Got the heck beat out of me!!

[supercub]

I have an 03 Southwind 32V on a Workhorse W-20 Chasis. I've done the shock upgrades (blistens if I remember) weighed the coach and run 80psi in the tires (use to run 95psi) I drive 60mph per speedometer and GPS. I love my motorhome and really enjoy it......and it drives great and rides smooth as long as the road is smooth. I just drove over the grapenvie I-5 and down the 210 in LA and returned a week later...........and for most of the trip got beat up. I'm in the far right lane (I know the worse lane) most of the time.......I'd get into the next lane if traffic allowed at times. I kept thinking this is ridiculous.........that a vehicle in this day and age rides the way my motorhome does. Why can't they make a better riding vehicle. Like I said, as long as the road is smooth it's great....and no, I'm not ready to get rid of my motorhome. Just my thoughts while driving......ah getting thumped today.
Brian

["007"]

A Workhorse or Ford will have the same ride on some of the roads around here also.
They are your hard earned tax dollars at work????

[supercub]

Just went and checked, shocks are Koni's, not Blisteens.
Brian

[rvjer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by supercub Just went and checked, shocks are Koni's, not Blisteens. Brian

Are they the adjustable (red color) or the FSD's (gold color). If they are the adjustable ones they may not be adjusted properly. That is the ones I have and I had to have them readjusted because they were not set for the right weight to start with. After that they ride nicely on the I-5, I-210, & I-15.

[JWT]

Supercub, if you want the "grand daddy" of all road tests to try out your Konis, drive I-80 from Sacramento to Reno. That ride will defiantly jar your jaw.

[Richard S.]

The last time the grapevine was smooth was back when it was a 4 lane.

[speed racer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JWT Supercub, if you want the "grand daddy" of all road tests to try out your Konis, drive I-80 from Sacramento to Reno. That ride will defiantly jar your jaw.

I swear I will never take my MH over Donner pass on I80 again. They had the speed limit down to 45MPH but I was only able to drive about 30 and I still though the Mh was going to shake apart.

[supercub]

Just drove the I-80 a couple of weeks ago, going to Reno for the Air Races..........last two trips have been over terrible roads, I-80 then my recent trip over the grapevine and the 210. I-80 is getting better though, lots of work being done on it. Why can't they buld a gas chasis to ride better. I drive my Escpae over a road that I don't even feel, and then drive my motorhome over the same road, and it beats the heck out of me. Obviously the Escape isn't luxury car, so why the big difference in ride?

Brian

[wa8yxm]

Gee, My Damon, built on a Workhorse, Rides better than my car.

Drives better too after I added a Blue-Ox True Center and a Davis Tru-Track

[dieselclacker]

Quote:

Originally Posted by supercub Just drove the I-80 a couple of weeks ago, going to Reno for the Air Races..........last two trips have been over terrible roads, I-80 then my recent trip over the grapevine and the 210. I-80 is getting better though, lots of work being done on it. Why can't they buld a gas chasis to ride better. I drive my Escpae over a road that I don't even feel, and then drive my motorhome over the same road, and it beats the heck out of me. Obviously the Escape isn't luxury car, so why the big difference in ride? Brian

supercub, two things come to mind why the W-20 and the Ford Escape ride differently.

1. W-20 is suspended by four leaf type springs.

2. W-20 has a GVW of somewhere around 20K pounds.

Your motorhome is not an SUV, and no matter what shocks or other suspension upgrades you do or have done to it, it is not going to ride like one.

Dieselclacker

Haven't been over the ridge route in quite a while, but I do agree on the roughness of I-80 out of Sacramento.

[Jackm]

Short of purchasing a bus conversion with a killer suspension, there isn't much you can do with the American highway system. It's falling apart and it makes it hard on those of us that spend a lot of time on the road. There is no magic shock absorber or after market device that will smooth out a bad road. Some products can help with specific shortcomings but none can turn a bad road into a good one. If there was, we would all be using it. Maybe our great grandchildren will have the pleasure of driving on smooth roads. Then again...

Jack

[supercub]

Jackm........I think you hit the nail on the head.