Best Suspension Enhancement For Grand Design Trailer With 3,500 lb Axles on Rough Roads

Question:

Thanks for the in depth answer. We would be traveling 20-40 miles at a time on dirt roads which might make up 10-20% of our total travel. The timbrens I was referring to were axle less like ASR35HDS01. Sorry, I should have been more explicit. Any comments on the axel less vs the "joined axle timbrens" and the comfort ride? I'd assume an improvement but what are the pros and cons? Thanks so much

asked by: David C

Expert Reply:

The best option for your Grand Design trailer with 3,500 lb (or 3,000 lb) axles for bumpy roads comes down to how often you are going to be on roads that are really bad. The Timbrens, like you mentioned, are overall the best option - but also the priciest. The correct part number for those are the following:

- Timbren Silent Ride Suspension for Tandem Axle Trailers w/ 2-3/8" Round Axles - 7,000 lbs # TSR7000T04

The Silent Ride really does everything, and is a complete leaf spring suspension replacement. It has a pivot point in the middle and rubber springs that compress when you go over rough terrain while also equalizing the weight across your tires. So unlike a standard leaf spring suspension that rattles the whole trailer, the individual arms keep the trailer level and absorb shock independently, greatly limiting the amount of movement and shock you feel.

Those are the pros, and there's a lot of them, but its installation is more involved than most because it replaces your suspension. The other option you mentioned is the Comfort Ride, which is the following part number:

- Roadmaster Comfort Ride Shock Absorbers for Tandem Axle Trailers - 3,500-lb Axle # RM-2450

The Comfort Ride are another really good option, but they supplement your leaf spring suspension instead of replacing it. They definitely improve and stabilize your ride, and for most people, these shocks are going to be more than enough for a pleasant towing experience. They are also more economical and an easier install than the Silent Ride.

So for occasional rough roads, the Comfort Ride will work, but if you are traveling bad roads on a regular basis, the Silent Ride is definitely worth it.

expert reply by: Kyle S

David C.

10/20/2022

Kyle S.

10/20/2022

Happy I can help, and the Axle-Less Timbrens are another good choice, and I'll go over the pros and cons for you, but wanted to mention the different options for 3,500 lb systems: - Timbren Heavy-Duty Axle-Less Trailer Suspension - Off-Road Tires # ASR35HDS01 - Timbren Heavy-Duty Axle-Less Trailer Suspension - Regular Tires # TASR35HDS04 The Off-Road tires model has slightly longer spindles for tires that are larger than 235/85R16; if your tires are that size or smaller, go with the the standard, Regular Tires model. That said, the pros of this are that they aren't connected at all, so they work totally independently, and hitting a bump or rough spot won't affect any of the other Axle-Less suspension parts, resulting in the smoothest overall ride. The con is really the same as the Silent Ride in that it has a more time-consuming install due to the fact it is a suspension replacement.