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

RustyMacIntosh
Explorer II
Feb 08, 2020
RLS7201 wrote:
You didn't mention which chassis you have but when you say "front axle", I'll assume a Ford F53. Chevy P32 have IFS.
Due to sagging rear springs on my 95 32H Bounder, I added rear air bags. The air bags allow for height adjustment and really smooth out the ride in back. I would do it again.
Take the easy and economical way out and add air bags to the rear axle.
Fleetwood built closely to the rear shackles and removing the bolts will require drilling holes in the storage compartments.
Firestone ride-rite air bags mount into original holes in the frame and are a easy install for a DIY person.

The graphics on you coach would indicate you have a 96 Bounder not a 95. 95 Bounders didn't have the brown paint around the front windows. But then again, you're in CA and they titled you 96 coach on a 95 chassis as a 95. :(
If you ever care to contest the titling issue, 95 Bounders and back are 8 feet wide where you Bounder is 8½ feet wide.

Richard

titled 96, 95 build, sold in Jan 96....its the big wide-body one

they want $1200 for added leaves, I am thinking the airbags is the way to go now
RLS7201
Explorer II
Feb 07, 2020
RustyMacIntosh wrote:
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 front

We are going to weigh the MH this afternoon

If your coach has a Ford F53 chassis, your tires are 235/85R16. In single tire configuration, your tires will carry 3042 lbs ea @ 80 psi and 2773 @ 80 psi in dual tire configuration. That's 6,084 lbs of capacity for your front tires and 11,092 lbs of capacity for your rear tires. You coach as built has a 6000 lb front axle and a 11,000 rear axle. So set your tires @ 80 psi. I can guarantee you will be running over weight on your rear axle any time you fill your 100 gallon fresh water tank.

Richard
RLS7201
Explorer II
Feb 07, 2020
You didn't mention which chassis you have but when you say "front axle", I'll assume a Ford F53. Chevy P32 have IFS.
Due to sagging rear springs on my 95 32H Bounder, I added rear air bags. The air bags allow for height adjustment and really smooth out the ride in back. I would do it again.
Take the easy and economical way out and add air bags to the rear axle.
Fleetwood built closely to the rear shackles and removing the bolts will require drilling holes in the storage compartments.
Firestone ride-rite air bags mount into original holes in the frame and are a easy install for a DIY person.

The graphics on you coach would indicate you have a 96 Bounder not a 95. 95 Bounders didn't have the brown paint around the front windows. But then again, you're in CA and they titled you 96 coach on a 95 chassis as a 95. :(
If you ever care to contest the titling issue, 95 Bounders and back are 8 feet wide where you Bounder is 8½ feet wide.

Richard
romore
Explorer II
Feb 07, 2020
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.
RustyMacIntosh
Explorer II
Feb 07, 2020
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 front

We are going to weigh the MH this afternoon
Tyler0215
Explorer
Feb 07, 2020
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.
RustyMacIntosh
Explorer II
Feb 07, 2020
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.
MountainAir05
Explorer II
Feb 07, 2020
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.

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

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