Ac noise being mentioned. For that there is a easy reference point of comparison. With the penguin on high, I have yet to be in a class c where you could watch the tv without using surround sound to be able to hear it. With the Houghton on high we have not needed the surround sound at all. Also we just got back from a 9000 mile trip. Everywhere we went people complained about the ac noise; we hadn’t asked, just in conversation on how are you enjoying your trip type talk. Everyone who went inside our Pc with the houghton wanted the info and contact for advanced rv. To add to that I wear hearing aids and my better half has excellent hearing so both bases are covered there as well. So it’s not as subjective as one might think as there is a very easy point of comparison.
I have my tires at 62 lbs and I’ve tried less and more, more was worse. Ive tried lowering raising weight, no help and stupid idea to think one would have to adjust weight before every trip. Damn near every bridge joint we come to the jarring is so severe everything in the cabinets is tossed, dishes and the like. I wish there was an easy point of comparison as the AC has but I haven’t figured that out yet.
For what ever reason it seems people want to look for an easy way to dismiss an issue away. Compare it to a different model, say the E350 or a class A or the drivers tolerance. The fact is the E450 has a jarring ride unless it’s on very good roads. It’s not a Pc thing, it’s a E450 thing. I’d be happy to take anyone for a demo ride to awaken there senses. Next time I load her up for a trip anyone in the area is welcome to come see and hopefully have knowledge of a cure.
The AC noise is EASY to quantify...its called a dB (Decibel) meter. Apps available quite readily.
It is somewhat interesting you say " So it’s not as subjective ..."" and then give only subjective examples. No doubt in my mind the AC is markedly quieter, and in an obvious way. But a quantitative example would be " My old one was 110dB and the new one is 45db" (yes, I know these are extremely unlikely readings) which anyone can replicate, not just "It was so much quieter they wanted a phone number" .
BOTH are true statements, but one subjective and the other objective.
Not dismissing the HUGE advantage in any way of that absolutely marvelous AC unit, but just putting that big difference into terms that can be measured repeatedly and compared accurately by anyone.
And even more subjective things... ""The fact is the E450 has a jarring ride unless it’s on very good roads."" ...well, MikeH's 'butt seismograph' must be calibrated differently than most..
""Maybe I'm just a little more tolerant (or "too easy"), or maybe my 450--2552 is in a little more of a sweet spot on ride than some of the lighter units, but I have been pretty happy in each case with what I've experienced.""
Hard to say... but if he and someone else had the same app, and both had data from I-10 (or some other road in common) anyone could see from the data if there was any quantitative difference between the rides!
Same thing with my rig and RonD's 2350. Except that mine has that abomination known as a 'slide' they are pretty much identical. ( I am teasing you Ron!
I used the other big reaction word, 'AC', so wanted to hit all the bases)
He had to add many aftermarket suspension pieces to make the handing of his coach feel safe. They worked so well he is a staunch advocate for them, and feels that they are near necessary for a good handling coach.
And there is nothing in his results that would suggest otherwise. But here I am, towing a tandem trailer at higher speeds, and I am very pleased with the handling and ride. LIke MikeH, I would say ""Maybe I'm just a little more tolerant (or "too easy"), or maybe my E350-2350 is in a little more of a sweet spot on ride than some of the other units, but I have been pretty happy in each case with what I've experienced.""
""For what ever reason it seems people want to look for an easy way to dismiss an issue away."" well...sure! Who doesnt like an easy quick answer?!? But this topic is far from easily dismissed, I have seen solutions from $100-$10,000 proposed! Its just the idea that with real data, real solutions are easier to determine. Or as it was put so well,
There is an old saying “ If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it”.
Lets measure it, see if we can work together even when we are far apart, and come to a solution! Or find there is no solution and its all subjective.
I have the app installed on my phone, but cant find it.
I need a teenager to assist...
Gonna be interesting. I will scout out a few good rough roads, and be able to do before and after comparisons. See EXACTLY what 2" drop and 15% lower rate does for the ride in front, for example. Besides looking cool.
(I know...subjective!) Not a 'Feels really good now, and I think its tighter in the turns! ' report. A "over the same road, I experienced a 20% drop in the force of the bumps in the cab" report.
Another 'want to do' experiment once I can measure accurately...
Take the bottom mount off the front shocks, zip tie them out of the way, and CAREFULLY try the bumpy road again... how much does the shock contribute to ride stiffness? I see many references for 'upgrading' to KYB/KONI etc. That was a big deal in the VW world, and KYB GAS-A-JUST were supposedly 'The KIng.' ALL the articles said so. They were 'performance firm' and did increase road feel! Well... My butt liked the silky ride of the Monroe-matic, a 'cheap / common' shock with none of the sexy European name appeal... and I sold a lot of them (Monroe-matics) to fellow bus owners after I ditched my KYB's. Thats in a vehicle where you sit ON the front wheel, and NOT known for handling, so ride quality is pretty easy to feel. Be interested to see if the MM shock on the E350 gives measurable differences. And ~$40 for a pair, wont break the bank finding out.