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12-27-2021, 02:02 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2020
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 818
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Suspension Enhancements
I've been reading thru a number of posts about adding components like shocks and Sumo springs. I'm not sure what I want to do if anything.
Our Pinnacle came with the MorRyde LRE 4000 suspension system which has a stabilizer bar between the shackle hangers. I think I read this is the most robust system MorRyde offers for a conventional axle setup. Next up is their independent suspension system which is probably by far their top dog. We did have their IS installed on our previous fifth wheel after fighting axle problems and I must say it is pretty good. When we had it installed about 6 years ago the cost was $3200. I called and now it's $4800. Not sure I want to spend that much even though we did buy our Pinnacle at pre-Covid prices.
The only other thing I could find was either shocks or the Sumo springs but I'm not sure of the fit. Jayco welded a 2" box tube to the bottom of the frame and then attached the spring hangers and the box for the MorRyde to it. I looked at the Roadmaster shock kit and it has a plate intended for mounting to the bottom of a 3" wide frame. Same issue with the Sumo's. I have enough clearance but would the spring would be up against the 2" bar which could be a problem with slipping off of it since the spring is flexible.
I get what I would call a decent ride without doing anything but my thinking was maybe shocks or the springs might help with the longevity of the suspension. First, wondering what others with my system have done, if anything, and if so, what.
As an FYI, Sumo, or Supersprings I think it is called, has a 25% off sale this week.
__________________
Jim
2020 F350 Platinum, srw, lbcc, 4X4, 6.7 diesel, 12,400 GVWR
2020 Pinnacle 32RLTS, Reese Goose Box
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12-27-2021, 03:59 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Hudson
Posts: 224
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If you do not upgrade to the IS system. I would strongly recommend adding shocks and X Factor cross braces.
The shocks will extend the life of your leaf springs. Reducing the cycle rate and reducing the total number of cycles. While improving the ride.
The cross braces strengthen your spring hangers. Depending on how you drive or backup. You can put a lot of stress on the hangers. Without the X Factor cross braces. The load on the hanger is supported by only a few inches of steel. With the braces. The load on the hanger is supported by the hanger on the opposite side.
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12-27-2021, 08:11 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2020
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 818
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Couldn't remember the name of it but our Pinnacle came with a cross brace between the shackles like the one in your picture. I would like to add shocks but that 2 inch tubing welded to the frame may be barrier. What shock kit did you use?
__________________
Jim
2020 F350 Platinum, srw, lbcc, 4X4, 6.7 diesel, 12,400 GVWR
2020 Pinnacle 32RLTS, Reese Goose Box
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12-28-2021, 08:08 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Wellington
Posts: 260
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We had the dealer add the Roadmaster shock kit to our new SSWS and the 2” tube was a problem in that the upper shock mount fastens to it with 3/8” self tapping bolts half of which they stripped out. The solution was a piece of 1/4” strap that slid inside the 2” tube at each mount point with 4 nuts welded to it. This gave the bolts something solid to tighten in to.
__________________
]2018 Eagle 321RSTS-sold
2021 Pinnacle 36SSWS
2020 F350 CC LB DW 6.7
1973 IH 1210 CC
1975 IH Travelall
1979 IH Scout II
[SIGPIC]
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12-28-2021, 08:05 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Hudson
Posts: 224
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F350guy, your Pinnacle came with one cross brace on the middle spring mount. You want to add two more. One on the front spring mount and one on the rear spring mount. This would give you a total of 3 cross braces.
I fabricated my own shock mounts. As stated in bstannard post. Could not use self taping bolts. I welded nuts to steel straps and inserted them in the 2x2 tubes.
Another recommendation. I would add bump stops. This wheel help prevent damage in some situations. I fabricated my own bump stops to work with my shock brackets.
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12-28-2021, 08:40 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2020
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 818
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RDTC
F350guy, your Pinnacle came with one cross brace on the middle spring mount. You want to add two more. One on the front spring mount and one on the rear spring mount. This would give you a total of 3 cross braces.
I fabricated my own shock mounts. As stated in bstannard post. Could not use self taping bolts. I welded nuts to steel straps and inserted them in the 2x2 tubes.
Another recommendation. I would add bump stops. This wheel help prevent damage in some situations. I fabricated my own bump stops to work with my shock brackets.
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Thanks. I ordered the Roadmaster shock kit today from Amazon. I wish I had your fabrication ability. I can do pretty much anything with wood but metal has its limits with me. I know I will have to do some tweaking of the top mounting bracket to make it work with the 2 inch square tubing. I will do something like bstannard suggested.
A question about the X Factor cross braces between the spring hangers. What do they accomplish as far as the ride goes?
