Koni or Bilstein?

EMD360 wrote:
We had a heavier than normal load last weekend and I rode in the back where the bouncing and rattling and sway were very uncomfortable. Even without the load I think the ride is too rough I’m thinking of having the shocks replaced with top of the line versions. I’ve read that both Koni and Bilstein are great. As you know parts are hard to get right now. Should I get whatever they can get of these two or specify?

Some Koni shock types compete with Bilstein shock types - but those Koni types would probably be more expensive than the equivalent Bilstein models ... so in that case the Bilstein models might be the better price choice.

HOWEVER, for smaller/lighter-weight motorhomes that do not heavily pre-load the rear springs of the chassis that they're built on ... the special Koni shock that you want would be their FSD shock ... which I don't think that Bilstein offers an equivalent to.

The Koni Frequency Selective Damping model ("FSD") shocks automatically adjust themselves so as to offer low or no resistance on quick bumps like roadway potholes and cracks. The rest of the time, Koni FSD shocks automatically adjust themselves so as to offer the regular stiff shock damping control that is needed for slower occuring forces applied to the springs.

As an example regarding our 24 ft. slideless Class C on it's overkill Ford E450 chassis - it had a lot of pounding in the rear from potholes and cracks. That pounding has been radically reduced because of the Koni FSD shocks I had installed in the rear several years ago.

The rest of the time, the stability and control with the Koni FSD shocks remain about the same as they were with the stock Ford OEM shocks in the rear of our a small Class C on an E450 chassis.