Community Forums

iluvmycorsos · 05-26-2015, 08:25 AM

Hi All RVer"s,

I want to upgrade the ride on my 1997 Southwind, But I am trying to get ideas on what would be more beneficial. I have read some about the Shocks. It would seem that a lot of people went with the Koni shocks is that a good bet? Also want to change the tail wagging... As this is all original with just 5,000 miles on it I was wondering if air bags in the rear or stabilizer bars would be better. I did replace the airbags in the front already witch did help some... Any suggestions please?

Thanks,
Tim

George Schweikle · 05-26-2015, 09:27 AM

Tim,

The classic correction for tail wagging (side-to-side movement) is a rear track bar (Panhard bar). Stabilizer bars (Anti sway bars) reduce lean. If your Southwind has a Chevrolet P-30 chassis, it may already have a big rear sway bar.

Quote:

Originally Posted by iluvmycorsos

Hi All RVer"s,

I want to upgrade the ride on my 1997 Southwind, But I am trying to get ideas on what would be more beneficial. I have read some about the Shocks. It would seem that a lot of people went with the Koni shocks is that a good bet? Also want to change the tail wagging... As this is all original with just 5,000 miles on it I was wondering if air bags in the rear or stabilizer bars would be better. I did replace the airbags in the front already witch did help some... Any suggestions please?

Thanks,
Tim

Doggy Daddy · 05-26-2015, 11:07 AM

Joni shocks is a big YES. If steering is sloppy, get a Safe T Plus. DIY video on you tube. If sway is still a problem after front and rear anti- sway bars, then add Sumo Springs.

DriVer · 05-26-2015, 02:41 PM

Consider a set of Henderson Bell Cranks.

french7777 · 05-29-2015, 07:59 AM

I like you have an tail wagging problem and i really looked into this and it is due to the sideways deflection in the rear springs so first check all suspension parts in the rear then check rv height all around and great addition would then be trak bar

EasyPace · 05-31-2015, 11:34 AM

On my P-32 chassis, I went with a Blue-Ox Tiger Trak to get rid of the tail wag, Koni FSD shocks to improve the ride, Henderson bell crank and Safe T Plus for the steering control, and finally Henderson coil springs up front to replace the air bags. This made an unbelievable improvement to the whole machine, but it wasn't cheap.

Sky Pilot · 06-01-2015, 06:54 AM

I just made my first trip in my used 2008 Monaco W-22. On my first local shake down drive, it had a lot of wander and I added Safe T Plus and wow, what a difference. That should be standard equipment. I also took to a commercial tire shop and had them balance all 6 tires and also a difference. However, I did not check tire pressure as my gauge would not fit the placement of the valve stems without removing the wheel covers so I went with what the tire dealer installed thinking they knew what to put in.

It rode pretty rough ride outbound, when I got to my 2nd home, I had a tire gauge that would work and found the rears had between 100-105, the Mfg recommended 85 psi which made the ride home much quieter and the coach handled much better. I am of the school of using Mfg recommended pressure instead of weighing as I often vary the weight of my coach by a large % depending on what I am using it for.

A question I have, didn't workhorse go to Bilstein shocks or at least as an option and if so what year did they do this and how can you tell for sure? I looked under the coach but could not see any lettering, the coach only had 6k miles on it when purchased so I doubt shocks have worn out, but I would like to improve the ride some more, is there any way to stop the rear overhang from bouncing so much?

edgray · 06-01-2015, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sky Pilot

I just made my first trip in my used 2008 Monaco W-22. On my first local shake down drive, it had a lot of wander and I added Safe T Plus and wow, what a difference. That should be standard equipment. I also took to a commercial tire shop and had them balance all 6 tires and also a difference. However, I did not check tire pressure as my gauge would not fit the placement of the valve stems without removing the wheel covers so I went with what the tire dealer installed thinking they knew what to put in.

It rode pretty rough ride outbound, when I got to my 2nd home, I had a tire gauge that would work and found the rears had between 100-105, the Mfg recommended 85 psi which made the ride home much quieter and the coach handled much better. I am of the school of using Mfg recommended pressure instead of weighing as I often vary the weight of my coach by a large % depending on what I am using it for.

A question I have, didn't workhorse go to Bilstein shocks or at least as an option and if so what year did they do this and how can you tell for sure? I looked under the coach but could not see any lettering, the coach only had 6k miles on it when purchased so I doubt shocks have worn out, but I would like to improve the ride some more, is there any way to stop the rear overhand from bouncing so much?

Your chassis has Bilstein shocks as standard original equipment. They will be yellow over blue. WCC went to them around 2004 or 2005. SOME people think they are too harsh and replace them with Koni FSD.