Community Forums

DavidH · 09-17-2007, 07:21 PM

Any disagreements that Koni shocks are the best way to go for my '93 Winnebago Brave? My rears are pretty much shot and need replacing. At $300 + s/h off the Koni RV website, they're a bit more than Bilsteins from CampingWorld.com (around $240 + s/h) but seem to be worth the $$$ based on smoother ride and adjustability.

Easy enough to install myself, or should I take my ride to Redlands RV Center?

Thanks for any insight!

(I just returned from a 1K mi. round trip to the Reno Air Races, with wife and Dad and a couple of other RVing friends. Check it out sometime! www.airrace.org. Here's another good site: http://www.warbird.com/)

DavidH · 09-17-2007, 07:21 PM

Any disagreements that Koni shocks are the best way to go for my '93 Winnebago Brave? My rears are pretty much shot and need replacing. At $300 + s/h off the Koni RV website, they're a bit more than Bilsteins from CampingWorld.com (around $240 + s/h) but seem to be worth the $$$ based on smoother ride and adjustability.

Easy enough to install myself, or should I take my ride to Redlands RV Center?

Thanks for any insight!

(I just returned from a 1K mi. round trip to the Reno Air Races, with wife and Dad and a couple of other RVing friends. Check it out sometime! www.airrace.org. Here's another good site: http://www.warbird.com/)

RV Wizard · 09-18-2007, 12:21 AM

David, I have only heard good of the Koni brand shocks. Not knowing your mechanical skilll level puts us at a disadvantage to advising you as to wheather you can install them yourself. It looks like you had a good time at the air races. Good luck and let us know about the shocks install and how they perform for you.

nhgeezer · 09-18-2007, 02:11 AM

Both shacks are good. I have the biistiens on Rover and am happy with them. I had Koni's on the Southwind but that chassis could not be made to ride right or handle right no matter what compaired to the Diesel pusher. In replacing shocks remember to keep the weight on the wheels. If you do jack it up jack under the axles not the chassis. 4 nuts and the shocks slip off the studs, bottom first and then the top. Keeps the shock from swinging down and cracking the old noggin. The rubber bushing should come off the the shocks. Wn\hen installing the new shocks I squirt some brake fluid on the rubber bushing so that they will slide easier. If the new shocks are held in the closed position with a band leave the band in place until the top of the shock is mounted and the washer and nut are in place finger tight. Then cut the band as the gas pressure begins to expand the shock be ready to slip it over the lower mounting stud when it reaches the proper length. This works on all gas filled shocks. Install the washers and nuts. Now tighten the nuts top and bottom acording to the instructions in the package. Good Luck

1990 Foretravel

Rocky Larson · 09-18-2007, 02:51 AM

I had Hendersons install Koni FSD's while I was at the Escapade in Stockton, Ca. The ride back to NJ was nothing short of wonderful. I don't know what the OEM's were but from now on I'll specify FSD's.

Argosy · 09-18-2007, 03:52 AM

What chassis do you have? Have the fronts been changed? If not they are probably also shot. I have a P30 and haven't found Koni for the front. I am not a real fan of mixing shocks on a vehicle prone to handling problems, you are doing half a job if you only change the rears and the front are original.

Have you looked at eShocks.com? The have Bilsteins, front, rear, damper for about $400, free shipping.

DavidH · 09-18-2007, 04:00 AM

Thanks for the great feedback. I'm also experimenting with tire and air bag pressures. I pulled one of the shocks yesterday and it offered little resistance. The lower 1/2 was coated with oil (the surrounding area was dry) so I'm pretty sure it's time.

DavidH · 09-18-2007, 04:03 AM

Argosy; the front are indeed Bilsteins, and they seem to offer a decent ride. Do you think it's a bad idea to mix Bilsteins in the front with Koni rears?

(I need to head off to work; I'll check back in this evening; THANKS again everyone)

Argosy · 09-18-2007, 10:15 AM

I would save my money and put Bilsteins on the rear also. I like shocks to be comparable in ride. Konis are adjustable, but if you adjust them as stiff as the Bilsteins you might as well save the cash.

wilanddij · 09-18-2007, 06:25 PM

A few months ago I talked to the guys at Redlands Truck about just putting Konis on the front. They do not recommend mixing shocks either. Their ballpark quote for four Konis on my Southwind was about $900.

DavidH · 09-18-2007, 07:30 PM

Since the front Bilsteins seem to be working okay (no pounding; relatively smooth ride up front) sounds like buying a set for the rear to match the fronts is the best route.

My wife's frayed nerves thank everyone for your expertise!

quikduk · 09-19-2007, 07:05 AM

I am going to replace my Bilsteins with the Koni FSDs when I get the extra $$. I got a quote from shox.com and it was $499 to my door for all four FSDs.

"Konis have free shipping, for retail customers, to the continental USA and Canada but it does not include the special Koni/spring packages."

Hope this helps.

BTW, it is always best to replace ALL shocks at the same time but if cost requires you to do one axle at a time, that is acceptable. I personally wouldn't wait too long to replace the other axle set though so that the wear remains fairly balanced.

Just my $.02