Community Forums

al2ride · 03-30-2014, 03:07 PM

I currently have the Blue Ox Tiger Trak, and front/rear CHF w/Hellwigs. I still had a bit of wander with 82 PSI front, and 87 PSI rear. Someone suggested to increase the PSI, and when I increased the front to 92 PSI, it greatly improved.

Now, I would like to know what's the next best thing is. Please try to give feedback from personal experience and not hearsay. Thanks in advance.

Sweetbriar · 04-01-2014, 07:38 PM

I've done the CHF, replace the rear sway bar bushings, Koni shocks and this past winter add supplemental air bags and a compressor. One outing so far and the coach was gliding going do the road with a light hand on the wheel. I also only run 80 psi all around. Even at 80 I have more capacity in the tires than the axles.

vsheetz · 04-01-2014, 08:52 PM

I did, separate and in this order:

Steer Safe
CHF + checking sway bar bushings (no action needed)
Rear Track Bar

The Steer Safe made some handling and stability improvement, however it and similar devices are primarily for safety in case of a tire blowout.

The CHF reduced body roll a lot and was a noticeable handling improvement. The rear track bar was the icing on the cake, a huge improvement.

I don't plan to do anything else, methinks. Have researched Koni shocks and front track bar. Don't see specific evidence that either will provide a substantial improvement. Not enough to get me to open up my wallet anyway.

al2ride · 04-02-2014, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweetbriar

I've done the CHF, replace the rear sway bar bushings, Koni shocks and this past winter add supplemental air bags and a compressor. One outing so far and the coach was gliding going do the road with a light hand on the wheel. I also only run 80 psi all around. Even at 80 I have more capacity in the tires than the axles.

Which airbags did you get. Could you be specific as to how the airbags improved handling? Thanks.

al2ride · 04-02-2014, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vsheetz

I did, separate and in this order:

Steer Safe
CHF + checking sway bar bushings (no action needed)
Rear Track Bar

The Steer Safe made some handling and stability improvement, however it and similar devices are primarily for safety in case of a tire blowout.

The CHF reduced body roll a lot and was a noticeable handling improvement. The rear track bar was the icing on the cake, a huge improvement.

I don't plan to do anything else, methinks. Have researched Koni shocks and front track bar. Don't see specific evidence that either will provide a substantial improvement. Not enough to get me to open up my wallet anyway.

Could you be more specific with the steer safe. I've use similar devices on off road vehicles, but it was to help with the forces causing the steering to go all over the place in extreme situations. I can't vision how it could help with handling except in the case of a blowout.

Yesterday I realized that my chassis has a stock front trak bar. Not sure if all have it or if they started installing them after a certain year.

Sweetbriar · 04-03-2014, 04:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by al2ride

Which airbags did you get. Could you be specific as to how the airbags improved handling? Thanks.

I installed the Firestone airbags. Not very difficult if you have the tools. Also added a compressor and air tank. I'm still working on what pressures are best but eliminated most of the harsh ride and what I suspecting was the suspension bottoming out. I'm hearing less noise from the dishes, pot/pans, windows and such when I hit a bump so I guess I could call that an improvement.

My coach is built on an 06 18K lbs. chassis and my normal weight is around 15.5K lbs.

al2ride · 04-03-2014, 06:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweetbriar

I installed the Firestone airbags. Not very difficult if you have the tools. Also added a compressor and air tank. I'm still working on what pressures are best but eliminated most of the harsh ride and what I suspecting was the suspension bottoming out. I'm hearing less noise from the dishes, pot/pans, windows and such when I hit a bump so I guess I could call that an improvement.

My coach is built on an 06 18K lbs. chassis and my normal weight is around 15.5K lbs.

Thanks for the reply. It sounds like it's more of a shock helper system. ours is a 20.5 chassis, and have never bottomed out. The up/down ride is pretty good on ours. It's probably one of those tings where you don't know it until you try it. I say our ride is pretty good, but I bet if I drive one with the Koni shocks, I'd change my mind. So the question is: What's better? Koni shocks, or airbags?

Sweetbriar · 04-03-2014, 03:06 PM

I'm going into the fourth year with the coach as the second owner. First year was with the Ford installed 5 year old Bilstein shocks. Hard ride. Lots of banging. Second year replaced the rear with Bilsteins and did the CHF. Naturally sway was reduced and the rear axle rode slightly better but still a bit harsh for my liking. Year three added Koni's to the front but retained the Bilsteins on the rear. Definite difference when the coach hits a bump with the front axle followed by the rear. Front is firm with less banging. Now with the air bags all around the ride is getting softer and floats a bit. So far I air up enough to level the coach front to rear (equal frame height from the road surface) plus about an extra inch. Will fine tune on my travels this summer.

Plus having a 150 psi DC powered compressor and a 2 1/2 gallon tank on board the coach is nice addition.

nogoats · 04-03-2014, 03:32 PM

Koni shocks are the way to go if you want a smooth ride.

vsheetz · 04-03-2014, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by al2ride

Could you be more specific with the steer safe. I've use similar devices on off road vehicles, but it was to help with the forces causing the steering to go all over the place in extreme situations. I can't vision how it could help with handling except in the case of a blowout. Yesterday I realized that my chassis has a stock front trak bar. Not sure if all have it or if they started installing them after a certain year.

Agree primary benefit is safety in case of a blow out. I perceived some handling stability improvement for wind buffeting by passing trucks , abrupt changes in the road surface and bumps, less bump steer , the occasional wandering off the edge of the highway, etc.

carluv · 04-06-2014, 12:41 PM

I am new to motor homing, what is CHF

al2ride · 04-06-2014, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carluv

I am new to motor homing, what is CHF

It stand for Chalupa and Homemade Fries

On a serious note, it is Cheap Handling Fix. Google it or search in the forum. It's basically making your sway bar work a bit tighter thus helping with sway.