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Liquid Springs; are they worth the cost?

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jam4travel

Liquid Springs; are they worth the cost?
« on: April 21, 2018, 11:24:09 am »
Have any members had the liquid springs installed on their Phoenix Cruiser?

If yes, in your opinion are they worth the money?

Thanks In Advance

John
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The McDucks

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Re: Liquid Springs; are they worth the cost?
« Reply #1 on: April 21, 2018, 02:42:37 pm »
I took a test drive today in a 3100 with liquid springs at the Hershey show last September. Cornering and overall handling was pretty good for a big truck.  The complexity of the system concerned me some. The Liquid Springs sales guy said the rig would still be drivable if the hydraulics failed, but you’d have zero suspension travel, and so would definitely be in limp-in mode.
I ended up gettin the somewhat smaller 2552 with the standard Ford E450 suspension. I did add the Saf-T-Plus steering stabilizer, mainly in case of a front tire blow-out on the interstate. I’m quite satisfied with its handling, and glad I didn’t get the Liquid Springs. Maybe for a bigger 3100 it would be justified.
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ron-n-toni

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Re: Liquid Springs; are they worth the cost?
« Reply #2 on: April 22, 2018, 04:56:24 pm »
Last year I was at the PC plant when the Liquid Springs motorhome came into the plant. Earl talked with them for quite a long time and then left with them.(I often wonder if Earl went with them) Earl told me that they had a unit go out with liquid springs but it came back after a few months to be sold on consignment. NOT because the guy didn't like it but he bought it without telling his wife and SHE wanted a 40 foot Newmar. He told me that he was impressed with the unit. I would hope so for the price. Also check with Born Free owners. They used to install them on their units back when they were $6000.
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bftownes

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Re: Liquid Springs; are they worth the cost?
« Reply #3 on: April 22, 2018, 09:07:18 pm »
Quote from: jam4travel on April 21, 2018, 11:24:09 am
Have any members had the liquid springs installed on their Phoenix Cruiser?

If yes, in your opinion are they worth the money?

Thanks In Advance

John

I have done a lot of "research" on Liquid Springs, including a fairly lengthy phone call with Wayne Wells of Liquid Springs.  Yes, if the hydraulics fail, you can still drive the motorhome.  I also drove a 2552, no Liquid Springs (LS), on my visit to Elkhart, just last week, and was pleased with the ride and driving, BUT...how will it ride on interstates such as I-10 through Louisiana (although somewhat improved) or some other "washboard" interstate?  When spec'ing my 3100 last week, I added Liquid Springs.  I am still a bit undecided.  I have read a detailed review by a guy who has a gasser Tiffin Open Road.  He's a sharp guy with an engineering mentality.  He added the LS after owning and operating his motorhome.  He was extremely pleased and impressed with the difference and declared it was money well spent.  In fact Wayne Wells posted his phone number on a Tiffin Facebook page, so I don't think there is an issue if I post it here.  Wayne Wells 503-709-8901 (his cell phone).  When talking with Wayne, I asked about reliability and maintenance.  He basically said maintenance is minimal and that the computerized controller is pretty much "plug and play".  I was also concerned that the LS would be another system to cause problems.  His reply was that the LS experience more severe duty on an ambulance than a motorhome.  When touring Elkhart, I saw them installed on a 2552 bare chassis.  Very sturdy and my feelings are that the only issue would be a hydraulic hose or the "computer".  If the controller fails, you have another installed.  There authorized LS service facilities across the country.  Hope this helps, but I am still on the fence.
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ron-n-toni

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Re: Liquid Springs; are they worth the cost?
« Reply #4 on: April 23, 2018, 08:17:05 am »
I just returned from a trip to Phoenix from PA in my 2017 2552. We drove across the US mostly on I-40 and returned across AZ-NM-TX-LA-MS and Al on I-10. This is my second long trip in our PC 2552 (went to the PC gathering in Sisters,OR)  and I feel that this is by far the best riding RV that I have owned except for our Newmar DP. At this time, I will not even install Koni shocks till the OEM shocks start to fade. My suggestion is to purchase your RV, whatever brand, drive it for awhile, then do your upgrades.
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Ron Dittmer

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Re: Liquid Springs; are they worth the cost?
« Reply #5 on: April 23, 2018, 08:54:12 am »
Quote from: ron-n-toni on April 23, 2018, 08:17:05 am
I just returned from a trip to Phoenix from PA in my 2017 2552. We drove across the US mostly on I-40 and returned across AZ-NM-TX-LA-MS and Al on I-10. This is my second long trip in our PC 2552 (went to the PC gathering in Sisters,OR)  and I feel that this is by far the best riding RV that I have owned except for our Newmar DP. At this time, I will not even install Koni shocks till the OEM shocks start to fade. My suggestion is to purchase your RV, whatever brand, drive it for awhile, then do your upgrades.
That is excellent advise....especially with a 2552 for it seems to be proportioned best.  Just make sure your tire pressure is per Phoenix recommendations.  I do wonder if it is wise to add an additional 5 psi to accommodate for all you add into your PC.

