Well I did it again. Many of you know I wrote extensively about my experience with the Kelderman air ride system on my Winnebago Vista 30T. Well we traded it for a Winnebago 35G and a few short rides told us we missed the air ride. So off to Iowa I went to add the Kelderman air ride to this new motorhome. When I arrived they quickly had a team of at least four techs crawling under the moho checking things out and to my disappointment concluded that the rear could not be outfitted as the water heater was located exactly in the wrong place. They suggested however that I might be just as happy with the front as that is the more extensive modification. Well, the front was installed today and I drove over 250 miles non-stop home. What a pleasure. It was so smooth over some poor roads and I had to work to keep the speed down as bouncing and clanging did not impede my speed. The techs said many people just had the front done and were happy. Add me to the list. Now for the warranty repair of my squeaking passenger side slide and things will be perfect. Quiet and smooth. On smaller lighter motorhomes you may need the rear bags but on this heavier coach getting the front smooth made the difference and just getting the tire pressure right was enough. If I should feel in the future that a softer ride is desired i will swap out the Bilsteins for Koni FSD's. Those Bilsteins are really stiff but a good load helps them do the right thing.

Monroe RV shocks are also smooth and cost less, I went from Bilsteins to Monroe's and there was a difference..Give them a try..

When I had the Kelderman package done to my 2011 Coachmen Mirada, part of the package was replacing the Bilsteins with Monroes. Don't they still do that as part of the package?

What did it cost and why does it have to be done in Iowa?

timmac wrote:Monroe RV shocks are also smooth and cost less, I went from Bilsteins to Monroe's and there was a difference..Give them a try..Part of the Kelderman front end install is to replace the shocks with the Monroe Shocks. They are so much softer and as they point out cheaper than Koni. They of course also change the leaf springs and sway bars and add the air bags so it is a new front end suspension and makes a huge difference. For those who have the rear installed it is simpler as they just add the bags at the shackle but you must have the room for the addition and my coach had the water heater and tank in the way. It appears I didn't need the rear with the front improvement.

Effy wrote:What did it cost and why does it have to be done in Iowa?$3200 front- installed. I wanted the install this time from the experts and it is only 6 hrs away. My first we did from a local suspension dealer who did a good job. Others have used local vendors. Kelderman ships the kit with very good directions and consults by phone if needed. Go to Kelderman web page to get lot's of info including installation discussion.

Kelderman again | Good Sam Community

Goldencrazy
Explorer
Jun 28, 2014
I have been asked why not just get a DP. It was our intention to purchase a Forza. We saw the 35 G and decided to drive both. First we considered the interior. Both have the expanding sectional with folding table. The 35G had one more slide and that really opened up the Lounge. Storag in kitchen on Forza was a concern. Forza is gorgeous but just felt a little tight and we were trading to gain space. So we drove them. Forza did not give us the OMG ride we were expecting. Both rode OK. We figured both had too much air in tires and we could fine tune that. In the end it came down to floor plan and our comfort with driving gas powered coaches. Overall we are willing to accept a little more noise in front (better in this) and less power (enough for us). We also decided adding Kelderman was important as we love the ride and again are familiar with it. The 50 grand savings between the two coaches made the Kelderman seem cheap. So as others have posted find the floor plan first and work from there and know there are options to make gas chassis ride somewhat like a DP of similar size. I can't compare mine to 45 ft tag axle as they ride so well but a mid-30 ft wil not be far apart. So that is the reason I have rejected the well intentioned advice to dump gasser and get a DP. Thanks for the interest.
timmac
Explorer
Jun 28, 2014
Goldencrazy

You can also fix the noise with this stuff, I put in my doghouse and under the floors on both driver and passenger side, made a big difference in noise, noise level was reduced by half or more..

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00069QLVC/ref=oh_details_o04_s01_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000P70UP8/ref=oh_details_o04_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Goldencrazy
Explorer
Jun 28, 2014
Thanks. They told me they lubed it yesterday and there is no sound. Apparently followed the directions in the video. Wonder how often it will be necessary. It was the worst noise I have ever had.
Goldencrazy
Explorer
Jun 28, 2014
timmac wrote:
Goldencrazy

You can also fix the noise with this stuff, I put in my doghouse and under the floors on both driver and passenger side, made a big difference in noise, noise level was reduced by half or more..

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00069QLVC/ref=oh_details_o04_s01_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000P70UP8/ref=oh_details_o04_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Sorry, I was responding to my slide squeak post and realized upon following your link you were helping with cab noise. I can say the cab has gotten quieter with every new motorhome and the tranny in the 2014 Ford shifts easier with less gear hunting than the 2011. Thanks for the link.
timmac
Explorer
Jun 28, 2014
Goldencrazy wrote:

Sorry, I was responding to my slide squeak post and realized upon following your link you were helping with cab noise. I can say the cab has gotten quieter with every new motorhome and the tranny in the 2014 Ford shifts easier with less gear hunting than the 2011. Thanks for the link.

Was that a F-53 in 2011, because my 08 F-53 does not hunt at all and I am in the west where there is lots of mountains, maybe it was a bad transmission..
Goldencrazy
Explorer
Jun 29, 2014
Yes F-53. I also had a 2009 that was smoother. Perhaps I did have some chip problems .

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