2016 Winnie TOUR and those bumps

[Robi.1014]

If you're an owner of a 201x TOUR 42QD, I'd like to hear your opinion about our front suspension hitting a bump. Example: At highway speed and a road-to-bridge transition has the bridge concrete slightly higher than the asphalt road-bed leading up to the bridge. This condition, of course, causes the front shocks to compress very quickly. On my rig, it sounds like all hell is breaking loose. My previous Monaco Diplomat took such bumps in stride (sure: some noise), but the TOUR reaction is just plain nasty. My rig has done this since new.

[asuperheat]

Mine was pretty bad but the previous owner had hit something before I bought it. I replaced the Sachs shocks with Koni's. Seems better but I have not had a long trip with bad roads to see if it's all gone.

[mjeffrey]

We have an 11 Journey 40 footer and every time we went over a bad seam in the road it felt like a bomb was going off. The airbags were just bottoming out because the shocks were doing absolutely nothing. We upgraded to Bilstein shocks and although it's a stiffer ride it also is a smoother ride.

Shocks were only two plus years old when we remove them. I picked up one of the original shocks and I was able to compress it with my arm strength.

Certainly not capable of handling 13,000 lb front axles.

[mjeffrey]

Chip at 'Rally's R Us' used to go around to all the big rallies and do Bilstein shock replacements right there in the rally grounds.

We've been to several GNRs and a couple of other club rallies and he is just nonstop replacing OEM shocks with Bilstein shocks.

Hope his business is surviving the pandemic and lack of rallies.

[clhjsh]

We have a 2013 Ellipse 42qd and it goes down the road like a dream. Heading south out of Reno on US 395/I 580 there are a couple of bridge expansion joints that cross the road at an angle with a pretty big height change and it handles it with a slight smooth roll.
I have seen others on the forum that have had handling issues with their Tour/Ellipse so you might search and see if you can find what they did.
By chance have you weighed your motorhome to see what the weight is on the front axle?

[chuckftboy]

Though not a Tour my chassis is pretty much the same. I have not had any issue with a harsh ride even on the roughest roads and I 've been on some nasty roads. Maybe Clhjsh has a point with the front axel weight.

[clhjsh]

I haven’t figured out how to insert a link to another thread but search “Itasca Ellipse 2014 rides rough”. It has a discussion about your issue.

[Ray,IN]

Originally Posted by mjeffrey

Chip at 'Rally's R Us' used to go around to all the big rallies and do Bilstein shock replacements right there in the rally grounds.

We've been to several GNRs and a couple of other club rallies and he is just nonstop replacing OEM shocks with Bilstein shocks.

Hope his business is surviving the pandemic and lack of rallies.

Our MH came with Bilstein's as OEM, I replaced them @ 38,xxx miles and 18 years age. Shocks go bad from age as well as use. Made a huge difference in both ride and handling.

[loydt]

I have the same basic coach, 2014 Ellipse 42QD and yes I have the same problem. Bridge transitions and minor road issues are very rough in the front/

I have a service appointment at Freightliner in Gafney in December and that is on the list.

[Robi.1014]

Thanks all. And to Loyd, I'll certainly like to hear of your December appointment...and the changes made. If new shocks (Bilstein, or other?) are prescribed, what is the part number for our rig?


Thanks again.

[loydt]

I am thinking I definitely need new shocks, at the least. Mine being a 2014 with 44k miles on it. I suspect that if Gafney guys do it, they will go with the OEM brand, which I believe are Sachs? Anyway, I will keep you updated.

[Skip Y]

I hate to ask the obvious, but are the tires overinflated?

[Robi.1014]

Great question. I've not had the opportunity to weigh each wheel (or axel), so I'm running 110 lbs up front. I would not feel comfortable running with less unless I knew the exact weight. Feedback from other 42QD owners??

[clhjsh]

I am currently running 100 psi up front.