Crusader 260RDD Earthquake Ride

[TedS]

Every time I take my new Crusader 260RDD on the road, lots of moldings, trim, panels, electrical switches, and more come loose, separated, or break. It is still under manufacturers warranty, so I haven't had to pay for the repairs, but it has been in dealership workshop for 2.5 months and I haven't had it out camping more than a couple weekend trips this summer.

I recently saw a YouTube video about this problem and it was recommended that the leaf springs were the problem and suggested getting independent suspension installed (suggested Morryde suspension). Anyone else have this problem or know anything about independent suspension?

[Dave The AV Guy]

The suspension that comes standard on the typical RV is not very forgiving of rough roads. We have a 38’ 5th wheel that weighs in at almost 18K pounds. Fortunately the manufacturer, not around any longer, installed the MORryde independent suspension system, and I feel it works very well. My understanding is that it’s generally considered the Cadillac of RV suspensions. We’ve had it since 2008 and I would not own an RV without it. A couple years ago we moved to the Trailer Saver 5th wheel hitch, which has airbags in it. This further lessens the force on the front of the RV on rough roads. If your Crusader is a 5th wheel, you may want to consider the Trailer Saver as well. Both of these systems are expensive in the short term, but I think good long term value.

[OlympicFox]

While trailers don't have very sophisticated suspensions, they work well enough for most situations, provided the bumps, dips, holes and speed bumps don't exceed the wheel travel available.

I have to wonder if one or more of the leaf springs hasn't flipped it's shackle resulting in the spring not being able to flex properly.

[TedS]

I brought the Crusader to a local RV dealer/service center and they got Forest River / Prime Time to honor warranty replacement of some components of the leaf spring mechanism. I've had to have this Crusader in the shop for warranty repairs about 3 months altogether. I'll never buy a Prime Time product again.

[TedS]

The local Forest River / Prime Time dealer/service center got Forest River to honor the warranty on the spring mechanism, so I'll try that. I've asked for a quote on getting the MORryde IS in case I want to upgrade. I have a Super Glide 5th wheel hitch that works great, but thanks for the recommendation on the Trailer Saver.

[OlympicFox]

I'll be interesting in hearing exactly what Forest River / Prime Time do to the suspension to fix this problem. I'd suggest doing the following before they apply their fix:

1. Crawl under the trailer and photograph the suspension. Specifically, the fixed ends, the springs, the equalizer in the middle. Everything on both sides.
2. Measure the spring length, eye to eye.
3. Count the number of leaves in the spring pack.

Then, do it again after the fix. What I'm looking for is changes in the spring pack, longer springs, and/or replacing the solid equalizer in the middle with a cushioned/rubberized version.

As for upgrading in the future with the Mor/RYDE IS? We did that to the 2005 Holiday Rambler Presidential 32FKD in August 2005. The bill was $5,712, including the Kodiak disc brakes. Did it make a difference? Absolutely. However, I have to question the wisdom of making that kind of investment in an entry level trailer. Our experience is that a very large number of RV owners upgrade to a larger, nicer RV within a few years, and you will not get any return on your investment when you sell or trade it.

About the TrailerSaver hitch. We upgraded from a PullRite Super Glide to the TrailerSaver BD3 twelve years ago and haven't looked back. Since then, it's towed our Arctic Fox, Fox Mountain, Excel and Carriage Cameo for roughly 100K miles. It's not just the improvement in ride, it's the incredible ease of hitching and unhitching that makes it worth it.

Originally Posted by TedS

The local Forest River / Prime Time dealer/service center got Forest River to honor the warranty on the spring mechanism, so I'll try that. I've asked for a quote on getting the MORryde IS in case I want to upgrade. I have a Super Glide 5th wheel hitch that works great, but thanks for the recommendation on the Trailer Saver.

[monte421]

I have Moryde IS on my Montana HC yea it rides good but the shear springs don't last. I've change both sides in 4 years & not that many miles in the last couple years.
What's needed is a air ride suspension, there's a company I found that make them for horse trailers but they don't make them for 5th wheels.