Community Forums

mecop720 · 07-24-2012, 03:12 PM

We recently purchased a 24' sunseeker clack c motorhome. It has a chevy chassis with a 6.1 ltr 4500 v8 and is around the 14,200 weight range. The motorhome drives great but we noticed that when we hit rough road i.e. overpass/ road joints we experience pretty bad front to rear bouncing. I've been given conflicting advised on whether to put Kuni's or Bilstiens on it. Does anyone have any advice that they can offer.

Grimesy · 07-24-2012, 03:24 PM

Ford or Chevy, Cat or Cunnins both have their preferences. Bilstein may have a harsher ride, Konis are more expensive. Now we need to toss in Road King and Monroe.

I have Konis on the front of my pusher and they are far superior to Sachs (OEM) but would the other brands be as good, I really couldn't say.

Now you are as confused as I is!!!

Don, WIT 70041
You can't fix stupid but you can vote them out.

GaryKD · 07-24-2012, 03:29 PM

Hi mecop720,
All I can tell you is Bilstein get complaints on this and other forums. I've never read about someone not liking their Koni shocks. I and many other Newmar owners have changed to Koni shocks and never looked back. All the front end chassis parts will last quite a bit longer.

jauguston · 07-24-2012, 04:20 PM

At 20,000 miles when I bought a '99 GulfStream 31' Sun Voyager DP it porposed something awful. It had Bilstein shocks from the factory. I replaced the fronts with Koni FSD's. The porposing was totally fixed. Koni did not list a shock for my chassis. I talked to Henderson Line-up in Oregon and they said they run into that all the time. They asked for a couple of measurements and sent me a set with bushings to change the mounting stud hole from 3/4" to the 5/8" I needed. Great company.

Jim

Franka548 · 07-24-2012, 05:06 PM

mecop720,
I don't have a class c or a but I have bilsteins on my 1ton dually and love them, only have a couple thousand mailes so far, but noticable difference from stock shocks. Make sure that you get the proper shock for your application, that is where most of the complaints start, from improper shock for the application. Not knocking Konis, never had them, so I can't tell you if they are better or not. Note that my 5er and truck weigh in between 23,500# and 24,500# so I am not a lightweight, I also have full air ride on the rear of the pickup.

Frank

1ciderdog · 07-24-2012, 05:57 PM

Probably any brand of new shock will improve the ride, no? I've had both Bilsteins & Koni's on RV's. Personally, I think the Koni's were/are better but it's kind of like the Ford or Chevy thing. Both are best by certain individuals and their experiences.

RovinOn · 07-24-2012, 06:05 PM

I put Koni's on my 05 Southwind and they made a world of difference !
We felt every bump in the road with the Bilsteins,,,not any more and I couldn't be happier....

Sky_Boss · 07-24-2012, 06:09 PM

I tend to agree that ANY new shock will make you happy. I replaced my rear shocks with KONI FSDs a couple months ago and followed that with 6 new tires. Not sure but I suspect the combination of these really improved things. I am having new front shocks installed today. I have a better feel for what it rides like so maybe I can see another incremental change with the new front shocks.

Bottom line, new shocks will be better than old ones. Figure how much you want to pay and how much you want to rely on reputation and you will probably find a good answer for you.

Mr_D · 07-24-2012, 06:18 PM

After Newmar had Spartan put the new front axle under our DSDP (12,000# to 14,600#) the ride was harsh. After one new set of air suspension bags and FIVE sets of Bilsteins (experimental valving in all) and finally a set of Koni adjustables in the front and FSD's in the rear we're close. Actually the last set of Bilsteins wasn't too bad, they were labeled 30% less compression.
Would like to try the Bilstein Comfort shocks on the front though but they quit making them for that axle.

Clayobx · 07-24-2012, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jauguston

At 20,000 miles when I bought a '99 GulfStream 31' Sun Voyager DP it porposed something awful. It had Bilstein shocks from the factory. I replaced the fronts with Koni FSD's. The porposing was totally fixed. Koni did not list a shock for my chassis. I talked to Henderson Line-up in Oregon and they said they run into that all the time. They asked for a couple of measurements and sent me a set with bushings to change the mounting stud hole from 3/4" to the 5/8" I needed. Great company.

Jim

I agree, info supplied from Henderson Drive Line is professional and trustworthy. My old class A would not track with moderate crosswinds, Koni FSD , bell crank, coupled with air bag regulation solved the problem.. Now have a new coach, when I catch up with cash flow you can go to the bank that Koni's will be added!

Mknight · 07-25-2012, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clayobx

I agree, info supplied from Henderson Drive Line is professional and trustworthy. My old class A would not track with moderate crosswinds, Koni FSD , bell crank, coupled with air bag regulation solved the problem.. Now have a new coach, when I catch up with cash flow you can go to the bank that Koni's will be added!

I think it depends on your pocket book and how long you keep the RV. I put Monroe's back on my 2001 8 air bad Endeavor pusher and had wonderful improvement. It still had the original Monroe's and didn't drive that bad. If I had the money I would probably by Koni's. The 8 shocks were sent from the factory and cost $265 delivered and I put them on. This saved a bunch.