Community Forums

fflegel · 12-04-2021, 09:47 AM

This is my first post since introduction. I bought a 1992/1993 Holiday Rambler Ford E350 27’ class c a couple months ago. I spent the next several weeks repairing/replacing quite a few different issues as it had been sitting for a couple of years and not really cared for prior to that. Well after a lot of work and $$$ I decided we should make a test outing. This is the not so smart part. For our first outing we decided to go see our daughter, she lives in West Texas, approximately 1800 miles away. But we took off, actually we had a quite pleasurable trip, we are going to spend the winter here as it is snowing at home. The only real issue we have with unit is the rear suspension. It rides extremely rough, feels like no suspension at all, and the rear really sags. It is really rough, even on fairly smooth roads, expansion joints on concrete, bridges etc. The springs are just about straight so I assume I will have to replace them. I do have Firestone Air ride and played with psi on them but didn’t make much difference. It runs and handles great. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks for listening.

swampdog2 · 12-04-2021, 09:56 AM

I have a 2017 class c and I've had several class c's through the years ! You are not going to get a smith ride no matter what you do ! If the rear springs are weak and sagging you can replace them and that might help the ride but !!! I doubt you will notice much difference ! My class c has the J -Ride that Jayco puts on and it does help the drivability but not the harshness of the road !!

Brentw · 12-04-2021, 10:50 AM

If your springs are that sagged, the air bags are pressured up beyond providing assistance, they will be so hard that they too will provide a rough ride. But regardless, it will not be that smooth-new springs, shocks and a bit of air in the bags should take the jar out of it.

fflegel · 12-04-2021, 01:15 PM

The sag and the sharpness of the ride is kinda what I’m after. It shakes everything to pieces. The leaf springs are pretty much flat so I guess i need to try it. And soften up air shocks

SteveJ. · 12-04-2021, 01:57 PM

If the shocks are worn out the ride will be quite jarring and brutal.

Old-Biscuit · 12-04-2021, 02:06 PM

Leaf springs should have an upward arch not be straight/flat
Shocks are probably shot also

More repairs...but that is how 'hobbies' go LOL

After new leaf springs/shocks need to go to CAT Scale and get weighed 'camp ready'
Then compare the actual weights (Front axle/Rear axle/Total weight) to the Data Sticker showing tires/GVWR/FAWR--RAWR

Class 'C' have a tendency to have LITTLE Cargo Carrying Capacity
*GVWR minus UVW --- easy to be 'overloaded'

CRV2 · 12-04-2021, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fflegel

The sag and the sharpness of the ride is kinda what I’m after. It shakes everything to pieces. The leaf springs are pretty much flat so I guess i need to try it. And soften up air shocks

Welcome to the IRV2 forums

Contrary to popular belief, not all leaf springs are arched, or at least not all are arched very much. That in of itself doesn't mean that yours are in great shape, mine has hellwig helper springs instead of air springs to assist them.

I would measure the ride height and have it weighed when you can. You may simply need new shocks or other components. On my 2500HD that I pulled a 5th wheel with, I noticed that the ride was more harsh with more air in the air springs, so you may want to try less air as long as you can maintain the ride height. Here are a couple of links and an image of how flat the Ford E450 leaf springs are when new that you can compare to yours (I suspect the heavy duty E350 springs are similarly flat or you can find images of the E350 springs off of these same links). ~CA

https://www.autoandtrucksprings.com/...pring-43-1339/

https://www.truckspring.com/products...px?pviD=693663

CRV2 · 12-04-2021, 02:47 PM

I don't know if these in the link below are the exact ones that fit yours (1992 E350), but I suspect so, look at the images at the bottom of this link and notice how flat the heavier weight versions are (9 and 10 leaves) compared to the light duty ones.

How many leaves are in yours if you can check?

~CA

https://www.truckspring.com/leaf-spr...-350-Econoline

and this one in particular in the link below which has a better view, in fact I suspect the 4000 lb leaf springs are what you have.

I keep adding to my comments,

, this one has 1 7/8" arch from the center to the ends, and I suspect that 1 7/8" is diminished to almost no arch (or possibly negative) when the weight of the RV is on them.

https://www.truckspring.com/products...43-1085HD.aspx

Desert Man · 12-04-2021, 02:58 PM

Welcome! I traveled to TN From CA with bad shocks and a broken bell crank. Now it is a nice ride

arcaguy · 12-04-2021, 03:28 PM

Have you weighed your rig and set your tire pressure according a tire inflation chart for your tires?? If you have LT tires they likely should not be aired up to the sidewall pressure unless you are at their load carrying capacity. Tires are springs and make a great deal of difference in the ride. Good luck.

fflegel · 12-04-2021, 06:39 PM

What a great forum! Got lots of things to check. I am close to a CAT scale so will definitely check weights too. Thanks all. Will let you know what I find and how it works out.