Stabil Air II for Workhorse Chassis

[jscott76]

I am considering the purchase of the Stabil Air II system for my 2007 W-24 chassis. Does anyone have any experience/feedback either positive or negative on it?

[jscott76]

I am considering the purchase of the Stabil Air II system for my 2007 W-24 chassis. Does anyone have any experience/feedback either positive or negative on it?

[DriVer]

You might be looking at that kit on Camping World website for $5,400. From what I have been told, it's a complex system that was neutered a long time ago when they couldn't get the auto leveling feature to work on the original system.

The Stabil-Air II is a new system and I am not familiar with what makes it a II other than reading about the auto leveling component in the product description.

Shipping costs will be added and I'm wondering if that includes installation? Unless the CW that you are looking at has installed one of these systems previously I would be very much wanting to supervise the entire installation procedure. CW has a lifetime guarantee on the installation so if something goes wrong they will make good for it. The install I understand takes a couple of days.

Welcome to iRV2.com and please come back to visit and feel free to post often.

[jscott76]

Thanks - I'll keep researching.

[oemtech]

Go to Kelderman Air Ride.... You can get a air ride system installed for that price.

[jscott76]

Thanks - will check them out.

[DriVer]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by jscott76:
Thanks - will check them out. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>jscott76, There have been many times when I have been offered the following comment, "Make sure this is going to be the last coach you buy and keep before spending 5 to 6 thousand dollars on a suspension improvement because you will never recover the investment."

Is this pursuit driven by need or would it be nice to have?

Given the choice between an aftermarket manufacturer or a system designed by Detroit Steel Products(DSP), the OEM designer of the suspension, I would tend to favor the OEM after market product.

It would be interesting to read a heads up comparison between both suspension kits before committing the resources to buy one. Basically - I think that you would have to go on faith alone.

3 Years ago Camping World brought a Stabil-Air equipped coach to the FMCA Rally in Brooksville. Although I knew it was there it didn't appear at the time that they were gong all out to show the product.

[oemtech]

Almost anything you add "after market" the cost probably will never be recovered when you sell it.

Now if the component was factory installed or was offered as an option it can be a asset or a deficit depending on the if you are the buyer or seller.

The nice part of the Kelderman Air Ride is that if the system fails completely you are riding on the original suspension. The only remove a few hanger brackets. I am sure it adds some weight. So, if your close to GVW then you may want to thnk twice.

[jscott76]

I appreciate the feedback that both of you have provided. Over the past 21 years, I've owned a Class B, 2 Class Cs and 2 Class As (both gas). I'm trying to decide whether to go the diesel route to get a smoother ride, as I'm still not fully satified with the ride on my 2007 Winnebago Voyage 38J. We really like everything else about the coach. Just wish it wasn't so rough on the rough higways.

[ghamblen]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by jscott76:
I appreciate the feedback that both of you have provided. Over the past 21 years, I've owned a Class B, 2 Class Cs and 2 Class As (both gas). I'm trying to decide whether to go the diesel route to get a smoother ride, as I'm still not fully satified with the ride on my 2007 Winnebago Voyage 38J. We really like everything else about the coach. Just wish it wasn't so rough on the rough higways. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Have you checked the weight of your coach and inflated the tires to the recommended pressure for that weight as specified by the tire manufacturer? Tire pressures can have a drastic affect on ride quality. Your shocks can also affect ride quality. I had Bilstein shocks that rode very harsh with lots of jarring. I replaced them with Koni FSD shocks and the ride is much improved with no constant jarring.

[DriVer]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by jscott76:
Just wish it wasn't so rough on the rough highways. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Consider if you will "a" component of the Stabil-Air II suspension - the Koni FSD shock absorber.

This may be the lest expensive thing you can immediately pursue while obtaining the most bang for the buck without spending 5 grand. Most people who have installed the Koni FSD will back me up on this.

ghamblenm also made a point of checking your air pressures. I know a lot of folks that run their tires, or don't know it, at the maximum inflated pressure cold, 110 psi. This isn't a good thing for ride comfort.

[Duner]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by jscott76:
..... as I'm still not fully satisfied with the ride on my 2007 Winnebago Voyage J. We really like everything else about the coach. Just wish it wasn't so rough on the rough highways. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

jscott76, I can't stress enough how much smoother the ride is with Koni FSD shocks. For the money, you just can't go wrong. The FSD (Frequency Selective Damping) shocks are soft on the concrete expansion joints but resist the big strokes you get in a driveway.

I've got 32K miles on my coach and the last 10K has been with Koni's. After I had my Koni's a while, my buddy took a short ride with me and could tell right away how much of smoother it was. Also when we went thru a couple of driveways he could see how stable the shocks are. He bought 8 Koni's for his Monaco Camelot (it uses 2 shocks per wheel). I was talking to his wife about 3 months later and she thanked me for telling Earl to get Koni's, because the ride was so much smoother.

If you buy Koni's at Brazel's Performance RV, or Redlands Truck & RV, both sponsors here at IRV2, I believe they'll give you a money-back guarantee if you're not satisfied.

[jscott76]

Excellent recommendations - I will look into the Koni FSDs. Unfortunately, I just got my coach out of the shop today for some warranty work and had I known that the Konis can provide such improvement, I would of had a set put on. But I will certainly consider trying this out in the near future. Any other suggestions?

[DriVer]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by jscott76:
Any other suggestions? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>jscott76, Purchase your shocks from one of our sponsors either Brazel's or Redlands and have them shipped to you. Call around and find someone that can swap out the shocks for you. Typically a OTR Truck alignment shop will have the capability to do your shocks.

While you're at it have your alignment laser checked getting a before and after report. That alone would improve your handling significantly it the setting are no correct. Check your caster as well. Owners have found that a ~5 degree setting in caster has made a big difference in handling on the W24.