Question 2025 Tiffin Byway; Freightliner suspension upgrades?

[Leland King]

We've got a 2025 Tiffin ByWay Diesel pusher on a Freightliner Chassis. Freightliner has a "robust" suspension, we frequently get "pounded" on interstate travel at bridge abutments and/or expansion joints. We have weighed the coach and our tire pressure is at Michelin recommendations. Any thoughts as to whether aftermarket "suspension upgrades" are worth the investment?

 

[Trav_lr]

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[Headhunter]

You said you weighed the coach and set the tire pressure what Michelin recommended. Just curious what is the tire pressure you set your front and rear at?

You could change the shocks but I don't think in my personal opinion that makes a really big difference. Koni shock are great but it is still a rough ride.

Sway bars and a Safety Plus steering stabilizer will help with wandering and sway but not so much in ride quality. You have a straight axle front end, when you hit a bounce left or right side of the road you will feel it in the entire front end.

If you really want a great ride and want to spend the bucks, go with liquid springs front and back. Last time I heard they were around the $25Kmark. Cheap they are not, but it's the best ride you will ever get from this coach.

HH

 

[osuallen]

in a Class A, it is pretty typical to feel bridge expansion joints, rough pavement, etc, more harshly than in your automobile.

 

[Leland King]

You said you weighed the coach and set the tire pressure what Michelin recommended. Just curious what is the tire pressure you set your front and rear at?

You could change the shocks but I don't think in my personal opinion that makes a really big difference. Koni shock are great but it is still a rough ride.

Sway bars and a Safety Plus steering stabilizer will help with wandering and sway but not so much in ride quality. You have a straight axle front end, when you hit a bounce left or right side of the road you will feel it in the entire front end.

If you really want a great ride and want to spend the bucks, go with liquid springs front and back. Last time I heard they were around the $25Kmark. Cheap they are not, but it's the best ride you will ever get from this coach.

HH

Thanks for the response. I'm running right at 105 PSI in the tires. I don't sense much wandering or sway. Mostly, we feel the deep bridge abutments and expansion joints. I have looked at the liquid springs option, you are correct, looks like about $25 - $30K. Not sure if the smoother ride warrants a big expense like this.

 

[Boat Bum]

I thought buying diesel solved most of those problems with air ride/suspension and such.

 

[Holdmybeer]

Thanks for the response. I'm running right at 105 PSI in the tires. I don't sense much wandering or sway. Mostly, we feel the deep bridge abutments and expansion joints. I have looked at the liquid springs option, you are correct, looks like about $25 - $30K. Not sure if the smoother ride warrants a big expense like this.

Liquid Springs would be redundant on a DP, especially a 2025. Liquid Springs are designed to give gas chassis coaches the feel of a DP. 105 psi is a lot on steer tires. I'd check the tables again on that. More psi up front than is necessary is going to result in a harsher ride and a sensitive wheel.

 

[Underboss]

I thought buying diesel solved most of those problems with air ride/suspension and such.

Its an entry level dp with a solid axle. To some extent they will all feel transitions. But an independent front suspension will absorb them better.

 

[Boat Bum]

All the cost of diesel maintenance w/o the true benefits, seems short sighted, to me anyways.

 

[Headhunter]

I thought buying diesel solved most of those problems with air ride/suspension and such.

For the most part it does DP vs Gas. But the ride is a little rougher in that model coach and the RED's because they don't have IFS ( Independent Front Suspension ). You get that option standard with the Phaeton, Bus, & Zephyr.

With my last 2021 Red 33AA, I weighed my coach and set my front tires at 100 PSI and my rear at 95 PSI. The coach definitely road better with a full tank of fuel and water.

HH

 

[Holdmybeer]

I'd recommend you take a ride in a gas chassis f53. You might then come to appreciate the ride in your Tiffin.