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07-05-2013, 05:06 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 25
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SHOCKING Disappointment
Just returned from a 4000 mile road trip thru Washington, Idaho, Utah, Wyoming and Montana. Many, many mountains and many bad roads.
Before I left I decided to go ahead and replace my ageing Monroe Magnums on my 36-37 ft. HR. The Monroes while seemingly still OK, had over 20k on them and as long as I was putting new tires all around, I thought I might as well replace the shocks as well.
I have been reading all of the comments on Koni, Bilstein, Road King and Sachs for several years now, attempting to make a decision on which way to go when the time came to make a change. I didn't care as much as the cost as the potential ride I wanted. I also saw the road test article that has been circulating for some time now comparing Koni, Bilstein and I think the third was Road King.
After much consideration I decided to go with the Bilsteins. To say I am disappointed would be an understatement. I wish now that I would have purchased another set of the Monroe Magnums. There was absolutely no improvement of any nature, and the porpoising control wasn't even close to as good as my Magnums.
Wow, I feel like I have been listening to a whole lot of hype out there about shocks, and went for it. Sadly, sadly disappointed and possibly will replace the Bilsteins with Magnums again. After all of this, I really can't understand why Magnums are not included in more of the comparison conversations going on.
No, I don't have any type of allegiance with Monroe, or with any other RV manufacturer either. I have been RVng for over 40 years now, with 12 of them in a Class A motorhome. If you are thinking about shocks, do your home work and good luck in your choice.
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07-05-2013, 05:20 PM
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#2
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Registered User
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Varies Depending on The Weather
Posts: 8,517
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After my research and due diligence, I chose Koni's.
The little bit of extra money you pay for the Koni's in my opinion paid off with stability, comfort and control.
No contest, Koni's will always come out ahead.
Dr4Film ----- Richard
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07-05-2013, 05:23 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Full time RV'er
Posts: 5,126
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I've replaced shocks on many, many, vehicles and I can honestly say that I've hardly ever felt much difference at all, on any of them...
Recently though (like 5 years ago), when I replaced the OEM shocks on my Class A with Bilsteins I did feel a difference. There at least, I could feel that the porpoising had stopped. And the roll I'd get when a truck passed was greatly reduced. That's about it.
Biggest difference in ride is almost always when I'd change tires. Not shocks.
Thanks for the post...but I think shocks are like those Chevy/Ford arguments. It's so subjective as to be meaningless.
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07-05-2013, 05:43 PM
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: The Land Of Oz RVM17
Posts: 1,592
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Our Newmar came with Bilsteins. Hated the ride. At 700 miles I broke down and installed a set of Koni FSDs. Worth every penny. Bilsteins went in the trash where they belong. They are cheap junk. Now we are happy campers. I had never heard of Konis until I got on this irv2 forum. I love you all. Great resource of knowledge and experience.
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07-05-2013, 05:48 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Sonoma County, CA
Posts: 6,398
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Our Winne UFO came with Bilstein's and the “porpoiseing” was horrible. Replaced with the Koni's and couldn't be happier.
__________________
Wayne & Roberta
08 Winnebago Destination 39W Gas UFO Workhorse Chassis......It's really weird being the same age as old people. I thought getting old would take much longer.
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07-05-2013, 06:05 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
National RV Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Manhattan Beach, CA
Posts: 695
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Long story short. Replaced our Monroes with Bilstiens, two months later a maybe 500 mile replaced new Bilsiens with Konis. Konis have 40,000 miles on them. Couldn't be happier. Koni makes great shocks for MHs. Best money I spent with daily benifits.
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07-05-2013, 06:14 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Wellington, Florida
Posts: 13,599
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Hi Quinten,
I'm puzzled why after all your research you purchased Bilstein shocks! All the posts I've read members are replacing Bilsteins with Koni's. I did this and have been very pleased with the Koni's.
Please remember the expert evaluation articles one reads need to be taken with a grain of salt. One does not get their product included in the evaluation unless one advertises in the magazine. This means the evaluator is writing an article about advertisers (customers) of the magazine.
__________________
Gary
2005 Newmar KSDP 3910 + GMC ENVOY XUV 37K lbs Moving Down The Road
The Avatar Is Many Times Around The USA
Nobody Knows Your Coach Like Somebody Who Owns One Just Like Yours
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07-05-2013, 06:21 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Appalachian Campers Mid Atlantic Campers Coastal Campers Holiday Rambler Owners Club iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Orlando, Flordia
Posts: 305
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Does anyone use Road King?
