Results for "rough ride"

Engine Medium varies 379 👍 1

Newmar Motorhome Rough Ride Fix: Suspension & Air Pressure

Noticed my 2013 Newmar still rides incredibly rough through every crack and pothole even after replacing all six air bags. The ride height was never adjusted after the air bag replacement, and I'm worried I might be causing more damage or creating a safety hazard.

I upgraded from a Super C expecting a much smoother ride with the air suspension system, but this feels just as jarring. Am I missing something critical with the suspension setup? Could improper air pressure or ride height settings be causing this rough ride, and what other components should I be concerned about? I don't want to make things worse by continuing to drive it if there's a fundamental issue I'm overlooking. …more

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Engine Easy 1-2 hours inspection 255 👍 0

Ford E450 V10 Reliability: Expected Mileage and Longevity Guide for RV Owners

Nobody prepared me for staring at this 2018 Jayco Greyhawk 29MVP with Ford E450 chassis showing 54,000 miles and wondering if I'm looking at a money pit. The unit appears well-maintained with quality features including auto-leveling, fiberglass roof and nose, plus J-ride suspension. However, the odometer shows 54,000 miles, which exceeds my initial target range.

I need to assess whether this mileage represents significant wear on the E450/V10 drivetrain combination. What is the typical service life expectation for these engines when properly maintained? At what point should mileage become a primary concern versus overall mechanical condition? …more

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General Medium 4-8 hours 168 👍 0

How to Reduce RV Interior Noise: Complete Sound Dampening Guide for Motorhomes

Despite having a 2021 Coachmen Mirada, looking at my sound meter right now and there's 69 decibels of highway noise blasting through the cabin. My target is to achieve approximately 65 decibels for better communication with passengers.

I need a systematic approach to interior noise reduction. What are the most effective sound dampening materials and techniques for motorhomes? Specifically, I'm looking for solutions that address engine noise transmission, road noise, and any rattling components that contribute to the overall sound level.

What realistic noise reduction can I expect from proper sound deadening implementation, and what are the key areas to focus on for maximum impact? …more

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Best RV Leveling Blocks & Jacks

4.6 (9,800 reviews)

Engine Hard 4-6 hours installation 142 👍 0

SDI E-Clik vs Liquid Spring: Affordable F53 Chassis Suspension Upgrade Options

Nobody warned me that what started as minor swaying on highway trips last month would turn into white-knuckle driving every time I take my F53 chassis RV over 50mph. SDI E-Clik costs about a third of what Liquid Spring systems run, but I'm wondering what you actually get for that price difference.

Is E-Clik just electronic shock control, or does it offer more comprehensive suspension improvements? How does the ride quality compare between the two systems on F53 motorhomes? …more

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Engine Medium 2-3 hours 129 👍 0

Ford E-450 RV Shock Absorber Upgrade Guide: Bilstein 4600 vs Koni FSD

Before spending hundreds on new tires and suspension parts for my 2023 Ford E-450 Class C motorhome, the ride quality is still absolutely brutal. The RV is about 28 feet long and weighs approximately 14,500 pounds loaded. We use it primarily for family camping trips, but I also occasionally tow a small utility trailer with dirt bikes - probably 25% of our trips involve towing that extra 2,000-3,000 pounds.

I've been researching shock absorber upgrades and have narrowed it down to two main options that seem popular in the RV community: the Bilstein 4600 series and the Koni FSD (Frequency Selective Damping) shocks. I understand both are significant improvements over stock, but I'm trying to understand the practical differences between them for my specific setup and usage patterns.

What I really need to know is which option provides the best balance of ride comfort improvement, handling stability (especially when towing), and overall value for money on the E-450 chassis. I want to make sure I'm making the right choice since this is a fairly significant investment and I don't want to have buyer's remorse later. …more

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Engine Medium 1-2 hours shop time 118 👍 0

Toyo M-156 RV Tire Review: Replacing M-154 Steering Tires

After 50,000 miles, my Class A motorhome's 245/75R22.5 M-154 steering tires have uneven wear, sidewall cracks, AND are losing air pressure weekly. I've been running the Toyo M-154s for years and have been extremely satisfied with their performance, durability, and overall quality. However, I recently discovered that Toyo has discontinued the M-154 model and replaced it with the M-156.

From what I can see, the M-156 has a completely different tread pattern compared to the M-154, and I'm concerned about how this might affect performance. Specifically, I want to know if the construction quality and load ratings remain the same as the M-154, since those have been rock solid for me. I'm also curious about the road noise characteristics - the M-154s were reasonably quiet, but I'm wondering if the new tread design on the M-156 creates more or less road noise. Additionally, since this is a steering tire replacement, I want to confirm the proper replacement approach and whether there are any specific considerations I should keep in mind when switching from the M-154 to the M-156 design. …more

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Engine Medium 2-3 hours for thorough inspection 115 👍 0

2022 Newmar Bay Star 3609 Steering Play & Tire Wear Issues

Nobody told me what steering play should feel like on a 2022 Newmar Bay Star 3609 with 11k miles, and I'm worried these issues aren't normal. The coach has Liquid Springs and a Safe T Plus steering stabilizer that were professionally installed right after delivery, so I expected the steering to be really tight.

However, the owner mentioned there's still noticeable steering wheel play, and when I looked at the tires, the outer edge of the right front is significantly worn while the left front looks perfectly even. For such low mileage, this seems concerning to me. The owner says he gets annual alignments done professionally, so if it's not alignment causing this, what else could it be?

