Independent Suspension

[cariboocreek]

Well after much discussion the DW and I are going to go the MorRyde Independent Suspension route. I priced out upgrading to 8k axles (and all the other bits and pieces) and disc brakes installed locally and ended up at $9,000.

The tandem 8k IS with disc brakes is $8900. No brainer really. We are booked in for early May. Going to be a heck of a long trip from Alberta to Indiana. Long but fun. I will be inquiring later this year for good overnight stops along the route particularly from Minot to Elkhart.

 

[Stan&Sharon]

Congratulations! Smart upgrade.

 

[Camp CA]

Why did you decide to replace the suspension and brakes with IS and disc brakes?

 

[cariboocreek]

Why did you decide to replace the suspension and brakes with IS and disc brakes?

Good question. I keep running the numbers and my OCD from my previous career in aviation, left me uncomfortable with the margins. Example: Our unit has a maximum allowable weight of 17650. Assume loaded to exactly max and assume 20%(3530) on the truck that leaves us with 14,120 on the axles. The axles are rated for 7k but I do note that the tag on the axles indicates 7,400. Assuming 7k is the actual number then we are over the rated capacity of the axle. Assuming 7.4k is a good number then we are inside 680 pounds of max, or less than 5% under max.

Yes I know the numbers will be slightly different over the scale and we can move weight to the back, or to the front, to help with the load displacement, but at that point I think we are just picking fly poop out of pepper.

As well the independent suspension will definitely smooth out the ride and likely provide us with a longer rv lifespan. I am the first one to crap on an industry that does not seem interested in overall quality, however, the poor suspensions on stock units, coupled with highways that will make you urinate blood, it is no wonder cupboard doors fall off, fiberglass becomes delaminated, and roofs fall apart. Not entirely the industry's fault that we are pulling a rolling earthquake.

The hydraulic disc brakes need no justification. Drum brakes, coming from a design from a previous century, should be illegal on units over 10k (or pick your number).

 

[txloser]

I agree with all you’ve said. I think if I ever find 9k I just don’t know what to do with, I may go the same route.

I’m in the opposite boat. I’ve got 8k axles and H rated 17.5” tires on a trailer that has a max of 15K. I think I’ve got too much suspension, and the IS setup would make the ride a little better. Hydro brakes… nuff said.

 

[Camp CA]

All good points. An upgrade to consider.

I weighed my 36SSWS and found the pin weight to be 21.4 % of the trailer loaded weight of 16360 lbs. Using 16,750 lb GVWR and subtracting 21.4% for pin weight leaves 13,167 lbs over the axles or 6583 lbs per axle < Dexter axle rating of 7000 lbs each and the MORryde® LRE-4000™ suspension is suitable for trailers with axle ratings between 6,501 lbs and 7,500 lbs. It appears to have an acceptable design margin as I have had zero issues with moulding, etc. falling apart. Understand the benefits for disc brakes but never had an issue with electric drum brakes on this trailer and all my previous fifth wheel trailers in over 30 years with diesel exhaust brake on my tow vehicle.

I put a request into Jayco and Dexter for confirmation of the axle rating.

 

[Jagiven]

My htt has torque tubes, and I absolutely love the ride. I wish everything we are looking at had independent suspension.

 

[Camp CA]

Jayco customer service advised each axle is rated for 7400 lb and advised the axle tag number is D80-4IN-DBSA-92.50 74.50-OS-EZL-BRBU-8LUG-.56STUD-12.25X3.38BRK. Plan to climb under the trailer and identify the axle 9-digit serial number etched on axle tube near the center on the rear side to independently verify with Dexter since they needed this to verify rating.

Correction to post #6: Using 16,750 lb GVWR and subtracting 21.4% for pin weight leaves 13,167 lbs over the axles or 6583 lbs per axle < Dexter axle rating of 7400 lbs per axle.

 

[billcf7]

Well after much discussion the DW and I are going to go the MorRyde Independent Suspension route. I priced out upgrading to 8k axles (and all the other bits and pieces) and disc brakes installed locally and ended up at $9,000.

