The Sunseeker still retained the non adjustable caster bushings which were replaced with Ingalls 59400 adjustable ones. 1986 Class B+ Ford E350 Econoline Motorhome - $5500 (Lakeside, Duluth) 70k miles. I just watched your windy day video I wanted to let you know that the long trip we just finished started out on a very windy day here in South Jersey. This second video details the installation of the rear anti-sway bar. You wont need to worry about scraping anything damaging your jacks or hook ups giving you that peace of mind. Were realistic enough to know that our gas coach with leaf spring suspension can never compare with the way an air suspension diesel coach drives. This suspension upgrade really addresses a wide range of improvements. SUSPENSION UPGRADES USED:Helwig Sway bar: https://amzn.to/2XmivTaBilstein Rear Shocks: https://amzn.to/2TvuZXuOTHER UPGRADES TO THE RV:Tire valve stem extenders: https://amzn.to/3bZxJCOOxygenics shower head: https://amzn.to/2XpXoziConnect your IPHONE to the TV! Turn Signal Switch Replacement Kit TS012. Banks Power Ford 1997-2008 6.8L V-10 Class C Motorhome PowerPack Systems 49157 Performance Package, PowerPack System, w/o OttoMind, Class C Motor Home, Ford, 6.8L, Kit . Again, almost twice as thick! 2004 newmar dutch star motorhome salvage used parts for sale visone rv Call VisoneRV Today: (606) 843-9889 Our great success and countless h 500-Watt solar system with 300 Amp hour battery bank. Do you notice any improvement with harsh ride on bad interstate roads. The content was produced purely to share our honest opinion on our experience before and after of our suspension upgrade. RV Tires: That's Where Rubber Meets The Road! I just installed a Super Steer Track Bar #525. You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. So we cannot comment other than what Marc shared in the video. The Chevy Kodiak: When You Want To Bring Everything! I did have the front end aligned which was essential after all the improvements. Will these help prevent damage from rattling apart? After the alignment, I was able to drive the RV for the first time with everything installed. The Roadmaster bars are a bit more difficult to install, particularly at the front. Now it drives and handles like its on rails. Best of all it's totally FREE! Is An RV Renovation Project Right For You? Also check to make sure your drive and steer tires are the same size and load rating. Choosing your motorhome accessories will require the most important decisions you will make after purchasing your rig. Pleasefeel free to share your comments, questions and feedbackin the Comments Section below for the benefit of others doing research on this subject. Really good ride on smooth road. Ford : F-350 XLT 1997 ford f 350 xlt 7.3 l powerstroke crew cab 4 x 4 only 66 k actual miles. Here's what worked for me after purchasing an 09 Sunseeker 2300 in 2012. This corrected the, wander, sway, and push from eighteen wheelers. Which of those 3 upgrades made the biggest difference? Congratulations on your new purchase! If youve found this info helpful, the links to products are Amazon links and we receive a small commission if an order for any product is placed within 24 hours. We specialize in the knowledge of many rv parts. Great little 1986 Toyota Odyssey Motorhome. Hi Chris, thanks so much for sharing your experience as we had only installed the Sumo Springs (made a nice difference) but we had not installed the bilsteins, safe t plus stabilizer or 5 star tune (which we have heard GREAT reports on). What did that set you back? Thanks Ray. I am considering some upgrades to the suspension on my 2008 E-450 Fourwinds Class C. I would like to add some sort of steering stabilizer, shocks, sway bars to improve the ride and handling. The Hellwig anti-sway bars had comparable specifications and were less expensive. Driving a Gas RVOur Experience, Advice & TipsA Slice of RV Life Episode #26: Windy DayOur RV Repair Punch List (for the Tiffin Service Center, Red Bay, Alabama)Our Visit to Tiffin SeriesMotorhome Magazine February 2016 Issue (article on suspension upgrade with SumoSprings)SumoSpringsOverview by Manufacturer, Super SpringsBelmont Diesel Service (Belmont, MS) our contact is the owner Rodney. Its one of the many reasons for the big ($50k-$100K) price difference of Gas vs Diesel coaches. Somebody at Forest River