Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
RV Trip Planning Discussions

Go Back   iRV2 Forums > THE OWNER'S CORNER FORUMS > Monaco Owner's Forum
Click Here to Login
Join iRV2 Today

Mission Statement: Supporting thoughtful exchange of knowledge, values and experience among RV enthusiasts.
Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on iRV2
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 05-18-2018, 09:30 AM   #1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 107
2001 Monaco Monarch - ROUGH RIDE

New to forum, not new to RV'ing.

Recently acquired this rv with 68k miles existing. Any advice would be appreciated.

Rear has Airlift airbags only, no shock absorbers. Rough ride and bouncy.

Front had Airlift airbags, but previous owner removed and installed Sumosprings. Also has shock absorbers, but unsure of age or condition - wouldn't be surprised if they were original. Rough ride, and on a bumpy road literally had to reduce speed to 30-40 to avoid shaking things out of the cabinets. Sounded and felt like it was going to fall apart.

Suspect new shocks should be purchased for front, probably Bilsteins? Recommendations?

Almost all of the Airlift system is still installed, they just removed the front bags and the gauge/control for the onboard compressor for the front (rear still functional). I am in the process of trying to get a quote for getting the front bags reinstalled.

Also of interest, just replaced all 6 tires, all brand new. 245/70R19.5

2001 Monaco Monarch 34PBD
F53 Chassis
dc73 is offline   Reply With Quote
Join the #1 RV Forum Today - It's Totally Free!

iRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? Do you need advice on what products to buy? Or maybe you can give others some advice? No matter where you fit in you'll find that iRV2 is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more!

Old 05-18-2018, 09:37 AM   #2
Senior Member/RVM #90
 
MSHappyCampers's Avatar


 
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Columbus, MS
Posts: 54,626
Hi ! Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined the gang!

Congrats on the new rig! Hope you get the ride problem solved. Keep her between the ditches!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!
__________________
Joe & Annette
Sometimes I sits and thinks, sometimes I just sits.....
2002 Monaco Windsor 40PBT, 2013 Honda CRV AWD
MSHappyCampers is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-19-2018, 04:32 AM   #3
Senior Member
 
ThePowells's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Zebulon, NC
Posts: 5,208

Welcome to the forum! We're sorry that it took a problem to join us, but we hope that you will stay engaged after you have it resolved.
__________________
Kelly and Jerry Powell with Halo (Lethal White Aussie), Nash the Rat Terrorist, and now Reid, the "Brindle we have no idea puppy"
2020 Grand Design Solitude 390RK-R
ThePowells is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-19-2018, 06:00 AM   #4
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 979
Quote:
Originally Posted by dc73 View Post
New to forum, not new to RV'ing.

Recently acquired this rv with 68k miles existing. Any advice would be appreciated.

Rear has Airlift airbags only, no shock absorbers. Rough ride and bouncy.

Front had Airlift airbags, but previous owner removed and installed Sumosprings. Also has shock absorbers, but unsure of age or condition - wouldn't be surprised if they were original. Rough ride, and on a bumpy road literally had to reduce speed to 30-40 to avoid shaking things out of the cabinets. Sounded and felt like it was going to fall apart.

Suspect new shocks should be purchased for front, probably Bilsteins? Recommendations?

Almost all of the Airlift system is still installed, they just removed the front bags and the gauge/control for the onboard compressor for the front (rear still functional). I am in the process of trying to get a quote for getting the front bags reinstalled.

Also of interest, just replaced all 6 tires, all brand new. 245/70R19.5

2001 Monaco Monarch 34PBD
F53 Chassis
Are you sure the airbags are inflating to proper height? You may have a faulty air ride height valve. Also... I am scratching my head on why you don’t have shocks in the rear, although I am not familiar with your coach brand.
__________________
U.S. Army Retired, 2002 Beaver Patriot Thunder
40 Ft, CAT C12, 455 HP, 1550 Ft Lbs Torque
Towing 2019 Chevy Equinox, AWD Turbo Diesel
MO Fred is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-19-2018, 06:12 AM   #5
Senior Member


 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 6,911
dc73-

As far as I know, Monaco never installed airbags on any of the Monarchs, or their cousins the HR Admirals and Safari Simbas (gas). What that means is you are dealing with a suspension system that is not stock. It also means that there's no way we can advise you about what steps to take to make the ride better short of the standard:

1) Get an alignment
2) Weigh the coach and set tire pressures accordingly
__________________
Mark
2008 Holiday Rambler Admiral 30PDD (Ford F-53 chassis)
2009 Honda Fit Sport
l1v3fr33ord1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-19-2018, 09:03 AM   #6
Senior Member
 
