Experienced RV drivers know the importance of steering stability and good handling when towing a travel trailer or fifth wheel. The roads ahead are unlike those in cities and suburbs.
Some segments of your journey will be bumpy and shaky due to the road’s lack of asphalt overlay. Sometimes, you may even run on potholes or cracks, which might loosen up the trailer’s coupling or damage the drivetrain.
This is why all kinds of modern vehicles have suspension systems. This component is responsible for absorbing the vibration created by the friction between the RV’s tires and the road.
Without it, the entire vehicle will shake violently throughout the journey, which could lead to various health risks for the passengers, including motion sickness and lower back pain.
Visualizing the Principles of Suspension
The best way to visualize how it works is to reimagine the launch scene in the 1997 movie Contact. In that scene, the scientists who built the wormhole machine included a seat connected to the vehicle’s interior.
However, Ellie, the main character (played by Jodie Foster), asked them to remove it because it wasn’t in the blueprint sent to them by the aliens.
Ultimately, they all agreed to keep the chair. But during the launch, Ellie experienced extreme turbulence. The chair she was sitting on shook violently, forcing her to get off it.
When Ellie managed to free herself from the straps, she realized there was zero gravity inside the spacecraft. She was SUSPENDED in the air, so she couldn’t feel the intense vibration rocking the chair.
That’s an exaggerated representation of a suspension system, but it gives you a clearer idea of how it works. But, of course, you cannot completely get rid of the vibration unless the body of your RV floats above the wheels, as Ellie did in that film.
It is still connected to the drivetrain, except there’s a central component that uses the laws of physics to absorb some or most of the vibrations.
MORryde Suspension
MORyde is one of North America’s top providers of suspensions, mounts, and slideout gears for RVs. Their suspension systems and equalizers are well-known for their durability and strength, thanks to their premium design and make.
So if you’re planning to install a new suspension system for your RV, this brand should be on top of your list.
CRE3000 and SRE4000 are two of their bestsellers. You will see many RVs, especially travel trailers and fifth wheels, have either because they are excellent at stabilizing heavy vehicles on the jagged surfaces of the countryside.
This article compares these two MORyde suspension systems to help determine which is best for your vehicle. They are both first-rate devices and have slight differences, but you only need to pick one, so it would be better to know those differences.
MORryde CRE3000 vs SRE4000
| Features | MORryde CRE3000 | MORryde SRE4000 |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension Travel | 3 inches | 4 inches |
| GAWR | 8,000-lb axle | 7,000-lb axle |
| Minimum Clearance | 0.75 inches | 0.75 inches |
| Warranty | 2 years | 3 years |
| Axle Wheel Base | 33 to 42 inches | 33 to 35 inches |
But didn’t my RV have a suspension system when I bought it?
Yes, it does. All vehicles have. It’s one of the standard features. However, they are not the most reliable suspension systems, unfortunately. Most manufacturer suspension systems have nylon bushings.
Nylon is plastic and considering what kind of forces we’re dealing with, it’s not very durable. Additionally, the shackles are three to four times thinner than those of commercially available stabilizers.
That’s why upgrading the suspension system should be one of the first things on your must-do list when you decide to invest in an RV. Don’t risk going camping with those clunkers on your RV’s underbelly, or you’re looking for trouble.
If it breaks while you’re on the road, and there are still dozens of miles ahead of you, that’s going to be one heck of a ride before you can get a new suspension.
Height matters
You’re probably tired of reading all the techy mumbo jumbo in the manufacturer’s manual and decided that any suspension system would do.
Each suspension system design is different and suits a specific vehicle frame and the owner’s preference. The suspension travel, for instance, may vary from suspension to suspension.
It’s a hot buzzword in the RV community that refers to how long a vehicle’s wheels can go up and down. This length represents the level of oscillation the suspension can handle, meaning the higher the suspension travel, the better the suspension system performs.
As you can see in the table, MORryde SRE4000 has more suspension travel than MORryde CRE3000, which is probably what the model number represents.
So, if you’re looking for a smoother ride no matter the terrain, the SRE4000 is the better bet, although the difference in performance is very subtle.
Gross Axle Weight Rating
The weight of your RV is carried by the axles. While it ultimately gets transferred into the ground through the wheels, the axles must be solid and stable enough to handle this weight.
The maximum weight your vehicle’s axles can carry is called the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). The higher the GAWT, the more robust the axles.
An RV’s suspension system must be able to handle the GAWR to be a good fit. For instance, an RV with an 8,000-lb GAWR requires a suspension that can handle the same GAWR.
In the case of MORryde SRE4000 and MORryde CRE3000, it appears that the latter has a higher capacity than the former. The MORryde SRE4000 may have a higher suspension travel, but when it comes to strength, it’s inferior to MORryde CRE3000.
Warranty
Most vehicle components come with a warranty. Otherwise, no one would buy them. Warranty is another term for a guarantee from the manufacturer that the product in question will perform well and last long.
It’s like saying, “believe me, this item won’t break down easily. But, if it does, tell me; I’m fixing it for free.” That’s why consumers are obsessed with a warranty when purchasing equipment and vehicles. It’s an excellent indicator of quality.
MORryde SRE4000 and MORryde CRE3000 are certified high-grade and have a warranty. However, MORryde CRE3000 seems less durable as it only has a 2-year warranty, and MORryde SRE4000 has 3.
Nevertheless, the performance and longevity of any vehicle part depend on how you use and take care of it.
Looking beyond the fence
MORryde is just one of the most trusted brands when it comes to suspension. However, there are others worth checking. Even Lipper, famous for slideouts and leveling jacks, has its own suspension and performs just as great as the MORryde suspension system.
The only difference is that Lippert suspension is slightly larger than MORryde CRE3000 and so pricier.
If you need help deciding which one to use on your RV, consult with an RV expert. Even a general mechanic can give you insights.
Just tell them all relevant information about your RV, including the dimension, GAWR, make and model, etc. You can have them check it for you, but be ready to fork out money for their time and service.
