Has anyone out there had expierence towing a trailer with each of these systems on them? Both systems are supposed to produce a better riding trailer than springs and I am wondering which one is best. I thought the air ride was best until someone said that they condense water and the lines freeze and then you are in bad do do. I want to upgrade a trailers' ride and am looking for some input. Trailer is tandem axle and weighs 14K.

Odd, I've been on the RV forums for about 5 years now and this is the first I've ever heard of the lines freezing in an air suspension system.  We've not done much traveling yet, so I can't speak to whether that is an issue.  On our coach, any condensation in the lines would likely "drain" down to the bladder anyway.

As for the Mor-Ryde, I've heard lots of good for the IS system.  I was at a dealer the other day and saw a coach with that system on it.  The independent suspension system looks really hefty and good, but I've yet to find just how the suspension part works.  I'm wondering if their are some kind of coil springs within them because on the outside, all they have on them is a shock absorber.  I have no idea as to whether there is some spring system in the rear part of each system.

Mor-Ryde also makes a model called LRE that is similar to the normal center-point systems with other suspension brands.

Terry

Terry,

Looks almost like a torsion bar setup.  But this article says it's just rubber blocks and shocks...

http://www.morryde.com/uploads/products/files/37/RidingOnRubberISTrailerLifeArticle.pdf

Vance

If you look just to the left of the shock, you will see 3 square plates.  The upper plate is a mounting plate.  between the two lower plates you can just see the rubber "shear spring" that is the heart of the suspension on each independent wheel set.  These rubber "shear springs" come in different sizes and are based on the GVWR of the trailer.  MorRyde I.S. replaces the axles and springs on the trailer.  Since each wheel set works independently, there is very little "rock and roll" when crossing uneven surfaces and with up to 5" of vertical travel per wheel set, dampened by the rubber "shear springs", vertical movement of the coach is virtually eliminated.  It is a complete system that is custom assembled and fit to each individual trailer.  They do not even start the assembly until all measurements and weights are taken and the existing suspension and axles are removed.  The entire coach rides on top of the MoreRyde I.S. system which also adds reinforcement to the entire frame.  Each wheel set can be aligned independently just like the front end of a car.  As for maintenance, there is one grease point for each wheel set that sends grease to all of the moving suspension parts.  Mainenance requires grease every 10,000 miles or once per year and they recommend the alignment be checked yearly.  If both of these items are checked at the MorRyde Service Center, it is free of charge as long as no alignment is required.   No air to mess with and no adjustments required when hooking up.  We love our MorRyde I.S. and will never own another trailer without it,

As for air ride systems, I agree with Terry that any water would move to the bladders (bags).  Frozen air lines should only affect the ability to pressure up the system if there is a low point in the line between the valve and the bladder and lots of water in the line, but should not affect overall function unless pressure is too low.  However, air systems need  adjustments based on temperature and altitude changes.  Also, no air system will hold the same pressure forever so need to be checked / adjusted regularly.  We have air bags on our tow vehicle to help cushion the ride and level the truck when towing but also have an on board compressor so adjustments can be made from the driver seat and we have never had issues with water in the lines freezing.   

Overall, the two systems work about the same but on a trailer, we prefer the MorRyde I.S. for the low maintenance, ability to re-align, and no fussing with air pressure and hoses.  On a tow vehicle we prefer air so we can adjust it based on road conditions, loaded weight and ability to level the truck.

Hope this helps in you decision.

The key to how the MOR/ryde IS works is in the name – Independent Suspension.  Each wheel is independent of the other 3 wheels, or 5 in the case of a triple axle.  Each wheel is not impacted by the bumps the other ones take.  That’s a big deal as to ride quality.  I’ve pulled the same trailer with springs and then an IS.  It is daylight and dark.

As was well explained above, the system has rubber springs which deal with the shock loads and the shock absorber takes care of limiting the travel on the rebound thus reducing the bounce.  They are a 70/30 type shock.

The vertical travel of the suspension system, i.e. how far it can go up and down, is much greater than standard systems and therefore you don’t get a bottoming out problem like you will experience with leaf springs – even those with air bags between them.

The MOR/ryde IS system has a “trailing link” beam arm which is, in design, the same as is used on many aircraft.  This provides a very forgiving system as to hard bumps in the road in the same way it works during a landing.  (Used to be a pilot and I really liked trailing links.  Sure made my landings much better than they might have otherwise been.)

Many airbag systems actually recommend, during installation, for you to put in some antifreeze type fluid to prevent air line freeze up in the winter from condensation.

Both systems, full air bags and the MOR/ryde IS, are very good.  However, the MOR/ryde IS, on a trailer, IMO and as was stated, has much less to go wrong, less maintenance and is “Independent.”  The “IS” also actually reinforces the trailer frame due to the double “H” cross beams between the trailer frame rails.  These are not axles.  These are reinforcing / stiffing boxed channel members which contribute to reducing frame shift.  MOR/ryde knows frames quite well but that’s another thread.

If you put on an IS “after market” they custom the IS for your specific trailer.  I.e. they measure your rig and then build an IS to the exact measurements required including any “lift” that may be desired. It is a perfect fit which contributes to the precise alignment capabilities just like on a car.

