Making Rear Lounge Seat Comfortable Ride: Struts, Etc

[Marks71]

ok I think that settles it for me. THANKS

[Boxster1971]

Originally Posted by Marks71

ok I think that settles it for me. THANKS

One more thought - after adding four 6V batteries behind the rear axle the ride is a bit smoother. The positive effect of added weight on the rear has also been reported by protag in the past.

I'm also working with a local company that has lots of experience with custom Sprinter air-ride add-on systems. I'll report results when I get the system installed.


- - Mike
2013 Lounge EXT on 2012 Sprinter

[MILATV]

Originally Posted by Boxster1971

One more thought - after adding four 6V batteries behind the rear axle the ride is a bit smoother. The positive effect of added weight on the rear has also been reported by protag in the past.
- - Mike
2013 Lounge EXT on 2012 Sprinter

Confirmed - when I put my 400 lb motorcycle on the hitch carrier it rides much better (just a pain to get anything out of the back of van with the bike back there

[gkrinn]

I bought a suspension package from Sprinter Upgrades, also located in Oregon. They are a division of Aeorlite Automotive. Not related to the Sprinter Store. Installed on my 2012 AS standard. Agree it improves the ride stability especially and mitigates some of the bounce. For the cost of the package, which includes the front struts, it is worth the upgrade. Also, agree when I put more weight on the hitch like a scooter, or Stowaway2 it helps with the bounce. I am not a believer in the extended sprinter version as the trade off for towing and hitch weight is not a good trade off for me. The Glide Right suspension is the best, I am told, as it is what is installed on ambulances in Europe for the smoothest ride. In my search, I also ran across the Kelderman air suspension system which is made in Iowa. It is a good system, but also needs more clearance behind the rear axle. 15 inches to be exact, I am told. Just like the VB suspension. For my use the Koni package with sway bar is a good upgrade from the original.

[Marks71]

Originally Posted by BurntAsphalt

I second Boxster's conclusion. For crosswind handling improvement purposes, I did front/back SumoSprings, Front Koni Reds, Rear Koni FSDs, Roadmaster swaybar, Michelin XPS Ribs in front, Michelin LTX Defenders in back. While my knuckles are no longer ivory white 95% of the time...rear ride is unbearable as ever.

Can you talk about why Michelins, and why the different Michelins in front vs. back?

THANKS

[BurntAsphalt]

Originally Posted by Marks71

Can you talk about why Michelins, and why the different Michelins in front vs. back?

THANKS

Marks 71,
My two driving concerns after purchasing the bus were crosswind handling and the rear ride. After exhaustive research and several mods, I realized that there was nothing I could do for the rear ride (except air suspension $$$$$). I was more successful with the crosswind handling. The most dramatic difference were the Koni reds in front (adjusted to max damping) and Koni FSDs in rear. I found another suggestion on the Airforums from Andrew T (I think he is an Airstream dealer in London, Ontario Canada) He said to use the Michelin XPS Rib 225/75 R16 tire in the front because they have a shorter and stiffer sidewall than the stock tires. The rear tires are the Michelin LTX Defenders (next version of the LTX M/S) that are highly recommended on this and other Class B forums. The XPS Ribs are very expensive (a commercial tire) but are built like a tank. The front ride has not changed much with the stiffer tires. The tires did not make as dramatic a difference on the wind as the shocks but definitely helped. The best indicator of success with the crosswind handling is that my ESP system ("ESP Visit Workshop" warning on dash) no longer shuts down with every gust of wind. It was getting tiresome to pull over and turn off the engine to reset the system. I also installed the Tire Pressure Monitoring system from TST which I like for peace of mind.

[Marks71]

Originally Posted by BurntAsphalt

Marks 71,
My two driving concerns after purchasing the bus were crosswind handling and the rear ride. After exhaustive research and several mods, I realized that there was nothing I could do for the rear ride (except air suspension $$$$$). I was more successful with the crosswind handling. The most dramatic difference were the Koni reds in front (adjusted to max damping) and Koni FSDs in rear. I found another suggestion on the Airforums from Andrew T (I think he is an Airstream dealer in London, Ontario Canada) He said to use the Michelin XPS Rib 225/75 R16 tire in the front because they have a shorter and stiffer sidewall than the stock tires. The rear tires are the Michelin LTX Defenders (next version of the LTX M/S) that are highly recommended on this and other Class B forums. The XPS Ribs are very expensive (a commercial tire) but are built like a tank. The front ride has not changed much with the stiffer tires. The tires did not make as dramatic a difference on the wind as the shocks but definitely helped. The best indicator of success with the crosswind handling is that my ESP system ("ESP Visit Workshop" warning on dash) no longer shuts down with every gust of wind. It was getting tiresome to pull over and turn off the engine to reset the system. I also installed the Tire Pressure Monitoring system from TST which I like for peace of mind.

Thanks ... very helpful!

[LB_3]

Glide-Rite is a British company.

Anyone interested in their air suspension may want to follow the exchange rate tonight:

[UKDUDE]

Good for some, but not for me 😩


Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

[LB_3]

It will take two years to exit the Union. The markets will sober up and we'll see a correction. The compaigns overplayed the financial impacts and underplayed the risks of staying in the Union.

Time to research the glide-rite suspension.

[LB_3]

Oh yeah, Happy Independence Day!

Edit: just read about how hedge funds make $100B in currency bets. Once they take a bath on those positions, the currency will see a dramatic rebound.