Rough riding ford econoline E250

[dutchduo1990]

I own a 208 ford e 250 econoline that was build into a camper van with a high top which has a very rough ride. Previously I own a 1990 dodge ram B250 which had a much smoother ride. The ford has 81250 miles on it. Is there anything that can be done to smooth out the ride a bit without costing me an arm and a leg.

[N147JK]

First thing to consider is tire pressure. I assume you have load range E tires, which can normally be inflated to 80 PSI. 80 PSI can produce a very rough ride, and usually isn't necessary anyway. Have you tried a lower inflation pressure?

[dutchduo1990]

No I have not. My front tires are 60 psi and the rear have 80 psi. That is the pressures listed on the door.

[N147JK]

Originally Posted by dutchduo1990

No I have not. My front tires are 60 psi and the rear have 80 psi. That is the pressures listed on the door.

Yes that is for a vehicle loaded to maximum gross weight. Lower pressures are perfectly alright. Try lowering the rears - you can experiment and see what difference it makes.

Age of tires can matter as well. Tires can get hard and brittle after years of use, especially if they are always out in the sun.

[JonMN]

Originally Posted by dutchduo1990

I own a 208 ford e 250 econoline that was build into a camper van with a high top which has a very rough ride. Previously I own a 1990 dodge ram B250 which had a much smoother ride. The ford has 81250 miles on it. Is there anything that can be done to smooth out the ride a bit without costing me an arm and a leg.

My van is based on a Ford Transit, so this might be a little different. Glance at the rear suspension to see if the axle is either really close to or even riding on the bump stops. If it is, you might look into SuperSprings and/or SumoSprings (same company). The first is an accessory for the leaf spring, while the second is a replacement for the bump stop. Both are pretty reasonably priced and a DIY installation if you have a floor jack and a few tools.

PS: several useful youtube videos are out there too

[Jim86301]

Over-inflated tires will make for a harsh ride. I took my van to a truck stop with a CAT scale and weighed it (front and rear axle weights). Using the inflation chart from the tire manufacturer (Michelin in my case) I set the tire pressures to the recommended values (plus a 10% safety margin). It made for a much more comfortable ride.
Jim

[jadatis]

As pigheaded Dutch selfdeclared tyrepressure specialist I also first tougt of too high Tire-pressure.
But it can also be that the suspention of one of the axles is hanging on its silent blocks, by to much weight.

For that you have to crawl under motorhome to see it.

For the tirepressure, I can help you if you give tire and motorhome specifications.
Dont yust lower in the blue. You risk managing to low tirepressure, wich gives even better comfort, but overheating of tire when at higher speed, wich gives internal cracks. Those tear further in time, untill mayby only after 3 years that far that treath seperates, or tire blows. Then the situation of overheating is long forgotten.

[SteveJ]

Shocks. New, good shocks can make a huge difference. I use KYP Gas a Just on out Chevy P30 chassis. Others like Bilsteins. We had Konis, they did not perform well for use compared to the KYB units.

Does your van bounce a lot and not recover right away when launched from bridge decks? That's a sign off worn shocks.

[Dee Jsaan]

I have a 90 E 350 hightop like in the avatar photo. It's a rough riding thing with 60/80 so I lowered mine to 48/60 and it helped.

But Ford's have always been known for a stiffer suspension system. GM's a softer ride.

I used to look at new Cadillac's and the same car years later. After 10 years they looked like low riders. An old mechanic I used to know told me that at the dealer he worked for they would get these cream puff Caddies on trade in and replace the coil springs so it would set up at normal height once again, put new tires on it and sell them almost immediately.