workhorse shocks

[max77713]

is there a better shock to replace the ones that come on the workhorse chassis, they are horrible.

[Fred and Bonnie]

I presume you chassis is a 2004 or newer?

In the past a poster replied that Workhorse specified a stiff shock, I suspect in response the porpoise problem of the 2000-2003 model years. The result is a stiff ride with no rebound.

My understanding is that Bilstein aftermarket shocks are softer, and similiar to Koni's.

Fred

[Gotta_P]

I added new Bilsteins to the front and left the rear stock, it helped tremendously. This was recommended by Rallys-R-Us who also added the sway bars and trac bars to my RV.

[dajudge]

I went from bilsteins on 06 workhorse chassis to konis and there was a huge difference in ride quality, handling and porpoising. I wouldn't use anything but konis.

[paz]

Older Workhorse chasis came with Monroe shocks. Newer ones come with Bilsteins, which are better. I haven't felt the need to replace my shocks, but those who have replaced Monroes or Bilsteins with Konis say the Konis are best.

[InPursuit]

There is no question that the shocks on my 10yo P32 needed to be replaced. Being bright yellow I assumed they were (all 4) Monroes...

But up until reading this thread I had also assumed they were after-market replacement since every other service was documented by the PO and shocks weren't in any of the records I have.

As to the Koni's and their "ride" comfort... not in my world.
They do a great job of supporting the springs by holding the rear end up off the tires (give credit where it's due) and on nice smooth roads I have no real complaints but...

But any sort of broken ground or off camber turn, even slow like into a parking lot, and that porpoising effect will still show up.

On rough roads, like asphalt resurfacing, taken at speed and a sort of harmonic effect starts up and everything loose does an anticipation bounce like paired gymnasts on a trampoline. Not fun.

[GREG M]

Mine was a 2002 Itasca 32 and the shocks were BAD upgraded to bilstiens and it was like day and night much better and I have heard the koni's are even better

[DAN L]

Quote:

Originally Posted by max77713 is there a better shock to replace the ones that come on the workhorse chassis, they are horrible.

welcome to irv2!
you can update your ''signature'' with info about your rv.
i replaced my original monroe shocks when i bought my moho with <8k miles with 4 konis. 1 front monroe had absolutely no resistance and the other 3 were jerky.
the difference in ride quality and handling is huge.
i got my koni's from shox.com. they were more expensive than bilsteins but i feel that they are worth the extra $.
my understanding is that the major difference between the konis and bills is that the konis are frequency sensitive and the bills are just much firmer all the time.

[gbs2320]

Mine came w. bilsteins which were comfortable but the porpoising on big bumps was bad. Changed to Koni FSD shocks problem solved and comfort still good just a tiny tad less than the bilsteins but no more neck snapping form the porpoising/pogo stick effects over big bumps.

[Gotta_P]

Mine came with Bilsteins as well, but from what I was told, there are heavy duty truck shocks and not built for comfort. The front two were replaced with tuned Bilsteins and it made a huge difference. I wish I knew the part numbers for the new and old shocks, I'd post them, but unfortunately I don't...

[JoeT]

I used to have a 2003 Brave with a Workhorse chassis. When I complained about the ride Workhorse replaced the front shocks with Monroe Magnums. It was a real improvement.

[mythplaced]

I saw the title and I thought it said...
"Workhorse Sucks" not

"Workhorse Shocks"

[two2go]

New shocks of any brand are superior to worn out shocks. I have no issues with the oem Bilsteins and I think the ride is very good considering the design compromises of putting almost anything on a standard chassis. (I suppose Workhorse supplies design standards to the coach builders, but then the interior decorator madmen get busy and anything goes.) So one coach will probably handle differently from another and different shocks will have different results. In my opinion, given the high center of gravity, there ought to be more damping action, and that means double shocks or bigger shocks. Not stiffer, but better damping. Maybe that is not possible.

[johnandcaren]

Last year we bought a new, 2007 Gulf Stream, 39 ft, on a W24 chassis with Bilsteins.

While no porpoising, it had bad sway (roll) and a harsh ride. Going over minor bumps it was all over the place and a bit scarry, especially in turns like getting off a highway onto a curved exit ramp.

Hoping for better handling, we installed 4 Koni FSD shocks.

The improvement was very dramatic.
A. Bumps in the road are softer, less harsh.
B. The roll was reduced which I did not expect so those turns are safer.
C. I feel more in control. That's subjective, just how I feel.

I have also heard that Bilsteins you buy to replace the factory shocks are much better quality than the Bilsteins that come on the W24. No experience there.

Life is much better, and safer with the Koni's.
Good luck.