Suspension Improvements - Best Order

S1njin wrote:
So what is the consensus best order of suspension improvements on a E450 motorhome?

My guess:
Proper tire pressure
Front end alignment
Rear Sway
Front Sway
Shocks
Steering Stabilizer
Rear Track Bar

Am i close?

On our formerly owned E450, I did all of those myself (and a few more) in a systematic procedure one-by-one and then tested to see the differences. So many variables here (road conditions, wind, towing or not, loads, driver preference, etc) that it is impossible to use my experiences as "this is how it should be done" but, our motorhomes were very similar in size so here goes for whatever it is worth in the order that I did them (doing it again, I would do the alignment in #2 spot):

1. Tire PSI-got accurate load data from a certified scale and used the Michelin data to adjust. Result: smoother ride, less lane drifting.
2. Shocks-Replaced 2 year old factory shocks with Bilstein. Result: Less "jarring" on expansion joints, less rocking side-to-side, nice improvement.
3. Roadmaster Reflex Steering Stabalizer-Result, centering on crowned road surfaces was appreciated.
4. Alignment: I had way too much + camber, not enough + toe and not nearly enough + caster. Result: Much less wandering at highway speed, drastically improved tire wear (from decreasing + camber).
5. Front and rear sway bars. Replaced the factory Ford front and rear with Helwigs. Result: Reduced side-to-side sway and minimized being pushed around-good improvement.
6. Rear panhard bar (track bar). Result: No noticeable difference.
7. Rear air bags (the original motorhome had none). Result-less "pounding" on expansion joints from the rear, smoothed the ride, nice improvement.

In the end, a predictable chassis to drive in most situations. Wind was still our enemy and living in the Great Plains, we know wind.

Yes, you are close. Good luck with your challenge.