The short version:
A little over a year ago I had the front and rear Liquid Spring (LS) suspension installed on my 30โ, 2012, Newmar Baystar to address the harsh ride characteristics of the Ford F53 chassis. I am THRILLED with the ride and handling improvements! One clearly quantifiable before-and-after difference: I use a magnetic mount to hold my phone for navigation; my phone used to regularly get shaken off the magnetic mount from rough roads, but in the 9,000 miles I've driven since the LS upgrade my phone hasn't moved at all! The coach is MUCH quieter now with rattles and squeaks significantly reduced.
The installation was done by Oregon Auto Springs and was extremely poorly executed. As delivered the coach was, frankly, a wreck waiting to happen. All of the deficiencies were eventually addressed and my install is now in very good order; LS was very helpful in getting this resolved. The installation took more than a month, in large part because LS hadnโt developed all the necessary mounting brackets that worked with a shorter wheelbase coach like mine.
The really, really, long version:
I had previously installed Koni shocks, a homemade rear track bar, SumoSprings Solos in the rear, and done the โCheap Handling Fixโ in the front. With these upgrades the handling had improved to where I didnโt feel anything more needed to be done, but the lousy pavement on so many of our roads was still shaking and jarring the coach and its contents far more than I wanted. The reality is that none of these improvements hold a candle to what LS has done. The prior upgrades all had to be removed for the LS install.
I was satisfied with my coachโs road handling manners after the above listed upgrades, but LS improved handling beyond what I thought possible. The way the coach handles speed bumps and driveway approaches - in particular the angled hits that used to toss the coach side-to-side - is almost magical.
I was dissatisfied with the rough ride of my coach. Prior to LS, the magnetic mount I use for my phone was no match for stretches of bad pavement. The phone would gradually get shaken off the mount if I didnโt reposition it regularly. Sometimes a single, big bump would send my phone crashing to the floor. Iโve driven over 9,000 miles since the LS install and havenโt had to touch my phone! Same phone, same magnetic mount, same tires; the only change is the LS install. The LS suspension does not turn the coach into a hovercraft; every bump in the road is still there. But the magnitude of the hits, in particular on the larger bumps, is very diminished. Potholes and pavement drops and heaves that used to jar the coach so hard Iโd cringe are now relatively mild. The improvements here alone were worth the upgrade cost in my book.
I flat tow a 4-door Jeep Wrangler. My DIY rear trackbar significantly reduced the tail-wagging-the-dog condition. The LS suspension all but eliminated it. I find myself glancing at the rear-view camera more frequently now to verify that the Jeep is still back there because I donโt feel it like I used to.
The ability to raise and lower the coach when stopped or at slow speeds has been useful in less level camping spots and steep driveway approaches. Iโm still training myself to remember to turn off the LS controller before deploying the leveling jacks; otherwise the two systems fight each other.
Months prior to the LS install I installed new carpet in the cab area. While doing this I addressed engine noise and heat intrusion issues by installing Dynamat, Dynapad, and Hoodliner, and sealing up various air gaps (wish Iโd done this years ago!). Engine and road noises were so reduced that the creaks and rattles of the house and its contents became even more apparent. After the LS install the ride is so much smoother that these noises are also dramatically reduced. The smoother ride I feel canโt help but be easier on the coach itself, and should reduce wear and tear.
I drive over 100 miles of washboard dirt roads each year getting to favorite camping spots. LS made some improvement here, but it wasnโt as dramatic.
Doing this again Iโd likely plan a trip around the drive to the LS shop in Indiana for the install. Iโm sure there are very competent authorized installers available, but the installation as delivered from Oregon Auto Springs was totally unacceptable. There were loose bolts, missing brackets, poorly routed and secured hoses, poorly routed and secured wiring, brake line stand-offs not attached, and too many more problems to list them all. All of these deficiencies have been addressed and my install is now in very good order; LS was particularly helpful in getting this done.
My coach was the first shorter wheelbase coach that had both front and rear LS installed. There were space issues that LS hadnโt thought about that had to be overcome; specifically, new front volume tank brackets had to be designed and built. It was frustrating having my coach out of commission for so long, but Iโm still glad I had the LS suspension installed. There have been countless patches of road in the past 9,000 miles that have caused either my wife or I to exclaim โIโm sure glad we have the new suspension!โ
I have no affiliation with LS and I paid market price for their system.