__________________
Jim
2020 F350 Platinum, srw, lbcc, 4X4, 6.7 diesel, 12,400 GVWR
2020 Pinnacle 32RLTS, Reese Goose Box
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12-28-2021, 09:12 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 314
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This is how I dealt with mounting to the 2” tube:
Roadmaster 2460 Shock Kit Install on Jayco HT FW
https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink/top...ink_source=app
__________________
2018 Jayco Eagle HT 265HBS
2015 F250 CC 6.2 4x4
PullRite 16K SuperGlide w/SuperRail
Reese 5th Airborne (bagged) Pin Box
RoadMaster Shock Kit
X-Factor Cross Bracing
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12-28-2021, 09:34 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 314
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Suspension Enhancements
The X -Factor bracing do not do anything for ride quality. Rather they distribute loads during sharp turns. Some believe it helps avoid frame cracks.
Here is my install:
MorRyde xFactor Cross Members
https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink/top...ink_source=app
__________________
2018 Jayco Eagle HT 265HBS
2015 F250 CC 6.2 4x4
PullRite 16K SuperGlide w/SuperRail
Reese 5th Airborne (bagged) Pin Box
RoadMaster Shock Kit
X-Factor Cross Bracing
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12-28-2021, 10:40 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2020
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 818
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eow, I saw your post on how you handled the 2 inch tube this morning while scouring for more information. I have a friend who I think can build me four of the plates.
I just ordered the X Factor braces for the spring hangers after doing some research on them. I have to make a 90 degree turn from our side street onto our driveway when I back the Pinnacle into our rv garage. I can see the wheels flexing when I do so hopefully this will help with the stress on the hangers.
I know doing the shocks and these braces will not meet the level of the MorRyde IS but I will have about $630 invested, including tax, vs the $4800 for the IS which doesn't include tax and travel expenses for a 1600 mile round trip to Elkhart. I got everything off Amazon which had the best prices, plus I had almost $200 in points I had saved from my Amazon credit card. Good way to use it.
Thanks to everyone who responded. I may have to come back for more advice later but our first trip isn't until April so I have plenty of time to get it done.
__________________
Jim
2020 F350 Platinum, srw, lbcc, 4X4, 6.7 diesel, 12,400 GVWR
2020 Pinnacle 32RLTS, Reese Goose Box
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01-11-2022, 08:34 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2020
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 818
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I finished installing the shocks yesterday and hope to tackle the X factor braces later today. Waiting for it to warm up a bit. I'm also going to take the wheels to a tire shop and get them balanced. May be a waste of time but I've always done that with any trailer I've owned.
I borrowed from eow's idea of using a backing plate inside the 2 inch tube Jayco welds to the bottom of the frame. I fashioned mine with some 1 1/2 inch x 1/4 inch bar stock from Lowes. I couldn't find anything thicker. I didn't split the bar so all 4 holes are on one piece. I fashioned a template for the holes out of a piece of maple which worked well. I used some of my fishing line to pull the backing plates in place and some grade 8 bolts with lock washers. I torqued them to 40 pounds and they held solid.
The one advantage to this project was I had to get a DeWalt right angle drill to go with my other DeWalt 20 volt tools and a new tap and die set so I could thread the holes in the bar stock. Darn the luck.
The only issue I had was one of the shocks did not line up with the installed length indicator on the shock. The closest I could get it is about a half inch too high. Without drilling new holes for the backer bar and moving it there is no way to correct it. I'm hoping it's close enough so I don't need to worry about it. I installed each shock with the jacks up and with the Pinnacle leveled front to rear but must have been a little off on that one shock. Maybe someone who understands the working of shocks better than me can offer some advice.
__________________
Jim
2020 F350 Platinum, srw, lbcc, 4X4, 6.7 diesel, 12,400 GVWR
2020 Pinnacle 32RLTS, Reese Goose Box
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01-11-2022, 08:52 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Blue Bell
Posts: 718
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Confusing on what is factory installed by Jayco. From all the photos I've seen over the years, the 5 Star suspension package started in 2018 included welded in "x-factor" braces for the front and rear spring hangers. This post seems to suggest otherwise.
Either way, on my 2018 rig, the installed cross members were only welded to a portion of the hanger, and those welds have repeatedly cracked (as they have on many people's rigs).
A photo, circled in red is the cracking, and circled in green is where there should be additional weld (all four outer hangers are the same):
During my installation of disc brakes this winter, I took the opportunity to weld up all missing welds on all four corners and weld up the cracks. I also installed an x-factor on the center hanger:
I documented my shock install in a previous post, that was a very nice upgrade, worth the effort. The rig does have to be properly level before locating the upper mounts or your geometry won't land properly.
__________________
Todd
Just outside Philly
2018 377RLBH
2019 Ford F450 Platinum
Old Faithful: 2004 GMC Sierra 3500 Diesel Dually
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01-11-2022, 09:11 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2020
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 818
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Thanks for the response. My Pinnacle has a crossmember welded to the shackle hanger but nothing on the spring hangers. The X Factor braces are bolt on. I will have to replace the hanger bolt with a supplied longer one to hold the brace in place. Then there is a clamp that bolts to the hanger so should be pretty solid.
Before I do anything with the shock that's out of line a bit I think I need to hook the Pinnacle up to the truck and recheck everything. I sit pretty close to level when hooked up but I noticed the shocks would move up and down depending on which way I moved the front jacks.
