Time For New Shocks - HD Bilsteins Or Koni-FSD?

We put Bilstiens on our 27’ Four Winds Siesta. WHAT a difference it is a 2008 and shocks apparently where original when we bought it 1-1/2 years ago. We had them put on our class A in 2001 it is a 1996 GBM.

Koni's on my 32ft Cambria and very pleased. If the Bilsteins are even a better improvement, and I have no way of comparison, i would install them next time.

The pounding and dish rattling over simple RR tracks and the like are gone. The coach will roll in a turn and then return and stop, unlike the stock shocks were the motion continued as if you were on water.

New Michelin's, Koni's then wheel alignment in that order. I drove on the Koni's for a while, maybe 3 k miles before I had it aligned to get the feel. I was very pleased with the performance. After alignment the handling and steering only improved.

My thoughts based on other postings and my own personal experience is you can't go wrong with either one.

I put on FSDs and they are working out very nicely for me: a comfortable ride, and good control on large bumps etc. I have no complaints at all. Doubtless other shocks are also decent.

As FunTwoDrv said, it may well be possible to rebuild your current shocks if they aren't entirely rusted out or bent or anything along those lines.

Replacing the.rear shocks is easy and straightforward. Replacing the front ones is rather a pain due to the limited access to the top mount. I found a flex head ratchet wrench and a some quality time practicing my contortion to be what worked for me. If you're hiring someone to do the work, then that's probably less of a concern aside from needing to pry open the wallet a bit.

A number of OP's have gone Koni FSD and are pleased, so there's a growing FSD camp. Small Monroe, etc. camp.
BIG Bilstein camp. More like an army.
At least to deserters from the FSD camp. One, you'll hear from shortly, in fact with a deal if you you decide on FSD. Other deserter was a couple years ago. Had them installed by Henderson's as part of other work, disappointed with FSD, hasn't posted since.
I don't think I've heard of a deserter from Army Bilstein.
For me, choice is made. Haven't done it yet, but they'll be HD Bilstein. If FSD trades some control for more comfort, I want control. There aren't enough reports yet to make FSD the Gold Standard in place of Bilstein.
You have a lighter coach, and achieving car-like comfort might be possible for you. For me with our overloaded box truck setup, I don't think it's gonna happen, so I'll take control.

At 33K miles I replaced the original shocks on our 2012 Nexus E-350 with the heavy duty Bilstein’s. After 15,000 addition miles they are still awesome, ride and handling improved dramatically.

:C

Ron,
I put Bilsteins on our Chevy based Freelander. They really firmed up the ride. I believe the Koni FSD's may give a slightly more forgiving ride.
If you've been happy with the ones you have, those old red Koni shocks are probably rebuildable.

Gary

I just had Bilsteins installed yesterday and what an improvement. I can't comment on the Koni's since I've never used them. Love them Bilsteins, my E450 Class C rides better and steers a lot better than with the OEM shocks.

Dave

I put four HD Bilteins on my 29 foot C and am totally happy