7K vs 8K Roadmaster Comfort Ride Springs

[Carle3]

I am looking for results from those who have upgraded to the Comfort Ride Slipper Springs w/shocks. I am debating on either the 7k or 8k versions. I have 7k axles and my last CAT scale weight on those axles was 13,980. I am considering the 8k springs but Roadmaster warns that too heavy of a spring rating can degrade the ride quality. I am looking for those with similar setups and weights who have made this upgrade what their real world experience has been.

 

[Mikendebbie]

I had Performance Trailer Braking (PTB ) come to the house and install Roadmaster Comfort Ride system a couple of weeks ago. My OEM springs have been “flat” for a while and I needed to do something. I thought about doing new springs and wet bolts myself using YouTube videos - but my enthusiasm wained. I also thought about going to the nearest “truck frame and chassis” shop - which is 90 minutes north in Waco and get them to do the work. When I found out PTB will come to YOU for the install - I pushed the EASY button and emailed Ashley O'Niell. Last time I weighed my rig I was not over-weight, so my 7k axles were fine. I have not yet pulled the rig with the new suspension, but I am looking forward to testing it out this summer. I also had Ashley install two Morryde XFactor braces.

When she removed my OEM springs and bolts - there was one wet bolt and bushing that was blown and the band on that spring was bent out away from the springs…so I was on borrowed time waiting on a bad time to happen.

 

[Carle3]

I watched some Youtube on this and it seems that there are a lot of those wet bolt bushing that are blown apart. The scary part is from the outside you wouldn’t know.

 

[20TwoAdv]

I am looking for results from those who have upgraded to the Comfort Ride Slipper Springs w/shocks. I am debating on either the 7k or 8k versions. I have 7k axles and my last CAT scale weight on those axles was 13,980. I am considering the 8k springs but Roadmaster warns that too heavy of a spring rating can degrade the ride quality. I am looking for those with similar setups and weights who have made this upgrade what their real world experience has been.

We upgraded our 3531RE to the 8k Roadmaster Comfort Ride about a year ago. It has 7K axles and actual loaded scale weight as at 14,630. Even if yours weighed in at 13k, the axles would have be over 90 % rated capacity. Our ride is much better than before judging by the inside of the trailer after pull. On ours we also upgraded to H rated tires because of the %of rated capacity. Totally up to you but highly recommend going with the 8k springs. At 13980 and 7k springs you’re at 99%, with 8k, you’ll only be at 87% rated capacity. Good luck!

 

[RMcNeal]

I think the math is off a bit. You're not accounting for the weight on the truck. At 13,980 lbs., that full weight is not on the axles, only about 75-80% of it.

 

[Mikendebbie]

I found this CAT scale ticket for my rig + truck dated July 2019, and you can see the weight on my axles is 12,260 lbs, so the OEM 7000 lbs axles are good to go. My tongue weight is included in the DRIVE AXLE weight…unfortunately I have never taken the time to disconnect and properly weigh the rig by itself.

 

[twindman]

Mikendebbie, You don't have to weigh the rig unhitched. Weigh everything and then weight the truck unhitched. Difference is the trailer weight. If I recall correctly some scales give you 2 weighs. So if the scale is near your campground, you can go back later and get the truck.

 

[Mikendebbie]

I have weighed the truck separately in the past, but i could not fine the ticket on my phone.

 

[20TwoAdv]

I think the math is off a bit. You're not accounting for the weight on the truck. At 13,980 lbs., that full weight is not on the axles, only about 75-80% of it.

You’re right. I have to take off 2900 +/- for the hitch wt.

 

[Carle3]

Well, this summer I pulled the trigger and did the 7000lb springs and shocks. I did the installation myself, which went pretty good. I had jack stands for supporting the trailer and the axles. The one confusing aspect was on YouTube every installer puts the shocks on while the coach is still in the air and the instructions have you lowering the coach and installing the shocks with the suspension under load. I recently started our trip out to the desert southwest. The first stop is the Beet harvest which was a few hundred miles of mixed driving. My first impressions are that the system was a significant upgrade. I felt that it was significantly improved. The most notable was the bridge transitions. They didn’t seem as severe. Any chucking, if any was minimal and quickly dampened. I do want to say this certainly was not a magic bullet and one has to be careful of not set expectations too high. I do think there is room for improvement yet so my next upgrade is a new pin box. I am looking at either the Moryde or the GenY.

 

[Daryles]

Im currently looking at pin boxes. I want to get an Air Ride pin box.
Apparently there are a couple of different types.
Mine is a "Rhino" (bolt holes pattern).
Therefore I must get a Rhino style pattern pin box (2 rows of holes).
Based on correspondence with Lippert customer service (excellent support BTW) I need this one.

This one
Curt Air Ride part number 807710

Shop CURT Air Ride™ Pin Box - 21,000 Lbs. | Lippert

PINBOX 2020 AIRRIDE W/ HDWR KIT

www.lippert.com

To maintain warranty, the pin must NOT be longer than the existing box pin. Read the document.

 

[Mikendebbie]

Daryles - the pic of the Morryde rubber pin box in your post above - is that your current pin box?

I think i will get one of those in the next year, but mine will be the 1116 with 3 rows of two bolts. I have been watching facebook marketplace for a used one. There seems to be a good number of the Morryde type in your pic that come up for sale. In fact, i see quite a few curt air-ride with the big red spring come up. The most common thread for the morryde and the curt sales seems to be “Selling my pin box because i upgraded to Gen-X etc etc”

 

[Daryles]

Yes, current pin box. Read the LCI document regarding compatibility and warranty issues.
Im having Affinity do the swap when I have the rig in for warranty work in a few weeks.
I already lowered the pin box (yesterday) for more truck bed rail clearance. Im probably going to add air bags to the rear end of the truck for the bouncing and level the rig.

 

[Carle3]

I am leaning towards the Gen-y and converting over to a gooseneck. I currently have a PullRite 20k hitch and it weighs a ton. To get the bed of my truck back, save weight and improve the ride is a win win.

 

[nickens]

The OP stated his axle weights were 13,980, so yeah, 8K axles are the solution (except for going on a diet...