Community Forums

ISLAPP · 02-05-2004, 10:31 AM

In doing some research today, it appears I could get 4 Bilsteins for about $30 more than 4 Monroes installed. Which you get and why?
Mike

'03 Winnebago Adventurer 35U
Ford chassis and '00 Saturn LS tagging along

ISLAPP · 02-05-2004, 10:31 AM

In doing some research today, it appears I could get 4 Bilsteins for about $30 more than 4 Monroes installed. Which you get and why?
Mike

'03 Winnebago Adventurer 35U
Ford chassis and '00 Saturn LS tagging along

LVJ58 · 02-05-2004, 08:01 PM

If you have the F53 chassis, although Bilsteins are excellent shocks, I would highly recommend the Monroe HD Gas Magnum RV shock for the Ford Suspension. When we first took delivery of our coach it rode so rough in the cockpit it would almost jar your teeth loose. Replaced the factory shocks with the Monroe's and it was then a pleasure to drive. I read a post on another forum where an individual installed the Bilsteins on his F53 but found them to be too stiff and went to the Monroe's and was pleased with the results.

Good luck with your choice, Jim

JS

Joe-K · 02-06-2004, 04:17 AM

Mike,

I can't really contribute much as to my opinion as I never tried the Bilsteins on our F53. I did replace the OEM shocks with Monroes and liked them though.

I surprised you found the price so close. Las I checked I could get Monroes for less than half the price of Bilsteins. If I recall correctly, aren't the Bilsteins around $ 90.00 each. I bought my Monroes from Falls Auto Spring for $ 40.00 each, and at the time they offered a special free shipping if you bought 4 and of course, no tax if not from New York.

Joe

2002 Winnebago Journey DL 36GD
Freightliner Chassis, Cat 330
Chevy Malibu Toad, Blue Ox Aventa II, USG Brake

DriVer · 02-06-2004, 04:41 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote">quote:<HR>Originally posted by Joe-K:
Last I checked I could get Monroes for less than half the price of Bilsteins. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>That's what I was thinking.

Workhorse is installing Bilsteins on their 2004.5 chassis as OEM factory equipment.

We're running Monroe RV Magnums right now and they're fine. One more option, Koni adjustable shocks. The shocks are loaded, set for the GVW of the axle and then installed on the motorhome. These are alledgedly the most expensive and best shock absorbers for F-53/Workhorse chassis installations.

There are a few other manufacturers out there but these 3 are the heavy hitters.

03 Winnebago 38G/Workhorse W22 "¢ 22.5" Tire "¢ Adventurer
02 Chevrolet TrailBlazer LS
Aventa II "¢ Brake Buddy
Nor'Easters
"We Will "¢ 343 "¢ Never Forget"

88 "¢ Robert Yates Racing "¢ 38

Edmund A Skibinski · 02-06-2004, 05:29 AM

If I could get both for the same price I'd get Bilsteins,that being said I installed Bilsteins on my coach,just a better shock,and finally Workhorse has realized it to.

02 Newmar Mountain Aire · Workhorse W22 · w/22.5s
01 Jeep GCL

ISLAPP · 02-06-2004, 07:08 AM

Well Joe, until you gave me that web site for Monroes, the best price I had come up with was 59.00 per shock plus tax plus instal for a price of 296.00 plus tax for the Monroes. CW has the Bilsteins on sale as of 2/9/04 and with some other offers available and some discounts on instal that I have., I came up with a price of 324.00 plus tax for the Bilsteins. I just contacted that Falls Auto and they do have the Monroes and they still are 40.00 plus free shipping and no tax. So those would be 232.00 installed including tax, so now the spread is alittle more between the two. Maybe go with the Monroes now!
Mike

'03 Winnebago Adventurer 35U
Ford chassis and '00 Saturn LS tagging along

motorjock · 02-07-2004, 02:02 PM

Bilsteins are better shocks. For the money and the warranty you might want to check on KYB. They offer a lifetime warranty. If they go bad just remove them and return them to KYB for a new set.

Mike & Angela
'99 Sunnybrook/Mobile Scout 26cks
'03 Dodge Ram 1500 QC...Hemi
'95 HD FLHR Road King (his)
'02 HD XL1200C Sportster(hers)

Stew Squires · 02-09-2004, 03:44 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote">quote:<HR>Originally posted by ISLAPP:
Which you get and why?
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Monroes - 2 Year warranty
Bilsteins - Lifetime warranty

Duh!

Stew
'03 Southwind, Monroe Magnums

Marv · 02-10-2004, 05:55 PM

Buy Monroe's. American made and support American jobs. Bilsteins, german made, support german worker. Also a country that won't support America because it is against their financial interests.
Not much of a choice if you want to keep more jobs from going out of the country!

pleeds · 02-14-2004, 06:05 AM

Hi Guys:

Appears I'm entering into the middle of a Bilstein versus Monroe discussion.

My question: I've got a 2003 Suncruiser 33V on the Ford chassis (20,500# GVWR and factory shocks) and on two lane uneven surface roads there is more rolling side to side motion than I'm comfortable with. Would either of the two above shocks help to reduce the roll or is rolling a different issue. What about installation? Is this a major job? I'm a retired banker with limited mechanical skills...or is it best left to the pros? (Could I get kilt trying???)

Anyway, as always you folks are a great source of info.

Happy camping,

Pat in Georgetown

Gadget Man · 02-23-2004, 02:17 AM

Pat,

I put Bilsteins on my F53 chassis to help eliminate body roll and lean. The difference between them and the Ford factory shocks were like night and day.

My mechanic said he'd install the Bilsteins for $20 per shock. Having a bad back, I let him do the work. Glad I did...he said the Bilsteins were extremely stiff, and that it took two of his guys to put each one on. He said the rear shocks were the most difficult. With that in mind, I'd have to recommend paying someone to do it for you.

FWIW, the ride up front is somewhat harsh. Since Monroes are fairly inexpensive, I was considering buying a pair of Monroes for the front, to see if it helped with the ride, without sacrificing the ability to limit body roll.

1998 Winnebago Adventurer 30W
V-10 Enhanced with Banks
2001 Suzuki XL-7 4x4 Toad
Yamaha WaveRaider
Sea-Doo GTX Limited

pleeds · 02-24-2004, 04:25 PM

Thanks Craig:

I just received a complete set of Monroe Gas Magnum Rv shocks ($40 a piece from Falls Auto Spring) and I'm working with my Ford dealer on installation.

Thanks for the input.

Pat (KD6APA) Cheryl (KE6SNC)and Rudi the Black Lab in Georgetown, CA
2003 Itasca Suncruiser 33V, F53 20,500# Monroe Gas Magnum RV shocks, 30 Amp Portable Surge Guard. 2001 Subaru Outback toad, Blue Ox Aladdin Tow system

Drifterpilot · 02-25-2004, 04:27 PM

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Joe-K:
Last I checked I could get Monroes for less than half the price of Bilsteins. If I recall correctly, aren't the Bilsteins around $ 90.00 each. I bought my Monroes from http://fallsautospring.com/specials.html for $ 40.00 each, and at the time they offered a special free shipping if you bought 4 and of course, no tax if not from New York.
Unquote"

I concur with what Joe-K posted. I also purchased my four Monroe Gas Magnum's from Falls Auto Spring in New York in April 2003, paid about $41.00 each and got the free shipping deal.
Real pleasant people to work with.
Go with them!

2003 Winnebago Adventurer 33V
W-20 Vortec 8.1 Allison 1000
Monroe Gas Magnum Shocks
Brake Buddy
Safe-T-Plus
Blue Ox Adventa II
2001 Saturn LS