Exploring LiquidSpring Smart Suspension System for RVs: Smooth The Ride

If your RV is giving you a bumpy ride, you may have come to the right place. We’re going to talk about upgrading your RV with something called the LiquidSpring Smart Suspension, providing your home-on-wheels with an active suspension system that’ll finally give you a smooth ride.

We’ll cover the tech behind LiquidSpring, how the system works, what the real benefits are, as well as costs and reviews from real-life users.

How LiquidSprings Work: The Science of Smart Suspension

We’ve all heard of various types of metal springs, as well as air suspension. Upgrades can improve not only a vehicle’s ride quality but also its safety (you may have seen our post about the Jeep death wobble fix, for example). Liquid Spring is a different type of heavy vehicle suspension based on compressible silicone liquid. Made for RVs as well as commercial & emergency vehicles, the system can smooth out some pretty rough terrain (think overlanding).

The system works to keep your rig stable by providing variable spring rates instantaneously. And no adjustments need to be made by the driver because the system is completely automatic. Due to the improvements in handling and ride quality, liquid springs are becoming a popular choice for ambulances.

Let’s take a look at how liquid springs work.

Hydraulic Technology Explained

Where a more traditional suspension would use air or metal to support the vehicle, liquid springs are a hydraulic technology, where your rig sits on a liquid silicone solution that’s capable of compressing, similar to a hydraulic cylinder. LiquidSpring’s 5-link structure operates via an onboard microprocessor that monitors speed, steering, braking, and ride height at a rate of 1,000 times per second.

Liquid Springs are extra durable, partly because they’re protected from exposure to the elements. A liquid spring suspension will also automatically adjust the stiffness of the spring and damping for each wheel based on current driving and road conditions.

Adaptive Features for Enhanced Performance

The compressible fluid inside the hydraulic cylinders allows for the movement of your rig’s wheels. The system utilizes additional reservoirs, allowing excess fluid to flow in and out of the cylinders as needed, thereby automatically adjusting the flow. There’s also a pump inside the reservoir that allows the additional fluid to be pressurized, adjusting the ride height. The driver can use a controller inside the cab to adjust the vehicle’s ride height.

Wheel-mounted sensors monitor the movement of each wheel. Adjustments are made to the valves (and the flow of fluid) by a central computer system, whose job is to adjust the damping and stiffness of the ride to maintain optimal control.

The Advantages of LiquidSpring for RVers

So, let’s talk in practical terms about how liquid springs can be most helpful to RVers.

Enhanced Comfort on Uneven Terrain

Regardless of the kind of terrain you take your RV on, liquid springs are designed to provide more comfort and a smoother ride overall as the vehicle rides on liquid silicone.

Improved Handling & Stability

A liquid spring suspension automatically adjusts the stiffness of the spring and damping for each wheel of your vehicle based on current road and driving conditions. The system works to keep your rig stable as you drive, turn, and maneuver. The result is that, despite the fact that you’re driving a large home-on-wheels, your driving experience should be more like that of driving a luxury car, as the onboard computer system makes automatic adjustments based on the varied terrain, turning radius, etc.

The same benefits apply to wind forces. Whether it’s a windy travel day or a big semi passes you on the highway, LiquidSpring’s system will make suspension adjustments to keep your ride as stable as possible.

Reduced Wear and Tear on RV Components

A smoother ride, even across rugged terrain, will result in less wear and tear on your RV’s components. Less hard bouncing means that your RV won’t get jarred and banged around as much as with a standard suspension. Given the smoother movement provided by a more gentle silicone liquid landing, all components of your RV – from appliances to plumbing to the body itself – are spared the worst conditions.

Dynamically-Adjustable Ride Height

We mentioned above that the driver of a rig with LiquidSpring suspension can use a controller inside the cab to control the vehicle’s ride height. This works because the pump inside a reservoir allows fluid to be pressurized, adjusting the ride height of the vehicle. The adjustability of ride height can be extremely helpful to RVers who enjoy heading off-road. Imagine having the ability to raise or lower your rig’s height/clearance based on the terrain conditions when you’re overlanding.

