Montana High Country: Stock or Higher-Capacity Leaf Springs?

[Vet4jdc]

We own a 2019 Montana High Country 331RL that we purchased new. After seven years of use and travel I have started to notice the leaf springs have lost most of their normal "arch" and have flattened out quite a bit when the RV is not on the leveling jacks. BTW, it is stored on a flat slab and on the jacks when stored. The springs retain their natural curve when stored and flatten under load. I want to replace the leaf springs, shackles and wetbolts with new ones before we leave for Daytona in February.

I believe our rig has 6,000 lb axles with 6,000 lb leaf springs. The replacements are readily available on sites such as E-trailer so getting them is not an issue. My question is, do I replace the 6,000 lb springs and stay "stock" or can I upgrade to a 7,000 lb spring? Will it ride rougher or will there be a noticeable difference? I read on a similar site that the ride will be stiffer and cause a lot of bounce in the camper? I don't want a much stiffer ride as these things already take a beating on our rough highways.

Can anyone offer advice or personal experience with leaf spring replacement?

 

[St. Michael]

Two things come to mind you’ll definitely see a stiffer ride and maybe a slight height increase. I’d stick with the original spec. Unless your going for a complete suspension upgrade I don’t see any advantage here.

 

[LeftOverParts]

Sounds like you like the ride and the springs have lasted so maybe go with the same. If you know or get your actual trailer weights, you could research calculating how much weight is on your springs and recommended buffer capacity.

I’d recommend you also change your U-bolts and related hardware whether you replace with stock or higher capacity springs.

Since you have a ‘19, while you have it apart, you might consider V-clips for the hangers if you already don’t have them.

 

[Daryles]

Are you sure they are 6k Axles?
Our 2019 came with 7k Axles.
Crawl under and look for the tags. If they are worn off I believe it is also stamped into the axle tube.
You can download the Dexter Axle Manual from their website.
They also have a parts catalog you can download.

 

[Vet4jdc]

Are you sure they are 6k Axles?
Our 2019 came with 7k Axles.
Crawl under and look for the tags. If they are worn off I believe it is also stamped into the axle tube.
You can download the Dexter Axle Manual from their website.
They also have a parts catalog you can download.

I used the numbers stamped on the axles and contacted Dexter. They sent me their build sheet and they are definitely 6,000 lb axles.

 

[Daryles]

According to your spec sheet your gross weight is 14K lbs.
Ours is 16K.
If you are going to do the leaf springs, I would do the Axles too.
Also as mentioned above, add Lippert support angles to the leaf spring hangers. All the new rigs come with them already installed. We broke a leaf spring Hanger in Moab Utah. Spend an extra 10 days there waiting for a mobile welder to fix it. After we got home I had them added.

LCI leaf spring hanger support angle.

ANG 3.313 X 3.313 X .179 L1.813 | Lippert

ANG 3.313 X 3.313 X .179 L1.813

www.lippert.com

While you have the coroplast off inspect the cross frame support beams. Mine were broken above each leaf spring Hanger. My mobile welder straightened them, put them back in place and ran a weld bead all the way around them (previously only tack welded!!!).

 

[BuckandTeresa]

I have a 2019 330RL with 6000 lb axles. We planned on a long multi-month trip this fall, and I had my leaf springs and axles replaced. I had dry bolts, had them replaced with wet bolts and 7000 lb axles, new shackles, and 6-leaf springs at 3500 lbs each (7000 per pair), and welded hangers. I can’t tell any difference with the ride as far as roughness. We’ve taken several trips of several hundred miles each since the work with no problems.

 

[rickybobby]

I have a 2017, 7k axles. Had 3 break this year, replaced with the spec, 2, 3500lb springs per axle. Trailer sits up where it should, pulls great.