Weight Distribution To Improve Ride

KJB · 09-07-2010, 05:37 AM

I'm looking to do anything and everything I can to improve the ride on my 2010 F53 242" wb chassis. Is it better to have more or less weight on the front axle to improve the ride? I have the 7,500 lb front axle and I'm at 6,500 lbs when loaded. My rear axle is the 14,500 and I'm at 12,500 when loaded. So I am under by 1,000 lbs in front and 2,000 lbs in the rear. I could move some heavier compartment items forward if I thought that would help.

Clifftall · 09-07-2010, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KJB

I'm looking to do anything and everything I can to improve the ride on my 2010 F53 242" wb chassis. Is it better to have more or less weight on the front axle to improve the ride? I have the 7,500 lb front axle and I'm at 6,500 lbs when loaded. My rear axle is the 14,500 and I'm at 12,500 when loaded. So I am under by 1,000 lbs in front and 2,000 lbs in the rear. I could move some heavier compartment items forward if I thought that would help.

KJB here's a link to air ride thread Air Ride Available? .

Maybe that's what your looking for

LVJ58 · 09-07-2010, 07:52 AM

Have you tried installing the Koni FSD shocks up front and running 80psi in your tires yet?

And yes it would help if you are able to move more weight to the front.

Topflite51 · 09-07-2010, 08:03 AM

I have read many times that it is better to have the front loaded as close as one can to capacity. So move as much as you can to the front without overloading the front springs and try it.

KJB · 09-08-2010, 05:07 AM

I have reduced tire pressure and that helped significantly. I'm holding off on Koni's until I hear Kathy's assessment. My RV only has 4,000 miles so while I'm willing to spend money on the issue, I don't want to just throw money at the problem. It seems most of the suggestions have two sides, one side suggests improvement, one side does not. We have a 2,000 mile trip coming up at the end of the month. I'm going to shift some weight forward for that trip. Thanks for the suggestions.

Kathy_MD · 09-08-2010, 10:46 AM

KJB:
Due to my availability, I will not be able to road-test the Koni shocks until late September or early October. The road-trip will about 2K miles and should provide a comprehensive, albeit non-technical, assessment. I will be traveling over roads previously taken, so a comparative should be available.

However, my observations will simply be another data point added to previous reports and, as I noted in another post re current reports, possibly subjective. I will attempt to be objective and detailed as possible with my observations.

Katherine

LVJ58 · 09-08-2010, 11:30 AM

For us, I didn't consider installation of Koni FSD's on our front suspension a waste of money, as the Koni FSD shocks significantly enhanced the ride quality of our coach.

I can certainly understand one's hesitancy on spending a lot of $$$ without a guarantee of ride enhancement.

Frankly I had the same doubts before spending the $300.00+ for the pair of Koni's, but now I'm glad I took the chance.

Hopefully in time and with some additions and/or changes to your suspension, you'll achieve a ride quality that you'll enjoy.

Best of luck and keep us posted on your progress,

KJB · 09-09-2010, 06:12 AM

Our 2,000 mile roundtrip from WI to Ontario, Canada late this month will be our final trip before putting the RV into winter hibernation so I won't be doing anything about Koni shocks before next spring. Will be anxious to hear Katherine's assessment.

jcthorne · 09-10-2010, 01:19 AM

From what I have read, those that replaced oem Ford shocks with koni are quite pleased. Those that replaced the newer bilisteens Ford is using now, not so much.

Kathy_MD · 03-03-2011, 12:28 PM

Thought this thread was dead huh?

Well, I did not get the Konis installed, they are still sitting in my garage sitting next to a track bar and dual-guards.

Things.....well things happened to derail my plans.

I should have them all installed this month (fingers crossed) and a full evaluation later.

johnsonjm209 · 03-04-2011, 06:16 PM

I don't know if I would be in a rush to put more weight on my steering axle unless I had solid info that it should be done.
I might check my side to side weights and see if they are fairly equal.
If I had all of those items that you have in your garage, I would have them installed before I made any other decisions.

I don't expect perfection from any of the Ford rvs that I have had, but I got a pretty good ride on my last two with a Saf-t-Steer on the front and a Davis tru trac installed up front also. I am sitting here in Florida now and just drove down from Ct. and it was a comfortable ride. I also have more weight than you have, but I am under my max's.
I also put 105lbs of air in a 110 max rated tire.

For what it's worth.