shocks

[RVtrip]

from my experience Road King Shocks are by far the best shocks out there with 4500 pounds of dampening force per wheel you can't go wrong..I would totally recommend them to anyone who really wants to enjoy the road as much as I'am now!

[freebirdbus]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Automobilist My motorhome has Bilstein's, my truck has Bilstein's, my race car (Triumph GT6) has Koni's, and my wife's race car (Formula V) has Carrera's. The best handling is the wife's race car, followed by my race car, followed by the truck then motorhome. Accordingly, Carrera's are the best shocks, Koni's second best, followed by Bilstein's. Our Mercedes 550 and Cadillac SRX have unknown brand shocks, but handle worse than the race cars, but better than the truck & motorhome. So, Bilstein's must be worse than Mercedes or Cadillac factory OEM shocks. Different shocks for different cars & uses. Until someone else conducts a real comparison test, the Motorhome Magazine article is the best info currently available.

I think that you missed my point. "Accordingly, Carrera's are the best shocks " would only apply to your Vee's chassis/tire set-up. Is it vintage or modern? What tires on it? Do you use the same set-up on it all of the time for long or short box tracks? Just her in the car or her and ballast? Four shocks or three?
To say that Carrera works best for your combination is fair, to say that Carrera's are best for all Vee's is not. Bolting some more expensive Penske's onto your Vee is no guarantee that your wife's lap times will improve. If they are not valved properly for your set-up and her liking, she might even go slower. Conversely, you might find Boge, Sachs, or Bilstein. on your Benz. All three are built to Daimler's specs and with almost identical performance measured on a shock dyno. Supply contract cost and terms determined what was installed by the OEM.

The OP would be best served with feedback from those with as similar a coach/tire combination as possible. Anything else is more of an "apples to oranges" type of comparison.

[Automobilist]

Quote:

Originally Posted by freebirdbus I think that you missed my point. The OP would be best served with feedback from those with as similar a coach/tire combination as possible. Anything else is more of an "apples to oranges" type of comparison.

No, I get the point. Very different vehicles, different needs.

You seem well versed, how many people would ask: three or four shocks on a vee. You are correct that the O/P needs advice from someone who has a very similar coach. our coach drives well with it's factory installed Bilsteins. I would love to try it with Koni's etc, but not just to play around.

For most of us, we never have the chance to do real back to back comparisons. I'm not going to buy a few sets of shocks and get underneath the beast swapping them out. Bad enough I'm playing with different exhaust configurations trying to get a touch more power...

[Thudman]

Just had four Koni FSD's installed....tremendous improvement in the stability of the ride. Ain't cheap. Should have done it years ago.

Thudman

[freebirdbus]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Automobilist No, I get the point. Very different vehicles, different needs. You seem well versed, how many people would ask: three or four shocks on a vee. You are correct that the O/P needs advice from someone who has a very similar coach. our coach drives well with it's factory installed Bilsteins. I would love to try it with Koni's etc, but not just to play around. For most of us, we never have the chance to do real back to back comparisons. I'm not going to buy a few sets of shocks and get underneath the beast swapping them out. Bad enough I'm playing with different exhaust configurations trying to get a touch more power...

Thank you
That Motorhome Magazine article was good info, but only for that particular chassis/body/tire combination.
One of the wonderful aspects of the internet and a site like this is the ability to have a 'back-to-back' comparison from others and their reported impressions after they changed out their shocks. I wonder if there would be a way to set up a spread sheet type data base on here, where coach owners could enter their repairs and mods. A sheet for each chassis model combo and a column for each topic (shocks, tires, exhaust, pump timing, injectors, power kits, etc)....... oh well, a guy can dream, can't he
BTW, I think that both you and your wife campaign swing axles cars is kinda romantic

[RovinOn]

I had original Bilsteins on my 05 Southwind, very rough ride. Played with Tire pressures to help, still rough ride. I also had the Sumo springs installed they helped a little but not greatly.
The ride was so rough in this MH that it broke the front mounted cabinets loose from the roof.
Made the the switch to Koni's and I must say the ride greatly improved, I'm pleased!
Hope this helps,,,
Regards,
RovinOn

[Automobilist]

Quote:

Originally Posted by freebirdbus BTW, I think that both you and your wife campaign swing axles cars is kinda romantic

Classic!

[Mr_D]

Quote:

Originally Posted by freebirdbus Ok, so you had two types of shocks that you couldn't tell the difference between, and the rest is just stuff that you read. 'nuf said, I think we all got it now.

And your point is?

[aedwards]

I want to thank everyone for their input on the shocks, now I have to consult with the the boss as to how much to spend. My recommendation would be the Koni's.
Thanks everyone,
Al Edwards
aedwards

[Automobilist]

Koni's; fine choice you won't regret it.

[DAN L]

Quote:

Originally Posted by aedwards I want to thank everyone for their input on the shocks, now I have to consult with the the boss as to how much to spend. My recommendation would be the Koni's. Thanks everyone, Al Edwards aedwards

are you gonna change them yourself?
you will need 2ea 1 1/8'' sockets, a deep and a regular, and a 1 1/8'' box end wrench. a helper would be nice.
the bolts are quite long and have self locking nuts, so an impact wrench would come in handy. i don't remember the torque values but if ims the torque value was in the instructions that came with my koni shocks.

[Mike Canter]

And a pair of Mechanix padded gloves

[Alan24601]

Are the shocks typically pressurized so when they are removed they extend with force? Been thinking about changing myself but do not want to get hurt.

[the4js]

Ordered my FSD's from Redlands RV today. The coach is going in for a alignment and wheel reclock. Shocks will be installed and off to Napa for some wine tasting for the weekend.