Thread: Is independent suspension that much better than leaf spring?

To answer your question, no!
I have had both leaf and independent cub campers, the leaf towed better on road, dirt tracks about the same, off road the independent was slightly better in particular to the slow stuff, but not $8k better

If your worried about the D3's suspension and you have airbag then get one of Gordon's (GOE) air up kits, so you can pump each corner up independently, you will need a separate compressor but chances are you will have one for tyres etc.. Plus add in a diagnostic tool that also clears faults and you should have most everything that can go wrong covered.

Originally Posted by TerryO

If your worried about the D3's suspension and you have airbag then get one of Gordon's (GOE) air up kits, so you can pump each corner up independently, you will need a separate compressor but chances are you will have one for tyres etc.. Plus add in a diagnostic tool that also clears faults and you should have most everything that can go wrong covered.

Hi Terry, I've got a diagnostic tool, and I am aware of the GOE kit. It's more the thought of a shock absorber failing that I am referring to. There's a description on one here that's a little sobering.

I have owned a number of campers with independent, spring and Alko torsion bars. My t-van with independent was better everywhere (dirt, road and off road) compared to either spring or torsion bars sprung trailers. However, I'm not familiar with the cub independent setup and Vern could well be correct that the spring version in the cub range is better. If you step outside the cub brand however, this will not be the case generally in my experience.

Those shocks are ecu-controlled variable rate that endeavour to maximise ride comfort and vehicle control which causes the rates to be adjusted to correct shock fade from excessive heat so don't give any warning of overheating. Just make sure your D3 shocks are in good condition, not on their last legs.

I think the answer to the original question has to be - it depends.

It all depends on the implementation. There are good and bad in both types. In theory, independent should be a little better.

John

not ever having independent but my observations are..........

independent may be/probably is better on dirt roads when travelling at speed

I don't see how independent is any better for slow rough stuff as all the pivoting is done at the tow hitch

on the black stuff, I don't see any advantage between the two

I think its offered as it the latest trend in suspension and buyer take up th eoption.....although in saying that if I build a new chassis for my camper than it will more than likely have independent air suspension, why, cause I can I suppose and it should match my electric over hydraulic brakes nicely.

I don't see the issue in trusting offroad leaf springs, never had an issue, in the 10yrs we've had our camper, only replaced our leafs about 3 years ago, pretty good considering where we go.

Over the years I've seen a lot of trailers with broken independent suspension, usually broken leaf sprung trailers is due to the age and not heavy enough for the weight of the trailer.

There's a lot of stress at one point in independent suspension and this is where they normally fail, where the spring, shock and arms meet, at the single point where the stub axle is, this is where I've seen most fail.

For them to be really strong they need to be very strong here and probably why they are very expensive, I wouldn't touch the AL-KO rubber independent thingies.

That's my experience, oh and I don't have shockies on my camper, some on here have followed us when towing at speed, no bounce, no sway, just sits behind the car nicely.

Knowing Cub, I'll garrentee they have either 7 or 8 or 9 leaf, AL-KO offroad rebound leaf springs, basically the best leaf springs on the market, which is what are on our camper.

Baz.