How heavy R-We, when to replace springs, the scale never lies.

[trx430ex]

Wanted to post this because it made such a life changing way the coach rides, and that I believe not enough people are informed of how heavy we actually are. And how fast the main springs wear out in stock units. Actually how I stumbled on this was with my E350 people mover work van loaded up with tools scaling in at about 8000 pounds. I could not figure out,, why this thing rode so terrible, was about to give up on it when I came across a good small business pro spring shop. He set me up with new E450 springs and the rest was history.


It went so well that I crossed the same improvements into the Tioga SL, and made it into a E550.The door/scale pic tells the story.

It is my strong belief that all RV springs "Class -c" are about shot after about 4 years, "Class-A" maybe 5-6 years and they are shot.

[Mudfrog]

When it comes to capacity, springs are only part of the equation. Looking at the numbers, the rear of yours is almost 2000 lbs over loaded. Imo, that's quite a bit for a 14,050 GVWR rig. Hope the frame, axle, and tires handle the extra weight alright.

[Spdracr39]

You can't turn a 450 into a 550 by just changing the springs. All you have done is move the failure to another spot. It's time to either unload to under gvwr or upgrade to the proper size truck. If your overloaded truck has an accident ...... Doomed especially since you just admitted you already know it to the world here.

[70ChevelleSS]

Your springs were shot because your overloaded not because they were 3 or 4 years old. I guarantee you the springs on our 14 year old class A are no where near shot. As mentioned you don't have an E550 just because you installed E550 springs. An E550 would no doubt have upgraded brakes, suspension and driveline components.

[biggcrisp]

I like what the OP did. He upgraded his rig plain and simple.

I can look at my rv and it is obviously "loaded heavy" from the factory -- before I ever put anything in it.

Sumo springs, air bags, liquid springs or added spring strength is all about achieving the same end goal.
An upgrade.

[wingnut60]

Since his unit shows to be an '03 mfg, no wonder the springs are 'shot' with 2700lbs over the max rating.
Wonder what the unit weighed before anything was loaded into it?

And another fact--there actually wasn't much difference in the 450 to 550 units back in '03. According to the body builder specs, brakes are the same as are axles, etc. Mostly it is a badging situation for commercial units. Bigger difference was whether it was diesel or gas.

[tderonne]

E550s were unique beasts. Ford only made them a few years. They basically had F53 axles (a solid Westport front axle, and a Dana S135 rear axle) under them. There were very few motorhomes ever built on them. Interesting that E550 springs could be installed in an E450(or E350?).

[TQ60]

We would add a leaf to our work trucks back in the day as the vans would have spring rates for usually light loaded city driving and we were heavy loaded country driving and things handled much better.

Management finally listened to our requests to use E250 with larger engines 351 instead of 302 as the E150 were under braked for our hill top travels and underpowered as well.

The E250 got better mpg and no mods needed.

If it is work van visit a scale and make sure under door sticker weight as the LEO at a scale house may catch you or worse if in an accident the weight can effect how the accident happens and could go badly.

And being a commercial rig by being a "work truck" there is usually low tolerance for such things.

[trx430ex]

One thing that was a surprise in this upgrade was a 20% efficiency upgrade in braking. The entire rig just squats centers it's weight and just stops on all 4 discs. The nose does not dive. The E550 carries a 19.5 tire, which in hand goes to a bigger disc brake. I supplemented that on the E450 with soft factory brake pads, they wear out quick, but can cause some serious friction.ABS has been disabled, (disconnect the sensor) defaults off, I want full braking.Almost bought the farm with ABS around the DC beltway, that's done!
The off camber test, pulling into a fueling station, up the rampart to level ground, how many sways?, none here, in off camber, no rock.
Tires upsized from 225 to 245 R16
70ChevelleSS, if there were such a thing as a RV suspension obstacle course, I will bet you one signed (your signature) dollar bill, I can maneuver the course faster/safer than you. 2003, you are way past shot.Look at the shock in the mount, it should be at the 50% rate, if your sagging in the shock, it's the springs. And I will carry that extra ton in that bet.But please first, get on a scale and give us apples to door sticker.
Scaling out to a 22.5 tire, coach, it is coming, the day.

[Twilightzone]

Hopefully you've upgraded your shocks too ?