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Topic: "Ride Height" 225 & 240 Uni. (Read 907 times) previous topic - next topic - Topic derived from Re: Moby is disappoin...

"Ride Height" 225 & 240 Uni.

Quote from: wolfe10 –
With a U225, be sure to check RIDE HEIGHT.  It is adjustable, but not easily and can get really low if never adjusted.

I'm going to assume the 225 and the 240 have the same suspensions, only the 240 is heavier in the stern because of the CAT engine. With a non-trashed suspension, would both coaches measure the same?  I know ours has been "beefed", and sits very nicely. I measure 6" from the top of the tire, straight-up to the bulkhead, fore & aft, sitting level, no jacks. Ideas? Comments?
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
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"Ride Height" 225 & 245 Uni.

Reply #1 –
Mike. you say 6" straight up to the bulkhead?? The bulkhead is below and to the front of tires (or rear depending which set you mean)
I think the setting is measured sitting on a level surface and  from floor to under the  flat  area either behind or in front of tire. Not the higher courved area above wheel. The flat section is basically the base of the inside floor of the coach.
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

"Ride Height" 225 & 240 Uni.

Reply #2 –
Quote from: John Haygarth –
Mike. you say 6" straight up to the bulkhead??

O.K., "wheel well". Excuse me, John.  The point I was making was more directed to a would-be buyer who was inspecting a coach with the torsialistic suspension. Brett has some excellent posts in the forum files on adjusting (shims, etc.), but I was wondering what a "seat of the pants" measurement would be without crawling around underneath. I have seen a lot of 225s and 240s for sale on this forum that looked like "low riders" compared to ours.  ^.^d
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

"Ride Height" 225 & 240 Uni.

Reply #3 –
Yes, the U225 and U240 have the same suspension.

And, as John said you measure from the flat area behind each wheel position that forms the floor of the coach in that area= the top of the wheel well in that area to the ground.

Factory spec is 32-33".  To properly evaluate the ride height, record both the dimension at each wheel position AND the number of the 1/4" thick shims at each wheel position.

Yes, there are other things that need to be checked as well, particularly wear in the shackles (the vertical elements coming off the arms that connect to the plate immediately above the shim stack.

If you run into questions, PM me and we can visit by phone. 

As with any suspension, ride height is important-- too low and you can crush shocks on compression, get a harsh ride (suspension bottoms out). If too high (unlikely on the Torsilastic unless someone who did not know what they were doing adjusted ride height) shocks can pull apart on extension (take weight of rear axle when the shock reaches full extension.  AND too high or too low can put the very short drive shaft in an out of spec angle.  In severe cases, wear transmission can occur.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

"Ride Height" 225 & 240 Uni.

Reply #4 –
Quote from: mike leary –
O.K., "wheel well". Excuse me, John.  The point I was making was more directed to a would-be buyer who was inspecting a coach with the torsialistic suspension. Brett has some excellent posts in the forum files on adjusting (shims, etc.), but I was wondering what a "seat of the pants" measurement would be without crawling around underneath. I have seen a lot of 225s and 240s for sale on this forum that looked like "low riders" compared to ours.  ^.^d

Mike,

There is NO crawling under to check ride height.  I use a yard stick cut off at 33" and a 1' ruler and measure standing outside the wheel position.  I use the 1' ruler to "extend" the level of the area from which you are measuring forward enough that you can get the yard stick oriented vertically.  With a 33" stick is should not take you a full minute to figure out what/where you are measuring.

Again, post both ride height and number of shims at each position if you want a reasonable evaluation of ride height.

And, yes, I have seen (and worked on) a number of those low riders.  Some are neglected until ride height is so low that the kick down jacks will not even extend!
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

"Ride Height" 225 & 240 Uni.

Reply #5 –
Thanks, John and Brett, I get it. I'm going to assume my "initial inspection" idea for newbies is worthless.  :-[
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: "Ride Height" 225 & 240 Uni.

Reply #6 –
Actually mentioning it for new people is not worthless, it is what you where telling them to measure to and from that was worthless.
If you had read Bretts articles  he does mention what to measure so I do not see how you thought that the top of wheel well was part of it. The "bulkhead" has been mentioned a zillion times and the location of them also so I find it hard to understand how this item came into the equation?
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: "Ride Height" 225 & 240 Uni.

Reply #7 –
Quote from: John Haygarth –
Actually mentioning it for new people is not worthless, it is what you where telling them to measure to and from that was worthless.
If you had read Bretts articles  he does mention what to measure so I do not see how you thought that the top of wheel well was part of it. The "bulkhead" has been mentioned a zillion times and the location of them also so I find it hard to understand how this item came into the equation?
JohnH

O.K., O.K. John, I stand corrected, Jezz,  talk about kicking a guy when he's down! I was not "telling", I was asking for opinions, and , boy howdy, I sure got it from you!
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: "Ride Height" 225 & 240 Uni.

Reply #8 –
OK, let's move on.

Yes, when posting information (FACTS) we need to be very careful, as it is not reasonable for a newbie to sort through and decide which FACTS are correct and which are "alternate facts".

Yes, both ride height and bulkhead information has been very well documented for many years.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020
 

Re: "Ride Height" 225 & 240 Uni.

Reply #9 –
your last word was 'comments". I gave mine.
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.