I'm worried there might be something seriously wrong with the chassis or steering components that could be dangerous or expensive to fix. Am I being overly cautious, or are these red flags I should walk away from? I really don't want to buy someone else's problem, especially when it comes to steering safety. …more

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Engine Medium 2-3 hours 114 👍 0

Sumo Springs Knockoffs vs Genuine: Complete RV Suspension Comparison 2

Saw Sumo Springs knockoffs on Amazon for half the price of the genuine SuperSprings product. Reviews are mixed — some say they're identical, others say they fell apart in a year. Trying to decide if the savings are worth the risk on my suspension or if I should just buy the real thing. …more

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Engine Medium 1-2 hours 112 👍 0

RV Wireless Air Suspension Problems: Complete Troubleshooting Guide

Wireless air suspension controller stopped communicating with the compressor module last week. Bags inflate manually at the valve but the wireless remote and dash controls do nothing. System worked perfectly for two years and just quit. …more

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Engine Easy N/A - informational 107 👍 0

Complete Luxury Motorhome Buying Guide for Retirement Full-Time RV Living & Travel

My husband just casually mentioned we're about to drop our entire retirement nest egg on a luxury motorhome when neither of us knows anything about RVs.

I keep hearing different brand names thrown around but honestly have no clue which ones give you the most bang for your buck in that mid-range luxury space. Also wondering if I should buy new or let someone else take the depreciation hit? And what features should I absolutely not compromise on for full-time living?

Just want to make sure I'm not learning expensive lessons after I hand over the cash! …more

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Engine Easy Informational 102 👍 0

Ford 7.3L Godzilla V8 Engine Lifter Failure: 70K Mile Analysis & Prevention Guide

Somewhere between shock and disbelief, I'm questioning my Ford dealer who insists my 2023 E350's 7.3L Godzilla V8 needs a complete rebuild after lifter failure at just 70,000 miles. The engine had one bad lifter and two scored piston walls, which seems pretty severe for a relatively new motor with what should be considered moderate mileage for a commercial-grade engine.

This has me concerned since I'm considering a similar setup for my Class C motorhome build. The 7.3L Godzilla has been marketed as Ford's heavy-duty solution, so seeing this kind of failure relatively early is troubling. Is this an isolated incident or are there patterns of lifter problems emerging with these engines? What should potential buyers be watching for, and are there any preventive measures or early warning signs that could help avoid this kind of expensive failure?

I'd appreciate any insights on whether this represents a broader reliability concern with the 7.3L platform or if it's just an unfortunate one-off situation that shouldn't influence purchasing decisions. …more

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Best RV Water Heaters

4.4 (6,800 reviews)

Engine Medium 30 minutes 98 👍 0

RV Airbag Spring Assist: Are Mismatched Jounce Bumpers Safe to Use?

Nobody told me that mismatched jounce bumpers on my RV's airbag spring assist could be dangerous, but now I'm worried with my kids traveling. After receiving a replacement air spring from Airlift, I discovered it's the Ultimate model with an integrated jounce bumper, while my existing undamaged bag does not have this feature. This creates a mismatched setup - one air spring with jounce bumper, one without.

My operational parameters are consistent: I maintain air pressure in both bags at all times and never run them empty. Given that the bags remain pressurized, the jounce bumper should theoretically never contact or engage during normal operation.

What are the safety implications and performance considerations of running this mismatched airbag configuration? Will maintaining proper air pressure in both bags effectively neutralize any potential issues from the jounce bumper differential? …more

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General Medium 2-4 days for complete installation 98 👍 0

Coachman Euro F53 Chassis Upgrades: Air vs Incremental

Finally hit my budget limit after other RV repairs — is there a way to fix my Coachman Euro 28' F53 Godzilla handling issues for under $500? After 18+ years driving diesel pushers, this thing rides like a covered wagon and steers like a shopping cart at highway speeds. I've gotten quotes for a full air ride suspension conversion at $30K, but that's nearly 20% of the $160K I paid for this RV.

I'm seriously considering the incremental upgrade route instead - maybe $15K spread across Koni shocks, Sumo Springs, sway bars, SuperSteer components, and better tires. Everyone says you can make meaningful improvements this way, but I'm worried I'll still end up disappointed and out the money.

Has anyone actually made their F53 chassis livable with the incremental approach? Can I really get 80% of the benefit for half the cost, or am I just throwing good money after bad? I need this thing to be safe and comfortable for Florida highway driving, but I'm tired of dumping money into what feels like a lost cause. …more

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General Medium 1-2 hours diagnosis 95 👍 0

RV Air Suspension Rise Time: Normal vs. Problem Signs (Quick Fix Guide)

Walked out to my 2018 Newmar Dutch Star this morning and the air suspension is taking 4-5 minutes to reach ride height on startup. Just wondering if that's normal or if I've got something going on that needs attention?

Not sure if this is just how these systems work or if I should be looking at the compressor or checking for leaks somewhere. What's the typical time frame for air suspension to get up to proper height? …more

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Engine Hard Professional job 92 👍 0

RV Engine Replacement Cost Guide: Rebuild vs Remanufactured vs Used (2

Spent the last week trying to decide between a rebuild, remanufactured, or used engine for my Class A motorhome that now sounds worse than nails on a chalkboard. There's a lovely hole where there shouldn't be one (in the piston, not my ego... that's been full of holes for years).

So here I am, living the RV dream with what sounds like a mechanical maraca under the hood. Is engine replacement even worth considering, or should I start shopping for a really expensive lawn ornament? What are my options and what kind of financial damage am I looking at? I need to know if I should fix this beast or start planning its funeral.

Could you share more details about the specific vehicle (year/make/model and engine type) to help diagnose the extent of the damage? …more

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