F53 shocks needed?

Here's the link to search Monroe's catalog for their Gas magnum RV Shocks. I put them on my coach and the ride smoothed out dramatically. No more hard jolts that try to tear the cabinets off the walls. I also did the CHF, added an Ultra-Trac rear track bar, and a Safe-T-Plus steering dampener. The coach doesn’t handle and ride like a big Lincoln, but is comfortable to drive now.

Having Koni shocks installed this week along with some sumo springs and 1 3/4 torsion bars front and rear. I'm really curious how much a difference the ride is going to be, I also opted for the safety steer set up, all of the talk about front tire blowouts and RV accidents has me very concerned. I slowed down my max cruising speeds as well.

Could anyone give the part numbers of the Monroes as well as Bilsteins that are being used?

I have Koni shocks on the front and Bilstein on the rear. Replaced the rears before I knew about the difference. For the smaller road imperfections the Koni's do a much better job absorbing them. The Bilstein's not so much. Large bumps, no real differance front to back. It's hard to get past the price differance and Monroe's might be worth a try.

Effy wrote:
My new F53 has bilsteins, is it even worth it to swap out for Konis?

If you don't put a lot of miles on the coach and if the small bumps, like road joints, ect, don't bother you too much than it is probably not worth the cost to change. The Bilsteins are gas charged to 300psi which transmits all of that back to the chassis on a small bump. The Koni is NOT gas charged so the initial resistance is zero.
When I pulled my Bilsteins off and replaced them with Koni's I was looking at the long term advantages. I put 15-20K a year on the coach and after a long day on the road I appreciate the smoother ride with the Koni shocks.

My new F53 has bilsteins, is it even worth it to swap out for Konis?

OnaQuest wrote:

timmac wrote:
I put the Monroe RV shock on and it soften up the ride, some say it cause more sway but I also have air bags and tighten up the sway control so the swaying is less.

Monroe's are the lowest cost

I'm with you. I installed the Monroes and Firestone air bags. Made a world of difference.

Back from my weekend trip.

The ride with the Monroe shocks was definitely much softer, less pounding from road joints and potholes and less rattles in the coach. Wish the damping was a little stronger for some of the huge bumps, but it is a trade off for a softer ride. The real test will be the end of June when my wife rides with me on that trip. Thinking of doing the cheap handling fix on the front end to help reduce some sway and roll. Will try to remember to report back with my wife's comments.

I sure like my FSD's. If I were to buy new shocks again, I would go with the FSD's again. I shouldn't need to as they have a lifetime guarantee.

timmac wrote:
I put the Monroe RV shock on and it soften up the ride, some say it cause more sway but I also have air bags and tighten up the sway control so the swaying is less.

Monroe's are the lowest cost

I'm with you. I installed the Monroes and Firestone air bags. Made a world of difference.

'08 F53 here.
Heading out for my first trip with new Monroe shocks on the front only. The bumps were very hard with the Bilsteins and I got constant excessive road feel at the steering wheel. Will try to remember to report back.