Camper still a slammer on bumps

I had the same problem but I installed Koni RV shocks and with 45-50 PSI in the air bags the problem is just about gone. With the 20ft. trailer I go to 80-90 PSI and smooth as silk.

Not sure about the Monroe shocks,that may be your problem. Just returned from Seattle and I can say this, Oregon and Washington I-5 is very comfortable to travel on, California I-5 is

disgraceful coming through certain areas especially Kern County.It was bone jarring in spots.

Thanks again for all the replies.

Speed is not the issue, if I go much slower it wouldn't be safe to be on a highway. If I'm going 50 or above, the bumps are going to be felt for sure.

I put the airbags on myself, I have adjusted the air pressure up and down several times, there is no sign of water in the system.

I will probably end up taking it to a truck spring/chassis shop eventually, it just seems odd that it would ride so rough when it isn't overloaded and has new tires and shocks. Ironically, when I was changing the shocks, I had pulled the old shocks off and ran out of daylight before I could put the new shocks on. I had to drive it back to the storage lot with no rear shocks at all. It actually rode pretty nice with no shocks. I could feel it wallowing around and it felt springy up and down and side to side (I didn't get on the highway or approach highway speeds, probably not a good idea with no shocks), but the bumps were actually smoother.

Had a friend complain of rough ride in his class C. I rode with him and agreeded it rode terrible over bumps. The whole rig shook, shuddered and seemed to just hammer over the bumps. Checked the air pressure in the air bags and instead of getting a pressure reading, got water out of the valve stem line! After some inspection the air shock was loaded with water from his compressor, instead of air. He never drained the compressor and it had about a gallon in the tank. Blew out the shocks and lines and drove the rig again. Much, much better, the rear air shocks were like solid rods instead of shock absorbers when filled with water. Something to at least check before blaming the shocks.

If you're pretty certain something isn't right, and it sounds like you are, I would suggest taking the rig to a truck spring and chassis shop. They'd be able to diagnose if something is wrong, and in any case probably to recommend what changes if any to make to get a better ride.

Between not seeing the particular rig in question, and having of necessity to rely on somewhat subjective descriptions, and most of us here having no formal training or extensive experience in truck suspension system design or repair, it's a good bet that the advice you receive on the forum will be at best general and inconclusive.

Maybe you need to slow down.

I installed the air bags after another forum member said they improved the rough ride characteristics of their motor home after installing them. Having driven it without the bags, and with the bags at 40 and 60 psi, I can say it might be slightly better with the bags, but its still a slammer. I know it's basically a big heavy truck with heavy duty suspension so I don't expect it to have a car-like ride, but I do think something has changed since it was new. I can't imagine new ones riding this harsh on dealer test drives or nobody would buy one. Again, it's fine on smooth roads and smaller bumps are not a big issue, but the it doesn't take much of a road bump to slam hard enough to make me wonder if something is going to break and come crashing down in the camper. I couldn't count how many time my wife said "geez!!!" as we were pounding across some of the bumps. I talked to a fellow at the campground we were staying at, he had a brand new 31' ford chassis class c, he said his rode pretty smooth no matter what the road conditions were. I have read of some leaf spring hangers (solastic?) that are supposed to help, but I'm getting skeptical that anything short of complete leaf spring replacement would truly fix the issue, and that's something I'm not ready to dive into, at least not for a while.

Thanks again for all the responses.

Also in a Class C (27'). Ours has Bilstiens installed by prev owner in '05. On smooth roads we are great. Alittle rough when bumps, cracks etc. No air bags. We take it real slowin construction zones.

Air bag pressure rises and decreases dramatically with the slightest bump, giving a pogo stick effect unless there is an expansion tank like semi trucks have.
If you are within rated weights, why have them? try a trip with them at minimal pressure.

rbreak wrote:
Thanks for the replies. I was not even close to being overweight, I can't remember the exact numbers (have them at home) but there was plenty of room left before approaching GVWR. It's got plenty of room between the axle and the rubber bump stops so I don't believe bottoming out is happening, if it was the axle (or chassis) would have to be traveling a lot up and down. I tried a max of 60psi in the bags, maybe I need to try 80-90 and see what happens.

I think the pressure in the bags may be exacerbating the problem. But I may be exactly wrong! Try both high and low pressure see which works best.

Thanks for the replies. I was not even close to being overweight, I can't remember the exact numbers (have them at home) but there was plenty of room left before approaching GVWR. It's got plenty of room between the axle and the rubber bump stops so I don't believe bottoming out is happening, if it was the axle (or chassis) would have to be traveling a lot up and down. I tried a max of 60psi in the bags, maybe I need to try 80-90 and see what happens.