I took the Bounder to a shop yesterday to have the front end aligned. It was not far off, but it did need a bit of adjustment. RF tire was at 120psi. The front axle is tight. No issues. KYB up front, Bilsteins in the rear. The overhang is a concern. That rear swing.The overhang is a concern. That rear swing.Shop recommended that I have them add extra leaf spring in the rear to bring the back end up higher. Fleetwood in their ultimate decision to put such a long extension on the frameset the ball in motion back in the late 90's.My quote was about $1300 or so. The question is why can't we do what we did as kids. Add shackles. Raise the rear up by adding longer shackles?I am going to talk to a spring shop today about building me several leaves, then have my regular man put the leaves in the rear, if I go that way. The shop I was at yesterday does brakes and big rig front alignments. They had several Class A pushers in there doing brakes, they seem to be competent.But I have a local shop that does most of my automotive work. It is just getting 34ft Motorhome in and around into his shop and business.So what do you all think? The shop yesterday said by getting the backend up higher and more weight on the front suspension, it might drive better without being pushed around by large trucks as they pass me. Bounder from a distance in Paso Robles California last week.https://postimg.cc/jLP219Qw

First you need to weight the unit and see how much it has on each axle. Then if heavy on the rear put in new spring set to correct the load, not add a leaf. You are talking weight here, your fix is going to cause you many issues. My 99 had over 5 foot extended add so the same issue.If just a temp fix then air bags on the rear and it up put the weigh on the front. At the years this chassis has on it I sure the springs are in need to be re arch or new spring set for the correct weight.

I was told by one shop, put Firestone bags in the rear. Another said a single leaf--which would be a more harsh ride, but hold the weight betterI need to research what others with the F53 frame have done to correct the steering wonder.

Why was the rf tire at 125psi? That's to much for a front tire.If the rear springs are sagging, you should probably get a new set of leaf springs. Weight he MH , front and rear axles, loaded and ready to go and take the weights with you to the spring shop. They can install the correct springs.Also with your loaded weights you can adjust the air pressure in the tires to the proper psi.

I dont know how the front tire was so high, I had tires put on it in Oct, my I'm been watching the rears, I never paid much attention to the frontWe are going to weigh the MH this afternoon

Extended shackles won't take the weight. Your coach is 25 years old,, new properly sized springs are in order. Don't try to band-aid it, safety is paramount here.

95 Bounder 34J--rear leafs--shop recommendation

wolfe10
Explorer
Feb 09, 2020
I would suggest that restoring proper spring rate (and therefore ride height) WILL improve ride. Shocks are back to mid travel, far less bottoming out, etc.

I think we can all agree that the only bad answer is to do nothing and continue to bottom out the suspension over the smallest bumps.
RLS7201
Explorer II
Feb 09, 2020
wolfe10 wrote:
Not sure I agree. If the rear is heavy enough that the rear is sagging, adding a leaf to bring it back to factory spec should not make for a harsh ride.

Yes, the springs have become weaker over the years. An added leaf should restore their deflection per pound/force.

Of course if the IS something that concerns you, another option to restore ride height without adding to spring rate is to have a SPACER added. Did that on our Safari DP with leaf spring suspension. Worked just fine. Note: Did not do it because of sagging axle, but side to side lean due to all heavy things on one side of the coach.

But all that extra metal does nothing to improve the ride.
Where as adding air bags to sagging leaf springs improves the ride.

Richard
Stim
Explorer
Feb 09, 2020
Bags are the answer, way cheaper, totally adjustable.
Any spring change is permanent or spend more money.
My guess is poor weight placement making the front end too light.
I had a 1974 Winnebago Indian that had two 30 lb LP tanks, generator, fuel and water tanks behind rear axle.
It was MISERABLE to drive over 40 mph, semi's would blow it 1/2 a lane sideways and you had to always watch the mirrors for up coming traffic to compensate!
RustyMacIntosh
Explorer II
Feb 09, 2020
Any recommendations on the set of airbags I should invest in for this Bounder?
wolfe10
Explorer
Feb 08, 2020
Not sure I agree. If the rear is heavy enough that the rear is sagging, adding a leaf to bring it back to factory spec should not make for a harsh ride.

Yes, the springs have become weaker over the years. An added leaf should restore their deflection per pound/force.

Of course if the IS something that concerns you, another option to restore ride height without adding to spring rate is to have a SPACER added. Did that on our Safari DP with leaf spring suspension. Worked just fine. Note: Did not do it because of sagging axle, but side to side lean due to all heavy things on one side of the coach.
BrianinMichigan
Explorer
Feb 08, 2020
RustyMacIntosh wrote:
I was told by one shop, put Firestone bags in the rear. Another said a single leaf--which would be a more harsh ride, but hold the weight better

I need to research what others with the F53 frame have done to correct the steering wonder.

I was told the same thing. I had a new set of springs put on and inquired about extra leafs. They said the same thing. I was not happy with the added rear height so a few years later
i added "Air Lift air bags to the rear. They were close enough to the exhaust pipes so
i added header wrap to the pipes. I was able to get the rear end up a couple of inches and boy it made a big difference in the ride. A lot smoother. Do the air bags. I run around 60psi. Max is 100psi.
1968mooney
Explorer
Feb 08, 2020
RustyMacIntosh wrote:
.

I'm certain I am overweight on that back axle, with the fresh water tank and the gas tank, and my Chihuahua sleeping on the bed I am certain it is overweight, why Fleetwood did this model is beyond me, but, in 95, I was tugging a 18 foot Prowler around behind my 1980 F100,,,,,
MountainAir05
Explorer II
Feb 08, 2020
I used the Firestone Ride Rite.. They bolt right on, everything was in the kit and life time warranty. Amazon was the lowest cost at that time.

https://www.firestoneip.com/kit-search/
RustyMacIntosh
Explorer II
Feb 08, 2020
what recommendations does the crowd have on buying aftermarket air-bags for the rear of this coach? I looked at several on Amazon and eBay, but not sure which one would be the appropriate one for my F53 frame.
RustyMacIntosh
Explorer II
Feb 08, 2020
.

I'm certain I am overweight on that back axle, with the fresh water tank and the gas tank, and my Chihuahua sleeping on the bed I am certain it is overweight, why Fleetwood did this model is beyond me, but, in 95, I was tugging a 18 foot Prowler around behind my 1980 F100,,,,,

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95 Bounder 34J--rear leafs--shop recommendation

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