__________________
Jim
2020 F350 Platinum, srw, lbcc, 4X4, 6.7 diesel, 12,400 GVWR
2020 Pinnacle 32RLTS, Reese Goose Box
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01-11-2022, 09:27 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 314
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Suspension Enhancements
Quote:
Originally Posted by F350guy
The one advantage to this project was I had to get a DeWalt right angle drill to go with my other DeWalt 20 volt tools and a new tap and die set so I could thread the holes in the bar stock. Darn the luck.
The only issue I had was one of the shocks did not line up with the installed length indicator on the shock. The closest I could get it is about a half inch too high. Without drilling new holes for the backer bar and moving it there is no way to correct it. I'm hoping it's close enough so I don't need to worry about it. I installed each shock with the jacks up and with the Pinnacle leveled front to rear but must have been a little off on that one shock. Maybe someone who understands the working of shocks better than me can offer some advice.
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I too had the same “bad” luck and had to buy the right angle drill and a few other tools. What is a guy to do?
My shocks ended up being slightly different in installed length. A attributed it to an uneven concrete pad.
I too balance my trailer wheels. Given how much weight some needed, it must help.
One advantage if the X Factor brace is that it connects to the hanger at the wet bolt, right where it is needed.
__________________
2018 Jayco Eagle HT 265HBS
2015 F250 CC 6.2 4x4
PullRite 16K SuperGlide w/SuperRail
Reese 5th Airborne (bagged) Pin Box
RoadMaster Shock Kit
X-Factor Cross Bracing
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01-11-2022, 12:44 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2020
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 818
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Just being on the cautious side I called Roadmaster to see if it was a problem with my one shock being a little high on the installed length. What he told me is the shocks have 5 1/2 inches of travel. He said it should not be a problem on most suspensions to be a little off. I forgot to ask but my assumption is the reason for the prescribed installation height of the shock is to keep it in the middle of the travel distance to reduce the chance of damaging it. My MorRyde LRE 4000 shackles have 4 inches of travel according to their website which should make my being a little off on one no issue.
__________________
Jim
2020 F350 Platinum, srw, lbcc, 4X4, 6.7 diesel, 12,400 GVWR
2020 Pinnacle 32RLTS, Reese Goose Box
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01-11-2022, 04:36 PM
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#15
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: Oswego
Posts: 14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RDTC
F350guy,
I fabricated my own shock mounts. As stated in bstannard post. Could not use self taping bolts. I welded nuts to steel straps and inserted them in the 2x2 tubes.
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I installed the Morryde shock kit on my fifth wheel. I did the exact same mod for the upper plate mounts. Instead of the 3/8” self tapping bolts I used 3/4”x10’s
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01-11-2022, 04:54 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 314
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gcappy56
I installed the Morryde shock kit on my fifth wheel. I did the exact same mod for the upper plate mounts. Instead of the 3/8” self tapping bolts I used 3/4”x10’s
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Those looks like a RoadMaster shock kit. Does MorRyde offer a kit now?
Please clarify what the 3/4” x 10’s is.
__________________
2018 Jayco Eagle HT 265HBS
2015 F250 CC 6.2 4x4
PullRite 16K SuperGlide w/SuperRail
Reese 5th Airborne (bagged) Pin Box
RoadMaster Shock Kit
X-Factor Cross Bracing
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01-11-2022, 07:00 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Blue Bell
Posts: 718
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Quote:
Originally Posted by eow
Those looks like a RoadMaster shock kit. Does MorRyde offer a kit now?
Please clarify what the 3/4” x 10’s is.
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Larger diameter self tapping screws (3/4 is diameter, 10 is the thread pitch).
__________________
Todd
Just outside Philly
2018 377RLBH
2019 Ford F450 Platinum
Old Faithful: 2004 GMC Sierra 3500 Diesel Dually
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01-11-2022, 07:06 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 314
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A 3/4-10 is a big fastener.
__________________
2018 Jayco Eagle HT 265HBS
2015 F250 CC 6.2 4x4
PullRite 16K SuperGlide w/SuperRail
Reese 5th Airborne (bagged) Pin Box
RoadMaster Shock Kit
X-Factor Cross Bracing
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01-11-2022, 07:48 PM
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#19
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: Oswego
Posts: 14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by eow
Those looks like a RoadMaster shock kit. Does MorRyde offer a kit now?
Please clarify what the 3/4” x 10’s is.
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Yes it is a Morryde shock kit.
The bolts I used are 3/4” diameter and 10 threads per inch. The thread pitch is standard or course. I cut a piece of 1/4” thick by 1-1/2” wide steel slid it into the 2”x 2” frame, drilled the holes, slid it out, welded 3/4” x 10 threads per inch nuts on the steel, re-inserted it and bolted it all together.
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01-11-2022, 07:49 PM
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#20
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: Oswego
Posts: 14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by eow
A 3/4-10 is a big fastener.
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Yes but there are only 2 and they are replacing 4, 3/8” self tappers.
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