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newbie question about smoothing ride

We've driven our 34ft U270 about 1,000 miles so far, have about another 1,200 to get home to Oregon. The ride is really bouncy sometimes--dips in the road are particularly bad.  We're pretty lightly loaded and usually travel with fresh water tank half full, and empty grey and black. We've been poring over the manuals but not sure what the answer is. Does it sound like we need new shocks, or is there some adjustment we should make to something that would improve the ride?  Thanks for any help.
Robert & Linda Garnett
1999 U270 34'  , build 5539
2004 Acura MDX

Re: newbie question about smoothing ride

Reply #1 –
Search and find the threads on shock adjustments if you have the ones that can be adjusted.
Dave Cobb
Buckhorn Lake Resort The Club, #6202, Kerrville TX
check the map.  I do rent it out when I am traveling!
2001, U320, 36' #5887, in Kerrville, FT Club #17006, (7/23 to present)
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Summit, white
EX: 98 U295, 36' #5219, (mid door), (4/13-10/23)
EX: 93 U225, 36' (4/11 to 4/13)

Re: newbie question about smoothing ride

Reply #2 –
Sure sounds like shocks. If you have the red Koni's they can be adjusted.

see ya
ken
The selected media item is not currently available.ken & dori hathaway & Big Agnes
🍺1992 U300 GrandVilla WTBI #4150 FOT FBP 2011
✨6V-92TA DDEC Parlor Coach 350HP Series 92
🏁2011 Nissan XTerra Pro-4X

Re: newbie question about smoothing ride

Reply #3 –
Dave has most of it but also consider the roads you are driving on. Some of our poor highways have lots of rough spots and really need work. Shocks that need adjustment (or need replacing) add to it.

We usually travel pretty light also in our 36' but usually find the ride excellent. Then, along comes one that requires tightening the seat belts. We run all tires at 110 psi. Unequal tire pressure left to right can also make the coach move around as well as an out of alignment situation where you have to fight the wheel with dips or crosswinds. One bad shock, especially in the front can also ruin the ride.

Different years may have different shocks. Konis are usually red. If you pull the shock off at the bottom, it should have pretty good resistance in both directions. Usually, they are compressed and then turned to firm/loosen the dampening but read previous posts on how to do it. They may be damp and some gas filled models seep a little. A lot of seepage may mean loss of gas/fluid and require replacement.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: newbie question about smoothing ride

Reply #4 –
I think improved shocks are probably the best way to improve your ride. I haven't found the need to make any changes in ours, and so I can't make any recommendations, but I'm sure otheres here can. It's also a good idea to check the weight each wheel is carrying and adjust the tire pressure for the actual load on each axle based on the heavier end of that axle.

Finally, after you've improved the shocks and made the tire pressure adjustments, I believe you will simply need to live with the ride quality the short wheelbase-to-length ratio that a 34-foot coach gives you. A 40-foot coach with the same front and rear overhang as your 34-foot coach would ride much better because of the far more favorable wheelbase-to-length ratio.
David and Carolyn Osborn
1995 U320C SE 40' Build 4726 Feb 1995
FMCA 147762
Motorcade 17186

Re: newbie question about smoothing ride

Reply #5 –
Thanks for the quick responses. We also were thinking it seemed like a shock absorber problem, just wondered if a Foretravel feature that we're not familiar with might need adjusting/turning on/turning off. We have been watching the air pressure and we think we might have an airbag problem. Brett advised keeping an eye on the left front airbag. It hasn't been an issue too much so far but now today after 4 hours parked the pressure dropped from 105lbs to 35lbs. Tomorrow we'll use soap and water to check for leaks. Should we be looking at this instead of the shocks? As well as?

We were hoping to get home before addressing too many issues but maybe life isn't going to co-operate!

