Community Forums

retiring1day · 05-25-2013, 06:17 AM

Would like any advice for soften the ride in a 2006 Discovery 39 S. Can the air ride be adjusted or should I check air pressure in tires? Weight shouldn't be a issue,we only use it for a few days once every 2 months and I really don't have much cargo. The ride is really rough in the coach area (thought the microwave was coming out on last trip) especially rough when a pothole gets in the way. Any advice would be appreciated . Thanks Everyone!!!

**CLIFFTALL** · 05-25-2013, 06:26 AM

Over inflated tires would be a good place to start as that would give you a rough / hard ride.

FRR2EYW · 05-25-2013, 06:26 AM

You need to get weighed, four corners if possible, axel weights if not. Then adjust the tire pressure per the manual for the tires. If you are way under your max gross weight and your tires are at the sticker pressure, it will ride hard. That is where I would start.

retiring1day · 05-25-2013, 06:39 AM

Thanks ,I am sure I am under the max weight,so weighing the coach is where I will start. We have 100 psi in tires now. Hubby wants to know can the air bags be adjusted manually?

clyon51 · 05-25-2013, 06:44 AM

Can't comment on yout air suspension. Over-inflated tires can give you that jarring/banging effect, especially on those expansion joints or other short length bumps in the road. Shocks of course come into play at some point. If it were me, I would first check tire pressure. If you are running max pressure of the tires and the weight of the coach is much less than that, you'll get that banging. The best way to fine tune this is to have the coach weighed as you would have it loaded while traveling.

retiring1day · 05-25-2013, 06:50 AM

Thanks Cyclon, we will check tire pressure and weight. I really don't like the banging and rattling when encountering rough spots on road.

clyon51 · 05-25-2013, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retiring1day

Thanks Cyclon, we will check tire pressure and weight. I really don't like the banging and rattling when encountering rough spots on road.

I usually start a trip with a little extra air (try to save a bit of fuel). By the time I make my first stop, I'll know if it's too much and take 5lbs out. If necessary, I have taken a bit more out on the second stop. Has always worked well for me.

retiring1day · 05-25-2013, 07:14 AM

What psi do you usually run in tires? Thanks Cylon

clyon51 · 05-25-2013, 07:36 AM

There is no set pressure for any tire. It depends on it's weight rating and how much weight you put on it. This basic information will be on the side of the tire.

Generally speaking.....If a tire is rated for say 4,000 lbs, it will have a max psi of say 100. If you're putting 3800 on it, you would probably want to start at 100. If you were only putting 3000 on it, you would of course not want to use max psi. Any good tire shop can recommend a pressure setting for the tires you have based on weight on them. Most tire mfgs websites also have this info.

retiring1day · 05-25-2013, 09:52 AM

Thanks for the info. I understand this psi stuff more clearly now. Going to get the coach weighed and go from there. Thanks again and Happy Travels, Peggy

csrrsr · 05-25-2013, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retiring1day

Thanks for the info. I understand this psi stuff more clearly now. Going to get the coach weighed and go from there. Thanks again and Happy Travels, Peggy

Your coach is pretty close in weight to ours. We run Michelins with max rating of 110, but we run 95 in the fronts and 90's in the back based on our weight. I would say we are moderately loaded. We keep the compartments in the large slide full, but with light weighted materials.

stink · 05-26-2013, 01:58 AM

Looks like all your tire questions have been answered. Your air springs are not adjustable for ride quality but are adjustable for ride height. There are three ride height valves under the coach two for the rear (one on each side) and one for the front controlling both air springs. Once the ride height valves have found there mark and the set height is met the pressure in each spring is set. If you reduce spring pressure the ride height will drop just as if you incriese pressure your ride height will rise.
See what shocks are installed as some will give a firmer more harsh ride than other brands. I am not that familiar with shock ride quality but I am sure somebody on this forum may help.

claydogg · 06-02-2013, 09:45 PM

I have a 2006 39L and got cupping on both the inner and outer edges of the front tires. I was also getting this rough ride you described. I just ordered some new Bilstein shocks from shock warehouse.com Bilstein - KYB - Rancho - Monroe - Edelbrock Automotive Truck Shocks and Struts - Shockwarehouse.com
they were easy to change out... 1 1/8" socket for lower, and 3/4" (If I remember correctly) for the top. Anyway... made all the difference in the ride!! I'm keeping 105 lbs in the front so I can ride on the middle treads since the outers are cupped!