Bounder: Suspension

[jeffire1]

I have a 2016 Bounder 35K gas with 6000 miles. We feel every rib,pot hole,rough spot on the highway. Will be taking some longer trips,+1000 mile, next year and want to have a better ride. I've been told sway bars, shocks, air cushions, lower air pressure in tires. Anyone have suggestions on is outside of trading to a pusher with air ride ? thanks Jeff

[NLOVNIT]

You can do any or all of those actions, but you will still be riding on a truck chassis & as such you will feel every bump. We had a 2006 Bounder & seriously considered LiquidSprings but decided we didn't want to stay with a gasser & putting that kind of money into a 13yo coach was not worth it.

Lori-

[creativepart]

The unfortunate but short answer is NOPE. You have an RV with a dump truck chassis and guess what? It's as durable as a dump truck at hauling heavy loads but it rides like a dump truck.

Sure you can do things that help a little. But nothing short of spending $15K on a Liquid Spring suspension replacement will really fix the issue.

We've put on a steering stablizer, Sumo Springs, Koni Shocks and an additional beefy anti-roll bar on the rear. All in all about $3,500. They help a little. But not $3,500 worth.

Next up will be the people here that will tell you that the CHF will solve all your issues for free. CHF is Cheap Handling Fix and it entails moving some link attachments on your existing roll bars. There's nothing wrong with the CHF but it won't solve your banging down the road and rough ride problems.

I think truly you'd have to switch to an air suspended DP to fix the problem.

FYI - lowing air pressure helped the very most out of all I've done. And it was a free mod. Take the time to weigh the coach properly and do it right, though. Don't just lower your tire pressures.

[twinboat]

Sway bars won't smooth out the ride. They limit sway right to left.

You should start with getting axle weights and seeing if you can safely lower the tire pressures to what the tire manufactures weight tables recommend.

If your running tire pressures, stamped on the on the sidewall, that's probably too much. Even dropping them down to what the Federal tire pressure sticker lists may help.

There are no magic shocks to calm the ride or air/rubber spring boosters.

[jeffire1]

Thanks everyone you all have confirmed what I had suspected Thanks again Jeff

[CLR]

We did the cheap handling fix, it helped the sway left and right a very little bit. We also add the Sumo Springs to the front only and that helped the Sway much better. We added the Steering Stabilizer that helps with the steering alot. Tire pressure is the key to the ride.

[Ajayabb]

I also find driving with extra ballast helps to add preload to the leaf springs and soften the ride a bit In other words Full Fresh Water Tank and Fuel