Don't assume you can trust your tire gauge.  What I thought was my best tire gauge read 9 psi high, meaning that I was running 9 psi too little in my tires.  You can read about it HERE.
« Last Edit: April 23, 2018, 08:59:38 am by ron.dittmer »
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RVCamping

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Re: Liquid Springs; are they worth the cost?
« Reply #6 on: April 23, 2018, 10:36:16 am »
John - I believe your new unit is 4 wheel drive. When in Hersey last year I got to speak with the LS guys and at that time they stated that the LS system would not work on the Quigley conversion. They hoped to have one designed and tested in the future and I don't know if it is available yet so you may want to inquire.
Additionally, like many other PC owners concerned about handling characteristics, we have been reading with interest these coach handling threads.
We too have purchased a 4x4, a 2552. We have decided to drive it this summer to see for ourselves before making any modifications because Quigley completely replaces all the front suspension components with those of a completely different and more robust 4x4 suspension design. The rear suspension also gets modified as well. With the higher center of gravity created by the 4x4 5" lift, we think the handling will be totally different from a standard PC experience anyway, so we will wait to find out. - Dick
 
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jam4travel

Re: Liquid Springs; are they worth the cost?
« Reply #7 on: April 23, 2018, 02:53:58 pm »
Dick you are correct, I was going to get a Model 3100 4X4, but Quigley could not get the conversion done until December 2018, I'm not going to wait 8 months for a conversion.  So I decided to stay with the non-slip rear differential and put 17.5 inch rims and Bridgestone 215/75R 17.5 M729F tires on it to get a little more ground clearance.   Thus, now the liquid springs are an option for me.

John
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bftownes

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Re: Liquid Springs; are they worth the cost?
« Reply #8 on: April 23, 2018, 03:15:31 pm »
Quote from: jam4travel on April 23, 2018, 02:53:58 pm
Dick you are correct, I was going to get a Model 3100 4X4, but Quigley could not get the conversion done until December 2018, I'm not going to wait 8 months for a conversion.  So I decided to stay with the non-slip rear differential and put 17.5 inch rims and Bridgestone 215/75R 17.5 M729F tires on it to get a little more ground clearance.   Thus, now the liquid springs are an option for me.

John

John, I would be interested in what you decide or any information you gather on Liquid Springs.  I think it is a good option.  If not for the cost involved, I would not hesitate in choosing the option.

Barry T. (not to be confused with the Barry at Phoenix USA)
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RVCamping

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Re: Liquid Springs; are they worth the cost?
« Reply #9 on: April 23, 2018, 04:04:08 pm »
John - As stated by someone else on this forum you can always have four wheel drive added later. Quigley is the only conversion that carries the Ford warranty. U-joint Offroad in NC does many Ford after production motorhome conversions but they don't come with the Ford warranty www.ujointoffroad.com/. Not sure that it will be possible once you add the LS though.
Just as an aside, we too would have added LS if it would have worked with the 4x4 option. - Dick
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jam4travel

Re: Liquid Springs; are they worth the cost?
« Reply #10 on: April 23, 2018, 05:09:17 pm »
Quote from: bftownes on April 23, 2018, 03:15:31 pm
Quote from: jam4travel on April 23, 2018, 02:53:58 pm
Dick you are correct, I was going to get a Model 3100 4X4, but Quigley could not get the conversion done until December 2018, I'm not going to wait 8 months for a conversion.  So I decided to stay with the non-slip rear differential and put 17.5 inch rims and Bridgestone 215/75R 17.5 M729F tires on it to get a little more ground clearance.   Thus, now the liquid springs are an option for me.

John

John, I would be interested in what you decide or any information you gather on Liquid Springs.  I think it is a good option.  If not for the cost involved, I would not hesitate in choosing the option.

Barry T. (not to be confused with the Barry at Phoenix USA)


BarryT.,

Most of the reviews I have read online seam to be positive, except for the cost.  Since I'm dropping the 4X4 conversion it is more than a wash.  I think I will get the Liquid Springs, but  I still have some custom options I have to work out with the factory before everything is good to go.  So not sure when the actual build will start.

John
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Ron Dittmer

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Re: Liquid Springs; are they worth the cost?
« Reply #11 on: April 24, 2018, 08:55:24 am »
Quote from: jam4travel on April 23, 2018, 05:09:17 pm
Quote from: bftownes on April 23, 2018, 03:15:31 pm
Quote from: jam4travel on April 23, 2018, 02:53:58 pm
Dick you are correct, I was going to get a Model 3100 4X4, but Quigley could not get the conversion done until December 2018, I'm not going to wait 8 months for a conversion.  So I decided to stay with the non-slip rear differential and put 17.5 inch rims and Bridgestone 215/75R 17.5 M729F tires on it to get a little more ground clearance.   Thus, now the liquid springs are an option for me.

John

John, I would be interested in what you decide or any information you gather on Liquid Springs.  I think it is a good option.  If not for the cost involved, I would not hesitate in choosing the option.

Barry T. (not to be confused with the Barry at Phoenix USA)
Most of the reviews I have read online seam to be positive, except for the cost.  Since I'm dropping the 4X4 conversion it is more than a wash.

John
Hi John,

Irene and I had the same "logic" back in 2007.  We decided against getting the slide-out, instead putting lesser money into the full body paint.

About your original decision to have a 4x4 and Liquid Springs together.  I did wonder how one might effect the other in a negative way.  It makes a lot of sense to me to go with your final decision.  I also like your idea to go with larger wheels and tires.  Not only for more ground clearance, but having tires that better handle the load of the heaviest PC models.  I hope you will be satisfied with the end product.  I look forward to later reading your post-trip evaluation.
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