On a truck, I kind of agree about the air bags due to adjustment.  However, the MOR/ryde “RL” suspension we had on our previous truck cost about 25% of a full up airbag system and it really improved the ride, especially solo.  I recommend it as well.

I have a great many miles and years on an IS and I truly recommend it for any trailer.  However, Murray, this isn't normally a "DIY" IMO.  Best done at the plant if at all possible if for no other reason you get the laser wheel alignment against the king pin and they provide a very nice free lunch everyday.

Bill

Murray:

New Horizons and Forks install the MOR/ryde IS as a standard feature. They are totally “custom build,” very top end rigs.  Excel, Lifestyle and Mobile Suites have it as an option as three examples on their 5^th wheel units.  The IS can be installed on almost any rig.  They spec them in 7K, 8K and a special 9K axle system.  As I mentioned, MOR/ryde can also help level your rig to run level with the tow vehicle.  Ours runs spot on level and it was built to do just that.  As you know this best equalizes load between the rear axles and you don’t have a “high” front end when towing.  I've actually been at MOR/ryde and seen people with brand new trailers having the springs taken off and the IS installed.  By brand new I mean never slept in.

BTW, MOR/ryde does make an “equalizer system” for leaf springs so make sure the system is the “IS” and has no leaf springs otherwise there is little advantage over what you have been towing.  I’ve had the equalizer system with leaf springs and the IS suspension is in another class.  We’ve had our rig up the Alcan and also into the Canadian NWT up to Inuvik, just shy of the Arctic Ocean.  The roads are long and really bad.  Like 1,200 miles of no payment with construction all the time.  The IS took it all in stride and the inside of the rig was “just fine.”  BTW, we do recommend “H” tires for the larger rigs.  The typical “E” and “G” tires that come on trailers have a long history of blowing out regardless of the load.  That is a lot of what you seen on the road.  Several of us run Goodyear G114 “H” tires.  They are commercial grade and don’t blow out.

MOR/ryde also offers a pin box system which is superior to a fixed pin box at eliminating “chucking.”  However, I got the impression you were going with a traditional “bumper tow” rig and not a 5^th wheel.

Hope that helps a bit as to perspective. . . .

Bill

I think that the "equalizer" system that Bill is referring to is called the Mor-Ryde LRE system.  It has a rubber center point with the springs instead of using air like a Trail-Air system would incorporate.  The Mor-Ryde IS system is also standard on DRV's Elite Suites models and for the 2014 1/2 model year, the Mor-Ryde LRE system will be standard on the Mobile Suites.  As Bill mentioned, I imagine that the IS system could be substituted for the LRE.

I suspect that a number of manufacturers may start adding Mor-Ryde systems as standard. 

Terry

mododge5500 wrote:

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Thank you both for this info. I have just started looking at Excel and New Horizon TT's. They are both top quality and seem to have the options that I am looking for in a TT. I am taking this process one step at a time. First, I want to get the running gear to be as trouble free as possible. I am running Hercules H-902 "H" tires on 17.5" All Spec HD Aluminum rims on my 20K flatbed trailer and have had real good luck with them so far. I also have 10K Dexter Oil Bath axles, however, I am OK with using the best ones that come with the 8K tandem Mor/Ryde IS on either of these two TT's. I do like the fact that New Horizons will build exactaly what you want.

Murray

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Murray:

NH is much more of a custom builder than Excel.  Not that Excel doesn't build a very good rig.  But the level of allowable customization is much lower with Excel than with NH.  NH will, if you like, start with a clean sheet of paper.

If you are considering a New Horizons you might want to chat with Jack Mayer who frequents this site often.  He is a New Horizons “Ambassador.”  He has worked closely with New Horizons on a number of design issues, especially electrical, and is quite knowledgeable about all things “RV.”  He’s done what some of us with long time RV experience should have done and put a lot of good technical RV info into a usable form on his website. Just excellent.

http://www.jackdanmayer.com/

This is his New Horizons section:

http://www.jackdanmayer.com/new_horizons_rv1.htm

We plan to be at New Horizons again next month chatting about things “New Horizons.”

BTW, NH builds to spec but they also have two different basic frame sizes if you will.  One is a 96” wide and one is a 102” wide. Some 36 feet long and some up to 43 feet. Both have their benefits as to purpose or to some preference.  They are extremely well build trailers and NH builds their own frames which is something you mentioned before.  I think you would be pleased with the construction if you saw one and you should visit the factory when possible.

NH, even the "little ones," are heavy.  Like even the “light” ones, full up with your stuff - loaded, begin at around 20K and up they go from there.  But they are tanks and the interior wood work and systems are excellent and a cut-above.  Visit them, poke around, especially the frames and wiring, and you'll see what I mean.  Then again, they are not inexpensive.

Anyway, wanted to share that information with you should it be of benefit. We’re looking forward to chatting with NH again on our way back east.  This will be another interesting conversation.

Bill

Height can be an advantage as your trailer gets longer.  I once had a 26-foot travel trailer and managed to hit the rear steps on the road when I left the road onto an access road that was a a lower lever than the highway.  Dips can be damaging.

Terry