American Coach: American Eagle Shocks

[Dale70]

I am curious if any higher mileage Eagle/Dream/Heritage Spartan chassis owners (single rear axle) have replaced their shocks and what difference it made?

I have about 120,000 miles and the shocks probably need replacement, although the RV seems to ride well and I have no steering, tracking, side wind, or chassis issues at all. It probably bounces a bit, but 30,000 lbs riding on air bags has to bounce some. I have no comparison (this being our first RV) and I have never driven any other RV.

I am considering replacing them before we leave for Alaska which will have portions of roads which are not the smoothest.

thx Dale

[GlennLever]

Originally Posted by Dale70

I am curious if any higher mileage Eagle/Dream/Heritage Spartan chassis owners (single rear axle) have replaced their shocks and what difference it made?

I have about 120,000 miles and the shocks probably need replacement, although the RV seems to ride well and I have no steering, tracking, side wind, or chassis issues at all. It probably bounces a bit, but 30,000 lbs riding on air bags has to bounce some. I have no comparison (this being our first RV) and I have never driven any other RV.

I am considering replacing them before we leave for Alaska which will have portions of roads which are not the smoothest.

thx Dale

As you know I have Gillig chassis. I do not know if you have the same shocks
. My replacement shock (front) is an adjustable Koni part number 881458SP2.

We were experiencing a bouncy ride (up and down).

When installed I set the shock to the second most firmest setting. If I had it to do over (they have to be removed to set the firmest) I would go all the way to that setting.

It did make a huge difference when traveling on the highway. The ride is still very conformable.

[Cranemec]

We recently changed the shocks on my dads Newell. Road Kings, WOW, the difference is night and day. They are not cheap at $500 each, but it was his money. LOL
Just throwing it out there.

RoadKing RV Shocks - RoadKing Shocks LLC

[Dale70]

Hello Glenn --

I have the Spartan chassis and have never heard of the shocks being the adjustable type. Having been around sports car road racing for many years I am familiar with adjustable shocks of course.

As far as I can see the shocks are regular monotube.
The Bilsteins are OEM, and the Bilstein replacements are monotube.

The RV rides great, just seems to bounce a bit longer than a big van would --but I have never had anything else with air suspension.

[GlennLever]

The Koni is also a single tube shock, the adjustment is not external, you collapse the shock all the way and it engages the valve and you can fell it click through the settings.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONl4...ature=youtu.be

Bilsteins many bot be adjustable.

I am very happy I installed new shocks, made a big difference with the bouncing up and down If I remember right they were $600.00

[RVingDutchman]

Originally Posted by Dale70

I am curious if any higher mileage Eagle/Dream/Heritage Spartan chassis owners (single rear axle) have replaced their shocks and what difference it made?

I have about 120,000 miles and the shocks probably need replacement, although the RV seems to ride well and I have no steering, tracking, side wind, or chassis issues at all. It probably bounces a bit, but 30,000 lbs riding on air bags has to bounce some. I have no comparison (this being our first RV) and I have never driven any other RV.

I am considering replacing them before we leave for Alaska which will have portions of roads which are not the smoothest.

thx Dale

Hello Dale,

Your definitely due for some shocks by the sound of it, It should not bounce that much, we replaced ours a year 1/2 ago with Bilsteins and that was a huge improvement but If I could do it over again I'd pick the adjustable Koni's this time because I think the Bilsteins are just a bit to light for this rig.
They are fine for good pavement and good roads but as soon as the roads get rough the shocks can't keep up and the bouncing gets out of control.
Glenn If you set the shocks to the hardest setting the bouncing may be slightly less but the ride will be much worse, If you try the softer ride you'll find the bouncing to be almost the same and the ride even better.
Try it.

Regards,

Ed

[Dale70]

Hey Ed, good to hear from you.

I will look at the Koni's -=-- but pricing may keep me in the Bilsteins.

Glenn -- Yes, that is how my Koni's were adjusted umteen years ago on my 1970 Datsun 240Z. I do like the way my KYB's are adjusted on my current track car -- reach under and twist the know from 7 to 8. But I do know what you are talking about

Of course I could always be the first to adopt some Penske remotes to an RV.
They are on some of the million dollar plus race cars I sometimes crew for. The only thing holding me back from that project is several thousand dollars per shock I think I will be held back a Longggg time.

thx Dale