Community Forums

trode · 12-04-2012, 02:14 PM

My 2004 Seabreeze, on f-53 22K 2003 chassis is miserable on rough roads. The slamming and banging on expansion joints or broken roads makes it sound like it will fall apart. I want to turn the "BAM-BAM into thump-thump" like someone else posted in this forum.

I assume shocks are at issue here, OEM's still on there are 8 yrs old with 31,ooo miles. Don't want to spend twice as much on the Koni's if not worth it. However, don't mind spending it if they will do the trick.

Opinions? Or better yet, real world results.

Thanks

Think I will do the McKinley modification while I am under there before looking at steering stabilizers.

clyon51 · 12-04-2012, 02:26 PM

The banging on expansion joints sounds more like too much air in the tires to me. If you're not sure, check the pressures before dumping $600 on shocks.

jackrobinryan · 12-04-2012, 02:40 PM

Agree, get accurate weights for you coach, loaded to travel, and adjust your tires according to tha manufacturer's specs. Front and rear , but four corners is better.

Then, if you don't see acceptable improvement, spend the extra on Koni. IMHO.

palehorse89 · 12-04-2012, 02:59 PM

Are the tires original tires from 2004? If so they might be getting a little stiff. When I had new rubber put on my coach , when I drove it home I thought I had traded and was driving a new coach. One thought: A o-ring that is old, 6-10 years, hard? brittle? not flexable. A new o-ring, you can tie it in a knot, really soft and flexable. Tires are the same just on a bigger scale. Just a thought

KSCRUDE · 12-04-2012, 03:08 PM

Just put the konis on all 4 corners, and it is now more of a thud then a bang on expansion joints. But I have scientific prof that they do ride smoother. This was a new rig in July so the bilsteins were brand new. About every 100 miles I had to push the sun visors back up about 6 to 8 inches as they would Shack down on most any road. Drove it 1100 miles over turkey week after installing the Konis on thanksgiving day. No more banging on bumps and joints, and neither visor moved or needed adjusted at all. Couldn't believe it but true. And the bilsteins seemed to weigh about 5# each, and the Konis at least twice as much easy. You get what you pay for and there is nothing to the bilsteins. And you can feel it in your seat and back as well. No comparison.

KSCRUDE · 12-04-2012, 03:35 PM

And I left with 92# in all six tires, same as I always run. 90 gas 80 water, 25 propane and holding tanks empty when we hit the road. Never have run it across the scales so don't really know what she weighs.

RV Manager · 12-04-2012, 06:35 PM

I agree with all of the above but can assure that the Koni's are worth the money. I put a set on the front last year. We hadn't gone 10 miles with my DW ask what was different as the coach roade smoother and quieter. Also helped with sway and rockin when passed by the big rigs. Now if I could find an equal shock for the rear.

LVJ58 · 12-04-2012, 06:57 PM

Just make sure if you get Koni's they're the FSD series. We have them on our 2000 F53 front suspension and they really improved our ride comfort we run 80psi in our 19.5" tires. And yes, I considered them well worth the money.

It appears Bilstein has a new shock called the "Comfitrac" shock which may be comprable to the Koni FSD, but not sure. Also don't know the price....

Good luck with your choice..

Mr_D · 12-04-2012, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KSCRUDE

And I left with 92# in all six tires, same as I always run. 90 gas 80 water, 25 propane and holding tanks empty when we hit the road. Never have run it across the scales so don't really know what she weighs.

So, since you've never weighed it how do you know what pressure you need?
If it's from the sticker in the RV then it's only right if you weigh the maximum it should ever weigh (GVWR).

two slides · 12-04-2012, 07:09 PM

i suppose it's whatever you want to pay. on my ford F-53 chassis with the 228" wheelbase, the Bilstein shocks with the goodyear 670 tires & 85' air pressure & 22,000 chassis, the ride quality is very good--not worth extra dollars for the konis. if yours is on a shorter wheelbase your ride may differ.

trode · 12-05-2012, 05:33 AM

to answer some of the above, I have the tire pressure at 90, and am considering lowering to 85 or less, have posted about this before, at 90 I am technically aired up beyond the GVWR of the chassis. The tires are 4 years old, not original. I have replaced stabilizer bushings. I have had the tires trued and balanced and alignment done since I got unit. Ride is tremendous on smooth road, just HORRIBLE on rough road, broken pavement (thank you overloaded trucks!) or expansion joints. It truly feels like the MH will fall apart on some of these, feels like there is no suspension at all!

Just looking for a reduction in this, I think if I play with the pressure and put on the Koni's or even the Bilsteins I should get some relief. As mentioned above, I hate to buy the B's and regret it so will likely go for the Koni's

Keep the advice coming

clyon51 · 12-05-2012, 06:19 AM

If I were you, I would reduce pressure as you're thinking and take it for a drive. If it gets better, lower again 5lbs. At least you'll then know how much of your problem is due too over inflation and I 'm sure that is part of the problem.

I bought my present rig down in Fl a few years ago and drove it back to Mi. I purposely over inflated the tires a bit and took off. After only 100 miles I stopped and let 5lbs out, the banging was terrible. At about 200 I took another 5 lbs out and things were getting better. By the time I got home the difference was amazing and I knew I found the right pressure and gas mileage remained good at 7.5 - 8 mpg.

I've since had it weighed and the calculations are very close to what I had, I just kept those.

I have no idea how old the bilsteins are on my coach, except I know they aren't original. I have no near future plans to replace them. I've read enough on this forum, when I do replace them, I will use the Koni FSD.

jackrobinryan · 12-05-2012, 06:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clyon51

If I were you, I would reduce pressure as you're thinking and take it for a drive. If it gets better, lower again 5lbs. At least you'll then know how much of your problem is due too over inflation and I 'm sure that is part of the problem.

I bought my present rig down in Fl a few years ago and drove it back to Mi. I purposely over inflated the tires a bit and took off. After only 100 miles I stopped and let 5lbs out, the banging was terrible. At about 200 I took another 5 lbs out and things were getting better. By the time I got home the difference was amazing and I knew I found the right pressure and gas mileage remained good at 7.5 - 8 mpg.

I've since had it weighed and the calculations are very close to what I had, I just kept those.

I have no idea how old the bilsteins are on my coach, except I know they aren't original. I have no near future plans to replace them. I've read enough on this forum, when I do replace them, I will use the Koni FSD.

Truck scales are everywhere. Weigh the coach, get the tire mfg chart and do it right the first time. My ride would be even better with less than the recommended pressure, but unsafe and prone to blowouts.

KSCRUDE · 12-05-2012, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_D

So, since you've never weighed it how do you know what pressure you need?
If it's from the sticker in the RV then it's only right if you weigh the maximum it should ever weigh (GVWR).

It rides good and I am going by the mfg. specs. I am probably not maxed out on gross weight, but it is alway better to have more psi then be under inflated. Need to run it across the scales to make sure.