must be listening. Or maybe you can give others some advice? Not Yet Reviewed. Let There Be Light Under the Bed 6. Just bought a 2016 Tiffin Open Road that has the Sumo suspension installed by the previous owner. So it made the most sense for us to opt for a professional install. MORryde CRE2-35 CRE3000 Suspension System, Tandem Axle - 35-Inch Wheel Base We have a storefront in Southeast Denver, Colorado. Do we recommend them? Summer fun for the whole family!!!! See Inside This Custom Camper Van Conversion. Monday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm PST. We noticed the difference in reduced sway even before we even left the shops gravel, pot-holed parking lot! This is at no additional cost to you. After 2 years of full-timing, driving over 20,000 miles across 40+ states, we decided to upgrade our RV suspension. We offer a wide variety of RV repairs and services. The shocks pictured here are for the front. Sorry, Fordfixer, I did not mean to hyjack your thread. Not wanting to duplicated the experience, have you experienced any problems when your leveling jacks lift the coach very high, not with wheels off the ground? Personally, I visited Henderson's and was able to work with them. It's a 40-foot diesel pusher with five slide outs, complete with a bathtub and washing machine. I believe the previous owner may have installed a 5 star tune as well. I don't think it needs any more spring rate up front, and the bigger front swaybar provides extra dynamic spring rate, so adding Sumo springs up . C $902.04 Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Mercedes GL-Class X166 2013-'18 Front Left Suspension Air Spring Bag A1663201313 at the best online prices at Free shipping for many products. Driveable, sure, but you could tell you had pulled weight off the steers. Retail Price: $18.95. Hello Doug, Return To Top Of Page I dont feel like the Sumo springs made it worse. As we headed down the highway I could see the treetops swaying a lot. The reason why is that when I overtook a semi truck It was scary over taking the rig feeling that I or the semi would take out my side mirror as I was white knuckling it all the way. RV Accessories. No swaying when turning. Roadmaster # RM-RBK24-RSSC, Reflex Steering Stabilizer w/ mounting brackets. RV Suspension Systems 101 Coil Springs Oh yeah, did the 5Star Tune 3 seasons ago, just amazing. In fact it handled so well you often forgot what you were driving, which can be dangerous. Properly adjusted, it should have returned at least 1/2 of the weight back to the front axle. Initially we planned to have the SumoSprings installed at the Tiffin Service Center in Red Bay during our visit in May. What are the Options? Love the reduction in body roll and lean. That is with upgraded sway bars, front end alignment, and weight distribution hitch. This was very convenient for Marc who spent almost the entire time on conference calls while I (Julie) watched the install process. After scouring RV and Tiffin owner forums and speaking to other RVers during our travels, we found that everyone has their own opinions on what is the best solution. I just added a safe t plus stabilizer. The front set are blue and the rear set is yellow, replacing the substantially smaller factory bump stop. But he put two guys on the job and we drove out of there in under 3 hours. You might consider going for a test drive in another coach to compare, but pretty sure it is just the unsettling nature of the way gas class A coaches drive. We would recommend going to a place that has done them before to expedite the install and keep your labor costs down. I just replaced mine after 30k miles with the new blue and silver comfort track Bilsteins and that improved the ride as well. Thanks for your feedback ! I installed Roadmaster sway bars, Bilstein shocks and a HendersonSuper Steer track bar kit model SS450 (keeps the rear axle from swaying back and forth). Disclosure: Please note this post may contain affiliate links. I had also read that Hellwig provided more DIY support. This is a very popular upgrade to the Workhorse W-series chassis as it provides a significant increase in stability of the coach, inspiring driver confidence and less work at the wheel. Nice write up, Ron. But for anything different, we recommend you contact the manufacturer to find out the specific parts model numbers to suit your RV/vehicle. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. The LiFePO4 lithium iron phosphate deep-cycle batteries are great to use in an RV, boat or off-grid power system. Not only will you be saving yourself money in the long run, but you will also be giving your class c an awesome new look/stance as well as give you a much more smoother and stable ride especially when on those rough washboard roads! If you end up going there, please tell him we said hi and we still love them! You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. roadmaster steering stabilizer rear swaybar also sumo springs front an back. 8) Digital TV Antenna Add-on. Zamp Solar Ready. Link to Liquid Spring: https://liquidspring.com/rv-suspensions/. I wasn't offended, it's all good intel. For Sale $25,000 -1997 25' Class C Motor Home - Excellent condition. Just going over the slightest expansion joint on the interstates feels like speed bump. Bilstein Shock Absorbers I have a 2002 39R Bounder A Simple Way To Put An Elecrtrical Thermostat On A Small Space Heater In A Truck Camper! I've completed a few upgrades and have experienced much improvement in my 2008 Kodiak chassis SuperC coach. I have experienced that sensation, but I remember having it before we had the Sumo Springs as well. If you are looking into having them removed, we would be interested to hear how you felt that improved things. It was fun learning about the process while capturing footage for this blog post and the video. After the upgrades, I did a 1500 mile round trip towing a 22 foot race car trailer and another 1200 mile round trip with a Jeep Wrangler Sport S 2 door toad behind me. The Jride suspension makes a HUGE difference in the handling of the unit, especially when compared to our old 2008 Winnebago View 24P based on a Sprinter van chassis. LIVING THE RV LIFE: Your Ultimate Guide to Life on the Road. Do you have a steering stabilizer? There are size, weight, and load range differences. Rarely feel the effects of a cross wind. Hellwig Sway Bar. As a passenger, you cant fully appreciate the benefits of this upgrade. Watch the video below for installation. I have completed the suspension upgrades on my 2018 Sunseeker 3270 (32 foot) Class C motorhome which is on Ford E450 chassis. We only installed the Sumo springs and were happy with that upgrade. IMHO: Any Class C that does not drive and handle well with the proper tire pressure and a decent alignment is the WRONG coach. I have attached a short demonstration video on this product for you to check out. Part Groups. For Sale $25,000 -1997 25' Class C Motor Home - Excellent condition. Did you do a front end alignment after you installed the new components? It improved many things, but not that. I wouldnt want to deal with more tongue weight than I had, and I have a shorter rear overhang than you do. And none of them had first hand experience with adding any suspension upgrades on a motorhome they owned or had ever driven on a trip. Going to research ASAP. But they dont do after market installs. Driveable, sure, but you could tell you had pulled weight off the steers. Great video I have no problem investing in those airbags if you think it will help harsh rides on bad roads . Had a class A license all my life drove lots of trucks but never experienced an thing like this an even to this day its scary dont know what to do asked a lot of questions to no avail also new front tires instead of weights on the rim they put beads in both front tires did make a difference but I thought it would be better, its like the front tires follow every grove in the road an the roads in Calif suck . Don't Go RVing Without This Camping Checklist! Put an axle on each of the first two sections (do not back up to do this) with the towed on the 3rd section. Belmont Diesel is only 7.5 miles and a 15 minute drive from Red Bay. Yes, if you are mechanically minded and have the tools, space and time to do it, you can install SumoSprings yourself. Enjoy a more relaxed ride and surer feel. Posts: 23. Suspension Parts - Arnott C-2236 Rating: 5 Stars This Product Does A Great Job . We have over 90 years of experience developing, manufacturing, and marketing superior suspension solutions for the heavy vehicle industry. Introduction MUST HAVE DIY Sprinter Class C RV Suspension Upgrades! He explored the many options