cptnhook
San Diego
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Joined: 06/18/2008
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Rv.net folks: Really enjoy this board and am hoping to solve a stiff suspension issue in our 07 Jamboree 25Q. Special thanks for tips on tire pressure, front end alignment and weighing the MH for correct tire pressure. These measures have solved
40% of the problem, however the coach still feels every bump and expansion joint on our CA freeway system. She weighs 12020 lbs w/ full water and gas, 3900 front, 8120 rear and sits on a Ford E450 frame, so simple math says that we a heavy duty foundation for our relatively small house on wheels! My alignment shop is recommending Koni shocks as a solution and has also suggested that I have the rear leaf springs rebuilt to provide more flex at the rear axle.
I’ve read rave reviews on the Koni’s but have no idea what problems or warranty issues we might run into rebuilding the E450 leaf springs? ANY ideas or expertise on springs
and shocks would be sincerely appreciated.
Dave S
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Scrib
San Jose, CA
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Joined: 05/31/2007
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We run the Koni's and love them; but our coach was the opposite of yours - too soft in the back and "floating" over bumps. I do not think that different shocks will help your situation, but I could be wrong.
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Gale Hawkins
Murray, KY
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Joined: 07/22/2007
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Dave make sure you are not seeking a SUV ride out of a one ton truck.  As pointed out a harsher ride is preferred over a mushy one because you have better control due to semis and cross wind issues.
I would think again before doing more changes and see what you thing after using as is for another year as is.
What was your last MH?
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cptnhook
San Diego
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Gale Hawkins wrote:Dave make sure you are not seeking a SUV ride out of a one ton truck. As pointed out a harsher ride is preferred over a mushy one because you have better control due to semis and cross wind issues.
I would think again before doing more changes and see what you thing after using as is for another year as is.
What was your last MH?
Gale, thanks for the reply, This is our first MH, and it does handle turns w/ no sway and it's defintely not a "Tilt'in Hilton."
The wife loves the fact that she can add 2500 lbs of goodies and not be overloaded! We pulled a TT for years w/ our Tahoe, so maybe we did get spoiled with the SUV ride?
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Caseydon
Simonton, Texas
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I posted this comment in the "other" thread that's running here.
I then suggested to Moderator that he kill that one, to reduce confusion.
"I can't offer any opinion on rebuilding the springs, but I do endorse the recommendation for Koni shocks -- or Bilsteins. I would do that first, then consider any more extensive modifications."
Casey
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rockhillmanor
On the Road
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Joined: 12/06/2003
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Two things I can think of, tires and weight.
My MH will ride rough over bumps if I am empty on water and low on gas! Fill both of those up and what a difference.
And from 'very recent experience', tires. I put new tires on my MH and it felt like I was driving a commercial bread truck down the alleys of Chicago.
Found out the tire store did not order the right replacement tires.
It was wham bam, wham, bam over every single crack in the road with the new tires. Just matching the size is not the correct way to buy replacement tires.
Did some reseach, shared it with the tire store and ordered the correct replacement tires. Night and day ride with the correct ones.
I truely did not believe that tires made THAT difference in how a MH rides, I do now! I wonder how many other RV'ers are suffering a bad ride, simply because of the wrong tires?
And the other big thing the tire store did was put 80lbs in all the tires, cause that's what is on the sidewalls right?.....wrong, the door panel clearly states....65 in the front 80 on the duals. 80 in the front just increases the rough ride and loss of good handling.
AND beware when you have service done at a dealership, they think they are doing you a favor and check your tire pressure when they are done with your mechanical work....I caught the guy putting 80lbs back in my front tires.
Our MH's are right down the middle of having to buy tires that can handle the weight yet give us the ride of an SUV. I have arrived at that happy medium. Ahhh, life is good, finally.
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klhutch
Sububan Chicago
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cptnhook wrote:
The wife loves the fact that she can add 2500 lbs of goodies and not be overloaded!
That is why I would be leery of downgrading your springs. I would think that if you go with softer springs you would lose GVWR, unless the shop has some non-linear springs that will ride soft with a light load and stiffen as the load increases. Such a thing is conceivable but I can't tell you if they are available for purchase.
Our previous MH was a BT Cruiser and it had a soft, bouncy ride. We switched to Bilsteins that gave a harsher ride in that jolts were felt more but the reduction in bouncing and swaying was much more important to my wife. I think the Bilsteins gave somewhat more precise control for the driver too but the main thing we were after was the ride improvements. So it sounds like you are starting out where we ended up and I'm wondering along with the others if you aren't better off where you are.
Ken
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Scrib
San Jose, CA
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Hey rockhillmanor, don't tease us like that - what kind of tires did you get? lol
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knparker
Vacaville,CA
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Joined: 07/29/2006
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It's not the chassis, its the roads. The infrastructure out here is falling apart. I wouldn't downgrade the springs, Ford allready uses negative arch springs in the rear for improved ride, new shocks will give better control but probably not address your complaint. Unfortunately with the condition of the roads I find myself driving in the #2 lane through metro areas because 3&4 are too torn up and will beat you and your rig to pieces.
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rockhillmanor
On the Road
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Scrib wrote:Hey rockhillmanor, don't tease us like that - what kind of tires did you get? lol
Here's the link of all what I learnt' about replacing tires on a MH!
Just taking the size off the sidewall is NOT going to guarantee you the same tires and the 'same ride' you had on your MH when you bought it. You have to use the spec sheets, it's the only place you will find this info.
I bet I passed up a lot of nice deals on used MH's because of the ride when all it might have been was wrong tires.
And to the OP, many said it was my shocks/suspension too, it wasn't it was the tires.
http://www.woodalls.com/cforum/index.cfm........d/21446920/gotomsg/21451550.cfm#21451550
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