Upgrading Fifth Wheel Leaf Springs Without Independent Suspension

[foldbak]

Well this next trip will be number 59 in 3 years. Roughly 16,000 miles on her. The springs aren't flat but I got my moneys worth. Peace of mind is worth the replacement cost. Question, I don't want to spend fortune but want it better then factory. I'm thinking upgrading to 5 leaf and sumo springs. As much as I'd love independent suspension, I can't justify spending that money.
Thoughts?

 

[jsb5717]

Have you looked at the Roadmaster Comfort Ride springs and shocks system? They look to me to be a reasonable alternative to independent suspension.

 

[Mikendebbie]

Tony I have posted this info before - but this is what I paid Performance Trailer Braking to come to my house and install Roadmaster Comfort Ride in late April 2026. Old springs and other parts are in my metals pile to take to a recycler. Ashley does not haul those off. PTB will go to your house anywhere in the US to do the work. Worked out great for me.

We are currently on first trip since the install. The ride is not significantly better on rough roads, but the piece of mind knowing I have new strong components with no required maintenance is great!

The cost for me (Roadmaster stuff + 2 Morryde XFactor braces) $2750.56…paid online to order the parts and get them delivered to my house. My OEM 7k axles were in good shape so I kept them.

Installation was $1150…paid when Ashley of PTB finished the job. (No discount or extra charge for me hanging around asking questions all day!)
She adds $40 if you use a credit card for installation.

IIRC, if I had purchased the gear from etrailer, it was going to be ~$2300.
Saving $1500 to do this myself was not worth the risk and pain.

 

[LeftOverParts]

Which ever spring/equalizer system you go with, seems you should find out your actual pin and trailer weights and compare them against GVWR minus 20-23% of GVWR for pin. OTH, seems a 4 leaf 2600lb? spring would be near your GVWR minus pin so a 3000lb 5 leaf spring could work and not be too stiff. You might also consider how your trailer rides - like does stuff shift.

Not saying yours should be the same but as a point of comparison, we run about 78% of rear spring capacity with actual weights. If we use GVWR minus 20% for pin, the rear springs would be 84% of capacity. (We’re on stock 4000lb springs with 16.8K GVWR. We run the G rated tires at 100-105 psi to provide a little cushion - trailer rides well so prefer to higher psi to minimize rolling resistance).

 

[ChuckS]

If I read the specs correctly that should be a 34 foot fifth wheel... It should have come with 6 leaf 7K springs... My Alpine (3010RE) is 34 foot with 7K 6 leaf springs... 13th season with about 55K miles...

Original springs... they aren't flat and see no reason to change... I also can't justify over $3K for an upgraded suspension on my unit... The factory setup with Dexter springs and Dexter EQ center links have worked well over the years...

When the time comes I will replace with same 7K springs... my cost for new springs, wet bolts, and center links would be less than $1K... I'd do the task right here at the house ...

I could see an upgraded suspension ( maybe ) on a 41 foot 5th wheel but on a shorter 34 footer it should not have near the weight load compared to the larger units....

My longest trips now are 400 to 700 miles ( one way ) so those that travel longer distances , etc may see benefits I simply would not see....

I monitor the leaf springs before a trip and when I get setup and leveled I take a quick peek at the suspension to verify I dont have an issue...

Image of one side showing arch on springs is still excellent and slippage at end of each rear leaf spring is present.... Slippage as shown is important... if you dont see the slippage your springs have an issue ( worn wet bolts/spring eye bushings ) or center link issues

 

[twindman]

I don't understand everyone replacing springs. How does anyone know how rough the ride is? I left 1/2 cup of drink on the counter by sink and drove for 4 hours. No spill.
I have/had 2 Montanas over 20 years and 150,000 miles and 2 trips to Alaska. All original equipment. Just my opinion. Oh, wait, I did add wet bolts 5-6 years ago since my shackles were wearing thru.

