Mercedes Four Winds hl suspension upgrade

[cladouce]

Hello, I have a Sprinter chassis with my 2018 Four Winds.

I find it has too much body lean (the rear end rocks side to side) when
turning down the street from a driveway. I've been to 2 suspension shops
and one recommends increasing the size and strength of the Tract/sway bar and
another recommends installing an air suspension shock in the rear.
Has anyone made this type of modification on a Sprinter platform and what were the results?
THANKS

[The Gritz Carlton]

It's a big fat body built very wide over the standard wheel hub width. Not sure how "loaded" you are but many factors contribute here. First, it's gonna happen while turning over uneven ground, such as into gas stations, etc. The more "stuff" stored overhead will raise your center of gravity. The coach is built out to near max capacity of the GVWR before you add a six pack in the fridge. There are modifications you can make...air bags is where I would start, but nothing will completely stop it. I just make those transitions very slowly. My MB does the same thing...my previous 35SF did also. It's the nature of the beast.

[cladouce]

Thank you for your input. I'm close to max capacity of 11030 pounds but could be over on occasion by 200 -300 pounds over when tanks are close to full. Not sure if 2% over the limit is significant. If I modify the suspension with bigger sway bars or air bags it should compensate but I'm not an expert. Since Mercedes put in a bigger sway bar in 2019+ to help handling of the sprinter I'm not sure what is the best to start with, Air shocks or sway bars. Would you add air shocks on the back wheels or on front and back?

[Rick-Quantum-Sprinter]

I have a similar RV. It is a 2023 Thor Quantum 24 MB. Looks very similar to yours. I just went on a 9 hour drive and there was a lot of sway going down the road. It was my first drive down on an interstate were everyone is doing 75+ MPH. I had to do "micro adjustments" constantly reacting to wind and the air flow that comes when trucks pass you. The fastest I could go is 64 MPH. Unfortunately, on I-75 in Florida that is like standing still. I don't mind going slower than other vehicles, I just don't want to have white knuckles driving down the road.

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by Rick-Quantum-Sprinter

I have a similar RV. It is a 2023 Thor Quantum 24 MB. Looks very similar to yours. I just went on a 9 hour drive and there was a lot of sway going down the road. It was my first drive down on an interstate were everyone is doing 75+ MPH. I had to do "micro adjustments" constantly reacting to wind and the air flow that comes when trucks pass you. The fastest I could go is 64 MPH. Unfortunately, on I-75 in Florida that is like standing still. I don't mind going slower than other vehicles, I just don't want to have white knuckles driving down the road.

62 - 65 MPH has always been my standard RV speed on interstates like I-75 whether pulling a Travel Trailer or driving a MH. I hang out in the right lane and get passed a lot but I also pass others occasionally. I can go faster (and I do when passing) but don't see the need most of the time.

Have you looked into a steering Stabilizer for your MH? It may help with the constant corrections but Sumo Springs are probably the answer to the sawy issues.

[Rick-Quantum-Sprinter]

Thanks for sharing your experience. It helps to know what other people experience when driving because I am brand new to the experience.

I am going to look into getting sway bars. I'll also check out your recommendation.

Another thing we experienced was what felt like a flat tire. I actually pulled off the road a couple of times. I now believe that this was the Mercedes Stability Control system activating.

[cladouce]

Thank you all for your suggestions and comments. I'm scheduled tomorrow to have a Hellwig sway bar installed in the back and some Sumo springs in the front. A suspension specialist indicated to start with this and upgrade to Sumo spring in the back if I'm still not comfortable with the level of sway. It's an incremental approach but at least I boost the suspension in the front and back a little for now and should see some improvement. You can also add better shocks but I want to wait to see the result with the Hellwig first. I'm avoiding any air suspension upgrades. Some folks have had damaged frames with air suspension upgrades (depends on how hard you drive, if you are overweight and the PSI in the suspension kit).

[Rick-Quantum-Sprinter]

Sounds like a great plan.

Can you provide any specifics?

Where you are having the work done?

How much is the estimate cost?

[cladouce]

Specs:


bar: https://sprinterupgrades.com/product...ant=1455810561
Sumo Spring front :https://sprinterupgrades.com/product...nt-sumosprings


total cost 1778$ cnd installed taxes in


Work Done at DR mecanics and suspension, St-Mathias, Quebec

[The Gritz Carlton]

Please come back with a real road experience on improved handling.

[bryantdunivan]

Sumos in the back is the ticket. Air suspension is a little sophisticated as far as longer term reliability. Get a leak, you are “stuck like Chuck”. The bigger sway bar and sumos in the front got you 66.6% there. You are close. Mine drives like a good minivan up and down I-75.

[71_340]

Originally Posted by cladouce

Specs:


bar: https://sprinterupgrades.com/product...ant=1455810561
Sumo Spring front :https://sprinterupgrades.com/product...nt-sumosprings


total cost 1778$ cnd installed taxes in


Work Done at DR mecanics and suspension, St-Mathias, Quebec

I have what you are going to buy and also rear Sumo springs and Koni FSD shocks (rear). I think our 2019 Forest River 2400R MBS drives and handles great now and the Koni shocks definitely take the harshness out of the Sumos. I had just Sumos and the heavier sway bar on a previous Sprinter RV and didn't like the harsh ride. By the way, you can install all this stuff in a few hours yourself.

[bryantdunivan]

Originally Posted by 71_340

I have what you are going to buy and also rear Sumo springs and Koni FSD shocks (rear). I think our 2019 Forest River 2400R MBS drives and handles great now and the Koni shocks definitely take the harshness out of the Sumos. I had just Sumos and the heavier sway bar on a previous Sprinter RV and didn't like the harsh ride. By the way, you can install all this stuff in a few hours yourself.

I forgot the Koni Shocks. Day and night. I can one hand the vehicle even when trucks pass. Important to note that Sprinters were designed as delivery trucks in Europe. They handle like it when coming from the rv manufacturer.

[Dry Yachtie]

Keep in mind that having a stiffer anti-swaybar also stiffens the ride as it means that both springs are now resisting the movement of a single tire hitting a dip or bump. It helps to visualize the extremes: No swaybar and a bump on a single wheel is only controlled by that wheel's spring and shock. As you add a thicker and thicker anti-swaybar more and more of the opposite side spring will also limit the wheel's movement.

[paulwadley]

When I had a MB Sprinter based 2018 Thor Siesta 24SS, I installed front and rear Sumo Springs. It made a world of difference in the handling and the side to side sway issue. It was an easy at home installation.

Paul

[cladouce]

after 75 miles of Driving I found that the sway bar with front sumo spring did the following:

-Reduced side sway when passing trucks or trucks passing significantly
-Reduced sway on uneven pavement

-Better cornering control when taking a highway exit


Not sure I will add anything else for now, will do a roadtrip and better evaluate my needs.

[AllenS]

I have the 2018 Four Winds on the Sprinter Chassis too. I bought 2nd hand. The initial owner had purchased (but did not install) a complete anti-sway kit> He included it with the sale.
I still have it and would let it go for cheap if someone wants it. It includes the Hellwig anti-sway bar, Rear Sumo Springs and Koni Performance Shock Absorbers. All are still in the boxes in my garage. allenshirl@comline.com
Allen in Orange county, CA.

[cladouce]

Thanks for the offer but I already purchased the bar and springs