Pentair replacement for a Top mount Hayward W3S244T

Hi Everyone, I have a 31 yr old inground pool (28,000 gals) and had to replace the sand filter 2yrs ago when the old one started leaking at the seam. The new Hayward W3S244T had problems at the start with leaking at the drain cap and very minor leaking up at the neck. The recommended solution from the nearby pool store was to put pipe dope on the drainn cap threads or take out all the sand and ship it back (on my dime). Good or bad I opted for the pipe dope, but at the end of last season the cap completely failed and cracked away from the filter body. I thought maybe this filter was a fluke since my first one lasted 29 years. But I started reading these threads about others having similar with leaking and I thought I should consider a different brand.

Current set up:

• Pentair Superflow (2 speed) EC340042 HP 1.0/.12 SF HP 1.25/.15
• Pipes are 1.5"
• Pentair Intellichlor ic40 Salt Cell

Q1) Should I purchase another Hayward or buy another brand like Pentair. If Pentair, what model would I need?

Thanks very much in advance!