Koni FSD shocks

Ron, recall me saying this shock is too light weight? Well I couldn’t let it go, kept digging and found if you do a search day for coach house Rv you’ll get a different part number. So I called Gabriel and spoke to tech support. The shock sold to me at summit fits a E450 but not designed for a heavy load such as a motorhome. The hydraulic shocks are I need are not that much more in cost but deliver a lot more rebound force etc. I’ll need to replace both near term. I’ll be at my friends in Tennesse in a about a month. I hope to change them out there. In the mean time what I got should at least save my tire from any further damage.

I ordered the Gabriel’s over bilsteins for the front due to availability. Billsteins are 114 each compared to Gabs at 75.00.  Tech numbers appear similar

Joseph,

It was unfortunate that Summit didn't have the "heavy duty" version on hand to sell to you.

The same general story applies to the Bilstein options.  There are two different shocks for the same E350/E450 application, but one is referred to as "For Class C Motorhomes", hence the constant reference to "HD Bilstein-RV".

Those softer front shocks may actually work out ok. I have Bilstein HD's on  the back and Bilstein comfort series (also referred to as swb motorhome shocks) on the front. This  setup was recommended for short wheelbase motorhomes (2350) by Eric's RV suspension in Seattle. I am really pleased with the ride and handling. As you probably know Bils HD's are extremely stiff. I did the rears myself (why??) but paid a shop $120 to install the fronts. The service writer said he will charge the next customer $180, and they weren't even HD's. Much respect to you sir

Cal, the issue with the front is the drivers side. Most shops for what ever reason are not aware there is an excess point under the drivers side carpet that makes it much less problematic to change out. I won’t stay with light weight shocks on the front of my 2552. The one hydraulic Koni failed and the other side is on its way with less than 40k miles.  The lighter weight gas shock I’m sure will do fine for now but I wouldn’t expect it to last as long as a hydraulic shock. 

Ron, my own fault. When I called the 800 number they said they had the bilsteins in stock, when I arrived they did not and I asked what they had for a 450 motorhome.  I know better. , trust but verify.  I didn't do my research once I found out the bils weren’t in stock.

Joseph, I will always wonder about Cal's comment concerning the use of "comfort" shocks up front.  He makes an excellent point for installing them up front in the shorter models that are tail-heavy and front-light.   If you don't get the dreaded up/down porpoise action in your 2552, maybe you have the better front shocks right now.

Ron good point but I can’t help but think if the heavier duty shock only lasted 30,xxx miles how long will gas charged light weight suv, pickup shocks last? It’s not a job I enjoy doing at home all that much, on the road even less so I want as much longevity as I can get.  My front end never seemed to have bad ride but the tail is like a lumber wagon

I realize everybody has different likes and dislikes about ride comfort, stability, control and so forth.  But you should all remember, the #1 job of a shock absorber is to keep the tire tread flat ON the road surface.  They are designed by supposed well trained and certified automotive engineers.  They are designed to work hand in hand (so to speak) with springs.  An "E450" can be anything from an Econoline van to an ambulance to a passenger bus to a 2 Ton box truck.  There isn't one shock absorber designed to work on all those "E450's"

So, all I am really saying is when you decide which shocks to buy, make sure they are designed to work with your exact vehicle configuration.

To be honest, the manufacturer of your completed vehicle (in this case.... Phoenix, not Ford) *should* know best.  2nd best would be someone with the knowledge of "sprung weight", spring rate and max travel of the axle.

And now.. I will get off my high horse.

I wouldn’t bother asking Phoenix. They send them out with the bone stock generic shocks. Now when I went to sites like Gabriel they list Rv’s such as coach house who require specific shocks for their units. Maybe that’s why CH charges what they do for their rigs.

Now when I went to sites like Gabriel they list Rv’s such as coach house who require specific shocks for their units.

Link please? 

Been researching shocks, as my Autozone Cheapo fronts prolly wont last another 2 years. And the rears are original AFAIK. Always been a Gabriel and Monroe fan for HD truck stuff. Loved bilstiens in the VW's.


And from hearsay I have learned, changing shocks/steering/springs etc from Factory 'incomplete chassis' OEM requires the entire chassis to be re-certified costing $$$$.  Might be part of the Coach House cost/value!  Good point.

https://gabriel.com/mobile/heavy-duty/vehicle-search?make=COACH+HOUSE+RV&series=Class+C+MotorHomes

Well there’s no doubt PC and many others take what comes direct from Ford  or Chevy and just adds their box to it. Most don’t even align the front end after adding all that weight. The cost for the first alignment with all the added weight and needed shims for cambers 250 or more.

 Volk I used the coach house as a reference to make my choice. Just basing it on similar size. I could be worlds wrong in doing it this way. Just using SWAG and hoping for the best.

https://gabriel.com/mobile/heavy-duty/vehicle-search?make=COACH+HOUSE+RV&series=Class+C+MotorHomes

Well there’s no doubt PC and many others take what comes direct from Ford  or Chevy and just adds their box to it. Most don’t even align the front end after adding all that weight. The cost for the first alignment with all the added weight and needed shims for cambers 250 or more.

 Volk I used the coach house as a reference to make my choice. Just basing it on similar size. I could be worlds wrong in doing it this way. Just using SWAG and hoping for the best.