The tandem 8k IS with disc brakes is $8900. No brainer really. We are booked in for early May. Going to be a heck of a long trip from Alberta to Indiana. Long but fun. I will be inquiring later this year for good overnight stops along the route particularly from Minot to Elkhart.

I dont understand why Jayco charges $11843 as an option when you can go to MorRyde and pay $8900 for the same thing and then throw brand new suspension and axles in the scrap bin

 

[cariboocreek]

I dont understand why Jayco charges $11843 as an option when you can go to MorRyde and pay $8900 for the same thing and then throw brand new suspension and axles in the scrap bin

Good question....

 

[Camp CA]

Climbed under the Jayco Pinnacle SSWS trailer to get the Dexter axle S/N and tag says the axle is rated for 7400 lb.

 

[jimmoore13]

With 4-wheel independent suspension and disc brakes, you'll be ready for Formula 1.

 

[Russc25]

Calling them "7k axles" is shorthand like talking about 12v batteries. If your batteries are at 12v they're heavily discharged, actual fully charged voltage is 12.6 (if lead acid. more if lithium).

Yes, the imprecision in the world drives me mad too. Marketing people should be made to come up with a pleasant, euphemistic name for a torture pit... then all be thrown in.

Drum brakes have good capacity and are partially self-energizing (they tighten themselves as you apply them) when properly engineered and maintained... they just suck at everything else. Shedding dust, water, contamination, HEAT, ease of service, ease of inspection, parts count, smoothness of application if everything isn't perfect... everything lol

 

[paultheflyer]

I had this done in February at Moride, IS and disc brakes. After 10000 mile the Dexter axles were getting flat, the fifth wheel had a lean and had suffer 2 shackle failures. To say this was a huge improvement in an understatement! Enjoy.

 

[richraeder]

7400# rated axles

Your 7400# rated D80 axles are in all actuality 8000# axles. The axles are ‘manually’ de-rated to meet RVIA requirements. If you were to order a new D80, 8000# axle from Dexter, it would have the exact same components as your 7400# axle.

Rich Raeder
Senior Account Manager
Dexter Axle

 

[Tuckerbug]

One thing to consider is the Morryde IS adds about 1,000 lbs to your trailer. Also, with my 2019 north point, the height went to 13’ 8” on the back air conditioner. I had un bolt and lower all of the leveling jacks as far as they would go.

 

[Camp CA]

That would result in exceeding the trailer GVWR unless I can unload cargo.

 

[paultheflyer]

One thing to consider is the Morryde IS adds about 1,000 lbs to your trailer. Also, with my 2019 north point, the height went to 13’ 8” on the back air conditioner. I had un bolt and lower all of the leveling jacks as far as they would go.

Morryde says 300 lbs per axle, so for my two-axle North Point 600 lbs minus whatever the old axles weigh. 400 lbs heavier I would imagine. The height is now 13' 6" up from 13' 4". I too had to lower the leveling jacks.

 

[The Village Idiot]

Our Seismic came with disc brakes and 8K axles from the factory. It was on the MORryde CRE 3000 suspension.

We drove about 750 miles from central NC to have the IS installed. I must admit, it was worth it. For a triple axle set-up, it ended up being around $9600 out the door.

Since we went in February, they offered a free extra item and we had the cargo tray installed in our more narrow pass-through compartment. I love that accessory.

We had a great time. Went to the RV Museum and the Hall of Heroes Superhero Museum. Both of them were surprisingly a lot of fun.

Although many talk about having the factory install the IS, I'm glad we went and had MORryde do it. They adjust the IS to better serve your actual weight and they will perfect your ride height. My Seismic rides perfectly level to the ground. They did a really good job.

 

[The Village Idiot]

One more thing. If you haven't been, see if Jayco is doing factory tours when you go. It's cool to see how they're made. You have to make reservations.

I must admit, the Jayco factory was a pigpen. But it was cool seeing how they go down the assembly line.

They make the Pinnacle, North Point, Seismic, and Seismic Luxury Series all on the same line but at different weeks.