Need advice on Monarch suspension

[ggweik]

Recently bought a 2010 Monaco Monarch. What can be done to the suspension to soften the ride and to correct the "wandering" ? Thanks, GGW

[resindiana]

Trade it.

[Barlow46]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ggweik Recently bought a 2010 Monaco Monarch. What can be done to the suspension to soften the ride and to correct the "wandering" ? Thanks, GGW

Where are you located? Maybe can give you some recommendations to have suspension checked. Who did you buy it from? Dealer or Private owner? What do they say?

[mfire1339]

GGW,

First get each axle weighed and remove the over inflation you probably have.


Mike

[phredsee]

GGW...

As Mike said, weigh all four corners and try dealing with the problems with air pressure adjustments.

Same coach as you have, on Workhorse chassis, and that didn't do the trick. Here's what was added to cure the problems:

-installed front and rear Koni shocks
-installed front and rear anti-sway bars
-installed front and rear trac bars
-installed Safe-T-Plus steering control
-set toe in
-installed new caster shims

All problems went away plus handles and rides great. You may want to try in small doses but didn't want to prolong the pain and was highly recommended by the service shop that did the work (Redlands Truck & RV, Ca.).

Good luck with your coach and enjoy your trips!

[Luv2go]

Agree with the advice given above, doing the cheaper stuff first, like weighing and setting tire pressures for weight correctly and alignment.

For sure get an alignment done with the coach loaded for travel. If it is a Ford chassis there is a chart for caster angle vs ride height that is supposed to be followed on p3 of this link, which points to a chart for 1999 but I believe the spec has not changed since then (if someone has a link to a more recent copy please post it).

Of the more expensive mods, the one that had the most effect for me was the rear trac bar. BTW Ford F53's already have a front trac bar. The rear one almost completely stopped the wander I had when wind gusts from passing vehicles hit the coach.

[ggweik]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barlow46 Where are you located? Maybe can give you some recommendations to have suspension checked. Who did you buy it from? Dealer or Private owner? What do they say?

I live in rural central Minnesota. Bought it from Motorhome Specialists south of Dallas. They say "that is the ride".

[ggweik]

Quote:

Originally Posted by phredsee GGW... As Mike said, weigh all four corners and try dealing with the problems with air pressure adjustments. Same coach as you have, on Workhorse chassis, and that didn't do the trick. Here's what was added to cure the problems: -installed front and rear Koni shocks -installed front and rear anti-sway bars -installed front and rear trac bars -installed Safe-T-Plus steering control -set toe in -installed new caster shims All problems went away plus handles and rides great. You may want to try in small doses but didn't want to prolong the pain and was highly recommended by the service shop that did the work (Redlands Truck & RV, Ca.). Good luck with your coach and enjoy your trips!

Thanks. I have been researching this have seen these items discussed, but have seen mixed messages on results. We drove a Country Coach Affinity for 13 years and were spoiled by the air cushion ride. We dont expect to duplicate that, but cannot believe this ride cannot be improved. I am thinking of having the "whole enchalida" done as I would prefer not to trade again. Thanks for your reply, I am encouraged to do these things. GGW

[ggweik]

Thanks to all replies, I appreciate your courtesy. GGW