 

[jsb5717]

Chuck, Tony’s 295RL is a High Country and is very similar in size and weight to our HC 305RL. We’re at 35’, 14,300k GVW, and 6k axles. We have the CRE3000 with wet bolts and HD shackles. I would imagine that Tony’s set up is the same from the factory unless special ordered with a different configuration. I have considered upgrading to the Roadmaster slip springs and shocks system as well. But now the trailer is coming up on 10 years old and we might replace it…we’ll see.

Anyway, just wanted to get the right specs on the table for Tony’s set up.

 

[Mikendebbie]

I chose to go to Roadmaster and to pay someone to do the work because i have NO experience working with axles/brakes/springs. I have had RV shops do the wet bolt maintenance, bearing packing and brake inspection. I do not have the tools or jack stands to do this work. If i had someone available to walk me thru the install, help me out just one time - i might have attempted new springs myself. It does not look like a very difficult job…but for me and my peace of mind this was the way to go. Additionally, 10 yrs ago i would have jumped on it…now at 71 this kind of stuff hurts a lot. Its much easier to spend my kids inheritance than to do this myself.

I suppose an ophthalmologist might say cataract surgery is easy…not for me…never done it !

 

[ChuckS]

Yup - I llke the slipper springs over the eye to eye but just have not had any issues with any RV I've owned over the last 50 years with conventional eye to eye springs... Age 72 headed toward. 73 quickly but am still able to do any of the work needed... No one touches my truck , the wifes jeep or the RV except to rotate and balance the tires ... and I stand outside and watch the work..

This may we were headed back from West Yellowstone and I left a full cup of coffee sitting on the countertop... After we had driven about 20 miles I realized I had left the extra cup of coffee and pulled over... This was in US20 .. it ain't smooth.. I expected to see coffee all over the floor but it was still sitting where I left it and no spilled coffee.....

Would I switch to slipper springs and shocks if I broke a spring on my fifth wheel? Nah... But they do look neat

 

[Mark77]

My old Monte, I am sure OEM springs are just fine. I was going to replace them when I did the hub upgrade last fall before my annual 5K mile trip south and back, but decided against it when I keep reading about others having broken springs. I bought them on Amazon and I am thinking that the newer springs might be some kind of inferior spring steel from overseas somewhere.

What I did instead was carry 2 extra leaf spring packs and 2 sets of u-bolts in case I had trouble on the road. They are tied in to the area in the LP tank compartments, out of the way but there if I ever need them.

 

[Derby6]

To each their own but I don’t see replacing at 16,000 miles. Unless there was serious issues. Just my thoughts.

 

[jkxtreme]

Well this next trip will be number 59 in 3 years. Roughly 16,000 miles on her. The springs aren't flat but I got my moneys worth. Peace of mind is worth the replacement cost. Question, I don't want to spend fortune but want it better then factory. I'm thinking upgrading to 5 leaf and sumo springs. As much as I'd love independent suspension, I can't justify spending that money.
Thoughts?

We added sumu springs to our 2023 rear kitchen model 3901RK and have not had any issues. Did the same to my truck.

 

[bigred715]

A l.ot of wasted money on all these upgrades. Must be nice to just throw money away for little improvement, Unless you are driving the Alaskan Hwy every year and are abusing your suspension these these up grades are a waste of money and do little to improve ride.

 

[flyingjack]

After getting back from early May 600 mile trip I inspected rig and found passenger rear spring pack had eye to eye and middle springs broken. Did research and decided on Roadmaster slipper with shocks; but, order arrival was too late for next 2500 mile trip (which we're on now) so replaced complete OEM spring pack from local trailer supply company. Approx 22k miles on OEM springs and plan to keep our 22 HC 295 for 2-3 more years so upgrade makes sense to us. Nobody knows whether this is a waste of money; but, it's our best guess. I'll try to remember to pass on our results after next fall 6k mile trip.

 

[mtheo]

Went to roadmaster and shocks after all for my leaf springs broke on the last two trips. Had the road masses on for the last couple trips and seem to work great rides a lot nicer. Easy DIY project.

 

[flyingjack]

Went to roadmaster and shocks after all for my leaf springs broke on the last two trips. Had the road masses on for the last couple trips and seem to work great rides a lot nicer. Easy DIY project.

mtheo- sending you a private message specifically about DIY install.