Is Liquid Spring Suspension Worth It for Better Ride and Handling?

[shemphill]

Does anyone have any experience with Liquid Spring suspensions? We are looking at a Tiffin that has a Liquid Spring suspension. I have read that this makes the coach ride and drive like a Diesel pusher with air bags. I was wondering if anyone had any experience with those suspensions? Are they reliable? Are they huge maintenance items? Do they live up to the hype?

I'm looking for a better ride and better handling but I don't want to get trapped into something that is going to be unreliable or difficult to maintain either.

Thanks!

 

[l1v3fr33ord1]

shemphill-

Here's a link to the results of a search for "Liquid Springs" on the sister site, iRV2.com.

 

[shemphill]

Thanks! there is some good info out there. Our current Class C is wonderful on decent roads but it's a beating on bad roads. And in high wind it's pretty abusive. But from what I have read and all the people I have talked with that is a common theme. I was hoping that moving to a Class A would resolve some of my issues but from what I read the Class A gas is worse than our little C. So I was looking at the Class A with Liquid spring to resolve some of those things without having to move to a Diesel and the additional cost. I may be better off though just biting the bullet and looking for a Diesel. I don't understand why the manufacturers won't put air suspensions on the Ford F53 chassis. Ride and handling have got to be by far the biggest complaint I have heard from anyone. I talked to one guy at a park we stopped at overnight that told me he drove for a few days (stopping overnight) but then he needed to spend several days stationary just to recover. That doesn't sound like an enjoyable trip.

 

[creativepart]

I have owned both a Ford chassis C and A. Both are equally uncomfortable when driving. The F53 chassis is a medium duty truck chassis built for heavy duty hauling, road comfort is not a consideration.

Everyone with a Liquid Spring suspension claims dramatically improved comfort. You don’t hear much about added maintenance but surely there must be some. I know they do add weight that needs some consideration. And of course, close to $30k in cost.

Most diesel pushers have much improved suspension designs, but not every one is the same. Be aware that some of the least expensive models still have solid front axles, but with an air suspension rather than leaf springs. So, they’re better but not as good as models with independent suspensions.

Air suspensions on diesel chassis is the same as air brakes on diesels. The engine driven air compressor supplies both systems and is not typically found on gas engines.

When we had a gas Class A we shortened our drive days to under 300 mi per day. We now have a Mercedes chassis Class C and the driving comfort is massively improved. Really a day and night difference. I assume it’s the coil springs and independent front suspension that makes the difference.

 

[shemphill]

how do you like the View 24 as opposed to the regular class C on a 350 or 450 chassis?

 

[creativepart]

The 2026 View 24R we have drives like a dream. It's really like driving an SUV. Even pulling a Toad.

We had a 31' Forest River Forester Class C and it was a chore to drive. Then we got a 37' Adventurer Class A and it was painful on rough roads. Unfortunately there were lots of rough roads out there.

We've only owned the 2026 View since Sept and been on 4 or 5 trips over 3000 miles in total and it's really comfortable and easy.

Now, downsizing from 37' to 25'??? That's not nearly as easy.

 

[jpspaz]

Does anyone have any experience with Liquid Spring suspensions? We are looking at a Tiffin that has a Liquid Spring suspension. I have read that this makes the coach ride and drive like a Diesel pusher with air bags. I was wondering if anyone had any experience with those suspensions? Are they reliable? Are they huge maintenance items? Do they live up to the hype?

I'm looking for a better ride and better handling but I don't want to get trapped into something that is going to be unreliable or difficult to maintain either.

Thanks!

I drove two different Class As with Liquid Springs at the Hershey show two years ago. One had just the rear and the other was all four corners. As a current owner of a gas Class A, I have to say that the ride was quite impressive. It controls the lean and settles right back to center with minimal sway after turning, etc. The four corner system also allows for the rig to be lowered when parked just like a pusher with air suspension. It is a very pricey system so I would consider yourself lucky to have the option to own a rig with Liquid Springs. Best option is to go test drive it and see for yourself.

 

[HappyNomads]

Do check the remaining amount of available cargo capacity in your prospective new Tiffin.

On our 18,000 pound F53 with the V8, we wouldn't have been able to add Liquid Springs without jettisoning the truly important things that we never use and weigh a lot when added together. So instead we spent $3.5k, improved the ride and handling, lowered the noise, and what remains is acceptable.

I recall reading about one fellow who jettisoned much, drove to the LS factory to install all four corners. They weighed his rig and informed him he was overweight as it was, and could not accept the LS.

All in all, I have heard no complaints against LS except for the cost, and the eventual added maintenance.

 

[shemphill]

Thanks! I have heard really good things about them but you never know until you hear from folks that have actually been there. The rig we are looking at came from the factory with the LS option. I'll need to check the capacity. That is a good point!

 

[rvmatty]

I have a 2016 Adventurer 37F. I had LS installed on the rear about 6 years ago. LS was not available at that time for the front. It was a big improvement in the ride. It smoothed out the thumping on concrete road sections. I have never driven a diesel RV so can not compare. I have since added safe-t-steer and new front shocks. I’m satisfied with the handling now and do not want to spend $10-15,000 on a 10 yr rig. There really is no maintenance and have not had any issues. Just need to remember to shut it off before leveling.

 

[shemphill]

Do check the remaining amount of available cargo capacity in your prospective new Tiffin.

On our 18,000 pound F53 with the V8, we wouldn't have been able to add Liquid Springs without jettisoning the truly important things that we never use and weigh a lot when added together. So instead we spent $3.5k, improved the ride and handling, lowered the noise, and what remains is acceptable.

I recall reading about one fellow who jettisoned much, drove to the LS factory to install all four corners. They weighed his rig and informed him he was overweight as it was, and could not accept the LS.

All in all, I have heard no complaints against LS except for the cost, and the eventual added maintenance.

Thanks! From what I can tell from reading the LS system adds about 550 pounds to the rig. I "thought" (first mistake) that it was factory but that is not the case. the system, was added aftermarket by LS. Im doing some calcs on the weight thing. I'll also speak with the dealership about that but you do have a very good point. Thank you for your input.