Community Forums

djdobbins1 · 03-27-2013, 04:13 PM

I recently purchased a 2004 40' Alpine with 80K miles and I suspect the shocks are original and am thinking about replacing them. What does experience show to be the best shocks to improve ride and handling?

Algoma · 03-27-2013, 04:48 PM

You will find that we mostly all switched to the Koni FSD.

Gary Arnold · 03-27-2013, 05:30 PM

By far the best shocks are Road King. But at $500 each they expensive. If I were to replace all the shocks I would put Road King up front and Koni on the rear (the rear bags are stiff enough that the shocks do not have to work that hard).

I have Road King on all four.

djdobbins1 · 03-27-2013, 07:59 PM

thanks Gary. is it a big job to replace the shocks yourself, or is it a job to get done in the shop?

Gary Arnold · 03-27-2013, 09:20 PM

You need large wrenches and lots of leverage. The rear shocks are so tight I found it easer to remove the wheels for install.

Refuse1 · 03-28-2013, 07:03 AM

The OEM shocks are Bilsteins and they have gotten alot of bad press. I replaced mine a couple years ago and went with Koni's and I have no complaints.

I did the shock replacement at the same time as changing the brake fluid, so the wheels were off the coach and is was a very easy job. We actually changed brake fluid & shocks in 3 Alpines the same day. (12 hour day, 3 guys workin it)

I'm not saying that taking the wheels off or changing the brake fluid is easy, I'm just saying that once the wheels & tires are off, the shocks are pretty easy.

If you do a search, there are many threads in here about shocks.

Jim A · 03-28-2013, 10:20 AM

Just to be clear, it might be easier to change the shocks with the wheels removed, but it is not necessary. Mine were replaced (front and back) in about 2 hours with the wheels on. By a shop, not me.

I used Koni.

Capt Bravo · 03-31-2013, 09:50 PM

Thank you for the information. I have 61,000 miles on my coach and plan on changing the shocks. I have used Bilsteins in the past on my SOB but will explore using Koni's

2005 36 MDDS
2004 Suzuki Grand Vitera

djdobbins1 · 04-03-2013, 08:15 PM

Does anyone know what part numbers for the following:
Roadking shocks for front
Koni FSD shocks for rear
2004 40' MDTS

Toofun · 06-14-2013, 02:40 PM

Gary: I am considering roadking shocks for my 2005 Safari Cheetah 36 PDD. Do they have to be special ordered or are they something in stock? Thanks for the help.

Gary Arnold · 06-17-2013, 08:05 AM

This thread applies to the Alpine coach with the Peak Chassis. You would have to contact Road King and see if they make a shock for the Roadmaster Chassis.

Dave Fernandez · 06-17-2013, 09:33 AM

I took me about six hours to replace the shocks with Road Kings while my Alpine was parked in my driveway.

It took a while to crawl around on my back and chase tools & parts by myself and left the coach front & rear enough to work on. Since I was in no hurry the six hours was not much.