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Re: Shock Absorbers

Reply #25 –
Yahoo Message Number: 73772
Koni, what a POC. The Road King shocks are the way to go. I had the Koni FSDs and had a terrible ride. Changed to the Road Kings and the ride was noticeable. Road King is the only way to go for a coach as heavy as ours on the front end.

Don

"02 Intrigue #11427
'02 Intrigue #11427

Re: Shock Absorbers

Reply #26 –
Yahoo Message Number: 73773
Our Konis were shot at about 25k miles. We replaced with Road Kings and the coach rides better than new.

Marta

07 Allure 31501

Re: Shock Absorbers

Reply #27 –
Yahoo Message Number: 73775
Well, Don, you are a buddy of mine but I disagree, based on my own experience. I have my original adjustable Koni's, with over 100K miles, and my ride is great. I have thought several times I should change them, but as long as my ride is still fine, why? I have heard, though, that the FSD's are not good. But if and when I need new shocks, I am going with the original adjustable Koni's. And save considerable $$$$.

Al Colby

2000 Intrigue (36 foot) 10979

Re: Shock Absorbers

Reply #28 –
Yahoo Message Number: 73776
Right on Al...

I too have my original adjustable Koni's and after 100K+ miles, the ol' Magna rides down the road like a magic carpet... no bounce, no porpoising (sp?)...

buck

k7wn, '99magna5653, Cat C10, Allison HD4060, SantaFe toad

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Re: Shock Absorbers

Reply #29 –
Yahoo Message Number: 73778
Quote from: corralitos95076"

> Well, Don, you are a buddy of mine but I disagree, based on my own experience. I have my original adjustable Koni's, with over 100K miles, and my ride is great. I have thought several times I should change them, but as long as my ride is still fine, why? I have heard, though, that the FSD's are not good. But if and when I need new shocks, I am going with the original adjustable Koni's. And save considerable $$$$.

Al Colby

2000 Intrigue (36 foot) 10979
My experience mirrors Als. After 11 years and 50,000+ miles my ride is still great. I wonder if earlier Konis were made better? Dale Loop

2001 Intrigue 11240

Re: Shock Absorbers

Reply #31 –
Yahoo Message Number: 73790
My $.02 - keep the change!!!

2004 vintage, were the Koni Adjustable SP1 shocks. From the factory set at 1 (softest dampening) position. Koni rep (a gent that was in the mix back in those years, and still is today). Said that Koni urged then National Country Coach, that the Koni SP1's were undersized for the front end duty. CC wanted the 'Cadilac' ride, vs 'BMW'.
FSD's were sold for awhile, then pulled, as they were not up to the job on the IFS CC front end - they did not play well with each other.
Koni now sells the SP3 Adjustable, the third generation of the Adjustable. It is a better fit for the job then the SP1.
I think the size of the coach makes a differnce, and the preference of the owner on ride too. A 36' coach, is probably much better supported then a 40+' coach, with the base SP1 Adjustables on Setting 1. And, some owners want the softer 'Cadilac' ride, and nothing wrong with that if it is what they want.
When we got our 40' Tag 04 Allure last year, we had the front road height set to the top of the range, and the Koni SP1's set to 5th (highest dampening) setting. These two changes helped the ride quite a bit, but my preference is for 'BMW' ride (not to race, but for emergency steering if needed). So, I still wanted more. I had a credit for two new shocks as part of the purchase agreement.
I went with the Road Kings all around, and I also added the SS MCU's to front and back. This is a 39K lbs 40' long rig, and no it is not a BMW - but the combo of Road Kings and MCU's - made a big difference in handling.
I do not think the Koni SP1's are bad, and for many as seen here, do the job the way they want. Blown shocks at 10K or OEM shocks of over 100K miles, are all the luck of the pot hole roads we drive on. In California, with bad roads, probably many more failures!!!

No right or wrong on this - we all have different wants:)!

OK - so more then $.02:)!

Best to all,
Smitty

04 Allure 31017
04 Allure Sold to a nice new owner! Now enjoying a 07 Magna Rembrandt 45' ISX600 #6775
"We're ONDROAD for THEJRNY!" (Toad and Coach license plates, say Hi if you see us!)

Re: Shock Absorbers

Reply #32 –
Yahoo Message Number: 73791
My chassis service co gave me a full warranty on my FSD shocks at 30,000 miles the road test was great. Bob 06 Intrigue. 12047

Shock Absorbers

Reply #33 –
Yahoo Message Number: 74317
We have a leaking front shock and are thinking of getting Road Kings. I remember being told that you need to measure the area for the size of the correct shock. Can anyone tell us where those measurements need to be taken at for front and rear shocks? Don and Sue

2000 Affinity #5681

Re: Shock Absorbers

Reply #34 –
Yahoo Message Number: 74318
Try giving Road King a call. They knew what I needed without the measurements. You will notice the difference! 2007 Inspire 52059
Barney

Re: Shock Absorbers

Reply #35 –
Yahoo Message Number: 74319
When we got Road Kings, all they asked were the existing model shock on the coach. From this, they knew what was needed. May be different for some coaches, but it was real easy for us. Very glad we made the move to Road Kings, I see them as a one time buy - and know it really helped handling, for me a safety item. (Note, I also added SS MCU's front and rear. Not real expensive, and helps in the side to side 'setting'. The Road Kings may have done this by themselves, but the MCU's are on now too.)
I admit the RK's were a bit more $$ then I had planned, but just went to box of wine for a few months to cover the extra costs:)! (Actually, the DW brought me a bag-o-wine, to make a point!)

Best of luck, be safe, have fun,
Smitty

04 Allure 31017
04 Allure Sold to a nice new owner! Now enjoying a 07 Magna Rembrandt 45' ISX600 #6775
"We're ONDROAD for THEJRNY!" (Toad and Coach license plates, say Hi if you see us!)

Re: Shock Absorbers

Reply #36 –
Yahoo Message Number: 74329
Don and Sue-

When going to RoadKing shocks it is crucial that the shock is setup for the coach. I have personally installed no less than 50 or so RoadKing shocks on Country Coach and other brands. They originally wanted all sorts of measurements to ensure the proper shock was sent and fit well. Some coaches do require slight modifications to allow the RoadKings to fit. Simply giving them the original Koni shock part number isn't always enough information to get the correct replacement. On most High-Line motorcoaches the suspension is fine tuned and these shocks will make a difference in handling. We have not had one customer unsatisfied with the outcome of installing RoadKings. On a very few coaches the valving was needed to be adjusted by RoadKing to ensure proper handling of that particular axle. Please refer to their website and select the DATA tab at the top of the page. (www.roadkingshocks.com) Now that more people are using these shocks they do have a better feel for what Shock is needed for each application. That being said, in my opinion it is always better to measure first and get the correct part instead of having to overnight shocks back and forth. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

Jake Smith

Service Manager
Premier RV Services
(541) 998-2640

countrycoachrv@... 325 East First Avenue
Junction City, OR 97448
 

(No subject)

Reply #37 –
Yahoo Message Number: 2365
My thoughts..... the way to keep the gen cool is to move more air through the radiator fins. Unless you can do that a low volume auxiliary fan will only move the hot ambient air around.
The only time I had a problem was in Big Bend NP, TX with temps over 100. So far the Onan in my current coach has not given me any problems...... but I haven't been in REALLY hot areas..... got my fingers crossed!

Dick May

2002 Intrigue, #11438
Member: CCI, FMCA
Dick May
2002 Intrigue, #11438, towing a
2014 Jeep Gr Cherokee ecoDiesel