DENSHER's Avatar
 
Gulf Streamers Club
Spartan Chassis
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Cookeville, TN
Posts: 296
F53 chassis would have come with front and rear shocks, look at rear axle to see where shock mounts are. Coach manufacture would have had no reason to remove rear shocks that I can think of.
New shocks will address the repetitive bounce (porpoising) after hitting the bump. The air bags help absorb some of the initial jarring from the leaf spring when it hits the bump. I prefer using air bags over the Sumo Spring for the ability to adjust for road or wind conditions.
If you decide to reinstall the front Air Lift I recommend getting the 5000 Ultimate kit P/N 88140 which has an internal jounce stop, you remove the original chassis jounce stop. The internal jounce stop is a progressive compression style so if/when you hit that hard bump and bottom out it doesn't hit as hard.
__________________
1995 Gulfstream Sun Voyager MX 34' DP with 2011 Silverado in tow.
Dennis & Sherry.
DENSHER is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-19-2018, 11:07 AM   #7
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 107
Quote:
Originally Posted by l1v3fr33ord1 View Post
dc73-

As far as I know, Monaco never installed airbags on any of the Monarchs, or their cousins the HR Admirals and Safari Simbas (gas). What that means is you are dealing with a suspension system that is not stock. It also means that there's no way we can advise you about what steps to take to make the ride better short of the standard:

1) Get an alignment
2) Weigh the coach and set tire pressures accordingly
I thought by noting that the airbags are Airlift brand it would be obvious that these aren't stock - sorry for any confusion.

Yes this is an aftermarket air bag system made by Airlift. It was originally a 4 bag system with onboard compressor, with two control panel/gauges at dashboard for inflation/deflation from driver seat. Previous owner removed front bags and corresponding control panel, left rear bags in place with corresponding control panel. Onboard compressor works to inflate rear bags from driver seat.

I would assume that the rear shocks were removed when air bags were installed, but it was before I bought it.
dc73 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-19-2018, 11:09 AM   #8
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 107
Quote:
Originally Posted by MO Fred View Post
Are you sure the airbags are inflating to proper height? You may have a faulty air ride height valve. Also... I am scratching my head on why you don’t have shocks in the rear, although I am not familiar with your coach brand.
To my knowledge, this isn't an actual "air ride" type of system, its just the individual bag helper springs, made by Airlift. There is not way to go by height unless to manually measure with a measuring tape - it is intended to just go by pressure. For my chassis setup, I have found documentation stating Minimum 20 psi/Max 100 psi.
dc73 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-19-2018, 11:24 AM   #9
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 107
Quote:
Originally Posted by DENSHER View Post
F53 chassis would have come with front and rear shocks, look at rear axle to see where shock mounts are. Coach manufacture would have had no reason to remove rear shocks that I can think of.
New shocks will address the repetitive bounce (porpoising) after hitting the bump. The air bags help absorb some of the initial jarring from the leaf spring when it hits the bump. I prefer using air bags over the Sumo Spring for the ability to adjust for road or wind conditions.
If you decide to reinstall the front Air Lift I recommend getting the 5000 Ultimate kit P/N 88140 which has an internal jounce stop, you remove the original chassis jounce stop. The internal jounce stop is a progressive compression style so if/when you hit that hard bump and bottom out it doesn't hit as hard.
Did I mention that I'm new to this motorhome? Good, because I am an idiot. Took a second look and saw that the rear DOES have shocks. I'm shocked and embarrassed.

I thought they would be outboard like the front shocks, but they inboard of the frame and not visible from the fender well, had to crawl underneath.

I'm suspecting that since all 4 shocks are painted black, they are probably original from the factory. Would it be a good assumption that a new set of shocks should help with the ride quality tremendously? For ride quality, what is better, Bilsteins or Koni's?

Here are some pics:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/v38irc3bd...fb6j6u5Ia?dl=0
dc73 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-20-2018, 05:59 AM   #10
Member
 
manwithtools's Avatar
 
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Middle TN
Posts: 91
Bilsteins or Koni's? For my thoughts, the Bilsteins are probably the better choice - typically have better dampening characteristics. However, I've seen reports of delays in the manufacture of Bilsteins in the last several month so they could be hard to get if they aren't in stock somewhere.
__________________
2007 Monaco Safari Simba 36PBD, CAT C7 330HP
2015 Jeep Unlimited Rubicon Toad
manwithtools is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-05-2018, 05:12 PM   #11
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 107
Solution - Koni FSD

Thought I would post a solution to this thread, and a big recommendation for Koni FSD shocks. After much research and deliberation, decided to spend the extra money and go with Koni over Bilstein. Ordered from www.ultrarvproducts.com. I would definitely recommend them. Very helpful, located in Washington state so for any NW people they are much closer than other vendors on East coast. Old shocks were stock Motorcraft with 70k miles on them, they were absolutely worthless. I installed the front ones myself, the old ones compressed by hand with no effort when I got them off and tested them. As for installation, front took about 1 hour, hardest thing was just reaching in there and getting leverage on a ratchet handle in a tight space. Had a tire shop install the rear ones. So far have noticed a huge difference in ride quality, highly recommend.
__________________
2005 Winnebago Adventurer 35A
Workhorse W22 8.1L
dc73 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
monaco



Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Monaco Camelot has a rough ride need advice Camelot07 Roadmaster Motorhome Chassis Forum 19 10-18-2013 07:37 AM
5th wheel rough ride,on rough roads ? dkasten Trailer Towing and Tow Vehicles Discussion 7 07-13-2011 05:50 AM
2001 Monaco Monarch Side to Side Roll MonarchKen Monaco Owner's Forum 7 11-03-2008 11:28 AM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 11:19 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.