Forum Discussion

BudFoster37's avatar
BudFoster37
Explorer
Jun 25, 2015

After market air springs

My 2005 Fleetwood Southwind gives very rough ride, even on many interstate highways. I can handle the ride but worry about the damage to the coach. How can I improve it? Air springs?
  • I added air bags on the back of my 2001 F53 Chassis mostly to raise the rear of the coach a little. I did notice a slight improvement in the ride harshness. The KONI FSD shocks will help.
  • BudFoster37 wrote:
    Wolfe - It's an F53 chassis, GAWR is 20,500, 7000 front and 13,500 rear. I don't see a GVWR on the sticker. Scale weight is 6220 front and 18,360 total.Recommended tire pressure is 80 all around. Based on "experts" opinions, my front pressure is 85 and rear is 100.

    The only "expert" that matters is the tire manufacturer's weight/pressure chart.
  • Bud,

    That is pretty well balanced, with each axle loaded to just under 90% of capacity.

    Is this roughness more over the small bumps (like concrete expansion joints) or larger holes/big dips.

    If over the small ones as well as large ones, consider Koni FSD's They are not inexpensive, but offer both softer ride over the little bumps and better control over the large ones (two sets of valves).
  • Wolfe - It's an F53 chassis, GAWR is 20,500, 7000 front and 13,500 rear. I don't see a GVWR on the sticker. Scale weight is 6220 front and 18,360 total.Recommended tire pressure is 80 all around. Based on "experts" opinions, my front pressure is 85 and rear is 100.
  • Please tell us what chassis you have.

    Have you set tire pressure based on your tire manufacturer's recommendation for your actual weight?

    Also, what is your chassis GVWR(should be on a sticker near the drivers area) vs actual weight. If you have axle weights, post those along with GAWR from the GVWR sticker.