Source's Ride Enhancement Kit for the RR8R Chassis

[MonacoMama]

Yes...I have taken longer than I should to review the REK but I wanted to make sure I had all the information correct.(I have been pretty busy lately...read my blog from the past month!) I am posting now anyway without having SacsTC's final review of my post...and I am not calling Source at this hour either!

SacsTC and I recently finished “product testing” the Source-1 Manufacturing Ride Enhancement Kit that they have made for the Roadmaster RR8R Chassis. The group did some thorough testing to get the set-up right for the rig. I believe there were 4 (or maybe 5??) different shock changes as they were doing the testing. (SacsTC can now change out shocks probably faster than some of the professional installers.)

There was one thing that the guys at Source did learn…Monaco seemed to make a design modification with the 2004 chassis. This modification will make it necessary to have two different kits – one with different airbags and one with the factory airbags. (I believe Source is still trying to determine exactly when this chassis airbag change took place.)





The kit we tested included the following:

• A steering stabilizer
• 1.6” front and rear sway bars (None are installed from the factory.)
• 8 Bilstein shocks. The front shocks have been specifically valved to enhance the airbags.
• 4 Front airbags (It has been decided that this was not necessary for our coach.)

The testing has included many different types of roads and surfaces –including some of California’s worst – but the improvement is big. I did not think I would feel the difference, but SacsTC and I went out for a ride and then he came back and put a different set on. We were back out on another test drive less than 2 hours later –and I could actually feel the difference. (Sacs and I are absolutely amazed at what a difference there can be with a small change in shock valving.)
I learned about terms like “compression & rebound”. (I always used the word “porpoising” instead of “rebound”.) The rebound is significantly less than before we started the testing. I can now sit as a passenger and know that my glass of water is not going to end up all over…plus the cabinet drawers no longer open as we travel around some of the dipping (and tossing) curves.
Sacs is looking for some of that “racing” feel that you really should not have in a motorhome…so I can tell you that he will never be totally happy until he can take the coach out at Daytona Raceway and verify that the drawers no longer open…but I can testify that the REK for the RR8R chassis has put a smile on my face!

After more than 1000 miles over many different types of roads SacsTC and I finally told Source1 we were satisfied with the product. Please call Jim or Scott at Source (541-935-0308) to find out where you should go to have the REK installed!

[SRT]

Now if Source could come up with a kit for our '99 F53 chassis (yes, we still have the Vacationer ) front end stiffness. Never did get back for our salmon dinner .

Will SacsTC put on racing stripes now??

[Jimmyzw22]

Is it for an RR8r Chassis? When I look at their website they only offer one for the rr4r?
Thanks

[Garranch]

We can't afford the entire kit, but would love to buy the shocks. I can't help but think they would work better then the off the shelf Bilsteins. Do they sell just the shocks?