NO worries!  Sometimes  SWAG is a good start.

I think the folks at Gabriel had someone who had drive setting up the shock reference chart. Out of curiosity, I looked for PC. And it was listed! 

But going to the page....same numbers as CH. Only difference is that PC's page lists E350 and E450, where CH's page lists only E450.

Try Georgie Boy class C....same shocks, front and rear.

Tried 'Ford E series' ...you know it, same numbers.

Looks like if you want front shocks on a 99-20 E series 3/450....83177 is the answer. Regardless of brand. 

Some good data though...maybe?? 

Front shocks -
Rebound:   690 lb.      
Compression:   275 lb.

Rear shocks -
Rebound:   690 lb.      
Compression:   275 lb.

Or is it... I would have thought front and rear to be different. 

Monroe's link doesnt give numbers,    but DOES give front options as far as rv/ambulance.    3 options for the rear!  (severe duty, ambulance/rv and 'regular')

http://www.monroe.com/en-US/e-catalog    and i used 2006 Ford E350 in the queries.

Went to Koni.. https://www.koni-na.com/en-US/NorthAmerica/Home/ ...  and they list one shock for Ford E350/450 under RV.   Automotive has F350...but no listing for E series. 

I would think a company that touts themselves as a 'premium' choice would give me SOMETHING to base that on, aside from price.

Bilstein seems to give you choices of stock/short WB RV and long wheelbase RV.   

How frustrating. At least with tires, you got 'Apples to Apples' specs across vendors and brands.  With shocks it seems that there is...well....a lot of hoopla, opinion and marketing terms. VERY little data that allows a direct comparison.  So far. Still looking!

I dont mind paying more.... but need to know WHY I am paying more. 

I wouldn’t bother asking Phoenix. They send them out with the bone stock generic shocks. Now when I went to sites like Gabriel they list Rv’s such as coach house who require specific shocks for their units. Maybe that’s why CH charges what they do for their rigs.

I can't say what Phoenix is doing today, but back when Kermit owned it, the cutaway were ordered witb the Motorhome prep package and full 14,500 gvwr package.

Quote from: Joseph on July 27, 2021, 09:29:24 pm

I wouldn’t bother asking Phoenix. They send them out with the bone stock generic shocks. Now when I went to sites like Gabriel they list Rv’s such as coach house who require specific shocks for their units. Maybe that’s why CH charges what they do for their rigs.

I can't say what Phoenix is doing today, but back when Kermit owned it, the cutaway were ordered witb the Motorhome prep package and full 14,500 gvwr package.

The motorhome prep package has always been deficient when it comes to stabilizer bars and shocks.  I don't know about 2022, but back in 2007, the E350 motorhome prep package, the rear stabilizer bar was void, the front bar was the same installed on an E150 van, and the shocks were identical to an E250 van.......surely prep'd with those under-rated components, direct from Ford.

The motorhome prep package has no mirrors, no seats (just a temporary cafeteria seat), no carpet, a beefier alternator, and creature comforts that were optional in vans such as power windows and door locks.  It also came with two lengths of antennas, a shorter one to clear a typical class-C bed over-hang.  I know I missed some things, but you get the idea.

Quote from: donc13 on July 28, 2021, 10:12:04 am

Quote from: Joseph on July 27, 2021, 09:29:24 pm

I wouldn’t bother asking Phoenix. They send them out with the bone stock generic shocks. Now when I went to sites like Gabriel they list Rv’s such as coach house who require specific shocks for their units. Maybe that’s why CH charges what they do for their rigs.

I can't say what Phoenix is doing today, but back when Kermit owned it, the cutaway were ordered witb the Motorhome prep package and full 14,500 gvwr package.

The motorhome prep package has always been deficient when it comes to stabilizer bars and shocks.  I don't know about 2022, but back in 2007, the E350 motorhome prep package, the rear stabilizer bar was void, the front bar was the same installed on an E150 van, and the shocks were identical to an E250 van.......surely prep'd with those under-rated components, direct from Ford.

The motorhome prep package has no mirrors, no seats (just a temporary cafeteria seat), no carpet, a beefier alternator, and creature comforts that were optional in vans such as power windows and door locks.  It also came with two lengths of antennas, a shorter one to clear a typical class-C bed over-hang.  I know I missed some things, but you get the idea.

Who knows what changed between 2007 and 2014 when my chassis was built.    I don't know if the 2350 is built on a lengthened chassis or not, but whoever does the chassis lengthening, *should* also update suspension components such as shocks and sway bars.   I can't tell you if they did or didn't, but after close to 70,000 miles on my 2015 model 2551, I have zero problems with sway, most crosswinds, passing or being passed by semi's or road bounce.   So whoever had my shocks and sway bars upgraded or just what was installed at the assembly line seems fine to me.

I do plan on looking into new front shocks over the winter.  Plain and simple, 75,000 miles (what I will have on it by then) seems 'about time'.  I don't have any visible leakage, no front end bounce, etc.  I will replace with Monroe which have always given me good service over the years.

I once calculated my approximate total driving mileage, it's well over a million miles and never had a shock failure like others in this thread have had.

Obviously, others have different opinions... And that's OK.