shocks

aedwards · 12-06-2011, 06:09 PM

I am going to buy new shocks for my 2001 winnebago adventurer, so i started to research them. Now i am torn between Koni's and Bilstein's, I have read good and bad on each. This is my first motorhome so i need help!
Thank you,
aedwards

Mike Canter · 12-06-2011, 06:41 PM

Don't believe everything you read. There is absolutely nothing wrong with either the Bilstein or the Koni shocks. Either one will do what you want and last forever and give you the same ride. The biggest difference between the two is the price.

Billieg · 12-06-2011, 06:43 PM

Try doing a search on shocks. Hundreds of threads on this subject. Have fun...

Bug512 · 12-06-2011, 07:35 PM

I installed the Koni FSD's in the spring. So far so good.

Hikerdogs · 12-07-2011, 10:48 AM

Motorhome magazine did an article on shocks a year or so ago. They picked Bilsteins over Konis mainly for the price difference. Both seem to work well.

We replaced our original shocks at 22000 miles in 2004 with Bilsteins. We now have almost 95,000 miles on the coach and the Bilsteins are still going strong.

jimmccreary · 12-07-2011, 02:56 PM

I bought Konis for front and back. During that time I put 20,000 mi on them and 9,000 of those were the Alaska Highway, Top of the World, and Taylor Highway. The road was so bad in places I could only go 20 mph. After the trip the front shocks were out but Koni replaced them.

The initial cost to replace the factory shocks had a $150 added on labor because they had to cut a bolt (and replace it with a new bolt) in order to install the shocks.

I have been very happy with the ride, and happy that Koni honored the warranty but even Konis cannot withstand a road with lots of bumps. If I had it to do over again I would probably go with cheaper shocks expecting to replace them more often if I continue to drive rough roads.

hope this helps,
jim & debbie, 04 Journey 34H, 330 CAT

Wanabee FTer · 12-07-2011, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aedwards

I am going to buy new shocks for my 2001 winnebago adventurer, so i started to research them. Now i am torn between Koni's and Bilstein's, I have read good and bad on each. This is my first motorhome so i need help!
Thank you,
aedwards

I see no mention of what chassis you have.
I chose Koni over Bilstein because the Ford chassis is known for it's very stiff ride. Bilstein's are fine shocks but the Koni FSD's are known for smoothing out the rough jolts from expansion joints on the freeway.
I would not trade then for anything.

jackrobinryan · 12-07-2011, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Canter

Don't believe everything you read. There is absolutely nothing wrong with either the Bilstein or the Koni shocks. Either one will do what you want and last forever and give you the same ride. The biggest difference between the two is the price.

Have to very respectfully disagree with some of your advice, Mike.

New '07 coach, W-24 coach w/ Bilsteins. VERY harsh ride. Installed the KONI FSD's after only 6k miles. Much smoother ride now. Not shaking itself apart on every expansion joint.

But yes,they cost more.

RVtrip · 01-29-2012, 03:54 PM

Road king's are the way to go if you want the best ride!

Pusherman · 01-29-2012, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackrobinryan

Have to very respectfully disagree with some of your advice, Mike.

New '07 coach, W-24 coach w/ Bilsteins. VERY harsh ride. Installed the KONI FSD's after only 6k miles. Much smoother ride now. Not shaking itself apart on every expansion joint.

But yes,they cost more.

Koni's are known to have a smoother ride than Bilsteins. We have had customers pull of their after-market Bilsteins and put on Koni's, and report a significantly improved ride.

We sell both brands. I have Koni's on my coach. Like the ride.

Mike Canter · 01-29-2012, 09:28 PM

If anyone is interested here is the Motorhome Magazine test report again. The problem is that most of us can't afford the time or the money to go out and buy three different brand shocks and install them then drive them for some time and swap them and try a different brand. I have had Bilsteins on two different MHs and love them and would probably also love Koni or Road King. I bet that you can't tell enough difference between a Koni FSD, a Bilstein or a Road King other than cost. It also appears that which ever brand one choses is going to feel like it is the best choice because it was such an improvement over the previous shocks on the MH. There are so many posts on this forum about people swearing that their chosen brand was the best that it not possible to say which is the better and you will always have somebody give a bad experience with one brand or the other and will post it on this forum. So many RVers mistake the really bad yellow Monroes for the yellow Bilsteins and say how bad they were then find out that they were the Monroes. Any of the three major brands is going to make you happy. So it really boils down to is your choice and is the difference in cost worth it and that is what the below Test Report brings out. Happy Reading

Dunnpe · 01-29-2012, 09:39 PM

Great ride and really smoothed out the porpusing that I had when I bought the rig. Love the drive now.

Mr_D · 01-29-2012, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RVtrip

Road king's are the way to go if you want the best ride!

At something around $400 each I think I can suffer along with Koni's!

LVJ58 · 01-29-2012, 10:41 PM

Koni makes different types of shocks so for a more comfortable ride, it's important to specify the Koni FSD shocks.. We have them on the front suspension of our 2000 coach on the Ford chassis and they work great.

If $$$ is an issue, you may want to try the Monroe HD Gas Magnum RV shocks. We replaced our factory OEM shocks first with the Monroe's and realized a significant improvement in the ride, however, after later installing the Koni FSD shocks the ride improved even more.

Good luck with your choice and safe travels..

RVtrip · 01-30-2012, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_D

At something around $400 each I think I can suffer along with Koni's!

The good part is that you would actually save money in the long run...I think the more u buy the better deal you get..

the4js · 01-30-2012, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_D

At something around $400 each I think I can suffer along with Koni's!

Where do you buy them. I googled them but it s just info. Cant find a place to buy them.

RVtrip · 01-30-2012, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the4js

Where do you buy them. I googled them but it s just info. Cant find a place to buy them.

They have dealers around the country but your better off calling them and making an order (619-766-9202) Good luck

Mr_D · 01-31-2012, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Canter

I bet that you can't tell enough difference between a Koni FSD, a Bilstein or a Road King other than cost.

Actually I could and did. Went through five sets of Bilsteins when working with Reyco Granning on the rough ride after the front axle change. The last set of Bilsteins was pretty good, they were labeled "30% less compression". Ended up with Koni Adjustables as neither Koni (FSD) nor Bilstein (Comfitrack) makes a "self adjusting" shock for this 14,600# axle. Koni has yet to make it and Bilstein no longer makes it.

Mr_D · 01-31-2012, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the4js

Where do you buy them. I googled them but it s just info. Cant find a place to buy them.

Which ones? Koni or Road King?

Koni

Road King

Steve N Sal · 01-31-2012, 03:22 AM

Personally I've driven two coaches of the same size same chassis with both Bilstiens and the Koni's. Yeah the Koni was a "little" better ride but for the price difference I'll stay with the Bilstiens for sure.