available. https://www.amazon.com/Hellwig-7718-/dp/B007CCHW3M, https://www.amazon.com/Hellwig-7180-s=Hellwig+7180, https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0?ie=UTF8&psc=1, https://www.etrailer.com/Anti-Sway-BBK24-RSSC.html, https://forestriverinc.com/brochureserbrochure.pdf. Wireless RV Backup Camera 5. It looks like the Goodyear G670 RV MRT is close in spec to the tires you have. Especially, are they actually upgrades or just an acknowledgement of factory installed components. Follow their instructions for installation. Class C motorhomes are typically easier to drive than the larger Class A models considering they are smaller in size and, as we mentioned previously, are built on a truck chassis. Are we happy with them? The shop owner, Rodney, advised the install typically takes 6 hours. If youre more of a reader, then youll get the general gist by reading this article. With a murphy bed, dinette, and over the cab bunk with an 800 lb . After a some long trips I also noticed premature and uneven wear on the front tires. Watch the video below for installation. These we do a great job at upgrading the suspension on your 12,340 pound motorhome. RV Tires & Accessories . Sunseeker Class C Suspension Upgrades Tested. View 24V upgrades at the couch: bkg: Winnebago Class C Motorhomes: 0: 03-29-2020 03:50 PM: 2017 Winnie 31G Suspension Upgrades: kyleozdin: Winnebago Class C Motorhomes: 6: 06-09-2019 08:12 PM: View 24v any upgrades storage: Texasview: Winnebago Class C Motorhomes: 8: 11-12-2018 11:37 AM: 2008 Sprinter chassis suspension upgrades? The Chevy Workhorse Chassis Takes An Old Company In A New Direction! The second part of our Class C motorhome suspension upgrade is the front and rear springs. Dont do it! Driving a Gas RVOur Experience, Advice & Tips, A Slice of RV Life Episode #26: Windy Day, SumoSpringsOverview by Manufacturer, Super Springs, How to DIY Replace a Thetford RV Toilet Waste Ball Seal, Palm Springs Oasis RV Resort in California, 7 RV Hacks to Avoid Accidents in the Campground. Installed in two years. I made a mistake and listened to my Ford Heavy Truck man and put on air bags. We used a second jack to compress them once the first bolt was attached! Put on Bilstein shocks and Rear Hellwig stabilizer bars and had immediate improvement in handling. As you might have seen in our blog post and video Our Experience Driving a Gas RV gas coaches are known for not handling nearly as well as diesel coaches which run on air suspension. Radiator Coolant Hose Upper URO Parts 95110624101 fits 86-89 Porsche 944. RV Pantry Storage Ideas That Are Easy & Afford See The Before & After Of This Fifth Wheel Don't Miss Carolina Pines RV Resort In South Carol Know How To Prevent A Space Heater Fire In Your RV. This is because the necessary upgrades would not be a big new flat screen TV or comfy new couch. In addition, I installed four Bilstein shocks. Lippert Equa-Flex Rubberized Equalizer Tandem Axle Kit, 4,000 to 6,000 lbs. The first time a semi-truck buzzes by on the highway, a stiff crosswind hits, or a sharp turn is encountered they experience the white knuckle effect. Sunseeker Class C Suspension Upgrades Tested. It would have taken Marc at least an entire day or weekend. Roadmaster # RM-1139-176 Front Anti-Sway Bar Kit. Our Smart Suspension System evaluates speed, steering, braking, and road inputs 1,000x per second to automatically optimize your ride quality, handling characteristics, and peace of mind. And, we would have had to buy specific tools and frankly, wed rather spend our time exploring! Tracks perfectly, has much less body roll, and very little wind turbulence from passing trucks. Oh and by the way, dont be deterred by the 1 star Amazon review for the front SumoSpring. Cant take ur hands of the steering wheel love the coach but the steering sucks an also theres not that much play in the steering wheel while your driving it just wants to take you where u dont want to go anyone that can help me let me know please let me know, Hi LLoyd, Sorry to hear that you are still having such a unsettling time driving your coach even after all the suspension upgrades. BTW, I drove a 2016 Class A Ford F53 with Liquid Springs on the rear at the Chandler FMCA Convention. We have already installed a Saf-T-Plus front stabilizer bar, rear trac bar, and put softer Koni shocks on it. Your Stories Sincerely hoping you find a solution. 