Thanks.
Linda
Robert & Linda Garnett
1999 U270 34'  , build 5539
2004 Acura MDX

Re: newbie question about smoothing ride

Reply #6 –
If the travel height is normal, then I would not worry too much. Should be able to see any problem with the coach sitting flat. Just walk around it in a parking lot. Previous posts will give you the proper ride height for your coach. You do have a little leak but soap/water will find it. No need to check until you get home. Does the coach level OK with the HWH? Have to push the button twice to get it to level itself. HWH panel should have a light on that says "travel" as soon as you go into gear or turn it off from "level". I did have a bag go down but you could see one corner of the coach lower than the rest. Road like a tank until I replaced it but was very noticable.

I had a 35' 4107 bus with air bags for years. It rode great using the same tire pressures. 34 feet is a long coach compared to many and normally will ride great.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: newbie question about smoothing ride

Reply #7 –
I too believe it to be shocks. I haven't had a 34 but my 36 rode great. Yours will too.
jor
93 225
95 300
97 270
99 320

Re: newbie question about smoothing ride

Reply #8 –
If it is not an air bag problem it could be the cylinder seal on stair cover slide. I found mine to lose like yours and, or, the check valves on main lines going into air tanks. I found mine to be useless and allow air back out the dryer. You do not hear or know that one. Simple fixes but sure a pain to find. Cheap too.
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: newbie question about smoothing ride

Reply #9 –
We're going to go ahead and get new shocks for the front. Hopefully that will alleviate the jarring/bouncing somewhat.

Pierce, we did a walk around this morning and the coach looked good, no leaning or sagging anywhere. The air leveling system seems to work properly, and there's no problem switching to travel mode. It's just the inevitable leak of air pressure over time while parked.  We just checked back by the shocks (all Bilsteins it turns out) and heard a loud hissing noise. Sure sounds like air escaping from somewhere. I'll try to attach a photo of where the sound is loudest.

So many questions...

Thanks,
Linda
Robert & Linda Garnett
1999 U270 34'  , build 5539
2004 Acura MDX

Re: newbie question about smoothing ride

Reply #10 –
The air leak down is likely to be somewhere other than the leveling system. Our coach normally drops pressure on the dash gauges over several days. Even if gauge pressure goes to zero, the coach will stay level, indicating that the leveling system is holding air or the air is being supplemented by the 12VDC compressor. The 12VDC compressor is strictly for the leveling system (and slide bladders if you have them). Ours seldom runs. If your 12VDC compressor runs often, you have a leak in the leveling system or the slide bladder system.

The "leveling system" to which I refer is the system that uses the air bags to level the coach while parked. It has some separate plumbing from the air system used to keep the coach at proper ride height while moving. The air bags are a common element to both systems.

We had several check valves and regulators replaced about a year ago. Most were not in the leveling system. Pressure drops much more slowly now.

We replaced original Bilstein shock absorbers with Koni FSD shock absorbers at about 70K miles. We noticed some improvement in ride and handling, but not a big difference.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: newbie question about smoothing ride

Reply #11 –
This is a bit controversial but what brand tires are you running? The reason I ask is that when we bought our present coach I noticed that it rode rougher than our last. This one had Continentals all around. They were aired the same as I usually do and they were not old nor worn. Anyhow, I replaced them with Michelins and the ride improved markedly. Just my experience but something to consider if the shocks don't do it. I'm sure you will get this resolved as one of the nice things about these rigs is their ride.

How does it handle? Does it hold the road or does it wander?
jor
93 225
95 300
97 270
99 320

Re: newbie question about smoothing ride

Reply #12 –
Quote from: travelswithcharley –
We're going to go ahead and get new shocks for the front. Hopefully that will alleviate the jarring/bouncing somewhat.

Pierce, we did a walk around this morning and the coach looked good, no leaning or sagging anywhere. The air leveling system seems to work properly, and there's no problem switching to travel mode. It's just the inevitable leak of air pressure over time while parked.  We just checked back by the shocks (all Bilsteins it turns out) and heard a loud hissing noise. Sure sounds like air escaping from somewhere. I'll try to attach a photo of where the sound is loudest.

