plenty of things to see and do in the area and the Amish eating establishments (Essenhaus, Blue Gate, Yoders, various bakeries, jelly bean stores) are great and you can also tour several RV manufactures, the RV Hall of Fame and other points of interest. If you chose to sit in the customer lounge at Mor-Ryde they feed you lunch and the lounge is comfortable with free coffee, soft drinks, water, wi-fi and television. So there is more to just paying them your money and letting them do the install. We look forward to our trips to the Elkhart/Goshen area. For some reason we find it necessary to go to northern Indiana almost every year. BTW there are 2 casinos within a short drive of Elkhart also in the Michigan City area. Oh yeah, dont forget all of the shopping in that local area too. We have gotten the IS, Disc Brakes and Never Lube bearings on all of the fifth wheels we have owned and found it worth the $5500 price each time. It will also increase the trade in value slightly.

 

[Nabo]

Center Point cost us less than $1500 installed which was our reasoning to get. That's about half of IS. You are correct in that folks don't go back to air ride from IS on the same coach because the axles are no longer there. Each person has to make up their own mind on how long they are going to keep the coach, how many miles they are going to travel verses the cost of a suspension system. For us not keeping a coach more than 3 years, we couldn't justify the cost.

 

[murry135]

Point well taken NABO about axels not there but still I have not heard anyone say IS is not worth what they paid. I have heard that the air bag system was not worth it and people have then move up from it to IS. I myself have reasearched the air bag and almost went with it for the mere cost factor but then listen to all the opinions and went with MorRyde. Yes, it all comes down to what you can afford and what you want. Everyone is different and has different applications. IS works for us in this application.

 

[kakampers]

We have had both Center Point on our Bighorn and now IS on our Landmark....I can say without hesitation...there is NO comparison between the two. The Mor Ryde by far gives a MUCH better ride than the Centerpoint did....hands down!!