Community Forums

gbstewart · 06-19-2015, 08:13 PM

I need your opinions, I have a converted school bus(full size) and I was wondering if putting koni shocks would help soften the ride? keep in mind this has a heavy leaf springs , i have this discussion going on the skoolie site, and so far the vote is that they will not help. I have read good things on this site about koni, and I'm thinking they should help, I really didn't want to replace the leaf springs , or remove any. my bus weights 19000 pounds, and I have adjusted the tire pressures, which helps. I have but over 25000kms and it seems the roads are just getting worse these days.
thank you for your input.
gbstewart

cb1000rider · 06-19-2015, 08:47 PM

Konis will help if your shocks are shot or the bushings are bad. My guess is your best bet is to have it weighed 4 corners and setup your springs for that load as well as do the shocks.

MSHappyCampers · 06-20-2015, 08:51 AM

You might want to consider Bilsteins at half the price of Koni's!

gbstewart · 06-20-2015, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSHappyCampers

You might want to consider Bilsteins at half the price of Koni's!

That's a good point, and if there's no change in the ride I won't be out a bunch of money, but still have good shocks.
thank you
gbstewart

dennis45 · 06-20-2015, 09:05 AM

If your looking for an improvement in ride, shocks are not the answer. Shocks are essentially a Control Device meaning they provide stability from the up and down motion when you go over a bump, help to control side roll in corners and generally keep the bus stabil. If the shocks are weak, you will find the bus will tend to Porpoise going over humps in the road.
They will not improve the smoothness of the ride. Save your money if that's what your looking for. The ride is provided by your leaf springs and that is it.

Gary RVRoamer · 06-20-2015, 01:44 PM

Amen to the previous comments. Shocks, especially Koni's, are not going to soften the ride or make it smoother. If your suspension bounces multiple times crossing an RR track or a pothole, you probably need new shocks (not necessarily Koni's), but if it steers over the bumps ok, your problem is suspension, not shocks. Or tire pressure, but you say you adjusted that already. Was that done to the tire makers load specs, or just "winging it"?

The suspension in a Skoolie is not made for a nice ride. Basically it is the cheapest leaf spring suspension they could find that carries the rated weight.

gbstewart · 06-20-2015, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer

Amen to the previous comments. Shocks, especially Koni's, are not going to soften the ride or make it smoother. If your suspension bounces multiple times crossing an RR track or a pothole, you probably need new shocks (not necessarily Koni's), but if it steers over the bumps ok, your problem is suspension, not shocks. Or tire pressure, but you say you adjusted that already. Was that done to the tire makers load specs, or just "winging it"?

The suspension in a Skoolie is not made for a nice ride. Basically it is the cheapest leaf spring suspension they could find that carries the rated weight.

I figured changing to koni's wouldn't do much good, I figured with all the hype about them i would do some research into them. The shocks I have now are fine, the bus rides and handles fine,just on some of the rough roads I go on it gets to be a bit harsh, hwy driving is fine, for the tire pressure I'm using the chart from goodrich, thats what i have. One thing I started to do was carry more water in fresh tank, 80 gal tank under the bus and at the rear, adding about 600 pounds makes a big difference, and on my last 2000km trip I didn't notice any change in fuel mileage.
Thank you all for comments and help, this is why I like this site

gbstewart