Suspension upgrades for Boondocking?

[vanion2]

How many of you boondockers have upgraded your TT suspensions? What did you use? Got any pics? How would you rate your upgrades (honestly)?



I have been researching this heavily and I am not looking to turn my TT into an off road beast but I have traveled down enough dirt roads to camp sites to know that the stock suspension that it came with is not cutting it. Shook the cross beam molding off the slide and the glass plate on the microwave and I am no speed racer when going camping. I am looking to upgrade the equalizer (tandem spring over axle suspension setup) and maybe some Sumosprings that they have started making for the TT's as well.


I looked at the Timbren tandem axle Silent Ride setup and am very tempted but then I have to change the axle spacing the TT came with (42.5" down to 35") and am reluctant to do that at this point.



Air bag suspension is super pricey and I have dealt with enough air leaks that I am not really interested. Shocks tend to get mixed reviews depending on the TT and if you have slides it effects the shocks' ability. Must be why they are so inexpensive.


So let's see what you got! I promise to post pics and a review of my suspension upgrades once the dust settles as well.

[Reed Cundiff]

Even though we are very strict about weight limits, we have a bent axle and flattened springs on our fifth wheel (two trips to Yucatan).

We are having much stronger axles and springs installed this week. Stronger axles predicate 8 lug rims. We cannot haul more weight since we are still limited by RV frame restrictions as well as those of the dualie tow vehicle.

Reed and Elaine

[weredoingit]

After making a turn last year I broke a leaf spring pin and bent a couple leaf spring hangers. Since then I had a local shop weld new steel by boxing in my hangers. They also welded 2" channel from side to side on each leaf hanger. What I had done is the way it should have been built that way from the factory.

[Itinerant1]

The stiffer you make the suspension and in thinking that will allow for a bit faster travel when off road boondocking (instead of 10mph now 20mph) something has to give maybe frame, cupboards, walls. Just something to think about.

[vanion2]

Any pics of that?

Originally Posted by weredoingit

After making a turn last year I broke a leaf spring pin and bent a couple leaf spring hangers. Since then I had a local shop weld new steel by boxing in my hangers. They also welded 2" channel from side to side on each leaf hanger. What I had done is the way it should have been built that way from the factory.

[vanion2]

For the record the suspension I have now is what it was built with. Metal hangers, metal equaliser, and bolts. No isolation what so ever from the leaf spring action. How hard would it have been to use some bushings around the hanger bolts? Use an equaliser with dampers? Your statement below is absolutely correct and it is what I am trying to fix on the stock suspension the TT came with.

Originally Posted by Itinerant1

The stiffer you make the suspension and in thinking that will allow for a bit faster travel when off road boondocking (instead of 10mph now 20mph) something has to give maybe frame, cupboards, walls. Just something to think about.

[IBDAGRIZ]

I upgraded the springs and went with the Dexter EZ Flex system and Wet bolt kit to help smooth it out a bit.



From 4 springs to 5 springs and the heavier shackles and wet bolts with brass bushings instead of plastic ones.


Also went with E rated tires rated over 2830 lbs and 100 mph.


2500 miles on it so far and pulls awesome around 70.


Griz

[dexters]

Originally Posted by vanion2

How many of you boondockers have upgraded your TT suspensions? What did you use? Got any pics? How would you rate your upgrades (honestly)?



.

I'd look at

Morryde suspension

Greasiable bolts

Adding Shocks

[vanion2]

Originally Posted by dexters

I'd look at

Morryde suspension

Greasiable bolts

Adding Shocks

I did. Morryde doesn't make an equaliser long enough. For that matter neither does Dexter.

I've been thinking about wet bolts when I have to replace the bushings.

If I feel I need shocks I am going to get a set of TT Sumosprings. Easier to install and won't leak or need to be replaced.

As an update the dealership confirmed the Lippert equalizer I was looking at will work. Once the install is complete I will post up pics and a review.

I like what you all have been posting though for ideas so please keep them coming.

[weredoingit]

Here's some, one cross bar had to be bolted in place instead of welded in case I ever have to remove the galley gray water tank. I didn't do this so I could drive fast. I did it because the stock hangers were flimsy

Originally Posted by vanion2

Any pics of that?

[Reed Cundiff]

Axles were changed from 5200# to 7000# each. Springs are now 3500!each or 14,000# total. Heavier axles required heavier steel wheels with 8 bolts each.

Will still keep well within weight limits since frame has limits

[Willy Bill]

Although it comes with negatives - in my experience a triple axle trailer rides fives times better over five times nastier roads compared to a tandem axle.


You know what it takes to solve that. You do not have to change the other axles/springs but do need to center the tridem on same center spot as the tandem was to maintain proper pin weight percentage.


My Cyclone triple axle rides Waaaay better than my dually when off road.


WB

[vanion2]

Originally Posted by Willy Bill

Although it comes with negatives - in my experience a triple axle trailer rides fives times better over five times nastier roads compared to a tandem axle.


You know what it takes to solve that. You do not have to change the other axles/springs but do need to center the tridem on same center spot as the tandem was to maintain proper pin weight percentage.


My Cyclone triple axle rides Waaaay better than my dually when off road.


WB

That would be over kill for a max gvr of 6000# TT. Not to mention the expense of adding a 3rd axle, springs, shackles and equalizers. That would actually lower my cargo capacity as well because all that adds weight to the frame.

For that kind of money I would invest in an air ride suspension or Timbren silent ride for tandem axles. Both eliminate the leaf springs and completely isolate the axles from the frame while minimizing cargo weight loss. Who knows? I might one day go that route but not today.

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