Ride heighth

[Belgian]

Have a question about ride eighth. I have a 2004 Dolphin 5342 on a W-22 chassis. I had the vehicle weighed with the following results; l/f 3800, r/f 3750....l/r 6780, r/r 6420. Those numbers represent fully loaded, gas, propane, water, driver& passenger. The only difference is we travel with about ¼ tank of fresh water, so that should reduce the left rear (l/r) by about 300#s. The only modification we have made to the chassis is to replace the shocks with Brillstein's all the way around. The tire pressure is set at 80# all the way around. The tires are Michelin 235R80-22.5. So my question is; are the front springs suppose to be touching the imitation air bags while on level ground? By the way the springs also touched the air bags with the old factory shocks. The reason I˜m asking is our ride is fairly harsh with only minor pot holes. With each seam in the pavement or pot hole we drive over the shock seems to be transferred up to the body quite harshly. I would think that there should be an air gap between the springs and air bag so the spring can absorb the shock from small irregularities in the road. With the springs touching the air bags all the travel of the spring is immediately transferred to the frame and body. By the way, I also tried lowering the air pressure to 75#s with no real difference. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

Steve

[Belgian]

Have a question about ride eighth. I have a 2004 Dolphin 5342 on a W-22 chassis. I had the vehicle weighed with the following results; l/f 3800, r/f 3750....l/r 6780, r/r 6420. Those numbers represent fully loaded, gas, propane, water, driver& passenger. The only difference is we travel with about ¼ tank of fresh water, so that should reduce the left rear (l/r) by about 300#s. The only modification we have made to the chassis is to replace the shocks with Brillstein's all the way around. The tire pressure is set at 80# all the way around. The tires are Michelin 235R80-22.5. So my question is; are the front springs suppose to be touching the imitation air bags while on level ground? By the way the springs also touched the air bags with the old factory shocks. The reason I˜m asking is our ride is fairly harsh with only minor pot holes. With each seam in the pavement or pot hole we drive over the shock seems to be transferred up to the body quite harshly. I would think that there should be an air gap between the springs and air bag so the spring can absorb the shock from small irregularities in the road. With the springs touching the air bags all the travel of the spring is immediately transferred to the frame and body. By the way, I also tried lowering the air pressure to 75#s with no real difference. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

Steve

[Gdlow]

I have the same size MH you do as well as the same type...I don't have airbags on mine, and don't think you do as well unless you or someone had them installed...Couple of things...1 check this site out for tire pressures if you are using Michelin...your pressure is borderline at best... http://www.michelinrvtires.com/miche...res/hom_us.jsp

2..My guess is that the hard ride is coming from the Bilstein shocks..I have them and I am tempted to change to the Koni FSD for that very reason...

[M&EM]

Steve,
If by airbags you are referring to the bellows shaped plastic affairs above each axle/spring intersection, then mine are just about in contact with the springs also and have been since new.

Harshness is a very subjective description so comparisons would be difficult. My ride seems pretty good "softer than harsh" with my Bilsteins.

This is in comparison to original factory junk shocks which contributed to terrible porpoising of my Dolphin.

[Jeepster47]

Steve,

Per my coach weight and Michlin chart, I run 95# front and back. Recently had Koni shocks installed all around. Drives a lot smoother. Ruts and pot holes almost disappear as well as concrete freeway up and down movement.

Ed

[Rick 2005 Dolphin 5376]

W24 chassis on a 5376 dolphin. 95lbs front, 90lbs rear. Tossed out the Billies with the trash and installed Koni FSD's. Pot holes and ruts don't disappear but at least they don't shake my fillings out. The ride is much improved but our next rig will be a DP on bags.

[M&EM]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by M&EM:
Harshness is a very subjective description so comparisons would be difficult. My ride seems pretty good "softer than harsh" with my Bilsteins.

This is in comparison to original factory junk shocks which contributed to terrible porpoising of my Dolphin. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Update:
Now that I have replaced my B---- shock with Koni FSD, I agree with others' assessment about harshness.

Marty

[Belgian]

Thanks everyone, I guess I'll have to get the Koni shocks. I just replaced the original shocks with the Bilstiens about 1 year ago, that change make for a more controlled feel and better handling. I'd also like to get a rear sway bar to control the rocking going in & out of driveways and for better control in turns. It's just money....right?

[M&EM]

Steve, FWIW I added an IPD rear sway bar to mine after the Bilsteins and rear track bar. I have not seen any improvement in side to side rocking as I drive over a driveway ramp. Rocks just about as much now.
However, I can say it does help in sway while driving on the road.
I re post to let you know if the Koni FSDs make any difference soon as I run over a driveway ramp, probably at next fuel stop.