To Liquid Spring or not

Having recently purchased a 2351D with liquid springs I thought I would offer my opinion on them.   After looking over the PC floor-plans, my wife and I decided the 2351D fit our usage the best.  As luck would have it, PC happened to have two 2351D units in stock.  One with LS and one without.   Having the opportunity to drive two identical floor-plans with and without liquid springs back to back, it was a very easy decision for me.  In fact, after driving the unit with LS and then switching to the unit without LS, before we had reached the end of the side road that PC is located on (which isn't rough at all) I told Bob White, we can turn around.  I was instantly sold - even with the substantial additional cost.   It was a night and day difference.  Without the LS I could feel every crack in the road.  The best way I can describe it is; with the LS you still feel the road imperfections, but it's a much softer, mild feel.  Without the LS, and considering that these are built on a heavy-duty box truck frame, it's a hard, jarring feel to every road imperfection.   

To me the additional cost can be justified in several ways.  1)  A much more comfortable and quieter ride.   2)  Much better stability.  They make a noticeable difference in turns and lane changes.  3)  Much less hard-jarring of the living section which I believe will result in fewer long-term issues  (Remember that the entire time you're on the road it's like putting your home through a moderate earthquake.  On some roads it's more like a severe earthquake.)   4)  It's nice to be able to adjust the ride of the coach to fit the situation.  5)  Part of the cost well be recouped with a higher resell value.

In fact I am so sold on them that if it was a budget issue I would forego other options to be able to get the liquid springs.   If anyone is on the fence about them, I hope this helps.

Thanks for your review of LS.  Sounds like a better ride than without LS which may allow for a passenger to lay down in bed for a nap while on the road.  Although that would not be safe in an accident it could be an option on long open stretches. Is the ride quality for LS that better to allow a nap or more walking around the PC while traveling?

Is the LS suspension adjustable? Any costly maintenance required?

Thanks

Ron S

New on forum also.  We currently are looking at the 2552 and have read much of the forum.

There is very little on Liquid Springs, so your post is very interesting.  I was about to pass on L.S. because of the price and many say it does not need it.  I have read that one other owner had purchased the L.S.  because he wanted his wife to be comfortable driving it.   Heck, I can't get my wife to drive my F250.

Obviously, you noticed the difference nearly right away in just a couple blocks.  What particularly caught my attention is the number of units and types that you have owned - so you obviously have good experience.  Have any of your other units had a similar compressible liquid adaptive system.

Thanks for posting your experience.  This is a great learning experience!

Grandpa17: Really appreciate you taking the time to write up the back to back comparison.
Have to admit it really made my day. Reason being, I am about to pick up my new 2552 W/ LS in a few days.
I had test drove the 2552 w/LS in Tampa last January and have driven SOB Class C's and the comparison was night and day.
But many people say the PC is far superior to SOB Class C's as far as ride and handling and I never got to drive a non LS PC.
I spent the money for LS but somewhere in the back of my head I kept wondering if it was a wise decision.
Your review silenced those doubts. THANK YOU! 

This is a lot like when I bought my last RV a 32' 5th wheel. I bought the air ride hitch, I knew it pulled really nicely but had never pulled a 5'er without one. But that was a lot less money than LS.

The one thing I have noticed about the Liquid Springs installs that I have seen is the wire to the controller just kind of hanging there makes the system look like an afterthought. I mentioned it to the LS rep in Florida and he said he would bring it to their attention but based on pics I have seen of my rig, it looks like nothing has changed. In order to make it look like a more integrated installation, I think LS needs to install a plug on the back of the control  module so the wire can be brought through a small hole in the dash and the controller mounted over it. It looks like now the wire hangs off the bottom of the controller so there is not much PC can do about it.
Small detail but for over 10K you would think they could improve it. 

Ron S,

To answer your question, I think it would make for a noticeably safer ride to walk around or nap in.  Yes, the LS suspension is adjustable two ways.    It can be adjusted for firmness - comfort, normal, or firm and ride height - low, normal, and high.  As far as maintenance, the original primary market for the system was on ambulances.  With the mileage a typical RV'er puts on a unit, I may be wrong, but I highly doubt that any maintenance will be required for many years.

GA Steve,

None of our other units have anything like LS.  In fact, I wasn't aware of LS at all until I saw it mentioned in the Phoenix Cruiser YouTube videos.  From there I started researching it and learning as much as I could about the system.  I had decided it was something that I wanted, but I still wanted to confirm how much of a difference it actually made.  It was surprising to me how much difference it did make.   Even though PC mounts their body on rubber mounts, it is still riding on very heavy duty leaf springs.  Compare that to riding on a compressible hydraulic fluid and pump system that is continually monitoring and reacting to road conditions.

JIM.GODFREY,

I'm glad I helped reassure you that you made a good choice.  After having it now, I wouldn't buy a unit without the LS system.   Re: the controller, I know what you mean but I don't think it looks too bad.  PC had it mount with velcro tape which I didn't like because it moved around when pushing the buttons.  I found a really neat tape that's very tacky on both side and mounted it up a little higher with that tape.  Now it feels nice and solid when I push the buttons.   

I have used this unique tape several other places too.  It's really handy.  The reference for the tape on Amazon is:  Multipurpose Nano Grip Tape Reusable Removable Washable Double Sided Sticky Strips Seamless Traceless Tape Adhesive Kitchen Holder (Clear - 3M/10ft)

Grandpa17
If you plan to weigh your PC please share.  It would be interesting to see how the LS adds to the vehicle front and rear weights. 

Ron S

JIM.GODFREY,

I'm glad I helped reassure you that you made a good choice.  After having it now, I wouldn't buy a unit without the LS system.   Re: the controller, I know what you mean but I don't think it looks too bad.  PC had it mount with velcro tape which I didn't like because it moved around when pushing the buttons.  I found a really neat tape that's very tacky on both side and mounted it up a little higher with that tape.  Now it feels nice and solid when I push the buttons.   

I have used this unique tape several other places too.  It's really handy.  The reference for the tape on Amazon is:  Multipurpose Nano Grip Tape Reusable Removable Washable Double Sided Sticky Strips Seamless Traceless Tape Adhesive Kitchen Holder (Clear - 3M/10ft)

Have added that tape to me Amazon Shopping cart. Thanks for the suggestion. Agree that velcro tape is not ideal for this application.

Thank you for all the great info......I was wondering if you could get LS on the 2100 model.....when I tried to price this unit the LS option is not available.....If not what are other options to get a smoother ride ....any after market springs or suspension.....I read the e-450 chasis is stiff and bumpy......thank you all...

I though the liquid spring system was available for all Ford models, but I’m not sure about that so it would be best to ask PC.