Chassis upgrade

[PSchw]

Went to Henderson Line-Up in Grants Pass OR to get a RPA "Road Performance Assessment" done and all recommendations installed.
1. Bigger front sway bar.
2. Bigger rear sway bar.
3. Koni shocks front and back
4. Air-back return valves.

They also found my front brakes are bad so hot new shoes and drums.
Found the passenger front bearing loose and the driver side bad.

So there is really a shop I can recommend and the drive is so much better know.

Peter

[israndy]

Did they think the brakes and shocks were 10+ years old? I only have 6000 miles so I am surely on my originals. I am impressed how little RUST you have on your suspension. Your RV really did spend much of it's life indoors.

-Randy

[Big Blue Rv]

Hi Peter-
Glad you found some handling improvements. Way back in 2006 When I installed the super steer bell crank (from Henderson) I also installed Koni Adjustable shocks. Big improvement even set at half stiffness. Finally this year stiffened them up a little more.
I have also upgraded to larger front sway bar that was being put on newer chassis.
My 2003 didnt come with a rear bar (i think the rear suspension changed in 04 or 05 onward) and there was nothing available to retrofit until recently. 2 years ago I had a new style rear sway bar installed at quartzsite. That also made a noticeable difference in the tail wagging the dog. Also installed a blue ox TruCenter steering stabilizer for when conditions are especially windy or in case of a front tire blow out. (verdicts still out on that for me)
However, my rig will track straight on the highway with hands off the wheel..

What are airback return valves? replacement or an add on? I assume they control the airbags in some way?
Hope all is well and safe travels.

[Big Blue Rv]

Hi Randy,
I have 100K on my rig and have only replaced brake pads once... and we tow all the time, in the beginning a 24 ft enclosed car trailer with a race car, tires, parts , tools etc and since 2007 a 4 dr jeep wrangler. Use the engine brake and the coach will stop itself...
Will have then checked again at next service, but dont anticipate having to do anything...
Alan

[PSchw]

Hi Guys,
My front brakes was properly due to mishandling from the previous owner.
The airbag valves are working similar the the Koni gold shocks. The valve restricts the air to or from the airbag maybe one way only. It supposed to help stopping the bouncing side to side.
Unfortunate I had so many things done to the coach in the same time that I can not judge individual results. But it made a big difference.
After Alan told me about the bell crank I ordered it right away and installed still in TGO did not seam to make a difference and the old one looked ok. Still happy did the upgrade as the new one is much better. I did install last you the SuperSteer (Henderson) which did help some.
We are back in IL and both of my AC are out even so I replaced the front a year ago so I have my work carved out tie me for the next few weeks.
I also took the class at Freightliner it was great learned a lot and got some great information specific to my rig.
Let stay in contact through RVillage and see if your path cross somewhere and get together.
Safe travel
Peter

[Mike1997]

My Landyacht is on a Freightliner chassis so thought I would share thoughts on the bell crank. It also had the Cummins 275hp engine.

My rig had 46k miles when I took it on the first long trip. It had been in storage for over 10 years and driven very little. New tires, belts, and oil change were part of the first service. Drove it from Asheville, NC to Key West and back, about 2000 miles round trip. When I got home my right sholder was killed me from the constant steering and play in the wheel required to keep it in the road.

Took it to the Freightliner dealer in Asheville who said it needed new front shocks and bell crank replaced. Apparently Freightliner has this listed as a maintenance item at 10 years. After repairs finished, it now drives like new!! Even had a blow out with it on I40, right front tire, no problems with control or stopping it. No damage either except a dented hubcap.