Suspension replacement

[xdr]

My wife and I are traveling to look at a new 2026 Oliver and reading this thread got me curious. Are the suspension parts being replaced due to wearing out or are the OEII factory suspension underrated? 
 

thanks!

[topgun2]

I'm sure that you will receive a bunch of differing views on this subject and your question.

As is covered in the many posts related to this subject, there are those members that believe that the stock suspension is underrated and there are those members that believe that at least some of the issues you might read about are due to things wearing out.  There are other opinions that Dexter (the main suspension parts supplier to Oliver had a run of "bad" or "defective" or "weak" or .... parts from China that caused at least some of the issues.  And, of course, there is the manner in which and individual trailer was used - a bunch of rough off-road activity, hitting curbs, etc.

Happy reading!

Bill

[Mike and Carol]

The stock suspension is fine.  We replaced everything after 9 years and a lot of miles (100K+).  There have been some cases of leaf spring failure, but when I had ours replaced they looked fine.  I’m just a believer in preventive maintenance (too many years in the Army).  There was no reason to replace my axles, except to upgrade from the 3500 lb axles and also get bigger brakes and never lube bearings.  Our camping is a combination of nice roads and not so nice roads.  Mike

[jd1923]

2 hours ago, xdr said:

My wife and I are traveling to look at a new 2026 Oliver and reading this thread got me curious. Are the suspension parts being replaced due to wearing out or are the OEII factory suspension underrated? thanks!

Lot's of good replies here already! Am I correct in thinking new Oliver TTs now come with the Dexter D52 (5200 LB) Nev-R Lube axles? Some of us with older hulls had D35 axles installed and like Mike mentioned, have upgraded. So, you should be good here.

Either way, OTT installs Dexter Chinese made leaf springs rated at 1750 LBS each. Although, we've heard rumors OTT is talking with Alcan Springs for USA made springs. Given you're buying new in 2026, you could ask them about this!

Search for keyword 'Alcan' for more information. Many of us think 1750 LB springs are under-sprung (200 Oliver owners have installed Alcan Springs rated at 2750 LBS each), and there have been several failures of these springs documented.

Our Oliver used to waddle like a duck when crossing bridge seams, gas station entrances, or speed bumps on an angle. Not anymore, and since our Oliver suspension is now handling itself, the truck tows better and I was able to remove the Andersen WDH. The Alcan Spring upgrade is a little over $1K plus labor.