So many questions...

Thanks,
Linda

Linda,

If you can hear it, you can probably find it pretty easily. As a new owner, be careful if you climb under the rig. Easy to get hurt.  A toy store for kids has a bubble machine solution that works great for finding leaks. The bubbles last a long time and don't pop easily. Here is the stuff: Amazon.com: Pustefix Bubble Solution - 33oz/1000ml: Toys & Games

Shocks are expensive items if it turns out they are not needed up front. Have someone check to make sure as it is disappointing to replace and not be the problem.  Bilsteins are gas filled and can get a leak. A German brand, they are found on a lot of high performance cars. Usually last a long time but they do sometimes fail.

Tires can even cause a problem if the coach has been sitting for a long time so another thing to consider. Usually, an out of round condition will show up on smooth road.

Pierce
As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: newbie question about smoothing ride

Reply #13 –
Quote from: travelswithcharley –
It's just the inevitable leak of air pressure over time while parked.  We just checked back by the shocks (all Bilsteins it turns out) and heard a loud hissing noise. Sure sounds like air escaping from somewhere. I'll try to attach a photo of where the sound is loudest.

Linda,

It's obviously hard to tell from a photo vs. actually being there listening - any chance the loud hissing is coming from around the front (towards the front of the coach) of the transmission?  There is an air control valve for the retarder there which several of us have had to replace.  Ours exhibited a very audible hissing so it was fairly easy to find.  Replacing transmission retarder valve (split from What did you do to your coach)

If you find this the case, be sure to use frame blocks and wheel chocks if you replace it yourself Working Safely around your Foretravel .

Michelle
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: newbie question about smoothing ride

Reply #14 –
The valve to which Michelle refers has stuck open on our coach about three times. I fixed it with "percussive maintenance" (tapped it with a rubber mallet). It appears the picture features the fuel filter which, on our coach, is very near the hydraulic accumulator valve.

When our valve stuck open, it was a severe leak. I could not build pressure beyond about 70 psi.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: newbie question about smoothing ride

Reply #15 –
It sounds like the shock are worn, also check tire pressure.  Badly under-inflated tires can emphasize ride issues. (Make sure your gauge is correct).

I second the bubble solution to find leaks.  Like Michelle wrote NEVER get under the coach without safety blocks in place.

Keith
Keith, Joyce & Smokey the Australian Cattle Dog
1995 U320 SE Extreme 40' WTBI Build # 4780, with a Honda CR-V hopefully still following behind.
Motorcade # 17030
FMCA # F422159

Re: newbie question about smoothing ride

Reply #16 –
Will you be on I5 in Oregon?  If so I'd here and let them sort it out.  They are good at sorting out the cause of handling issues.

RV and Truck Parts and Service - Henderson's Line-Up
Dan - Full timing since 2009
2003 U320 40' Tag 2 slide

Re: newbie question about smoothing ride

Reply #17 –
Well we took the day off from troubleshooting yesterday and went to the Aztec Ruins National Monument. Very interesting. Highly recommend it.

Jor, we replaced the two front tires before leaving Nacogdoches then took the coach to FT for an alighment. We didn't replace the back tires.  The coach gets up to pressure ok and there's no issues while driving; it tracks well with no wandering. 

We haven't observed the air compressor cycling on and off and the coach mostly stays level when parked (though our last few sites have been very level to start with so perhaps that's a false observation).

Thinking we will get the shocks checked before just out-and-out replacing them. It *is* a pretty spendy item. But would be worth it to mitigate the spine-jarring bouncing. 

And we'll get some blocks, those were some scary stories in the page about working safely!

Appreciate all the helpful insights and tips from you all. As is obvious, we are still trying to get our heads around these unfamiliar systems.

Thanks,
Linda




Robert & Linda Garnett
1999 U270 34'  , build 5539
2004 Acura MDX