LIQUID SPRINGS

I was interested in finding out about Liquid Springs after seeing the unit for sale in Texas.  I was surprised that they cost $12,000-$14,000 and weigh upwards of 400 LBS.  These apparently are not designed to be used in any RV's that have a marginal OCCC off the line. Which is a lot of them these days.  I suppose big pushers that folks live and travel year round would benefit some.

I pulled up the Liquid Springs web site and found an advertising video that they put out.  The first thing they talk about in the video is the average amount of time folks spend in their RV's...3 weeks a year.  Then then expound on a rough riding RV for that period of time (3 weeks) and why you should put in Liquid Springs.....for assumption 3 weeks!   Right off the bat I thought 3 weeks X 5 years = 15 weeks divided by $14,000 is $933 a week for a better ride!  Not the best approach in selling an expensive product I would think.

Oh yes.  Take note at the end of the video the lovely ladies sipping wine in the RV while its underway, which of course I personally have NEVER done.   Dont most states have an open container laws?  Not sure you should show that in an ad.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9QGm6QjqtY

400 lbs is 2 people.  Not a big deal.  Sure, if you only drive a little, and sit at a campground the rest of the time, I suspect...they become quite expensive per mile driven.

If you are always on the move from one place to another, then the cost per mile driven drops a lot.

That's why they are optional... It's up to YOU to decide how and where to spend your money.

Absolutely agree.  Folks that spend that kind of money on add on's will certainly be traveling more then 3 weeks a year.

As an old marketing guy it just did not seem the best way to present a product.

Took a ride in a 2552 with Liquid Springs at the Tampa Supershow today and I must say it was impressive.
I have never driven a 2552 without LS so can't make a direct comparison but I can say that compared to my old Coachmen Class C it was like night and day.
The coach steered true and didn't rock on corners, potholes and even during a little off roading. It truly felt rock solid. Not like the top heavy beast my old rig was.
Expensive? Yes, Effective? Yes!
Asked about the front wheel version for the E450 and though he couldn't estimate the price, the rep said it should be available in about 6 months.
Noticed Tiffin is also jumping on the Liquid Springs bandwagon for the F53 chassis gassers. I believe they need it more than a PC but I think many will find it is a worthwhile upgrade on the Cruisers.

We have a 2552 with no added suspension or steering items. It doesn't rock on corners or potholes either. The Phoenix Cruisers are much more streamlined than the boxy and top heavy class C's. You're comparing apples to oranges.

2 Frazzled, thanks for the comment. I would certainly drive a 2552 without LS before laying out that kind of cash for an option.
Unfortunately when I asked about a non LS unit to compare with the only suggestion I got was to ask one of the Thor guys to test drive one of their C's.
Didn't think that would be a relevant comparison so didn't bother.
Should point out that suggestion didn't come from the LS rep or any of the PC factory guys but was from one of the new Campers Inn sales guys that are now selling Phoenix Cruisers.

Thanks the update. It is nice to see PC is expanding instead of being gobbled up by one of the big boys. That is good ownership and forward thinking.

I am a recent purchaser of PC and have no issues with ride. Most issues are condition of roads, especially here in Michigan. It is a truck.

The 2 or 3 slide PCs are weight constrained so adding LS would compound that item.  Other manufactures would be worse due to inferior construction. Like everything else it is good to have options. One man's junk is anothers treasure!

Have a PC day!

Ron

2 Frazzled, thanks for the comment. I would certainly drive a 2552 without LS before laying out that kind of cash for an option.
Unfortunately when I asked about a non LS unit to compare with the only suggestion I got was to ask one of the Thor guys to test drive one of their C's.
Didn't think that would be a relevant comparison so didn't bother.
Should point out that suggestion didn't come from the LS rep or any of the PC factory guys but was from one of the new Campers Inn sales guys that are now selling Phoenix Cruisers.

Campers Inn is a dealer for Phoenix Cruisers now??  First ive heard.  Hope this is not shades of the Campers World dealers.  Seems PC would have picked an organization that was represented equally across the country.  Campers Inn seems to be located in the east and south east.

Is the 400 lbs weight mentioned earlier net after removing springs etc. or simply the weight of the liquid springs?
My 2552 (2019) 1' stretch with liquid springs is 100 lbs over the E450 gross rating, front axle 200 lbs over and rear axle 100 lbs under. I weighted it with full water, fuel and propane tanks, holding tanks empty. Otherwise my wife our 70 lb dog and myself were up front and most of the stored items were in the rear part of the PC. My wife and I together are under 350 lbs. The spare tire is mounted on the rear. I don't understand why this would result in the front axle being over weight and the rear axle under weight. The coach is well within the tire load ratings at 80 psi on both axles.
We both love the ride with the liquid springs, so much better than the harsh ride of our 2400 on the E350 Ford.
Any ideas?

I believe it was the weight of the system before install.

Are the liquid springs in addition to the leaf springs or whatever I have under my coach of does it replace them? Addition: full product weight needs to be considered. Replacement: difference between the two.

I don't understand the heavier front. The engine is heavy but we were told when we purchased that the weight of the rear tended to teeter-totter and lift the front. Do you carry bottled water up front? Some people carry cases of it and water weighs eight pounds per gallon so it adds up quickly.

I seriously considered LS on my 3100.  The cost was a bit of a deterrent, but not the sole reason for NOT adding LS.  I wanted to experience the drive and ride of my PC before I did any chassis modifications, including Safe-T-Plus or Sumo Springs.  After driving it home and then a long trip to spend some winter time in Texas, I have decided that I probably will not modify the chassis.  I am still investigating Sumo Springs, but the "naked" chassis ride is not bad at all.  There is also a popular Ford chassis modification referred to as the "cheap fix", but I have only read of it being done on a class "A"'.  Not sure if it is even applicable to the E450 chassis.

Cheers...
Barry T

Ashby
Here is a 2552 copied from the “2552 Weighed” section of forum. It seems to have capacity you do not have.  Some of the LS weight will go toward to front axle. But your front axle weighs more than back.  That does not sound right. If you have the weigh ticket perhaps you could post it. Maybe you need to weigh again.

2552 Weighed
Was on a four day trip this past weekend and on the way out I stopped at a truck stop that had a Cat scale. So I got the PC weighted. I had 3/4 tank of fresh water, and LPG, both black and gray tanks were empty, Myself at 240 lbs, my wife, she would say her weight but she is 5'7'' and just slightly over weight and our 120 lb German Shepherd dog in the motorhome while being weighted.

The results are:
              Door sticker       Cat scale      difference
Steer axle    5000                4640            360
Drive axle    9600                 8140          1460
Gross        14,500              12,780         1720

Ron

My 2552 is stretched 1 foot so should be a bit heaver than the numbers you posted. My sticker on the door frame has the same load limits you posted. "CAT" scale report showed:

Front Axle 5200 lb
Rear Axle 9400 lb
Gross      14600 lb

We don't carry heavy items up front (water etc), we do have a Euro Chair.
I wonder how accurate Cat Scales are for light vehicles like our RV's vs 16 wheelers?

When shocks, etc wear out, they get replaced.  What happens when liquid springs wear out?  Another $14,000? 

RonJ