Which Bilstein shock is best for my RV?

[Eregi]

I have a '94 28ft Minnie Winnie. I think it's more like a 30ft bumper to bumper. I see Bilstein offers two shocks - the HD and the Comfort. They say the comfort is recommended for RV's under 30ft and the HDs are for over 30ft. I'm right on the cut-off line.

I'm new to RVing (bought it Jan 2015). I have no idea how old the current shocks are. I feel like I get blown around a lot while driving. I don't want to buy the Comfort shocks just to find out I'm still getting blown around. I don't want to buy the HD shocks, then get bounced around because they're too stiff.

Any recommendations?

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Eregi

I have a '94 28ft Minnie Winnie. I think it's more like a 30ft bumper to bumper. I see Bilstein offers two shocks - the HD and the Comfort. They say the comfort is recommended for RV's under 30ft and the HDs are for over 30ft. I'm right on the cut-off line.

I'm new to RVing (bought it Jan 2015). I have no idea how old the current shocks are. I feel like I get blown around a lot while driving. I don't want to buy the Comfort shocks just to find out I'm still getting blown around. I don't want to buy the HD shocks, then get bounced around because they're too stiff.

Any recommendations?

I'm confused. Your profile says you own a Flagstaff 831FKBSS trailer. But you're asking about a Winnebago!
So which is it?
and you're aren't considered new to RV'ing, if you've owned one for 5 years.

[The Evil Twin]

If you do not tow anything, and drive mostly paved roads I would recommend the comfort over HD. If you do tow then maybe the HD in back only. A lot of folks feel the HD is harsh on smaller rigs.

[A32Deuce]

Go for the HDs all the way around. At 30 ft, you are not short and the rear overhang does affect the front.

[jhlady]

Before you change shocks, look into the Cheap Handling Fix which changes the stiffness of your sway bars and doesn't cost anything other than your time and some easy labor. You should be able to do a search on this or other RV Forums for further information about this option. Totally stiffened up the body, wind and truck passing roll on my Class A.



Hope this helps.


John

[A32Deuce]

Originally Posted by jhlady

Before you change shocks, look into the Cheap Handling Fix which changes the stiffness of your sway bars and doesn't cost anything other than your time and some easy labor. You should be able to do a search on this or other RV Forums for further information about this option. Totally stiffened up the body, wind and truck passing roll on my Class A.



Hope this helps.


John

That fix is not for a class C.

[BehindBars]

Originally Posted by jhlady

Before you change shocks, look into the Cheap Handling Fix which changes the stiffness of your sway bars and doesn't cost anything other than your time and some easy labor. You should be able to do a search on this or other RV Forums for further information about this option. Totally stiffened up the body, wind and truck passing roll on my Class A.

Hope this helps.

John

The OP is asking about shocks on a Minnie Winnie class C. The Cheap Handling Fix on your class A is not applicable to his/her chassis.

[rad_jr]

Hey, Eregi-

Not sure how you're searching the Bilstein website. If I plug in 1994 E350 base (assuming you're on a ford chassis), it comes back with choices for long wheelbase RV or short wheelbase RV. It doesn't specify what constitutes "long" vs. "short", but it's by wheelbase...not vehicle length. Maybe an email to Bilstein specifying the wheelbase length cutoff between the two is in order?

[RamblerGuy]

I installed the shocks that Bilstein recommended for the longer Class C's on our Sunseeker 3100, which is on a Ford E450 chassis. It's about 32 feet long. The wheelbase is 220 inches. It rides fine. With your rig almost as long as ours, I recommend the HD shocks.

[rad_jr]

Originally Posted by RamblerGuy

I installed the shocks that Bilstein recommended for the longer Class C's on our Sunseeker 3100, which is on a Ford E450 chassis. It's about 32 feet long. The wheelbase is 220 inches. It rides fine. With your rig almost as long as ours, I recommend the HD shocks.

RamblerGuy...I also have a 3100 and have been thinking about replacing the factory shocks with Bilsteins. Did you notice a big difference? Was it worth doing?

[A32Deuce]

Night and day difference with the Silver Bilsteins over the ones that came on our 3100SS!

[rad_jr]

Originally Posted by A32Deuce

Night and day difference with the Silver Bilsteins over the ones that came on our 3100SS!

Thank you!

[A32Deuce]

I'm working on 96000 miles on a 2012 3100SS. Just changed the brake pads at all four wheels at 94000 miles. They were still at 50%. Change engine oil with Ford oil and filter between 4 and 6000 miles depending on length of time sitting. Also used the Bilstein steering damper over the stock one. Only suspension mod was a rear track bar and front end alignment. Car drive in windy conditions with trucks passing with one hand if I want.

[RamblerGuy]

Originally Posted by rad_jr

RamblerGuy...I also have a 3100 and have been thinking about replacing the factory shocks with Bilsteins. Did you notice a big difference? Was it worth doing?

Yes, I could tell a difference. I was getting some floating with my original shocks, which had about 50,000 miles on them. I think they do a little better than the original ones did before they wore out, but I can't say for sure. I only replaced the ones on the front. If there's much bouncing in the rear I can't tell it.