How do you fix a rough ride?

[got monaco]

Our Monaco rides really rough, it's the Roadmaster chassis. Does anybody know a way to soften it up?

[Jimmy F]

Not sure if I can help you or not, but first of all myself and others need to know... what year and model of Monaco do you have?


Jimmy F

[jeepsrule]

Quote:

Originally Posted by got monaco Our Monaco rides really rough, it's the Roadmaster chassis. Does anybody know a way to soften it up?

I've read a lot of posts recommending upgrading the shock absorbers.

[MonacoMama]

got monaco..Welcome to the Monaco Forum!

My suggestion is to attend the "Chassis on the Green" rally/seminar. It is not far from you and I think you will be surprised at just how thorough and specific the information you get will be. (At least one of the people there worked for Monaco for years...and I am not talking about him being on the assembly line.)

The information you get will probably be the best around.

Again..Welcome!

[Bobs911]

I switched to the Koni FSD shocks. Made a huge difference. One of my original rear shocks had zero dampening left. Is your tire air pressure correct?

[got monaco]

I have a '97 Monaco Windsor 34'. We just bought new steering tires and the tire pressure is what is recomended. We ordered some cheap Monroe shocks and are supposed to get them this week. We don't know if these cheap ones will be any good but maybe we would at least feel a difference. The coach has 56k miles on it and I think it still has the original shocks. We just bought it this winter, it's real clean and I love it except we have had other problems too. Just to be quick about that, the rear left frame broke the weld right at the back and sagged down 1/2", that's the 2x5 tubing that runs the length of the coach. We couldn't believe that happened, has anybody ever heard of that before? That's also why we don't like it riding rough because it feels like it's jerking too much on the back trying to tear it loose again.

[jimkate]

Rough ride was our complaint when we first bought our coach. When I removed the original Bilstein shocks, they were as stiff as solid rods. The new Bilsteins I installed were much different, and we are very pleased with the ride now.

I have found that 5 lb too much air in the front tires makes a huge difference. You have to determine what tire pressure is right for you. Might have to weigh the axles to find that out.

[got monaco]

Thanks for all your opinions, they mean a lot. We'll try some different shocks and hope that helps.

[MonacoMama]

got monaco...
I think you need to talk to Jim at Source Engineering before you do anything!!!
There is something exciting that Source is coming out with that could help your coach immensely.

I think you should try to make it down to the "Roadmaster Chassis on the Green" Rally at the very least so you can have your coach analyzed and road-tested by the guys at Source.

I doubt you will be disappointed!

[supercub]

Like Monaco Mama says, give Source Engineering a Call, they'll help you out.

[walt2137]

Quote:

Originally Posted by got monaco I have a '97 Monaco Windsor 34'. We just bought new steering tires and the tire pressure is what is recomended. We ordered some cheap Monroe shocks and are supposed to get them this week. We don't know if these cheap ones will be any good but maybe we would at least feel a difference. The coach has 56k miles on it and I think it still has the original shocks. We just bought it this winter, it's real clean and I love it except we have had other problems too. Just to be quick about that, the rear left frame broke the weld right at the back and sagged down 1/2", that's the 2x5 tubing that runs the length of the coach. We couldn't believe that happened, has anybody ever heard of that before? That's also why we don't like it riding rough because it feels like it's jerking too much on the back trying to tear it loose again.

Are you talking about the main frame like a C beam if so did you have it welded and it would have to be some reason for it breaking, Check out all welded points on the rear of the chassis. the frame on the 97 Windsor is a Semi-Monocoque Chassis and that is a good design chassis. I would also suggest that you weigh your coach and air the tires accordingly + 10% , the rough ride could also be the ride height is not set right and there is a post somewhere on how to set the ride height, do a search and if you cant find it I will repost it. On the ride height I think it will be 9.5 front and 11 rear but not sure on the 97 I think I would call Monaco for it.

[got monaco]

It's not a C-beam, the main frame is 2"x5" tubing, we think the reason it broke is the prior owners had a motorcycle rack built for the hitch and told us that they put a 1,000 lb. motorcycle on it. It was out from the hitch a good 3 feet. The hitch is rated at 500 lbs. that means they had it well over weight and all that bouncing down the road for miles I think is what finally made that weld break.
We have checked and adjusted the air bag ride height, they were close but we got it right on now.
When we bought it we weighed it on the scales empty and it was 4,000 lbs. under the GVWR, so we figured it was fine weight wise.
What we did to fix the break was we took the end cap off the tubing and put 4"x1" solid bar inside 14' with welded tabs on the end and the middle too create a bow to cause pressure on the tubing to help hold it up. It held it up only an 1/8" more so its still down 3/8" instead of 1/2". We capped it back off and have used it since, it seems that that side is staying more in place than the other side now so we might put a stiffener in the passenger side next just to reinforce it.
So, if anyone tows a motorcycle hanging on back I would beware.

[Eaglesview]

Our 05 Dynasty rides much better than our 99 Dynasty. A Monaco tech told me the reason was Monaco went to larger air bags which operate at a lower pressure and air line sizing was increased.

Can anyone confirm this and the fact it may be the issue with this Windsor?

[MonacoMama]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eaglesview Our 05 Dynasty rides much better than our 99 Dynasty. A Monaco tech told me the reason was Monaco went to larger air bags which operate at a lower pressure and air line sizing was increased. Can anyone confirm this and the fact it may be the issue with this Windsor?

Source Engineering would be able to answer this better than anyone else...but they are busy enough coming up out with the Ride Enhancement Kit for the Diplomats and Endeavors -
You can always call or email Jim or Scott if you don't get the answer here.