I have a 1994 33’ Class A Holiday Rambler. When I first bought it the need for new shocks was obvious. Driving it was like riding Flipper! The first thing I did was replace the shocks. It also needed new sway bar bushings and the rear end needed suspension help for the 20 years the springs had been supporting it. The steering gear was in good shape. Nonetheless, even with the still uninstalled sway bar bushings and slightly saggy rear suspension, about a year ago I set out on my +5,000 mile Grand Western North America Tour and shakedown journey. What I learned was:
Even in an early winter storm with very strong crosswinds side-sway was not a problem, other than the push/pull effect I’d get when semi’s would roar past me at high speed.
The only problem I had with the saggy rear suspension was the tendency to drag the rear end when I’d drive over high curbs or bad dips such as going from a street to a parking area.
Assuming your steering gear is in good shape, simply replacing the shocks (I used Monroe Magnums) made a world of difference to my rigs drivability and if I were you I would do that first before anything else.
I’ve since returned to Texas and am replacing the sway bar bushings both front and rear in hopes of diminishing some of the push/pull from passing semi’s. I’m currently in the process of installing rear air-bags to mitigate the rear suspension sag, there again, not for handling but rather to help with the rear end occasionally drag.
Steve
