Neptune XL 36 PBQ Ride Issues

[toolman06]

I am a owner of a 2007 Holiday Rambler Neptune XL 36 PBQ, purchased new last June, I have been experiecncing ride issues in I can't keep the shower door on the track, I even got a new shower door from the manufacturer to replace there older design. I am hearing issues with trailing arms cracking and need of replacement, I am wanting to find out who have changed out there air bags and adding a ping tank for ride improvement. I live in the midwest and looking for someone who can do the work locally. i enjoy the coach very much, but looking for ways to improve the ride.
Thanks

[deaton]

toolman6 -

Welcome to IRV2 forum.

As a former owner of a similar coach (2006 Monaco Knight) built on the Raodmaster chasis, I can advise that you don't need to worry about broken trailing arms on a 2007 HR. Monaco did have that problem on the RM 4 bag chasis, but it didn't extend past 2004. With the move to the 8 bag chasis, the trailing arm problem was resolved.

There are many threads on this forum dealing with this issue on the earlier model chasis but I don't think you need to be concerned about that.

That said, I can't help you with the other ride issues you describe, but I'm sure others here will have some ideas.

[Rex]

I think Deaton may be mistaken about the coach you have. I think it is a 4 air bag coach and does have the trailing arm problem. To make sure you should contact the following:

Source Manufacturing LLC
P.O. Box 515
Elmira OR 97437

Scott Zimmer 541-935-0308 or 541-915-1149

http://www.rv-chassis.com/index.html

These folks can tell you for sure if your coach has the problem, and can provide replacement arms. They can also advise you who in your area can do the work for you.

[womps]

Not only do you have the 4 bag suspension on your Neptune, you have the faulty trailing arms that are cracking and breaking!!! We have an 08 Cayman which is identical to your coach in the Monaco line. I just had the new heavy duty trailing arms installed this week. The best way to stop your shower door from coming off its track is buy a large plastic clamp (we got ours at Home Depot $6.00) and clamp it to the top of the shower door before each trip. Problem solved. Also your rollers are on an eccentric. Make sure they are adjusted properly.

[bkphotog]

Hi TOOLMAN06

Your MH does have only 4 air bags and it may have the "Trailing Arms" problem. Your MH is on the RR4R chassis. This is the chassis that has the problem with the trailling arms cracking. This cracking is all a matter of milage and other factors. I would highly recommend that you look at the ROADMASTER CHASSIS forum here in IRV2. There is a very large thread discussing this very issue. Also please call SOURCE ENGINNEERING as mentioned above. They will advise you about this problem and be very helpfull is getting you to an repair shop in your area. They can also discuss with you their new RIDE ENHANCEMENT KIT for your chassis.

As you can see in my signiture below I have a 2007 NEPTUNE XL. I have replaced the trailing arms and have added new KONI shocks. I did this prior to the introduction of the Source RIDE ENHANCEMENT KIT. They use a special BILSTIEN shock and ping tank with the kit. Reports state that this has really improved the ride of the NEPTUNE / CAYMAN. After I got the new trailing arms on and the Koni Shocks the ride on our unit did improve greatly. At some point I am going to swap out the KONI shocks and have the REK installed.

The important point of all this is to have someone inspect your unit for failing trailing arms. This could be a safety issue. Both SOURCE ENGINNEERING and MONACO/Navistar now have replacement arms available.

Oh BTW the new 2011 Neptune / CAYMEN is now on a RR8R chassis-8 bags and a differnt suspension. Prior to 2011, NEPTUNE's & CAYMEN's were all on the questionable RR4R chassis.

If you want to discuss this further with me you can send me a "private messege" or you can email me. My email is public under irv2 info.

Be safe out there.

Bill

[time2go]

For some good reading just go to the roadmaster chassis forum area and you can read page after page under the trailing arms cracking thread. Thats where I got all my info. I found out about the trailing arm issues a month after buying my 08 Neptune. I just had the trailing arms replaced and added the Koni shocks and safe-t-steer. All I can say is WOW, it's like driving a different coach. The ride is more controlled and relaxing...I only have 4k miles on my coach and there was no cracking but better safe than sorry!!!

[Nonno]

toolman06,

Welcome to iRV2.

I have the same unit as you that I purchased new in May 08. As you can see from my signature, I have replaced the OEM trailing arms and also installed the REK.

If you were to address these issues one at a time, the trailing arms are a safety issue that IMHO needs to be addressed first and ASAP. If you elect to do both at the same time fine, but if you choose to do the REK at a later date at least verify your OEM shocks are good and that the ride height is adjusted properly.

As mentioned by others, talk with the folks at Source.

[toolman06]

Thanks to everyone for your information and sources, Thanks again. Well now I am starting down the road of installing the REK and trailing arms, I have been emailing a tech at Monaco and he is going to supplie me with information on part numbers and other needed information.

[toolman06]

I forgot to ask how expensive this is going to be? If this is something you don't want to share I totally understand. Has anyone consider a law suit against Monaco for turning out a unsafe product? Has anyone approach Monaco as to any support in reduced cost of parts? I am aware that what I have purchased is a orphan coach and I know most of this is my responsilblity, but it kind of burns me that spending this much money and in order to keep the coach from tearing itself apart we have update the suspension.
Well I guess I will get off my soap box.
Time to go to bed.

[bkphotog]

Toolman06

I would encourage you to take a look at the "ROADMASTER MOTORHOME CHASSIS FORUM" - thread - TRAILING ARMS CRACKED ON ROADMASTER."

Here you will find all sorts of discussion on cost and other issues. If you want to see what I paid for my repairs you can skip to "page 10 - reply #133. Just keep in mind that this is a safety issue and spent money is better than being injured or worse and paying out thousands more if an accident destroys your MH.

As for law suits, this is a dead issue. It has been discussed over and over and it probably will never get settled. Navistar took over Monaco without accepting responsibilty for warranty issues of earlier coaches and Monaco Coach Corp is bankrupt. (dead in the water). The only thing you can do is submit a complaint to the National Highway Safety Board as most of us have done. Even that will never go anywhere. Again read some of this in the above mentioned forum.

Bill

[Rex]

Tollman06

Go here:

Trailing Arms Cracked on Roadmaster

That is a link to the Roadmaster Chassis Forum on this site and messages about the trailing arms cracking.

[toolman06]

How much better is the ride since you installed the new trailing arms and REK system? Do you feel the investement you have made is worth it?
Thanks

[Nonno]

Trailing arms were a safety issue. Investment PRICELESS.

REK, to me, was worth it. No more white knuckles. Bumps, dips, expansion joints no longer bone jarring. Clothes have been staying on rod in rear closet. Having said these things, my comparison is not true apple to apple comparison because I had a bad front shock and the front ride height was off prior to having the REK installed.

[JohnDolyn]

Toolman, I just replaced the arms on my 2006 Cayman, when the ride height is correct and tire air pressure is correct for your weight, you get the best ride available from factory build. I had my tire pressure 15 psi more than I needed as a safety issue for a long trip and darn near shook the coach apart on Minnesota roads.