30-watt solar panel. We Installed the new track bar on our 2004 Ford E-450 24' Class C Motorhome. Add to Cart. Jayco Class C motorhomes equipped with J-Ride have four rubber isolation mounts positioned near the tires. The Dodge Sprinter: For Those Who Want A Small, Well Appointed RV With Good Gas. Suspension system upgrade in last two years. -Superspockman (from YouTube). If you hit a big pothole the whole inside of the coach will rattle until you think its coming apart. Its almost as if the stiff front shocks are fighting the sumo springs. Leave Aftermarket Motorhome Accessories Page, And Return To The Class C Motorhome: How To Achieve The Maximum RV Lifestyle! Page of 1. I am no longer terrified of driving in windy conditions or when passing oncoming trucks! CarlBrothers, that is interesting that they offer that from the factory. What is involved? Shocks, springs, bushings, air lift in rear. Digital Thermostat 13. What is needed is a 4500 class chassis as with the Chevy ones used by Coachmen which adds 9,000 lbs to the GVWR as . Gas motorhomes definitely are not known for great ride. Regardless, it seemed that no matter which way we went, we would end up with a better outcome than what we currently have. Upgrading your shocks requires just 4 bolts, but be forewarned, these shocks are hard to compress by hand. We have a diesel now and dont feel we need it but great to know that you noticed a substantial improvement! I may just piece mill mine and see if i get an idea for what part produces what result. This expensive upgrade would, in fact, be hidden from view and only affect the drivability and stability of the coach. It's a completely different vehicle now and I really appreciate what I have learned from others on these forums. I did find the chart for tire pressure for the tires on our Seneca and have changed it. If you can afford one, consider test driving a large diesel pusher motorhome(even if much older), especially a tag axle to see if that gives you a more settled experience. I own a 2017 Jayco Seneca. Marc talks comprehensively about our entire experience research, reasoning, installation and before and after driving experience. Ive notice it at highway speed and slower (40 mph) speeds. That.. or consider changing to a smaller rig like a truck and trailer. It will be well worth your time (at least, we think so). The ride is terrible. Great to know that Mike you are the second person now to recommend the 5-Star Tuning interesting they rank #1 above the Sumos! 2. Will definitely have to explore that one next. Item CP916U - 125.00 Clock Spring Kit. Fortunately, we were able to work from the coach while they did the install. When we looked online, we saw them on e-Trailers.com for between $500-600 a pair. Ford E450 Class-C RV; Refine Search . Chassis Parts + Performance Packages. GM / Workhorse 8.1L; Ford V10 + E450 Class-C RV V10; . But with way more truck than needed for the trailer you choose. Another vote for the 5-star tune. But for us still young-ish, working and saving for retirement it was paramount for us not to overcommit financially when buying our RV. So hearing you experienced no fatigue after a 1,000 mile drive and your coach is a joy to drive is very useful for others reading this, and we can reference your experience when asked by others. Additionally, there were precise upgrades to the suspension, shocks, plus the steering and braking systems. 2111 S Leyden St. Denver, Co 80222 303-756-9493 sales@rvadenver.com www.rvadenver.com We handle many rv parts and accessories. They moved the Firestone air bags to this package and added Bilstein front shocks, Stability control, Dynamic Balanced Driveshaft System and Front and rear stabilizer bars. Ford F53 Super Duty Class A. Actually thinking of trading up to a Super C but if the price isn't right then some $$ for upgrades may be in order. The Quantum Gets a New Interior Look and a New Floor Plan. - Suspension upgrades include Bilstein stabilizer steering. Thanks all for the comments and sharing your experiences. Call 800-306-4016 to learn more or to schedule an appointment at your preferred location! According to the manufacturers website, SumoSprings: The latter was especially appealing. It was all over the road and extremely dangerous to drive in windy conditions. Call/email Goodyear