Spring Hanger

[Jolu]

Spring Hanger failure pops up from time to time here on the MOC. Below is a photo of SOB spring hanger. You will notice a diagonal brace welded to the hanger and frame. This seems to me to be a good idea and would probably prevent serious problems that arise from twisted and broken hangers. I know it adds money to the cost of building the rig. But how much, compared to what it cost to fix the problems. Joe

[Irlpguy]

It would be interesting to know who makes the frame, it looks like a Lippert frame but hard to tell from the photo. One thing very noticeable is the length of the spring hanger and the fact it is drilled for different heights.
My 3402RL has a spring hanger length of 3 3/4" this one would appear to be in the neighborhood of 6" effectively raising the clearance of the RV from the ground.
I would bet if it is a lippert frame this bracing has been added and not done at the factory.
Very poor looking welding on the brace in my opinion, the cost of adding this brace would be minimal.

I noticed from the beginning that when the springs were mounted to the axles on my Montana the hangers were not welded so that they were in good alignment with the springs, that is likely a result of the hangers being welded on at the lippert factory and the springs and axles added to the frame at Keystone. Having this all done in the same place should result in them lining up perfectly.

It is what it is and we need to check on them every once in a while and try and avoid those very sharp turns that put huge stress on the hangers, that stress is magnified with the longer hanger.

[DQDick]

One thing to remember: The manufacturer would pay for any additions to the frame/hangers at the factory, the owner would pay for damages and repairs needed since they would most likely come outside of the warranty period. Guess what the manufacturer would prefer?

[pineranch]

Several Montana owners have enclosed and added bracing to their hangers. Hang around and perhaps they will provide pictures of the mods.
Mike

[richfaa]

My solution wasto install the Mor Ryde IS system were the Montana is now.

[jcurtis934]

I would have to agree with all this. My hangers are almost 4 inches and don't have any adjustment holes. The other thing I noticed on mine is the addition of a flat steel plate that is about 2 inches or so wide and about 6-8 inches long that is welded from the outer lip of the frame and to the side of the frame, centered above each hanger, so that it forms a triangular brace above each hanger. This was done when the unit was being built. John

[bigred715]

Rich, how expensive to add that IS suspension? Very costly I guess. Best way to go if you can afford it.