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Old 11-13-2022, 02:59 PM   #1
2023 East to West Entrada
 
Join Date: Oct 2022
Posts: 52
What did you do to your Entrada today?

I have been pleasantly surprised with the ride and handling of our Entrada 2700NS since I purchased it. After reading a lot of forum posts I was worried about the ride and handling of motorhomes in general.

But of course, it seems like there is room for improvement and I like to work on it since I can’t be camping in it right now haha. I thought I would try just replacing the stock dampening shock with an upgraded shock. Bilstein makes a direct fit replacement for the stock ford steering dampening shock. If you look though you will see it is only listed for up to 2021 model years. I confirmed directly with Bilstein and it will fit up to 2023, they just haven’t updated their catalog. They said: “Yes you can use steering damper 24-174534 on your 2023, E-350 to replace your original OE damper.”

It was about a 15-minute swap, to remove the existing dampener and swap in the Bilstein. I have not yet taken it for a ride to see if I notice any difference. I hope to see some improvement though.

I have also purchased the SumoSpring solos for the front and rear of the motorhome. They probably aren’t going on today, cold and some snow haha. Any feedback on installing the 1” rear spacer with the SumoSpring or not? It is optional on Item # SSR-130-54 I am not sure which way to go with that install, any feedback is appreciated.
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Old 12-20-2022, 05:36 PM   #2
2023 East to West Entrada
 
Join Date: Oct 2022
Posts: 52
I wanted to update, I drove our motorhome yesterday for the first time since replacing the stock dampener with the Bilstein shock. Definitely noticed an improvement, not much wander and felt tighter, not as light in the front. I will also have to share though it wasn't fully loaded for camping so I am sure that had some impact. Although when I drove it home from the dealership it was a 2-hour trip empty, the swap made an improvement over that empty ride. So i feel like there was some improvement with just this swap. Still waiting for the weather to break to install my SumSprings
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Old 12-20-2022, 08:39 PM   #3
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Location: Novi, MI USA
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Last year I replaced the 15 year old original steering damper on my 2006 Lexington (26’). The difference was huge, I was not sure how much was just replacing a worn out part and how much was the Bilstein.
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Old 01-21-2023, 06:36 PM   #4
2023 East to West Entrada
 
Join Date: Oct 2022
Posts: 52
I installed my Wheelie bar today haha. I installed these rollers on the hitch. I saw on here where some people had the metal triangle break when they drag heavy. I decided to install these to prevent that issue. Easy install they seem to fit well, I liked that the only hang down slightly more that the triangles that are there on the hitch. I don't drag often, but will be glad to have these when I do.
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Old 02-05-2023, 03:47 PM   #5
2023 East to West Entrada
 
Join Date: Oct 2022
Posts: 52
On the ride home from the dealership I decided that upgrading the speakers in our motorhome was a priority. So, today I installed a set of Kickers in the cab of the motorhome. Much better sound, I am happy with the results. Was a pretty easy install as well.
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Old 02-05-2023, 03:52 PM   #6
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Join Date: Jan 2023
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Originally Posted by articcatbill View Post
On the ride home from the dealership I decided that upgrading the speakers in our motorhome was a priority. So, today I installed a set of Kickers in the cab of the motorhome. Much better sound, I am happy with the results. Was a pretty easy install as well.
Hello Bill! Thanks for all of your input with your Entrada! It's really helping for us to plan once we get a motorhome!

Have you considered upgrading the hot water heater to the tankless model? I know that in his videos Matt said he switched his out to a Furrion unit.
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Old 02-05-2023, 04:46 PM   #7
2023 East to West Entrada
 
Join Date: Oct 2022
Posts: 52
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Originally Posted by statgrad96 View Post
Hello Bill! Thanks for all of your input with your Entrada! It's really helping for us to plan once we get a motorhome!

Have you considered upgrading the hot water heater to the tankless model? I know that in his videos Matt said he switched his out to a Furrion unit.
I heard him talk about that also, no I haven't considered that option. It sounded interesting but we have been happy with our water heater. If you are connected to shore power you can run it on electric, since it is typically just my wife and I it works great, plenty of hot water. It also has the propane option so when you don't have power you can run on propane. I think you can also use both so it would recover even quicker with the propane.

I am guessing Matt might have made that swap since he was living in it full time for awhile I believe. Probably would consider it if I had to replace our hot water heater in the future, but thus far have been satisfied with the factory one.
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Old 03-02-2023, 07:29 PM   #8
2023 East to West Entrada
 
Join Date: Oct 2022
Posts: 52
Installed my new RVlock today, it works great, love the touch panel. We always towed our camper with my F150 and I got so used to just throwing the keys in the truck and using the keypad to lock and open the truck wanted the same thing for the camper. Easy install, just had to adjust the strike plate a little to make it open and close easy again.
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Old 03-18-2023, 06:33 PM   #9
2023 East to West Entrada
 
Join Date: Oct 2022
Posts: 52
Finally got some decent weather to install my SumoSprings on our Entrada 2700NS. The install wasn't bad about 2 hours for all 4 corners. The drivers rear took 1 hour just a lot in the way, the fronts were easy. The SumoSprings replace the factory axle bump stops and engage much earlier. People install them to help with ride and sway. Didn't drive far just about a mile around the loop at our house, but definitely felt more grounded. Excited to try it on the road. I did measure the rear bumper before and after it raised the back an inch, I could measure about an 1 1/2 at the fender. Wasn't really my purpose, but it did make a bit of a difference. The rears also included a 1" spacer that I didn't install (was optional) but probably would have raised it a bit more.
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Old 09-26-2023, 08:05 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by articcatbill View Post
Finally got some decent weather to install my SumoSprings on our Entrada 2700NS. The install wasn't bad about 2 hours for all 4 corners. The drivers rear took 1 hour just a lot in the way, the fronts were easy. The SumoSprings replace the factory axle bump stops and engage much earlier. People install them to help with ride and sway. Didn't drive far just about a mile around the loop at our house, but definitely felt more grounded. Excited to try it on the road. I did measure the rear bumper before and after it raised the back an inch, I could measure about an 1 1/2 at the fender. Wasn't really my purpose, but it did make a bit of a difference. The rears also included a 1" spacer that I didn't install (was optional) but probably would have raised it a bit more.
What does it take to install them? Lifting the axle or anything like that?
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Old 09-26-2023, 04:51 PM   #11
2023 East to West Entrada
 
Join Date: Oct 2022
Posts: 52
It's not bad at all if you're comfortable doing things like this. You do have to jack up each corner as you install but not the axle, you need to raise the frame to create separation between the frame and axle. I didn't need to even have the tires lifted, but of course used a jack stand still. So you need the room between the axle and frame to get the old ones out and the new ones in. HTH
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