If you have ever driven or ridden in an RV you know it’s not usually a pleasant experience. This is especially true for an older model. Newer ones have much better suspensions and steering stabilizers, but still not what you may have been hoping for. Just due to the sheer size and weight they will never give you the ride of your car. So, let’s see if we can learn how to get better motorhome ride handling with just a few simple steps.
The reality is, that everything in the RV is being shaken around just like being in an earthquake. On the bright side, there are several things you can do to make the ride better. Besides upgrading your suspension, make sure items within the house are secure at all times. This will definitely make your travels more pleasant. So, how can I make my RV ride smoother? let’s find out!
How do you get better motorhome ride handling?
The biggest improvement will come in the form of upgraded suspension, new shocks, a sway bar, and steering stabilizers. You also want to assure you have the correct tire pressure and that the front end is in alignment. So, all these work together to provide a smooth balanced ride, if one is bad it can throw everything else off.
How can I make my RV ride smoother?
If you are not mechanically inclined but want to make some improvements, check out where do I take my RV for repairs and maintenance?
Air suspension
Air ride or air suspension uses a variety of valves, airlines, and air-spring bags in place of steel suspension. The flexible air-spring bags are made from a woven and rubber-like material. These bags are filled with compressed air to lift or lower as needed. So, this will cause the suspension to make your ride softer or firmer.
Is air suspension worth the money?
Air suspension with its ability to soften the ride can greatly improve your RV experience. You are able to adjust according to your payload and raise or lower your vehicle accordingly. So, this will help handle the corners at a higher speed without all the lean.
These systems can be filled manually or with the use of an onboard air compressor. The normal lifespan is anywhere from 75K – 120K miles as the rubber can deteriorate and lose air from cracks or around seals.
Firstly, there are proponents on both sides of the suspension fence. Things to take into account are initial costs, fuel efficiency, and their susceptibility to malfunctions and/or air leaks.
But, on the bright side, it can offer a much more comfortable ride, with noise reduction and less wear & tear on your suspension itself.
A complete setup, including a compressor, can run anywhere from $1K to $1600
SuperSprings SSR-187-54-1 | SumoSprings Rear Maxim for Ford F-53 | Left/Right Pair | 7000 (lb) Capacity at 50% Compression
Steering stabilizers
What are they and what do they do?
The main purpose of a quality steering stabilizer is to keep your vehicle moving straight down the road. These are intended to assist the driver by helping with the return to the center of steering. When in search of better motorhome ride handling, this is one of the upgrades I would do first. So, if you find yourself fighting the steering wheel constantly, trying to keep your RV going straight down the road, think about the stabilizer!
If you have ever been passed on the road by a large truck, it may feel like you are being blown into the next state. The stabilizer will assist with helping you keep your RV on the road, even with blowouts, potholes, or those pesky crosswinds from the trucks passing by.
Class C RV’s are known for their wheel play and can give you a workout from just moving your hand back and forth for hours as you keep drifting. The steering stabilizer will assist with this movement and make that 3 or 4 hours of driving a much more pleasant experience.
A good steering stabilizer can run you between $250 to $600, but still a worthy investment
Safe-T-Plus RV Steering Stabilizer 41-140 Red (RV Steering Stabilizer, RV Steering Control, RV Safety, Truck Steering Stabilizer)
Sway bars
How can they help?
Sway bars are intended to improve an RV’s lean going around turns and corners by controlling the vehicle’s weight transfer, including body roll. This is accomplished by keeping the wheels on each side of the vehicle as even as possible, and by doing so it will keep more rubber on the road. So, this is another great upgrade to help with getting better motorhome ride handling.
Upgrading to a larger sway bar can help in a couple of ways, such as with understeer and oversteer or the lean you feel while cornering. This will also help with keeping all your tires flat for gripping the road and less fighting of the steering wheel.
Sway bars are used on both the front and rear of the vehicle to improve your ride. If your RV is equipped with a smaller stock sway bar this can be an essential upgrade to help with steering performance.
Hellwig is my recommendation and it will set you back about $450 – $550 for a rear sway bar
Roadmaster 1139-176 Factory Replacement Front Anti-Sway Bar for Ford E350/450
Hellwig 7180 Rear Sway Bar
RV shocks
Do shocks really matter that much?
Your shocks help to absorb what the road has to throw at you. Once worn you will notice your RV tends to bounce with each bump you hit and its ability to absorb potholes is gone. Connected at the pivot points for each tire they are intended to slow and absorb the movement. So, when you are bouncing a little too much, this may be your answer.
If you ask anyone about shocks, most likely they will recommend a set of Bilstein’s. Known for quality shocks and suspensions, but in turn, will give you the best ride from your RV. Once you have installed a set you will be amazed at how your vehicle feels and handles immediately.
You can expect to pay around $150 a shock depending on your make and model needed.
Bilstein B6 Series 2 Rear Shocks Kit for Ford E-450 Super Duty 00-14 Ride Monotube replacement Gas-Charged Shock absorbers
SuperSprings SSR-107-47 SumoSprings Rear for Ford E-350|E-450, Black
Final Thoughts
We talked about some ways to smooth out your ride and make it as comfortable as possible. Remember this is a large, awkward, and heavy vehicle, it will never be as smooth a ride as your car. Even with all these upgrades, it will still be necessary to go throw the house of your RV and make sure things are secure. So, can you silence all the noises in the back as you roll down the road? NO.
Separate things into containers with little room to move and rattle. Make sure items are not just sliding around in cabinets and closets. Some things to check are, plates and bowls, silverware, can goods, burner tops on the stove, etc., etc.
It is just narrowing it down over time and minimizing the noise the best you can. All I can really say is, turn up the music and enjoy the view as you travel to this beautiful country of ours. Limit your daily drive time and be safe out there.
