Rough ride

Space Cowboy · 05-10-2018, 02:16 PM

I have a new Isata 5 30FW. I love the coach except for the stiff ride. The chassis is a Dodge 5500. Any ideas or recommendations?1

rskeans · 05-10-2018, 04:14 PM

On my '14 3500 RAM dually the ride improved by changing the OEM shocks to Biltstiens.

**bclemens** · 05-10-2018, 04:22 PM

I know we used to have an issue on the E450 vans. Loaded, the vehicle rode great. But the smaller and lighter it got, the rougher it rode. best bet was to travel with full water and gear.

I get zero complaints on the 36DS, but that is also bigger and heavier than the 30...so I wonder if that might be part of it. Are you loaded up or just on the drive home?

Secondly, 99% of the time on the M2 chassis...rough ride was always tire pressure related. We ship the unit with MAX pressure, not knowing how you will load it. You should adjust your pressure based on actual load and not maximum load.

Webefine · 05-10-2018, 05:09 PM

I was going to mention tire pressure but Brian beat me to it. Get your rig weighed when it is loaded and ready to travel and set your air pressure in your tires from the tire pressure chart for your tires.

caseymyers · 05-10-2018, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bclemens

I know we used to have an issue on the E450 vans. Loaded, the vehicle rode great. But the smaller and lighter it got, the rougher it rode. best bet was to travel with full water and gear.

I get zero complaints on the 36DS, but that is also bigger and heavier than the 30...so I wonder if that might be part of it. Are you loaded up or just on the drive home?

Secondly, 99% of the time on the M2 chassis...rough ride was always tire pressure related. We ship the unit with MAX pressure, not knowing how you will load it. You should adjust your pressure based on actual load and not maximum load.

Agree with all. I've had a 3500 RAM for 8 years and 100,000 miles and it's about tire pressure. Figure out the sweet spot for your load and it will handle well and ride much better. And it all depends on your load.

Space Cowboy · 05-10-2018, 07:06 PM

Thanks for the replies. I did check on the Bilstein shocks but they don't make one yet for the 5500. I did weigh the rig right away with full fuel, water, lp, def and myself. The steer axle was right at its max at 7,250#. The rear axle was at 10,600. So I still have approximately another 1,100 carrying capacity. The tires are at 95 lbs which is what the label on the left door jamb states. I've checked on the Liquid Spring system and found out it's very pricey. So I'm trying to learn what others have tried. I've driven many rigs over the past 40 plus years and have been spoiled. My first choice of coach was the Freightliner chassis, giving me diesel power and air ride. Too big for my wife so we settled on the Isata 5. I got the diesel power I wanted and my wife got the size she wanted. In a quest to smooth the ride. Thanks again.

rskeans · 05-10-2018, 07:56 PM

My wife was also intimidated by the Freightliner until I pulled off the interstate and said get behind the wheel. I spent about 5 minutes explaining everything. She drives our big RAM dually without any probems. I just explained that this is just a little larger than the RAM. The back follows the front. She drove it for the next 100 miles. Confidence is way up. She is not ready for the city yet, but in time. BTW, she is 5'0" and pushing 80 years!!! She drives our RZR (rolled it over once). We uprighted it and she got right back behind the wheel.

Space Cowboy · 05-10-2018, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rskeans

My wife was also intimidated by the Freightliner until I pulled off the interstate and said get behind the wheel. I spent about 5 minutes explaining everything. She drives our big RAM dually without any probems. I just explained that this is just a little larger than the RAM. The back follows the front. She drove it for the next 100 miles. Confidence is way up. She is not ready for the city yet, but in time. BTW, she is 5'0" and pushing 80 years!!! She drives our RZR (rolled it over once). We uprighted it and she got right back behind the wheel.

It's not an intimidation issue. We like to go to county and state parks as much as possible. 30-32 foot seems to be the limit, for some national park sites too.

rskeans · 05-10-2018, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Space Cowboy

It's not an intimidation issue. We like to go to county and state parks as much as possible. 30-32 foot seems to be the limit, for some national park sites too.

I agree with that. If the ISATA 5 had a washer/dryer we'd be driving that

dlfishing · 05-10-2018, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Space Cowboy

I have a new Isata 5 30FW. I love the coach except for the stiff ride. The chassis is a Dodge 5500. Any ideas or recommendations?1

Get on line and look up the pressures for exact tires you have with the weights. Will be more accurate than the door label. That chassis is built for many different vehicles
I use 80 psi in my DX3.

The Renegade · 05-10-2018, 09:05 PM

I have a '17 Ram 2500. I just added a 2" level kit and put on 34 1/2" tires which I have always done to my trucks. When I picked it up from the tire store and drove, it rode like a dump truck. Checked tire pressure and they had it maxed out. Backed it off 10lbs and all is normal now.. Tire pressure is a huge factor.

Space Cowboy · 05-11-2018, 10:32 AM

Good idea. I will double check with the Continental website. Thanks!

Space Cowboy · 05-11-2018, 10:35 AM

Thanks dlfishing.

Whalenss · 05-11-2018, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Space Cowboy

I have a new Isata 5 30FW. I love the coach except for the stiff ride. The chassis is a Dodge 5500. Any ideas or recommendations?1

I have looked at the air ride system from Kelderman but have not decided if the cost is justified.
They have a system for the front and the rear. On my 36ds only their rear 4 link system will work due to placement of the leveling jacks behind the rear leaf spring mount.

Space Cowboy · 05-11-2018, 01:51 PM

Thanks Pat for the info. I'l check them out. Appreciate it1

caseymyers · 05-11-2018, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Space Cowboy

Good idea. I will double check with the Continental website. Thanks!

Please update us what you come up with on tire pressure after you study the Continental Tire Chart. I'm interested to hear if the pressure change makes your ride better.

sseaner · 05-13-2018, 06:52 PM

I run 90psi on all the tires and they heat up to 100 while driving. I originally had 100 psi in them and the ride sucked. Awesome ride at 90.

caseymyers · 05-13-2018, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sseaner

I run 90psi on all the tires and they heat up to 100 while driving. I originally had 100 psi in them and the ride sucked. Awesome ride at 90.

Did you ever get your rig weighed? Wondering how close to CCC you went when on a trip?

sseaner · 05-13-2018, 10:27 PM

I have not weighed it yet but will on my next trip. I estimated that I have about 350 lbs of ccc left after loading up.

Space Cowboy · 05-16-2018, 10:26 PM

The tire pressure i am running was and is at 95 pounds. I am waiting for a reply from Continental to see what I should be running for air pressure to match the tire weight that I have. The tires are rated 3,970# single and 3,750# dual. My steer tire weight is 3,625# and my drive tire weight is 3,250#. As far a shocks go Bilstein does not make a shock yet for the Dodge 5500. I am working with Mike Nolan at Power Spring and Brake to find out what the shock mount brackets measurements are for the Dodge 5500. There may be another option. Looks like Bilstein may be 6 months or so before they have a Dodge 5500 shock.

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