Trailer suspension - Mor/Ryde IS vs Dexter Airflex - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Kerry · RV-Dreams Community Member

Trailer suspension - Mor/Ryde IS vs Dexter Airflex

Bill and Linda · RV-Dreams Family Member

Kerry:

I trust that Jack will chime in on this one and I hope he does for perspective.

We have the MOR/ryde IS and it was a huge improvement over the typical spring system, even those systems with air-bags between the springs. We’ve had the IS over some of the most challenging roads in the US and Canada. The IS performed extremely well. (You don’t know what “challenging” means until you have been to Inuvik, NWT. Look it up.)

Naturally the MOR/ryde IS doesn’t require a source of air nor the complexity of such a system. i.e. possible leaks, pumps and power. That may or may not be a factor in your case. I just point it out. The Dexter system is, in principal, the same type of trailing arm suspension system as the IS but uses air as opposed to dual rubber springs to absorb the road. It will be interesting to see if anyone has this system and their comments. It looks good in some ways, not as good in others. Might be a personal choice thing or based on whether the OEM of the trailer will offer it or you have to install it after the purchase. It depends.

Naturally MOR/ryde will want to sell you the IS. However, I would call them and get a quote on both systems as MOR/ryde is a Dexter dealer and I would “assume” they would sell the Dexter system. That could at least give you a first perspective.

Bill

Jack Mayer · RV-Dreams Family Member

I have a lot of experience with torsion axles. I used to build utility trailers and used them on some of the larger ones. Granted, that was some time ago.

In general, for an RV application I would stay away from torsion suspensions. IMO they do not perform as well as the IS does. But I can't prove that, because I have not done engineering studies. That is just my opinion. But the biggest issue in my mind is that you can not replace the pieces - you have to replace the entire axle.

The air bags are just supplemental - the main functional part is the torsion bar.

If you want an air ride axle I'd go all air ride. There you get piecemeal replacement, and the ability to do some side-to-side leveling. But you also have to maintain the suspension more than an IS.

I still prefer IS to anything I have seen, to date. And I'm putting IS on the rig I am just now building. It is well proven over a long service period.