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Tom_in_Tulsa's avatar
Tom_in_Tulsa
Explorer
Jul 29, 2018

Time for new shocks

I have a 16 year old Class A Monaco gas engine 22,000 pounds. When I hit bumps, the coach goes up and down 3-4 times like riding a horse at a slow gallup. I think it has original shocks.
Time to replace? With what? Who does this work? What do i expect to pay?
Ideas, please.
Tom
  • The Koni FSD's installed on our coach greatly improved ride quality, I highly recommend them however they are quite pricey.

    Good luck with your choice and Safe Travels.......
  • Tom, I purchased the Monroe Magnum RV shocks for my Diplomat. That is what Monaco/Roadmaster put on it from the factory. You probably need to look at the ones that came on yours, and if possible to get an idea of which ones you want to go with. Monroes will probably run about $60 ea. Bilstein and Koni will probably be about $100+ per ea. Mine sure rides better, I had to install 8 of them. If you are handy at all, shocks are not that bad to replace. I think yours only has 4 on it. Good luck.
  • Tom in Tulsa wrote:
    Does anyone have any experience with Monroe heavy duty shocks? That is all my truck stop carries. I am looking into the Bilsteins but the installer does not carry them and won't guarantee the work.


    Your installer won't guaranty the installation of a shock that comes with a lifetime warranty?????
    Basically the installation of Monroe, Bilstein, or Koni shocks are all the same. Personally I'd find another place to buy the shocks you want.
  • Does anyone have any experience with Monroe heavy duty shocks? That is all my truck stop carries. I am looking into the Bilsteins but the installer does not carry them and won't guarantee the work.
  • I used the Bilstein shocks on the rear of my coach but I replaced the Bilsteins on the front with Koni FSD shocks.
    The Bilsteins are gas charged so they offer resistance whenever you hit a small bump, like a road joint. This small bump jarring transferred right back in to the coach and was irritating on the highway. The Koni FSD shocks are NOT gas charged so they were easy to install and they dampen even the small road joints. For large bumps, both the Bilsteins and the Konis worked fine.
  • I would look into Bilsteins,I put them on all of my large vehicles including both my Class A and Class C,stopped all the porposing and gave a much better ride over all.

    Give E Shocks a call, Their staff is very knowledgeable and can answer all your questions,what ever it may be. They will know what will work in any application. I have used them for 40 years.

    As for install you might try a place Like this.
  • Finding an installer is somewhat confusing,as tire dealers cant handle a motrhome and most RV dealers dont do shocks, tires or engine work.
    Go to a truckstop?
  • I think most any even halfway decent shocks would be a significant improvement over what you're dealing with at present.

    I have Koni FSDs on my motorhome and I've been quite pleased with how well they work. They are not particularly inexpensive, and I can't say from personal experience if the added cost over other shocks is completely justified. (They have a special valving system that lets them act as a relatively soft shock for minor disturbances but a heavier one for major bumps, so as to give a smoother ride while still providing proper control.)
  • Put a set of Bilsteins on it you'll love em. They sell them in a couple different weight ratings make sure you get the heavier duty one. I don't know what it costs to install them cause I do all my own work, but I can tell you it can be a real job to get the old off and the new on.