Which Shocks?

[starcrwzr]

I have a 1992 Georgie Boy Cruise Master that is on a Chevrolet P30 Chassis with the 454CI gas engine. It needs new shocks and want to do it myself, but I'm having difficulty finding out which shocks to get. I see shock part numbers for chassis without Monobeam front suspension and numbers with Monobeam front suspension. Is there an easy way to tell what my front suspension is and what the rear is as well ( I know it's leaf springs)?

Scott B
Julian, CA

[Gjac]

I have a 96 GBM on a P-30 chassis. From my research the Koni's work better for a heavier chassis like what Mike Brez posted. What does your chassis weigh? I am guessing 13,000 lbs UW and 15,000 lbs fully loaded. I think you will like the Monroe shocks. I would check your ride height on your front end before you add the shocks you should have 1.75 to 2 in clearance between the bumper and upper A arm. If not new HD coil springs would be in order and will greatly improve your ride.

[wolfe10]

sjholt wrote:

As far as the crosswinds are concerned: You need a rear Panhard/sway bar.
That is the only thing that will help with that.

Let's clarify that.

A Panhard rod (aka track bar) goes from the axle on one side to frame on the other side. It allow full vertical suspension travel, but limits side to side motion.

A sway bar is basically a "U" shaped bar that reduces sway (one wheel going up or down compared with other wheel on that axle), but does not add stiffness if both wheels go over the same bump/dip.

Both are important. Suspect you may already have a sway bar, but check to make sure the bushings are in good condition. A good sway bar with bad bushings is of no value. Polyurethane bushings are the way to go.

[sjholt]

The replacement Monroes worked fine on my 32' gasser.
No need for expensive shocks on the P30 chassis.
As far as the crosswinds are concerned: You need a rear Panhard/sway bar.
That is the only thing that will help with that.

[lhatton]

I liked the monroes on my p30.

[starcrwzr]

Thanks everyone for the advice. Since I'm on sort of a budget, I ordered 4 Monroe Gas-Magnum RV shocks and a new steering stabilizer shock as well. They should all be here in a few days, then the fun begins. :E I figured that anything new has got to be better than the long worn out original equipment ones that are on it now. I can't take anymore long trips with hairy cross-winds on the road to Death Valley last year. White knuckles all the way.

[Chopperbob]

You Could check Your sway bar bushings too.
Replacé the front air bags with the proper
Coil springs will help also.
Bob

[topflite51]

My experience with the FSD's was certainly less than satisfactory. I think in my case the problem was in the fact that my coach is light. When loaded for travel I am well below the chassis weight. Units that are close to the max weight have better opinions of the FSD's than I do. For my coach they were a TOTAL waste of money. For my money, the Bilsteins were the better buy and that is what is on there now. They are performing quite well. Good luck.

[bluwtr49]

The PO put Road King on our Beaver. They seem to work just fine but aside from that I really don't know much about them.

Road King

[Sully2]

Koni's

[IAMICHABOD]

I put Bilsteins on my P30 Chassis with a 454 Class A and it was a mass improvement in the ride.

The best and Cheapest place to buy them is E Shocks

If you have any questions about your application just give them a call,they have been in business for a long time and are very helpful.

[mike_brez]

I put Koni FSD shocks on my 1994 PaceArrow 33ft with a 454 P30 chassis. I think the Konis get better results on a DP.

Koni front

Koni rear

Bilstein front
Bilstein rear

Without shopping around the Konis are about $200 more. For the price difference I think I would go with the Konis

[rgatijnet1]

I like the Koni FSD shocks because they ARE NOT gas charged and therefor do not transmit the road joints and other small bumps back through the suspension. The Koni shock also perform better than my previous Bilstein shocks on large bumps and to control sway.

[et2]

I put Koni's on our new MH (2600 miles) to resolve some issues with the stock shocks ( dipping when stopping and too much body roll - side to side and front to back). They were immediately noticeably better. About $900 installed.

Not to say others aren't good, but after my research that's what we chose. Very happy with them.

[Grandpere]

Any heavy duty shock will work fine, some people think Koni (sp?) shocks are the best, but are they so much better that a regular HD shock to justify the extra cost? I don't know. I went with Monroe HD shocks on my 1987 P30 and I am very pleased with how they work.