Community Forums

LVRVLUVR · 08-31-2015, 09:50 AM

which would ride smoother

gas charged, or non gas charged???

will gas charged shocks lift the motor home"""

will gas charged shocks up my GvWR

LVJ58 · 08-31-2015, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LVRVLUVR

which would ride smoother

gas charged, or non gas charged??? ---------NON

will gas charged shocks lift the motor home"""----NO

will gas charged shocks up my GvWR------------NO

On the Ford F53 chassis, the Non Gas Charged shocks such as the Koni FSD shocks seem to work best, however they're very expensive so many choose other brands most of which are gas charged to some degree....

TeJay · 08-31-2015, 11:12 AM

Easy answer to questions 2 & 3 !! No & No Shocks only have one job and that is to dampen or control compression and rebound from the suspensions interaction with our lovely roads. It does not matter what kind: straight axle, independent, torsion, coil or leaf.

Your first question has to do with the design of the valving and how aggressive they are. Some will find that a shock will soften or make their ride harsher. That depends on to many other variables that can not be summed up with a one sentence or a general answer.

I'll humor you because you already know the answers. You've been down the road just a few times before.

Tejay

530ktm · 08-31-2015, 11:16 AM

A gas charged shock may slightly raise a vehicle that is very light weight but it will not do anything to your coach and no shock is going to increase your GVRW.

LVRVLUVR · 08-31-2015, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LVJ58

On the Ford F53 chassis, the Non Gas Charged shocks such as the Koni FSD shocks seem to work best, however they're very expensive so many choose other brands most of which are gas charged to some degree....

when you say work the best.... how many did you test>??

Glenn NK · 08-31-2015, 03:12 PM

Frankly it's been my experience with two of my own, a rental (admittedly a small experience), plus observing many MoHo's on the road, that: Coach manufacturers very often put too much coach on the chassis.

I've had leaves added and the original springs re-arched on both of the ones I owned, because after one long trip on bad roads, they both sagged.

The rental was a Class C, and it sagged before I drove it, and it had a lot of body roll. Both these seem to me like the springs were a little soft.

And whenever I'm out driving and see a motorhome, I instinctively look to see if it's level - and so many of them are not.

The trouble is, the fix is a bit expensive; my present one cost me a bit north of $2000 for an extra leaf and re-arching the rear springs.

But I am happy with the results.

I won't cover the other points because TeJay has done that well enough already.

Glenn

LVJ58 · 09-01-2015, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LVRVLUVR

when you say work the best.... how many did you test>??

Only 2, the Monroe Gas Magnum RV shocks and the Koni FSD (Frequency Sensitive Dampening Shocks) and it really wasn't a test.

The front factory OEM shocks gave out at 12,700 miles so I replaced them with the Monroe Gas Magnum RV shocks which did improve the ride comfort somewhat.

After reading numerous posts on the various rv forums praising the Koni FSD shocks, at 46,000 miles i decided try the Koni FSD's and replaced the front Monroe's with the Koni FSD's.

Insofar as the Koni's provided the improved ride comfort we desired, I couldn't justify spending any additionsl $$$ just to try different brands of shocks.

I'm reasonably sure that now, with all the advanced technology, there may be other shock brands available on the market that may even be superior to the Koni FSD's.

Best regards & Safe travels

LVRVLUVR · 09-01-2015, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LVJ58

Only 2, the Monroe Gas Magnum RV shocks and the Koni FSD (Frequency Sensitive Dampening Shocks) and it really wasn't a test.

The front factory OEM shocks gave out at 12,700 miles so I replaced them with the Monroe Gas Magnum RV shocks which did improve the ride comfort somewhat.

After reading numerous posts on the various rv forums praising the Koni FSD shocks, at 46,000 miles i decided try the Koni FSD's and replaced the front Monroe's with the Koni FSD's.

Insofar as the Koni's provided the improved ride comfort we desired, I couldn't justify spending any additionsl $$$ just to try different brands of shocks.

I'm reasonably sure that now, with all the advanced technology, there may be other shock brands available on the market that may even be superior to the Koni FSD's.

Best regards & Safe travels

do you do the install??? if so what rebound setting did you use???

LVJ58 · 09-01-2015, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LVRVLUVR

do you do the install??? if so what rebound setting did you use???

On install of the FSD's yes, did it myself, no adjustable settings on the FSD's

On the adjustables bought them while in Quartzsite AZ and had them installed by one of their service techs. If I recall he set them for medium action.

Just curious, why is a diesel coach owner coach posting a question about shocks on the Ford gas chassis forum

I would think if your question were posted on a diesel chassis forum one would get better insight on gas charged vs. non-gas charged shocks as they apply to a coach on a diesel chassis.

Again best regards & safe travels

530ktm · 09-01-2015, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LVJ58

On install of the FSD's yes, did it myself, no adjustable settings on the FSD's

On the adjustables bought them while in Quartzsite AZ and had them installed by one of their service techs. If I recall he set them for medium action.

Just curious, why is a diesel coach owner coach posting a question about shocks on the Ford gas chassis forum

I would think if your question were posted on a diesel chassis forum one would get better insight on gas charged vs. non-gas charged shocks as they apply to a coach on a diesel chassis.

Again best regards & safe travels

Look at his avatar, not a DP. Had one in the past I believe but now it is the gasser.

LVJ58 · 09-01-2015, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 530ktm

Look at his avatar, not a DP. Had one in the past I believe but now it is the gasser.

Oh, OK, you're probably right, however upon checking information on his profile profile I found: "RV Manufacturer Fleetwood-RV Model excursion-RV length 33d." Upon checking the model I found it to be a diesel. Perhaps he now has a gas rig, and the profile info didn't get changed.

Best regards & Safe Travels....