Not sure what size the tubes are, I will check when I go back out later.
I do know the front tubes are a different size than the rear tubes. When
we ordered the parts, we gave them the gawr of both axles, and they are
sized accordingly. When I post the pix you will see the differences.
I can give an update, however on the progress. They have finished the
front, and the first impression is that the front end is still up on
jacks (but it's not)! The difference in height between the front and
rear, measured at the trim, vertically centered at the wheel, is 4". I
can't wait until they get the rear done!
More tomorrow...
--- In
Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com, "chuck.lewis72" <cdl45309@...>
wrote:
>
> What size tube's are they using on your coach?
> I forget what size the newer coach's have, but I think they're smaller
than the older ones
> 3 1/2" square?????
> 1997 Serengeti
> Ohio
>
> --- In Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com, "pschafersr" pschafersr@ wrote:
> >
> > Hi All, haven't posted for some time (long time I guess) but it just
so happens I can give EVERYONE with a BF Goodrich Torsilastic Suspension
(Velvet Ride) some good news...
> >
> > My 01 Safari Zanzibar is in the shop as we speak (Redlands Truck &
RV, Redlands, CA) having the suspension replaced, with new torque tubes
and related parts. My ride height could no longer be adjusted. We live
in the coach, travel about 10,000 miles a year, and have been struggling
with the suspension issue for a few years now. Everyone else I talked to
at convensions and rallies gave their condolences or told me I was
screwed when I mentioned BF Goodrich suspension issues. However, the
parts are available and there are people who know what they are doing
with them.
> >
> > It is expensive. The parts alone are about $3,000 per axle, and the
job is very labor intensive. I am taking pictures of the project and
will try to post them next week.
> >
> > We are excited to ride down the road in the coach the way it was
meant to be! More later...
> >
> > Phil
> >
> > --- In Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com, "jimlyndabrooks"
<jimlyndabrooks@> wrote:
> > >
> > > Sven, The shims are just that shims. What wears is the rubber part
of the suspension. You remove shims to raise the coach. Measure height,
if low you remove shims. When you are too low and out of shims you are
out of luck. You must have correct ride height for correct driveline
angle.
> > >
> > > If you are going to get a different Safari, get one with the 8 air
bag suspension. Forget the Velvet Ride ones.
> > >
> > > Jim
> > > '96 Sahara
> > >
> > > --- In Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com, "svenbeck@" <svensd@> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > I appreciate the comments. As for the Freightliner or Spartan
chassis, I am not considering any brand other than Safari. The main
reason is the aluminum sides and paint. I've had a fiberglass coach with
decals, and won't do that again. As it is, the fiberglass front cap of
my Sahara is taking a beating from the southern California sun.
> > > > I'm not really familiar with the Velvet ride shims - are they
wearing out? The coach I am considering has 29,000 miles; I realize that
low mileage is not necessarily a good thing on these coaches, but
probably good for the suspension. I can also expect to replace all the
tires.
> > > > Still not sure about the extra 4' more than my 33'.
> > > > Sven
> > > >
> > > > --- In Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com, "chuck.lewis72"
<cdl45309@> wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > Check the ride height, should be 42" to the band above the
basement doors. Also check & see if the coach sets level. There are 10
shims per stack....so a total of 80 shims on the front & rear.
> > > > > I put quad Konie shocks on the front, that helped alot, or I
should say Ralph did....LOL. His stuff is pretty good too. Call him,
he'll tell you more that you can digest.
> > > > > Whats the mileage on the coach? Mine is over 115K, I've only
removed a few shims in the front, to level it out.
> > > > > 1997 Serengeti
> > > > > Ohio
> > > > >
> > > > > --- In Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com, "jquade_fwb" <jquade44@>
wrote:
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Velvet Ride Suspension Parts Update. Last year when I was at
Brazel's north of Centralia Wa., (I-5 Exit 88) I asked them about the
suspension parts availability & expertise. I was told they bought all of
Ralph's parts and were very experienced in working with them.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > --- In Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com, "Andy Haiduck"
<andrew.haiduck@> wrote:
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Sven - I own a 98 Serengeti with Velvet Ride that I've had
for 4 years now. We love the coach, but if I had it to do over again I'd
stay away from Velvet Ride. My ride height adjustments are maxed out.
Any further height adjustments will require either adding air bags or
replacing the torsilastic components (if they can be found) - both
pretty expensive options. Other than salvage yards, the only source of
suspension parts is Ralph Andrews (509-750-0248), who bought up all the
Velvet Ride parts from Monaco. The last time I talked to him he was in
the process of replacing his Magnum chassis with an Alpine chassis that
he found in a salvage yard (I think he really likes to tinker!).
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > If I was in the market for another coach right now, I'd be
looking for something on a Freightliner or Spartan chassis - nothing
manufacturer specific.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Just my two cents.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Andy Haiduck
> > > > > > > 98 Serengeti 4006
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > In Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com, "svenbeck@" <svensd@>
wrote: I believe the Serengetti has the Velvet Ride being standard. They
didn't indicate in the ad, but would probably mention air bags if that
were the case.
> > > > > > > 7-10 doesn't sound bad.
> > > > > > > Sven
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > In Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com, "chuck.lewis72"
<cdl45309@> wrote: What suspension is on the 1999 Serengeti?
> > > > > > > My milage ranges from 7-10 mpg
> > > > > > > 1997 Serengeti
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > In Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com, "svenbeck@" <svensd@>
wrote: With retirement bearing down on me, we are considering "moving
up" to a 1999 Serengetti 3726 from a '96 Sahara. The advantages would be
the slide, an improved ride (we are on springs) and a longer couch for
when I get myself in trouble. I've asked about slides previously and
found that a number of you were pretty happy with them. Has anyone
regreted moving to a larger rig with regard to manueverability, parking,
etc. and what was is the observed fuel consumption of these rigs?
> > > > > > > Thank you again for your views.
> > > > > > > Sven
> > > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >
>