In this competitive environment, it is not uncommon for a manufacturer to make product choices to cut costs when the consumer doesn’t care or notice out of sight or mind, as they say. In the case of many travel trailers and some fifth wheels, the suspension components are the least expensive available.
If you only plan to tow your RV a limited amount, then the basic suspension components may be adequate. A seasonal RV doesn’t need much suspension maintenance. But if you plan on putting on the miles, you might want to pay a little extra at your first service to upgrade the parts.
Used standard shackles and bushings from a one year old trailer. Photo: C.Dougherty
The Weak Shackle
While many parts can be upgraded on a towable suspension, the ones that wear the most and can cause the biggest hassles are the spring shackles, equalizer, bolts, and bushings.
The cheaper suspensions use thinner shackles, non-greaseable bolts, and neoprene (plastic) bushings. The stress of carrying the RV plus rough road conditions wears these bushings to a pulp, so they don’t last very long.
The bushings create the first failure point and wear out relatively quickly. Upgrading to bronze with greaseable bolts is a big step in preventing a breakdown.
The thin shackles can also be replaced with thicker, heavier models. These require different bolts, but the packages often come with all three sized together. Of course, keeping them greased is part of the equation.
A trailer equalizer was worn through the middle due to a lack of maintenance. Photo: C.Dougherty
This will prevent a breakdown from a broken component and help your tires last longer. Worn bushings and shackles allow the suspension to move, which can cause increased tire wear.
Suspension Inspection and Replacement
Monitoring the trailer’s running gear is essential to ensure serviceability. This includes the above components and the frame near the spring brackets, the axles, tires, wheels, leaf springs, and brakes.
Cracked trailer spring on 2019 fifth wheel. Photo: Tom Dougherty
Spring cracks and failures aren’t uncommon on heavier units, especially on rough roads. Some folks have also found cracks in the frame webbing above the axles.
Look for abnormal tire wear, which is often a direct result of an alignment issue. Of course, you should always maintain the proper tire pressure.
Moving parts need lubrication to reduce wear. Photo: C.Dougherty
Follow your axle manufacturer’s recommended service intervals for bearings and brakes. Remember that if your RV didn’t have automatic adjusting brakes, you can upgrade them. In addition, many RVers install hydraulic brakes on their trailer. All this is an expensive option, but the improvement in braking is worth it.
Here, upgrades can include permanently lubricated bearings, cushioned spring equalizers, shock absorbers, upgraded springs, and rubber springs. MorRyde is well known for upgrading trailers to their independent suspension system. While this is a big project, towability and reducing shock wear on the trailer and its contents are cited among the reasons to spend the upgrade’s $10-20,000 cost.
Most shade tree mechanics can easily upgrade most suspension components. Lifting and supporting the RV are the most challenging parts of the process, requiring heavy-duty jack stands and floor jacks for heavier units.
Maintenance intervals used to have an industry standard, but no longer. Be sure to identify the manufacturer of the components on your rig and look up their recommended maintenance intervals.
