Improving ride on Ford chassis

[seadogjim]

Hi,
I have a 2009 35ft. Class A on the Ford V-10 chassis. On rough roads it seems to ride very harshly and am wondering if different shocks(Koni's? It has Bilsteins), air bags, etc. would improve the ride. The 22.5" Michelin tires all are run at 88-90psi. Potholes and "open" expansion joints in the road seem to punish the coach and I'm afraid it's being beaten to death!
If anyone has successfully improved the ride of a late model Ford please let me know how you did it.
Thanks,
Jim

[Camping4fun]

Hi Jim, I have a 2009 35E Bounder and had the same problem your having so I replaced the shocks with Koni's earlier this year and it made a world of difference.

[SuperGewl]

First verify the manufactures specs on tire air pressure. Next if you don't already then fill the potable water tank full prior to your next trip and see if that makes it ride better.

[tommy tucer]

The Bilstiens will give you a harder ride . I put on Koni's all around and a rear sway bar and it sure made a difference . We hope you make the right choice . They told me at the shop , you want a hard ride , go to Bilstien , softer ride go to a Koni .
Good luck , Tommy Tucer ,

[Kathy_MD]

I took a two step approach to lessen the truck-like ride.

First, I went to a CAT scale and, in travel loaded condition, weighed all four corners. Then I adjusted the tire pressure to match the weight per the tire manufacturer recommendations. For me, it was 80 psi all around.

Second, I had Koni shocks installed (replaced the Bilstiens).

Now....it still rides like a truck.... but a much nicer riding truck.

The ride has improved to the point that I now notice wheel imbalance. I am in the process of purchasing/installing Centramatic balancers on the front (approx $200) and maybe the rear too (approx an additional $230).

[ga traveler]

Anyone who has read past post, know I am a big fan of airbags. I always recommended them to my ford customers. I installed many sets and never had a customer that did not think it was a great investment. You will hear from some who say they don't help, but I have found they are people who haven't ever installed a set.

[RovinOn]

I have an 05 Fleetwood Southwind, it rode so hard with the Bilsteins it broke the upper front cabinet away from the ceiling,(Weight of television didn't help either) and the dashboard loose from the frame.
Installed Koni FSD's all around and I want to tell you the coach is now a pleasure to drive and ride in! When my wife says she greatly noticed the difference, that's saying something!

[seadogjim]

OK guys, I'm convinced, the Koni's must be the way to go. I know Ford revised it's motorhome chassis in 2006 and made many improvements to the engine, tranny, suspension, steering, etc. including the Bilstein gas shocks so that's why I'm really disappointed in the ride of my '09. I thought Bilstein's were great shocks, but guess not.
Thanks to all for the input.
Jim

[Benny367]

I have a 2006 Ford F53 Motor Home chassis and can tell you that there is a DRAMATIC difference in ride quality when the rig is loaded versus unloaded. Dramatic improvement when the motor home is loaded, a Lincoln like ride when loaded. Rides like a buck board when unloaded. FYI I have Bilsteins and 22.5 Alcoa Aluminum wheels.

[seadogjim]

Benny367,
Thanks for the input. Not sure what you mean by loaded but I'm about 20,000lbs. when traveling with food, clothes, fuel, passengers, etc. The coach is on a 22,000lb. chassis but I haven't had each corner weighed so I need to do that. I think I may be running too much tire pressure at 88-90psi in all tires since the Michelin tire pressure table shows 75-80psi is adequate for 3500-4000lbs. and I doubt each tire is carrying more than that. SuperGewl suggested filling the water tank and that would be another 600lbs. or so(75gal) and might also help the ride.
Thanks,
Jim

[Benny367]

Quote:

Originally Posted by seadogjim Benny367, Thanks for the input. Not sure what you mean by loaded but I'm about 20,000lbs. when traveling with food, clothes, fuel, passengers, etc. The coach is on a 22,000lb. chassis but I haven't had each corner weighed so I need to do that. I think I may be running too much tire pressure at 88-90psi in all tires since the Michelin tire pressure table shows 75-80psi is adequate for 3500-4000lbs. and I doubt each tire is carrying more than that. SuperGewl suggested filling the water tank and that would be another 600lbs. or so(75gal) and might also help the ride. Thanks, Jim

When I say loaded, I mean a full fresh water tank, Full LPG, full fuel tank, full Grey tank, one weeks worth of food and clothing for 2 people, a full basement full of gear. I am running Yokohama Super Steel 245/75R 22.5 tires @ 90psi front and rear. I haven't had my rig weighed so I can't say what my weight is.

[mikron]

We have 2008 coach on a 2007 F53 chassis. Did the rear trac and Koni shocks but also added a safe T plus steering unit and that helped the most in the comfort of driving. Took rig to a CAT scale and checked tire chart for air. Tires at 80 all around and coach rides fine. I don't think you can get a diesel chassis ride no matter what you do.

[Winnie 2000]

Hello All, my MH isn't as new as the one here but the problem was the same. I put Koni FDS all around and Ride Rite air bags front and rear. The Koni shocks gave me a softer ride and the air bags gave it a firm softness. Very happy with the outcome, rides like a truck but a very nice truck now.

[Pirate]

Strange, my 2006 rides like a caddy. Stock all the way around except I put on a rear trac bar and some spacers to lever it out a bit. The main difference I noticed between mine and the above folks is tire size. I have the 19.5 on mine. I went with Michelin XZE, I think LR H, I don't remember. Air is 85 front, 95 rear, fully loaded for trip.