Shocks

[NanaJ]

We have a 2015 class a Jayco Precept. It is great other than the ride. Has anyone replaced original shocks. And any other options to smooth out the ROUGH roads?

[MisterT]

wow, that's shocking since Jayco promotes their 'special' ride and handling package built into every unit, as though it's something special compared to all others...

(Jayco's advertising on their website
"RIDE AND HANDLING. DEFINED."
[At Jayco, we believe the journey is just as important as the destination, which is why we've introduced an industry-first Ride and Handling package - the Jayco exclusive JRide®. Packed with ride-enhancing upgrades, get ready for a drive that'll move you...]

[Computer-Balanced Driveshaft]

Every Jayco motorhome driveshaft is balanced. This extra step, overlooked by many competitors, ensures the driveshaft is properly tuned to reduce shudder and vibrations, while ensuring power is efficiently transmitted to the wheels.

[Jounce Bumpers]

Jounce bumpers absorb impact and dampen excess road noise and vibration

[Standard Rear Stabilizer Bar]

Connecting opposite wheels together, a stabilizer bar adds rigidity to the frame, reducing sideways tilting when cornering.

[Heavy-Duty Front Stabilizer Bar]

This additional stabilizer bar adds further support and stability for even easier handling.



...so, are you saying that you think your ride is worse than other Class A motorhomes, or most others?
I can assure you that most, if not all, Class A Ford Chassis gas motorhomes all ride and drive about the same, no matter the manufacturer - and yes, road smoothness has a LOT to do with it. Having delivered both Newmar CanyonStar and Coachmen Mirada Select and Pursuit units from the factories to dealers, it's little difference once you're in the driver's seat.

[RobbieH]

What the heck are they talking about regarding the driveshaft being balanced? I've driven vehicles with the driveshaft out of balance, and it is more than a minor annoyance.

Jounce bumpers are nothing more than another name for bumpstops. Pretty much every vehicle has them.

[danhannah]

I have a 27 foot Winnebago 27N, 2014 on a Ford F53 chassis, and while I love the coach, I hate the ride. It's okay on very smooth pavement, but that's tough to find anymore. I feel every rut and crack in the road.

I have decided to change out the factory Bilstein shocks, which I am told are the cheapest Bilsteins they make, and which are way too stiff for RV application, and maybe work better for a delivery truck.

The softest I could find are Monroe Gas-Matics, so after I get them on, I plan a 1000 mile trip and I will report back. They are cheap - around $60 each, and the experiment is easy to reverse if the MH handling is adversely affected.

I hope it helps a little, anyway! I will report back in Late May.

[vagaron]

While our '06 Pace Arrow is in for repairs, I'm having them install new shocks up front. The svc mgr said they install Koni shocks (I didn't ask what model) and owners are always amazed at the difference. Guess I'll find out soon.

[R2Home]

We just had 8 shocks replace on our MH. Went with Source Engineering brand and did the top end ones. We drove from Coburg OR to Medford OR yesterday and can tell the difference. They are not cheap by any means but the ride has improved. We see how they do on the return trip to Alaska in a few weeks.

[JCM]

Originally Posted by danhannah

I have a 27 foot Winnebago 27N, 2014 on a Ford F53 chassis, and while I love the coach, I hate the ride. It's okay on very smooth pavement, but that's tough to find anymore. I feel every rut and crack in the road.

I have decided to change out the factory Bilstein shocks, which I am told are the cheapest Bilsteins they make, and which are way too stiff for RV application, and maybe work better for a delivery truck.

The softest I could find are Monroe Gas-Matics, so after I get them on, I plan a 1000 mile trip and I will report back. They are cheap - around $60 each, and the experiment is easy to reverse if the MH handling is adversely affected.

I hope it helps a little, anyway! I will report back in Late May.

Don't buy Monroe as they only lasted about 5,000 miles on our GM 8.1 (22,000 lbs). I went to Koni and they rode like my present DP. I noticed the big difference, right away, when driving down I5 in Washington - no road thumps over the tar strips. The coach handled like a dream.

[bargeman]

Originally Posted by danhannah

I have a 27 foot Winnebago 27N, 2014 on a Ford F53 chassis, and while I love the coach, I hate the ride. It's okay on very smooth pavement, but that's tough to find anymore. I feel every rut and crack in the road.

I have decided to change out the factory Bilstein shocks, which I am told are the cheapest Bilsteins they make, and which are way too stiff for RV application, and maybe work better for a delivery truck.

The softest I could find are Monroe Gas-Matics, so after I get them on, I plan a 1000 mile trip and I will report back. They are cheap - around $60 each, and the experiment is easy to reverse if the MH handling is adversely affected.

I hope it helps a little, anyway! I will report back in Late May.

FWIW,
Traded our 2014 WBgo 26HE on a 2017 Coachmen Mirada 35LS... also on an F53 chassis...

Not sure what impact the age difference or mfr year would make, but the vista would tell you every crack in the road and vehicle passing (even motorcycles!)...

The new camper drives like a dream....

[vagaron]

I went to Koni and they rode like my present DP.

JCM, do you remember what model Konis they put on?

[LarryH1481]

This my next upgrade...

https://www.ultrarvproducts.com/Koni...-12)?filter=20

[jpspaz]

I replaced my stock Bilsteins with Konis and they actually made the ride worse. They are stiffer than the Bilsteins and a different design principle. They did help the side to side sway a little. I am going to go with SumoSprings to see if I can lessen the hard hits when going over bridge expansion joints and other road abnormalities. I have heard and read many good things about them. There are many threads on the topic.

[Gary RVRoamer]

Shocks make very little difference in the ride. They are there to reduce the tendency of the suspension to bounce and thus keep the wheels in contact with the road so you can steer and brake. If you are bouncing up & down several times after hitting a pothole. newer/better shocks may help the 2nf and later bounces, but you are still going to feel the pothole. If you feel every crack you drive over, there is no shock that will alter that.

A heavy motorhome body on a leaf spring suspension (all gas RVs and a few diesels) is not a recipe for a smooth ride on rough roads, or even on superhighways that have ribs between the slabs of smooth concrete.

Tire pressure is a major factor in ride comfort, so optimizing the pressure for the actual weight helps.

Lurching and swaying is a common complaint. Larger/better anti-roll bars will help a leaf spring suspension. Ride control valves are a great help on air suspensions.

[JCM]

Originally Posted by vagaron

JCM, do you remember what model Konis they put on?

They were specific for the coach. They were not adjustable but specific for your chassis. They were yellow. They were the 2nd best mod I did to my Workhorse chassis. I replaced my GM headers with Banks ones - not the complete system just the headers. Made the unit go like a rocket(acceleration) from 60 to 80. It was safe to pass again.
The Monroes were dead in 5,000 miles. Bilstiens gave a rock hard ride and I felt every crack in the road.
Good luck.

[Dave-Oh]

I switched from the stock Bilsteins to Konis. Aside from Centramatic Balancers, the only handling mod. I think it reduced the minor porpoising on some road joints, reduced the harshness as well. It was an acceptable mod, but not sure it was a big bang for the buck