1988 Ford E350 Travel Master Motorhome (became Coachmen), 12,000 LBS, 30,000 milesBought this a few months ago and have been fixing it up. Things are good except the home has a strong lean to the passenger side. When I checked the leaf springs, they look rather stressed (to me the leafs should have a bow to them with the ends higher than the axle. These are straight to the ends pointing down)and I counted the leafs.Driver side has 10 and passenger side has 8. Is this by design?Should I replace the passenger springs to new 10 leafs. And had helpers to both sides? Thanks in advance,Obie

Weigh the RV, get separate side weights if you can. Compare the loaded weight to the axle rating on the door sticker. You may be over weight, possibly by a lot.It's entirely possible that the design calls for different springs on each side. Does the driver side happen to have all the heavy kitchen cabinets and appliances on that side? Maybe the water or waste tanks too?

KD,Right now the RV is dry. No water or septic which is on the driver side, Also the generator is out which is another 150 lbs (just my guess). So you are correct. If wet and generator installed, I would say that the vehicle would have another 400-500 lbs on driver side.I did not notice the problem when I had it wet and a non functioning generator installed. At the time I was focused on the engine and LP systems, tires and fuel issues. I would say the inside is pretty evenly balanced cabinet wise and appliance wiseGood point. So I could try to add 500 lbs of weight to the driver side to see what happens. I'm winterized so I'd rather not add water til spring. But the passenger leaf springs really look stressed to me.

With the unit dry the springs should not be straight. Not enough miles to wear them in my opinion. Take it to a truck shop and see what they say.Brian

Take it to a good HD truck spring shop. Options are:Replace springs, add leafs (like likely happened on the other side) or add a shim.This is what they do for a living.

Hi,Springs do get old and tired. On my E-350 I took it to a spring shop and they added a leaf to each side. It was a good repair/upgrade and much improved the ride.

Should I replace the Leaf Springs? | Good Sam Community

heyobie
Explorer
Nov 27, 2016
KD,

Right now the RV is dry. No water or septic which is on the driver side, Also the generator is out which is another 150 lbs (just my guess). So you are correct. If wet and generator installed, I would say that the vehicle would have another 400-500 lbs on driver side.

I did not notice the problem when I had it wet and a non functioning generator installed. At the time I was focused on the engine and LP systems, tires and fuel issues.

I would say the inside is pretty evenly balanced cabinet wise and appliance wise

Good point. So I could try to add 500 lbs of weight to the driver side to see what happens. I'm winterized so I'd rather not add water til spring. But the passenger leaf springs really look stressed to me.
KD4UPL
Explorer
Nov 27, 2016
Weigh the RV, get separate side weights if you can. Compare the loaded weight to the axle rating on the door sticker. You may be over weight, possibly by a lot.
It's entirely possible that the design calls for different springs on each side. Does the driver side happen to have all the heavy kitchen cabinets and appliances on that side? Maybe the water or waste tanks too?

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Should I replace the Leaf Springs?

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