Worn suspension

[EMD360]

Today someone told me the suspension on our old RV might need work. I was surprised because normally in a car when the suspension is going the ride really changes and there are noises. I had the RV on the road just yesterday and didn’t notice any problems. But it does have over 54,000 miles on it. I also don’t see any uneven tire wear or noticeable sagging. The guy said the right side is lower but I really could not tell. Is it common to need new leaf springs?
I had the rear brakes fixed last year at a truck shop and they didn’t mention a problem with the suspension. How can I tell if it’s really a problem?

[EMD360]

Well sorry this was the 2003 Itasca. I think I was getting bad info. Just didn’t want to sell it without total honesty. So I told the buyer new shocks were possibly needed. I didn’t mention any other suspension work. I’ll probably find out as the lady who bought it is a neighbor and very nice. Thanks for all the good suggestions.

[klutchdust]

Booner wrote:
I'll disagree with some of the posters here.

54,000 miles on factory shocks when your running your unit at maximum weight levels, Ya, it could be time for a change. They don't put premium shocks on these thing when they come from the factory. I'm guessing you can buy heavy duty shocks for around $100 each. While your doing this, change out your steering stabilizer too.

Change out your steering stabilizer, why? At 54,000 miles? Why. Shocks will improve side roll. Steering stabilizer?

[Chum_lee]

EMD360 wrote:
Today someone told me the suspension on our old RV might need work. I was surprised because normally in a car when the suspension is going the ride really changes and there are noises. I had the RV on the road just yesterday and didn’t notice any problems. But it does have over 54,000 miles on it. I also don’t see any uneven tire wear or noticeable sagging. The guy said the right side is lower but I really could not tell. Is it common to need new leaf springs?
I had the rear brakes fixed last year at a truck shop and they didn’t mention a problem with the suspension. How can I tell if it’s really a problem?

Oh for Gods sake, IMO, you are being scammed. In your initiaL post you mention no problems. But now, after a "professional inspection" you have some. . . . . . . . FACTS! Your 2018 RV IS NOT OLD! 54,000 miles is NOT a lot of miles. Fix the problems you have. Ignore the ones you don't. Drive on.


Chum lee

[EMD360]

I certainly didn’t see cracking in the leaf springs nor could I tell it was sagging. Had someone follow me in a car and could not see a problem nor feel a problem while I was driving. I sold the RV and mentioned that it might need new shocks due to 50,000 miles. We never upgraded the suspension. The factory shocks and steering stabilizers worked just fine for us. I thought because it was a short RV but our new 26’ Minnie is just as stable on the highway. But I’d like it to be a little higher. I can hardly get underneath it especially under the battery compartment in the steps.

[Booner]

I'll disagree with some of the posters here.

54,000 miles on factory shocks when your running your unit at maximum weight levels, Ya, it could be time for a change. They don't put premium shocks on these thing when they come from the factory. I'm guessing you can buy heavy duty shocks for around $100 each. While your doing this, change out your steering stabilizer too.

[Grit_dog]

^That really makes no sense if you’re almost overloaded with just tanks full.

Check out your springs. And as said above, you may just be worrying about nothing. But you won’t know unless you check.

[EMD360]

It’s been raining so I haven’t gotten under it. The answer to living at full axle weight is probably. It’s been years since I weight it fully loaded. But my specs say if all the tanks are full I have 239 lbs carrying capacity. That’s maybe one adult and a kid. As I recall I wasn’t over on my four corners weight fully loaded except for passengers. I just stopped worrying about it. Maybe it will show up in a suspension issue. I’m going to check it out.

[bobndot]

If you cant see where its sagging then how much could it really be sagging ?
I would get a second then third opinion from mechanics who can actually look it at and who know what they are looking at.

[Lwiddis]

If you want to do something, new shocks might be in order, but it seems you were happy before this unsolicited “advice” and having no issues.

[ferndaleflyer]

Good luck checking all 4 corners. To many cargo things affect that, even fuel, water, and waste tanks. 54,000 is nothing.

[Gary45]

You can visually inspect the leaf springs, normally one or two leafs can crack/break and you will not feel anything.

[EYEMLOST]

EMD360 wrote:
Today someone told me the suspension on our old RV might need work. I was surprised because normally in a car when the suspension is going the ride really changes and there are noises. I had the RV on the road just yesterday and didn’t notice any problems. But it does have over 54,000 miles on it. I also don’t see any uneven tire wear or noticeable sagging. The guy said the right side is lower but I really could not tell. Is it common to need new leaf springs?
I had the rear brakes fixed last year at a truck shop and they didn’t mention a problem with the suspension. How can I tell if it’s really a problem?

Are the shocks factory originals?

Does the RV's rear live at maximum axle weight all the time?

[Gjac]

To see if one side is sagging park the MH in a flat parking lot and measure the ride height front and back at the 4 corners, compare those measurements to what the chassis manual says. Is your front end IFS or straight axle?

[tobydad]

The key word in your 1st sentence is "might". If you have not experienced any noticeable change, then there probably isn't any. You can always use a tape measure on each rear corner to the ground to determine any sagging. If you have air bags in the rear suspension, then check for leaks or check that the pressure is equal in each air bag.