__________________
Leo & Cindy Thrush (aka "RVM46") Cats: Latte, Jelly Bean
"There are many things given to us in this life we do not deserve. What we do with such things; that is the true mark of a man!"
2005 Holiday Rambler, 45' PGA 2007 Jeep Liberty in trailer
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07-05-2013, 06:35 PM
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#9
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Registered User
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Varies Depending on The Weather
Posts: 8,517
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Too expensive and rated lower than Koni's.
Another older thread about shocks and comparisons.
http://www.irv2.com/forums/f104/moto...ers-50294.html
Dr4Film ----- Richard
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07-05-2013, 06:44 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Full time RV'er
Posts: 5,126
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The RV OEMs used Bilsteins on some models and as you'd expect, they wouldn't pay the price so they got what they paid for. Therefore, you read all these criticisms of OEM Bilsteins but the aftermarket shocks they make have a good reputation. And they are less expensive then the Koni's. That's why many 2nd set shock buyers go with Bilsteins. It's a matter of money to be sure, but there are also many criticisms of Koni shocks out there.
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07-05-2013, 06:59 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 246
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When we bought our '06 MH two years ago I was a shock illiterate. Like many I started reading forums and postings. I didn't realize that our MH had already been upgraded to Bilsteins sometime in the first 10k miles. I did know that I wasn't happy with the ride every little bump or joint was a jarring hit. Last month I decided that enough was enough and ordered new Koni's. the koni FSD shocks are definitely the way to go. Imagine my surprise when removing the old shocks to install the konis and discovering that they were Bilsteins. Our first trip with the Konis was a tremendous improvement. They really smoothed out the bumps and joints and took away the porpoise bounce.
I have also done the CHF, new poly rear sway bushings and fabricated my own rear track bar. All of this together has made a very enjoyable ride both from the drivers seat but also from the co pilot seat.
__________________
"...NOT ALL WHO WANDER ARE LOST"BILBO BAGGINS
2006 FOURWINDS WINDSPORT 36Z 2012 JEEP LIBERTY TOAD
HABITATGUY
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07-05-2013, 07:04 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 246
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HabitatGuy
When we bought our '06 MH two years ago I was a shock illiterate. Like many I started reading forums and postings. I didn't realize that our MH had already been upgraded to Bilsteins sometime in the first 10k miles. I did know that I wasn't happy with the ride every little bump or joint was a jarring hit. Last month I decided that enough was enough and ordered new Koni's. the koni FSD shocks are definitely the way to go. Imagine my surprise when removing the old shocks to install the konis and discovering that they were Bilsteins. Our first trip with the Konis was a tremendous improvement. They really smoothed out the bumps and joints and took away the porpoise bounce.
I have also done the CHF, new poly rear sway bushings and fabricated my own rear track bar. All of this together has made a very enjoyable ride both from the drivers seat but also from the co pilot seat.
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Forgot to add that I have a set of low mile Bilsteins that I would give to someone. I hate to throw anything in the trash if it is still usable. PM me if anyone is interested.
__________________
"...NOT ALL WHO WANDER ARE LOST"BILBO BAGGINS
2006 FOURWINDS WINDSPORT 36Z 2012 JEEP LIBERTY TOAD
HABITATGUY
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07-05-2013, 07:09 PM
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#13
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: The Land Of Oz RVM17
Posts: 1,592
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim_HiTek
The RV OEMs used Bilsteins on some models and as you'd expect, they wouldn't pay the price so they got what they paid for. Therefore, you read all these criticisms of OEM Bilsteins but the aftermarket shocks they make have a good reputation. And they are less expensive then the Koni's. That's why many 2nd set shock buyers go with Bilsteins. It's a matter of money to be sure, but there are also many criticisms of Koni shocks out there.
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Bilsteins left such a bad taste in my mouth, thank you no more. One taste of crap is all I need. It's a disgrace to Newmar that they use such junk. And they do know how to charge, but not so much how to deliver. Maybe building them in China next year. Half of the parts come from there already! AT LEAST!
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07-05-2013, 07:33 PM
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#14
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Georgetown ,Texas
Posts: 69
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Quietn. I felt the same way last year, when I wanted to change shocks. I saw all the hype about Koni and Bliestien. I decided since the coach came with Monroe and served it well for 50,000 miles they would serve for another 50. I made the right decision. My 2001 HR Endeavor road great and and I saved a bunch.
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