Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 

Go Back   Thor Forums > Thor Tech Forums > Motorhome Tech Topics
Click Here to Login
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 06-09-2019, 01:00 AM   #1
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Hurricane 29M
State: Texas
Posts: 2,672
THOR #11781
Softer ride

I'm looking for a suspension upgrade for my Hurricane 29M that will soften the ride. I like the handling of my coach, it doesn't get pushed around when trucks are passing. It tracks straight on smooth and 'level' roads. My only complaint is the bumps, potholes and expansion joints take a toll on me after a couple of days on the road. I've already done the CHF, Saf-T-Plus, front end alignment and weighed coach to set air pressures in tires. I've searched and read thru the forums regarding sumo springs. Most say they firm up the ride. I want a softer ride. Any suggestions.

__________________
Lt Keefer
2018 Hurricane 29M
CHF, Saf-T-Plus, SumoSprings
Lt Keefer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-09-2019, 01:13 AM   #2
Senior Member
 
Mr Sunshine's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2023 Jayco Precept 31UL
State: Florida
Posts: 2,914
THOR #1589
Suggest your change out the shocks next. Bilsteins or Koni. Both are much sturdier than the OEM ones that came with the bare chassis.
__________________
Life is better when you cry a little, laugh a lot, and are thankful for everything you've got!
Mr Sunshine is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-09-2019, 10:30 AM   #3
Member
 
BYoshida's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Vegas 24.1
State: Virginia
Posts: 91
THOR #13067
We did Sumos front and back and to us, it softened the ride. You don't get that THUNK every time you got a bump. 2018 Vegas 24.1
__________________
Yoshida
2018 Thor Vegas 24.1
Northern Virginia
BYoshida is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-09-2019, 11:53 AM   #4
Senior Member
 
Judge's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2020 Magnitude SV34
State: Florida
Posts: 4,147
THOR #12751
Softer ride

Agree on Sumos.... they can soften the ride and there are different weight ratings.

I have a Class C but also hated the ride quality and noise of bumps, expansion joints, etc. I installed 500lb rated Sumos for the front and 1500lb Sumos for the back. The ride was noticeably improved.

The other option for my rig was 1000lbs for the front and 2800lbs for the rear and I thought that would be too stiff.


Your other options would be better shocks and / or airbags.
__________________
Judge is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-09-2019, 01:39 PM   #5
I Think We're Lost!
 
Bob Denman's Avatar
 
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
If you soften the ride: it's tough to keep the handling as good as you're used to...
Shocks and Sumo Springs...
__________________
"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
Bob Denman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-09-2019, 01:41 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: S.O.B.
State: California
Posts: 1,368
THOR #3483
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lt Keefer View Post
I'm looking for a suspension upgrade for my Hurricane 29M that will soften the ride. I like the handling of my coach, it doesn't get pushed around when trucks are passing. It tracks straight on smooth and 'level' roads. My only complaint is the bumps, potholes and expansion joints take a toll on me after a couple of days on the road. I've already done the CHF, Saf-T-Plus, front end alignment and weighed coach to set air pressures in tires. I've searched and read thru the forums regarding sumo springs. Most say they firm up the ride. I want a softer ride. Any suggestions.
I had a discussion with a mobile RV repair person that has been working on rigs for over 30 years. He told me that Ford stiffened up the frames on the F-53s so that they would be more marketable, etc. Problem with that is it results in a complaint like yours (and mine). Tweaking with aftermarket fixes is what we end up doing. The parts and labor add up but that is what we are stuck with to get the ride where you want it. Front and back Sumos were the first thing that we had installed on our F-53, followed by alignment/weighing, adjustable drag link, Saf-T-Plus, Koni shocks and finally SuperSteer rear trac bar. Adding it all up, it made me wonder if I should have considered just paying the approx. $15k for the LiquidSprings set up.
__________________
axis earl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-09-2019, 11:04 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
halfprice's Avatar
 
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Renegade Valencia 38RB
State: California
Posts: 3,496
THOR #3156
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lt Keefer View Post
I'm looking for a suspension upgrade for my Hurricane 29M that will soften the ride. I like the handling of my coach, it doesn't get pushed around when trucks are passing. It tracks straight on smooth and 'level' roads. My only complaint is the bumps, potholes and expansion joints take a toll on me after a couple of days on the road. I've already done the CHF, Saf-T-Plus, front end alignment and weighed coach to set air pressures in tires. I've searched and read thru the forums regarding sumo springs. Most say they firm up the ride. I want a softer ride. Any suggestions.
You said air pressure was set but didn't say what you set it at???

Jerry
__________________
https://www.thorforums.com/forums/f2...mods-4609.html
Jerry, Maria, and Sasha 6lb Yorkie
2022 Renegade Valencia 38RB "Five Deuces"
2016 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport
FMCA # F464385
halfprice is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-09-2019, 11:57 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Hurricane 29M
State: Texas
Posts: 2,672
THOR #11781
Jerry,

I used the Goodyear chart for the 245/70R19.5 since that is what came with the coach. Minimum air pressure on the chart is 80 psi for both single and dual wheels. The chart says that should carry 3640 for singles and 3415 for duals. That is more weight than the coach as it sits so I run 80 psi, cold.

Other posters.

Are you saying the sumo springs has "dampened" the bumps of the road?
__________________
Lt Keefer
2018 Hurricane 29M
CHF, Saf-T-Plus, SumoSprings
Lt Keefer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-10-2019, 02:03 AM   #9
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: S.O.B.
State: California
Posts: 1,368
THOR #3483
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lt Keefer View Post
Jerry,

I used the Goodyear chart for the 245/70R19.5 since that is what came with the coach. Minimum air pressure on the chart is 80 psi for both single and dual wheels. The chart says that should carry 3640 for singles and 3415 for duals. That is more weight than the coach as it sits so I run 80 psi, cold.

Other posters.

Are you saying the sumo springs has "dampened" the bumps of the road?
Answering succinctly, yes, Sumos help because what Ford installed are like hard hockey pucks compared to Sumos. Sumos and RV shock absorbers have to help make things better for the ride.
__________________
axis earl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-11-2019, 11:04 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
Miramar Owner's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Miramar 34.4
State: Iowa
Posts: 794
THOR #4488
Quote:
Originally Posted by axis earl View Post
The parts and labor add up but that is what we are stuck with to get the ride where you want it. Front and back Sumos were the first thing that we had installed on our F-53, followed by alignment/weighing, adjustable drag link, Saf-T-Plus, Koni shocks and finally SuperSteer rear trac bar. Adding it all up, it made me wonder if I should have considered just paying the approx. $15k for the LiquidSprings set up.
If I could talk my wife into it, I would definitely add Liquid Springs. That's the closest to a high end diesel pusher with air ride you can get with a gasser.
__________________
Miramar Owner is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Thor Industries or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.




All times are GMT. The time now is 09:08 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.6.0 PL2