2022 Thor Vegas Suspension Upgrade and Review

[Obiwan57]

2022 Thor Vegas Suspension Upgrade and Review

Hello fellow Thor Forum Members, this post is a bit lengthy, but I would like to share my review and feedback on suspension upgrades I had done at my local Ford dealer, Woody Anderson, in Huntsville, AL.
As you Class C and / or Vegas /Axis owners may know, the E350 / E450 chassis has an independent front suspension, which gives a great ride, but the OEM suspension on this chassis was not designed with an RV’s suspension requirements in mind; a much taller and heavier vehicle, in many cases the chassis and drivelines are lengthened, without any suspension improvements.
The result is av RV with steering that is loose, and a suspension that is overtaxed. I had a Safe-T-Steer steering stabilizer installed initially after delivery by Bankston Motor Homes, which improved the steering dramatically and return to center was resolved.
However, that did nothing to address the sometimes-alarming sway and body roll of the OEM suspension, despite it having OEM anti-sway bars installed.
After doing some research, I had the following upgrades installed by Woody Anderson Ford:
1. Installation of Helwig Front and Rear Stabilizer Bars, which are about DOUBLE the diameter of the OEM units.
2. Installation of Bilstein Shock Absorbers, Front and Rear-another choice widely recommended in Cyberspace and by forum members.
3. Installation of Sumo Springs® helper springs, Front and Rear

Woody Anderson Ford did a superb job on the install, addressing fit issues between OEM chassis and TMC components, making me grateful I decided to have the work done professionally.
I can personally say without question that if you are on the fence about a suspension upgrade on the E350 / E450 chassis, DO IT, YOU WON’T REGRET IT! This upgrade transformed my coach, eliminating excessive body sway and roll, the Sumo Springs help prevent bottoming AND sway. I took my Vegas on a 500-mile trip immediately after installation, and pulled steep hills and curves MUCH IMPROVED, NO WHITE-KNUCKLES!!
I hope this review helps anyone considering an upgrade, Happy Motoring!

[EA37TS]

Bunch folks did the same upgrades and the posts are numerous.

[DavidEM]

I believe that the suspension on my 2021 Axis works fine as is. Reportedly it was upgraded when the V8 was added. If I were experiencing road wander, I would check the alignment. You need at least 5 degrees caster for adequate return to center force.

The only thing I wish I could easily fix is the stiff suspension that shakes the front end on hitting bumps and potholes. I don't think that is fixable. Yes, Biltstein shocks might control the rebound better, but the only thing that is really going to improve it is longer suspension travel like an automobile. And that isn't practical on a 12,500 lb rated chassis.

David

[happy]

You should have a much better ride with those improvements.

We too have worked to make our Axis a better driving vehicle and it really does help. One last item we are probably going to install is the SuperSteer Rear Trac bar.


Happy travels with your Axis!

[Chance]

Originally Posted by DavidEM

I believe that the suspension on my 2021 Axis works fine as is. Reportedly it was upgraded when the V8 was added. If I were experiencing road wander, I would check the alignment. You need at least 5 degrees caster for adequate return to center force.

The only thing I wish I could easily fix is the stiff suspension that shakes the front end on hitting bumps and potholes. I don't think that is fixable. Yes, Biltstein shocks might control the rebound better, but the only thing that is really going to improve it is longer suspension travel like an automobile. And that isn't practical on a 12,500 lb rated chassis.

David

David, E-350 and E-450 have as much suspension travel as average cars, and maybe more, so in my opinion the rough ride is not directly related to lack of travel. Having said that, “upgrading” to stiffer sway bars stiffens individual wheel travel and will “degrade” ride quality when wheels hit pot holes.

Switching to softer springs would help ride quality some when going over pot holes, but that would make body lean even worse. Ways I’m aware to have softer suspension and not have excessive body roll include lower vehicle center of gravity, raise suspension roll center, widen track, etc... Other than lowering heavy loads when packing motorhome (which has minimal effect anyway), there is very little that can be done for either of these after the motorhome is already built. It’s all about compromise, and making one thing better can make others worse.

[Muggs]

Ours is a 2016 on e450. Other than swapping out oem damper with Roadmaster it still handles fine.

My next change is expected to be sway bars but after matching tire pressure to load have not felt any urgency.

I have been on very bad roads that make right with straight axle shudder but this still drives fine. From inner city Charleston SC, South Memphis TN, Blue Ridge Pkwy , keeping up with rush hour arouns Atlanta GA and the old I-4 slalom by Disney World, RV does fine.

With 46,000 miles it may be time for shocks? Have not really had signs of need yet.

Remarkable thing is no sign of chassis sag yet. Same spot less than 1/16" diff from day it came home. Every SUV in last almost 20 years needed helpers/airbags/air shocks by this time.

[Scubawise]

25,000 miles. 2020 vegas no chassis suspension upgrades.
All is well. I may be lucky.

[taylorbob1]

Originally Posted by DavidEM

…..

The only thing I wish I could easily fix is the stiff suspension that shakes the front end on hitting bumps and potholes. I don't think that is fixable. Yes, Biltstein shocks might control the rebound better, but the only thing that is really going to improve it is longer suspension travel like an automobile. And that isn't practical on a 12,500 lb rated chassis.

David

My rig has most of the suspension mods as the OP (including the Bilstein Shocks mod).
On newly paved roads it drives like a dream. Smooth and quiet, hardly sways, very straight.
But on bad, pothole-infested roads it can be very uncomfortable at times.

I’ve found that there are two ways to reduce front end shakes on bad roads:
- drive slower. 55 mph or less
- reduce tire pressure to what most may consider unsafe. That is, from 70+ pounds down to 55-60 pounds

Bottomline…the front end shakes on bad roads is what it is. Learn to deal with it the best way you can.

[Scubawise]

Originally Posted by taylorbob1

My rig has most of the suspension mods as the OP (including the Bilstein Shocks mod).
On newly paved roads it drives like a dream. Smooth and quiet, hardly sways, very straight.
But on bad, pothole-infested roads it can be very uncomfortable at times.

I’ve found that there are two ways to reduce front end shakes on bad roads:
- drive slower. 55 mph or less
- reduce tire pressure to what most may consider unsafe. That is, from 70+ pounds down to 55-60 pounds

Bottomline…the front end shakes on bad roads is what it is. Learn to deal with it the best way you can.

Amen & Happy Holidays to all our fun loving ❤️ RV buddies.
2023 will be amazing travel.

[MLP]

When I had a class C, we too had really bad sway and handling problems. I added the Steer Safe instead of the Safe-T-Steer and instead of the Sumo Springs I added Air Lift. Same shocks, larger rear stabilizer bar, and a front end alignment. The Air Lift put more weight on the front end and really helped. I could drive it with one finger after that.

[Gusti]

Need your help. I have a Axis 2024. I want to install steering stabilizer. It seems that SAFE-T-Plus is a good brand. When I made my research I found different type. Can anyone tell me which is the right for my motorhome ? Thanks !!

[Dan-sr@perra-us.net]

Originally Posted by Gusti

Need your help. I have a Axis 2024. I want to install steering stabilizer. It seems that SAFE-T-Plus is a good brand. When I made my research I found different type. Can anyone tell me which is the right for my motorhome ? Thanks !!

Go to https://www.safe-t-plus.com/ The web page allows you to put in the specifics of your chassis and will identify which stabilizer you need.