to see if you can use the MH tire tables for your tires to set inflation pressures. Can you set rear bag pressure? Choose Options. I find a stiff suspension great for handling on a smooth road, but not desirable on rough, broken pavement, poorly maintained highways. For Sale, 1986 Motorhome Executive. This heavy duty anti-sway bar replaced the stock Ford anti-sway bar in the rear of the motorhome. Suspension upgrades make a lot of sense for high profile and heavy load vehicles. Yes would be nice if Ford paid for it, we have now sold that RV. Ditch the Carpet 3. If youre planning on keeping your RV for a while, then I highly recommend this upgrade. The short answer is absolutely 100% YES on all counts! I pull a fiat 500L and I dont even notice it back there. We have been family owned and operated since 1965. It helps reduce body roll and sway but doubt it would do much to smooth out the roads. I recently purchased a 2016 Tiffin 34 PA. Amazing difference in ride and handling. Get a New RV Mattress 2. his heavy duty anti-sway bar replaced the stock Ford anti-sway bar. We didnt want to have to bother with constantly adjusting air levels for air bags as temps and elevations changed, or have to worry about them developing cracks or leaks. Ive towed my 22 open trailer (26 total length) with about 6500lbs and 650lbs tongue weight, and it affected the handling pretty badly. southwind32v Members 13 posts Report post Posted August 6, 2014 I have a 2000 Southwind on a f450 frame. Ford Class C Firestone Air Bags, Class C Motorhome Suspension Air Bags FIRESTONE Kits Ship 1-2 Days! But the the way they are mounted makes them more effective than the Hellwig (hope I did not insult someone's religious beliefs). Hi Carl, sometimes on unlevel sites the leveling jacks will bring the wheels off the ground but we just hit cancel to bring the coach back down again and drive the RV up onto leveling blocks. your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable. The ride is very smooth, almost like a high end car. I reviewed the Hellwig installation instructions and decided to take on the installation of the anti-sway bars myself. No handling issues. Rubber Roof Repair Part I: The Good Reliable Roof Will Need Attention. Motorhome suspension needs to be adequate to say the least. 1986 Ford Motorhome air suspension kits from Air Lift. So we figured if we could find a way to improve the suspension without breaking the bank, then it would be money well spent. Are they worth it? Huge difference; the sailor really sobered up. In comparison to the power stroke diesel which got only 235 hp and 500-foot pounds of torque, this was an upgrade in power. New Storage Bay Locks 9. What quality of roads was the motorhome tested on? I am currently running 90 psi all around. 2 MaxxAir Fans. I wouldnt want to deal with more tongue weight than I had, and I have a shorter rear overhang than you do. Great to know thanks for sharing. My goal was to try and keep the costs down. The best money I ever spent was at Henderson's line up!!! Bulk Up Your Inverter 11. You could probably order the parts yourself and then simply pay for a shops labor time to install them, or do it yourself. So they recommended a local shop to do the work. Fuel Economy: Why Burn More Gas Than You Need To? Or maybe you can give others some advice? The Wingman UHF antenna was a quick and easy little add-on to the stock Winegard RV bat-wing style TV antenna helping us receive more digital stations in fringe reception areas. I found a reputable RV alignment shop to install the Bilstein shocks and do a front-end alignment. We create all of our content to help others. iRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? I did the exact same thing to our 2013 Ford E-450-based Triple E Regency class C motor home; installed Hellwig heavy duty sway bars front and rear, and Bilstein shocks all around. Hellwig Rear Sway Bar New Helwig vs stock swaybar. No tools were required, just a trip to the roof to snap the extra antenna element in place. This suspension upgrade is the single largest expense we have made on an RV repair/upgrade in the two years weve owned it. Tuesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm PST. As was mentioned earlier, many manufacturers get the cut cab E450, build the coach, and never look at the effects it has on the front suspension.
