Community Forums

JF1957 · 10-02-2018, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taffeys

Where did you get those numbers from? Are the front weights that high?

Here’s my weight ready to camp, full fuel and propane tank, approx. 10 gal. water
Front 4,431
Rear 9,237
Total 13,866
Reading by a certified scale

Mich F · 10-02-2018, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JF1957

Here’s my weight ready to camp, full fuel and propane tank, approx. 10 gal. water
Front 4,431
Rear 9,237
Total 13,866
Reading by a certified scale

Assuming you have 225/75 R 16 tires those pressures you are running are not not right. 70# is not enough in your rear tires to support your 9,237# . 80# in the front is way too much for your 4,431#, which is probably one of the main reasons for your bad ride.

Here's a Michelin tire load rating chart'
https://www.michelintruck.com/refere...tion-tables/#/

twinboat · 10-03-2018, 12:49 AM

Read the sticker on the door jamb. It will list the axle max weights and psi of the tires.

On my 30 ft, E450, 65 psi was all that was needed to support the max weight of the front axle.

If the tire needed more pressure, due to more weight, then the axles were overloaded.

Rollinghobo · 10-03-2018, 03:50 AM

I have a 2016 Thor Freedom Elite 23h on the E450 chassis. I greatly improved my ride and handling by putting Koni shocks on it.
Also, the fold down counter top extension in mine was very noisey, so I installed some hooks and put a bungee cord around it.
I also wrap the microwave plate in a dish towell for driving, it was noisey too.
It's pretty quiet back there now.

JF1957 · 10-03-2018, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mich F

Assuming you have 225/75 R 16 tires those pressures you are running are not not right. 70# is not enough in your rear tires to support your 9,237# . 80# in the front is way too much for your 4,431#, which is probably one of the main reasons for your bad ride.

Here's a Michelin tire load rating chart'
https://www.michelintruck.com/refere...tion-tables/#/

I’ve just reajust my tires pressure to 62 psi front and 75 rear from your Michelin chart. We’re going to Wells beach resort, maine tomorow so just hurry to see the difference. Thanks

Mich F · 10-03-2018, 10:54 AM

I would think you'll find a noticeable difference in the ride and handling. I would advise adding more air to the front and rear tires. You are pretty close to what those tires can carry at those new pressures you are running now. I'd suggest at least 65 in the front, if not 70. You might want to air the rear up to 80, to give yourself a little safety margin cushion.

CapeDave · 10-03-2018, 01:49 PM

On any older MH besides the shocks being worn out the springs are
probably on the weak side.

On my 1994 21' Damon Hornet C, it was pounding I installed air springs
to supplement the leaf springs.

Believe it or not I installed them in the campsite with out removing the tires.

What a difference in ride!

Dave11 · 10-04-2018, 08:17 AM

In my previous reply I may have assumed incorrectly that the primary source of the harsh ride for the OP was the rear Axle. That was probably due to 2 things; 1- that is how it is for my RV and the previous one and both were built on the Ford E450. 2- the OP mentioned the AC grill falling down and the cabinets rattling. When we travel on rough roads (potholes or rough joints between concrete slabs) the worst part is when the rear Axle makes contact, not so much from the front axle. I have assumed that is primarily due the the front coil springs being better at absorbing road bumps.
After reading that his air pressures had been 80 front and 70 rear I suppose the front axle could be rough as well. I have run about 70 front and 75 to 80 rear based mostly on the placard from the manufacterer along with some trial and error with the previous RV. I keep saying I will weigh the current one but thus far I have never done it.
My unit is completely stock including what appears (I bought it used) to be original shocks.
It will be interesting to hear how the new pressures work for the OP.

THenne1713 · 10-04-2018, 08:54 AM

Sounds much better; BUT when you do add load to the rear, keep in mind that dropping 10-PSI (e.g. 80 to 70), it drops axle capacity by 1,000# on the LT225/75R16. The noise problem we had (varied w/ cross-winds) was violent flapping of the back-draft damper for the stove hood, but found the lever that locked it down, and cured that.

OFDPOS · 10-04-2018, 05:25 PM

On our 2011 Aspect 28B 29.7 Ft long 2010 ford chassis , listening to the choir here and other RV forums I replaced the shocks with the koni's fsd's big mistake , the front dives worse now with the koni's then it did with the stock shocks.
I replaced them last year with 12,800 miles on the OD.

Wished I'd stayed with the Bilsteins !

avfordguy · 10-04-2018, 10:03 PM

Try monroe, for the price they are a great shock for the E450, they may not last for 60k miles , again based on price I can change them every 30k.

avfordguy · 10-04-2018, 10:14 PM

Like I said in another post I am maxed out on gvw I run 75 psi on front and 80 on rear per Michelin chart after weighing on cat scale the 75 in the front made a BIG improvement in drive feel, now Fleetwood used body mounts between the frame an DC the "box" ours rides as smooth as our last DP with air ride