E-350 Hard Ride

[Photomike]

In another post someone mentioned that the E series class C's have a hard ride. I noticed that the first day with mine compared to my Dodge Journey (obviously) and compared to my 2500HD with the truck camper.

I have come to live with it and really do not mind but do find it rough when you hit a bump and hear the entire RV do a up and down with all the supplies in the cupboards doing the same thing. Because of this I do not take it near the places I took my truck and camper as I am afraid of doing damage on rough roads. My mechanic has checked everything and did an alignment so the unit is in good shape according to him. It drives amazing on pavement but does tend to bounce and moan on rougher roads.

I have thought of changing shocks, springs, etc, etc but wonder if this truly does any good over the long term or if this is just doing slight improvements.

[Photomike]

klutchdust wrote:

Photomike wrote:

pnichols wrote:

Photomike wrote:
I think I would be opening myself up to failures in extreme cold.

What does extreme cold do to air bags?

Don't E450 based shuttle buses have air suspension systems ... and I assume some them are used in harsh climates.

I have been told that there is a higher failure rate at -30 & 40C. I will check into this and see for sure.

All the big rigs use Firestone air bags . I would assume there are such around your area. Having been around heavy equipment as a career i have seen few air bags fail. Always maintain just a few pounds of pressure to keep the wrinkles out and you should be ok.

Funny I texted my brother tonight and asked him as he has a number of semis that they run and got the same reply. I will have to look into airbags now.

[klutchdust]

Photomike wrote:

pnichols wrote:

Photomike wrote:
I think I would be opening myself up to failures in extreme cold.

What does extreme cold do to air bags?

Don't E450 based shuttle buses have air suspension systems ... and I assume some them are used in harsh climates.

I have been told that there is a higher failure rate at -30 & 40C. I will check into this and see for sure.

All the big rigs use Firestone air bags . I would assume there are such around your area. Having been around heavy equipment as a career i have seen few air bags fail. Always maintain just a few pounds of pressure to keep the wrinkles out and you should be ok.

[Photomike]

pnichols wrote:

Photomike wrote:
I think I would be opening myself up to failures in extreme cold.

What does extreme cold do to air bags?

Don't E450 based shuttle buses have air suspension systems ... and I assume some them are used in harsh climates.

I have been told that there is a higher failure rate at -30 & 40C. I will check into this and see for sure.

[pnichols]

Photomike wrote:
I think I would be opening myself up to failures in extreme cold.

What does extreme cold do to air bags?

Don't E450 based shuttle buses have air suspension systems ... and I assume some them are used in harsh climates.

[Photomike]

pnichols wrote:
Mike,

Your 19G underloads the E350 chassis, so it' going to ride rough. I experienced the same thing with our 24 foot Class C on an E450 chassis.

Lowering rear tire pressure helps, and so may Koni FSD shocks in the rear - but they are expensive shocks. We have a set of Koni FSD shocks in just the rear ... our front shocks are still stock. Less expensive but high quality soft shocks in the rear - like the Bilstein soft shocks - may also help in your situation.

The next to ultimate solution is to have a leaf removed from each spring in the rear and then have air bags installed back there. Pump up the air bags just enough to counter-act the sag that results from the single leaf on each side being removed. That will get the rear end riding less on stiff steel and more on air.

The ultimate solution (expensive) is to have the entire rear suspension converted over to full air suspension.

So you are saying I should carry more junk :B

Thought of going air bags or full air but don't like the idea for what I use it for, I think I would be opening myself up to failures in extreme cold.

Thanks,

[pnichols]

Mike,

Your 19G underloads the E350 chassis, so it' going to ride rough. I experienced the same thing with our 24 foot Class C on an E450 chassis.

Lowering rear tire pressure helps, and so may Koni FSD shocks in the rear - but they are expensive shocks. We have a set of Koni FSD shocks in just the rear ... our front shocks are still stock. Less expensive but high quality soft shocks in the rear - like the Bilstein soft shocks - may also help in your situation.

The next to ultimate solution is to have a leaf removed from each spring in the rear and then have air bags installed back there. Pump up the air bags just enough to counter-act the sag that results from the single leaf on each side being removed. That will get the rear end riding less on stiff steel and more on air.

The ultimate solution (expensive) is to have the entire rear suspension converted over to full air suspension.