Last summer I experienced a leaf spring failure on my 2015 Crossroads Rushmore Springfield. The driver's side rear spring snapped in two about 2-inches from where it attached to the frame. After being alerted that the tires on that side were rubbing together, I pulled to the side of the interstate. I had just entered the highway about a mile back, so I was lucky to discover it so soon, and there was no damage to the tires or the trailer. I was very lucky!AAA got me to a nearby RV repair shop that happened to have a used leaf spring off of a 7000# axle, and it fit my trailer (My axles are 7000# too.) The used spring that was installed appears to be heavier duty than the one that failed. The used one has 7 leafs and each leaf is about 3/8" thick. The one that failed has 6 leafs and each leaf is about 11/32" thick. (1/32" thinner.) Both springs are about the same width.The tech that installed the used spring recommended that I replace the other 3 leaf springs with heavier duty ones when I got back home. Although the episode could have been a lot worse, I still wouldn't want to go through it again. Should I replace them, or just consider this event to be an unusual occurence that is not likely to happen again?

What are the weights on those axles? That's the first thing you need to know. That would determine whether you need to increase the capacity. I did that with my 5th wheel. I went from 3,500 lb. springs to 4,000 lb. springs. I have 7,000 lb. axles but didn't want to spring for the 8,000 lb. axles. More money than I cared to spend. The 4,000 lb. springs really seemed to make the trailer ride smoother, but hey, it's hard to tell. Look at the springs, and see how flat they are looking. If they're very flat, they'll almost look like a W. Mine were shot.But, honestly, with a broken spring on a 7 year old trailer, the others need replacing too. Just need to determine capacity.

i'd replace the other because, a) if one side is bad maybe the other side is also bad. (that's why I always replace both headlight and other bulbs, shocks in pairs, brakes in pairs, etc). and b) because the leaf springa are not of equal weight bearing load. i'd also have your shop examine the "new" spring to see if it's a keeper.

I would replace all four so they match. Yes I would also go up 250 to 500 in rating.

Absolutely replace all 4 with springs of equal capacity. You don't know the condition the used spring that was put on and the other 3 may be near the end of their life also.So what are the weights when you took it to a CAT scale? I would take it there and then decide. - If you are at 6000# each, I'd probably stick with the original spec. - If you are at 7500# each, I would look at how I can trim at least 500# because you are overloaded.Also, make sure the weight between the two axles is pretty close. If one axle is at 7500# and the other is at 6000#, you are probably not running level or something else is wrong.If you want to move up one notch in weight capacity, it's likely not a big deal but don't go crazy. Stiffer suspension transmits more force to the frame and everything else in the RV.

How many RV’s are on the road that have never experienced a spring failure? Yet somehow you believe you got 4 bad ones. I say replace them all, then send the old ones to me for proper disposal.

Leaf Spring Failure - Replace the Others? | Good Sam Community

ford_truck_guy
Nomad
Jan 19, 2023
CarnationSailor wrote:
buc1980 wrote:
After 3 springs broke during the years I get fed up and install the IS .That system put the end of the worry to get stock on the road.

What's the "IS"?

IS = Independent Suspension Morryde

It is an unbelievable system, but with that come a price tag that is steep... To those who have it, its like non other, to those who never had it they have no idea just how nice it rides...

I believe I paid $6800 back in 2019 for mine last one, as I have had the system on my last 3 RV's
ford_truck_guy
Nomad
Jan 19, 2023
buc1980 wrote:
After 3 springs broke during the years I get fed up and install the IS .That system put the end of the worry to get stock on the road.

Smart decision ! ! I did the same but it was B-4 I broke a spring or 2
lenr
Explorer III
Jan 19, 2023
Since OP has a broken spring, he also has an equalizer. If it’s doing its job the wheel weights on the same side will be very close if not the same. A bigger problem in trailers is one side weighing more than the other. The CAT scales that I have used have curbing that doesn’t allow side to side weighing, but I’ve had individual wheel weighing done at an RV rally. That showed that the wheels on the same side were equal or within 50 lbs. But, it also showed that the heavy side (often the appliance side) was 950 lbs. more than the light side. Worse yet, it showed the heavy side to be overloaded for the springs and hubs. We moved some stuff around and started carrying less fresh water (the fresh tank runs front to rear on the heavy side—great design!) and shifted the difference to 750 lbs. now a little below the suspension rating. I was able to verify the improvement by finding a grain elevator scale where I could weigh with one side on the scale with the other side off.
Veebyes
Explorer II
Jan 19, 2023
About 6 years ago I replaced my stock 6 leaf spring packs with 7 leaf spring packs thinking that would put an end to any concerns about spring failure.

Wrong!

Had a catastrophic failure of one spring pack in Newfoundland last year. No 7 leaf replacements were available. The best trailer shop on the island only had 6 packs & only 2 of them in stock.

Bought the 2 of them & spent 2 days swapping both sides on the front axle. Tough job but DW & I got it done.

So now we are riding on 6 packs fwd & 7 packs on the aft axle. One 7 pack spare riding in truck box. 6000 miles later, no issues.
CarnationSailor
Nomad
Jan 19, 2023
buc1980 wrote:
After 3 springs broke during the years I get fed up and install the IS .That system put the end of the worry to get stock on the road.

What's the "IS"?
buc1980
Explorer
Jan 19, 2023
After 3 springs broke during the years I get fed up and install the IS .That system put the end of the worry to get stock on the road.
CarnationSailor
Nomad
Jan 05, 2023
Thanks for all the helpful responses. I will be replacing all 4 leaf springs with ones that are about 10% higher rated and of higher quality. I will be paying up for the higher quality, but the peace of mind I get in return will be worth it.
joebedford
Nomad II
Jan 05, 2023
When my first TH was new, I had two blowouts and replaced them with whatever I could get "on the road". When I got home, I replaced all 4 because E rated tires were clearly not good enough.
valhalla360
Navigator
Jan 05, 2023
ronharmless wrote:
How many RV’s are on the road that have never experienced a spring failure? Yet somehow you believe you got 4 bad ones. I say replace them all, then send the old ones to me for proper disposal.

Same could be said for tire blowouts. Yet, crazy people replace tires that haven't blown yet...crazy.
Slownsy
Explorer
Jan 04, 2023
My 05 FW had made in China springs and I broke 2 at different times always where second leaf ended, not overloaded. Has operated current FW with extra long second leaf that extends to where main leaf is attached, we call it military wrapped. And no issue.
Frank.