Tru-Earth Leveling

The LiquidSpring system provides load leveling for weight changes (loaded and unloaded) and for campsite leveling. LiquidSpring’s Tru-Earth Leveling system automatically levels a vehicle on uneven ground with one touch. It can adjust up to 6″ at each corner. The process of leveling and un-leveling is fast and easy.

Here’s a video to give you an idea of how well the Tru-Earth Leveling system performs:

Installation Options: Can You Upgrade Your RV?

LiquidSpring systems are available for some RVs, though not all rigs are compatible with the upgraded suspension. It’s best to contact LiquidSpring or an approved installer for specific information related to your RV.

Aftermarket Upgrades for Various RV Chassis

Aftermarket upgrade options are currently available for RVs built on Ford F-53 (2010 and newer), Ford E350/450, and Chevy/GMC G-3500/4500 chassis.

Manufacturer Recommendations for New Purchases

LiquidSpring partners with a number of RV manufacturers, offering the system as a factory option. These include several models from Fleetwood RV, Holiday Rambler, Nexus RV, and Phoenix Cruiser.

Cost of LiquidSpring Suspension: Is It Worth the Investment?

The single biggest drawback to LiquidSpring may be the cost. They offer a great option for a smoother ride and improved handling, but it does require an investment.

Breakdown of Initial Costs and Installation Fees

LiquidSpring systems generally cost anywhere between $20,000 and $26,000 (depending on the chassis and application) for a four-corner setup with installation. If you buy an RV with the LiquidSpring system as a factory option, it’s obviously installed by the manufacturer, so you won’t pay additional labor costs. Plus, you’ll have a factory warranty.

But retrofitting an RV with a LiquidSpring system customized to your specific RV/chassis is pretty expensive. There’s also no factory warranty from the RV manufacturer with an aftermarket system. But you will have any warranty offered by the installer as well as the system manufacturer.

Again, contacting LiquidSpring directly or one of its installation partners is the best way to get the complete costs associated with installing a system on your specific RV.

Calculating Long-term Savings and Benefits

Long-term savings and benefits are hard to calculate because so much depends on how you use your rig. But key factors are reduced wear & tear on a variety of components throughout your RV. The improvement to driving and maneuvering your rig may not be something you want to put a dollar value on.

Real-life Experiences: Testimonials from RV Owners

The LiquidSpring suspension upgrade has been tested by a number of RVers, many of whom have weighed in on its value and impact on their travel experience overall.

Comfort on the Road Before and After LiquidSpring Installation

There are lots of online reviews and testimonials of LiquidSpring, both installed as an aftermarket suspension upgrade and as a factory option. Here are a few we’ve compiled to give you a general idea of the real-life experiences of LiquidSpring users.

John Herthel and his wife decided to add the system to their motorhome as an upgrade after traveling about 15,000 miles with their factory suspension. Their take was this: It’s like going from driving a 26,000-pound big box to driving a large SUV.

John, a retired engineering professional with extensive experience in vehicle dynamics, ended up spending five days at the LiquidSpring factory, where he was able to film technicians, mechanics, and engineering staff at work. Following this experience, LiquidSpring posted John’s 400-mile review of the system on their website:

A family offered a review of the LiquidSpring suspension upgrade on their 2017 Holiday Rambler after two full years of experience:

And finally, here’s a testimonial about the comfort of driving a gas motorhome with the LiquidSpring upgrade:

Conclusion: Transform Your RV Experience with LiquidSpring

If you’re longing for improved ride and handling, LiquidSpring might be just what you’re looking for. It’s an especially worthwhile upgrade for those of us who enjoy traveling off the beaten path to reach magnificent boondocking locations or for true overlanders.

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