suspension/steering upgrade

[jmichel]

Hello,

I'm a new member from Quebec, Canada. This forum looks great. I need to do upgrades (steering and suspension) on our old (but clean) 1993, 37 foot with tag axle Newmar Kountry Aire. I heard about adding another air suspension on the differential and a steering SAFE-T-PLUS from SUPER STEER. Any suggestions?

Thank you in advance,

JM

[MonacoMama]

jmichel...I would first like to welcome you to iRV2!! I am not your answer to your upgrade questions... but I can tell you that many folks here will try to help in some way...

Again...welcome to iRV2 - we do hope you visit & post often!

[Route 66]

Welcome to iRV2.

What chassis do you have?

[jmichel]

Thank you for welcoming me. The RV we have is sitting on a P-30 Chassis with tag axle. I hope this will help.

Thank you,

JM

[Gary RVRoamer]

Welcome aboard!

What are you trying to achieve with these upgrades? What problem are you fixing?

Just throwing upgrades at the chassis is good for the economy but may not get what you want.

And before doing any upgrades, what is the status of the stock suspension and steering? Are the front air bags in good working order and inflated properly? Front end aligned correctly? Shocks in good condition? Tie rods and such nice and tight?

[jmichel]

Everything is stock (17 years old): Shocks, rubber bushings, air lift suspension on tag axle (100 PSI), air bags on front suspension (65 PSI)... I'm planning to put new Billstein shocks, polyethilene bushings, air suspension (Firestone) on the differential axle and Safe-T-Plus steering stabilizer. I want to improve the poor handling of our motorhome so I will be less stressed out behind the wheel and less tired when I arrived to destination.

Thanks,

JM

P.S. I hope my English is o.k.

[Mike Thomas]

I have a 95 and it is technically a P32. Your's could be a P30 as most people confuse the two. The things I found with only 35,000 on the chassis that the bell crank bushing was worn out and the assembly was loose on the frame. I had a new bushing installed and tightned to the frame. It wore out again in less than 5,000 miles. Opted for the timken bearing upgrade. I next thru out the air bags and purchased new coil springs, matched to the actual load. Next was a track bar for the rear axle. The next piece of the puzzle was air bags for the rear axle to assist the leaf springs while towing a trailer. That and a good two axle alignment, and spin balance all tires and it handles like I wanted. I can take any corner or exit ramp 10 mph over posted speeds and not feel like I am going to roll over into the ditch.

I would not do all of those things at once, but one at a time, until you reach a level that feels good to you. The steer safe thing on the front steering is just a damper, that doesn't fix anything, just dampens it so you don't feel it as much. I am more about performance and safety. Others are invited to disagree, but that is my experience.