Shock Absorbers

[dfpinrenton]

I have a relatively new RV, 2015 Forest River George Town 310 DS. As compared to our 2003 Safari Trek it rides wonderfully. However I have been told by two different RV service companies that I ought to change the shocks from Bilstein to Koni. Has anyone done this?

David

[Isaac-1]

I just have to ask if your Trek had stock suspension or did it have any suspension upgrades (rear trac bar, front spreader bar, SS bell cranks, etc?)

p.s. I replaced the stock bilstein on my 2002 Trek with Koni FSD's they were a big improvement, can't say how they do on a Ford F53 though

[Inthe70s]

I replaced the bilstein shocks in our '97 F53 36' Aerbus, shortly after I bought it, and wow...what a difference it made. I thought it rode and handled pretty well when I bought it but after putting the new Konis on it, it was like driving a new rig. Although pricey, Im 100% sold on the Konis. Good luck!

[MSHappyCampers]

David, you'll find different opinions on this, but you might find this article helpful!

Shock Testing.pdf

[BigBadDad]

I put Koni FSD on 2008 Bounder F53. Happy with the results, not happy with the cost. Replaced OEM Bilsteins which were not the new comfortracs. Not sure what is on your coach. Doubt I would spend to replace to replace Bilstein Comfortracs.

[Gary RVRoamer]

If it ain't broke, why do you want to spend a bunch of moolah to fix it? Koni's are pricey, and at the end of the day it's still just a shock absorber. Maybe a good shock, but shocks are only there to keep the wheels from bouncing to much after a pothole. That F53 with its leaf springs ain't gonna turn into a Cadillac ride no matter what kind of shocks you put on it.

I think those "RV service companies" are just selling shocks.

[db71]

Originally Posted by dfpinrenton

I have a relatively new RV, 2015 Forest River George Town 310 DS. As compared to our 2003 Safari Trek it rides wonderfully. However I have been told by two different RV service companies that I ought to change the shocks from Bilstein to Koni. Has anyone done this?

David

David,

Compared to my 1986 class C Prelude, my 1992 class A Bounder drove wonderfully. Compared to the Bounder, my 2004 Southwind drove wonderfully. When I pulled off the Bilsteins and put Koni's on my Southwind it drove even more wonderfully. IMHO, when it comes to upgrades, its all about how much you are willing to spend. It don't matter whether it's for ride comfort, HP, milage, creature comforts or a newer RV. We're the Koni's spendy? Yes. Would I go back to the the Bilsteins? No way. You have a pretty new coach, so go out and enjoy it this summer and next winter if you still think it could use a shock upgrade, we'll that's something you will ultimately have to decide. As for me, I'm very happy with my decision

Dean

[Arch Hoagland]

If it ain't broke don't fix it.

I'd suggest leaving it alone. How many miles have you put on it?

One year old Coach doesn't need shocks.

RV service places are not to be trusted until you know they are honest, at least in my opinion.

I had one very large RV service place tell me I needed to have both my O2 sensors changed every two years at the cost of $600. Right.

[mojoracing]

I too have thought about changing over to konis. Although my coach handles and rides "OK", I would like a softer more comfortable ride. Being as my coach is a 2014 on an f53, I believe it has the better bilsteins. I would like to hear from someone that has changed over and whether or not the ride was improved.

[dfpinrenton]

I had the full Henderson's, Grants Pass, treatment which included all that you mentioned.

[dfpinrenton]

I crawled underneath the coach and the shocks are the standard Yellow and Blue colors, how do you determine if they are the Comfortracs?

David