roadmaster active suspension review - Diesel Forum

andrewzx92000 · 07-24-2012, 03:30 PM

I just installed the roadmaster active suspension on my 2005 E350 srw van with v10. Its the long van and the springs were $349
Easy install, the van now sits one inch higher in the rear with the same small load in it as before the install.
The ride is amazing, better cornering, less body roll. The ride is better than before, more controlled. I have bilsteins on the van. It now feels more controlled without hard ride.
I have not been able to tow with it yet. I was looking for a little less sag, I am not over loaded just wanted the rear to sit better when towing. I will let you know how that goes in a week when I load up.
Just sharing my experience with this product
Andrew.

Xphobe · 07-25-2012, 02:48 PM

So where's the pics?

msnunes · 07-25-2012, 10:38 PM

I've seen these, and am also interested for the same reasons... so any more info is welcomed.

andrewzx92000 · 07-26-2012, 11:41 AM

I have now driven 100 miles. I would install these even if I didn't tow. The ride is better, less body roll in corners. Wife didn't notice any difference in ride and I told her after 20 miles, so she would have complained if it was worse.
I find the steering corrections over bumps and dips in the road are much less and it doesn't need steering input for cross winds as much. I'll give a tow update the end of next week. You can get pics at Roadmaster active suspension and see how it works, I don't have the gear right now to do it.

andrewzx92000 · 07-26-2012, 11:46 AM

Oh yea, I forgot to mention that last week I tried Super Spring helpers springs but sent them back. They came way too close to the rear ac lines and heater lines that go to the back of my van. Air bags make the ride bouncy from what I have read and I hate the thought of dealing with leaks. A 10psi minimum is 300lbs stiffer in the ride according to the measurements at firestone. The bags would probably work great loaded, but by the time you buy a compressor and all the extra stuff to make it easy to operate its up at $600 and I have heard that warranty with firestone is about zero.
So I have 30 days to return these to the factory and I will continue to give reports as I try different tests on these. Andrew.

VISIONQUEST · 07-26-2012, 04:23 PM

Pics ?

msnunes · 07-27-2012, 09:57 PM

I'm sold, where did you get them? I know they have dealers, but curious.

Alaskapsdvan · 07-28-2012, 12:21 AM

The other day I talked with them on the East Coast about a set.
There is a local dealer for us here in Alaska, while for me it is 150 miles away, I will have a set Monday as the Daughter is coming down to go fishing so she will bring a set from them.
Might try their web site for a local dealer or there are some on E of bay.
I will be saving money because the shipping would be any where from 45-115 to Alaska.. so the Anchorage dealer at 355.00 is a deal.

I will take some photos of the van at rest before I add the parts and then some photos after and post how the van does when I take a road trip.

andrewzx92000 · 07-28-2012, 07:11 AM

I called Roadmaster directly using the phone number on the web site and talked to one of their guys. I am currently in upstate New York and they said there is no dealer close and so they offered to ship them to me direct from the factory and gave me the price of $349 which is the same price I found it anywhere else, plus $25 shipping.
They told me I had 30 days to return them if I didn't like them, and I figured that it might be easier dealing with the manufacturer rather than a dealer on returns anyway.
So call them and they will tell you where there is a dealer or they will ship them to you if there isn't one.
Andrew.

andrewzx92000 · 07-28-2012, 07:21 AM

In the box there are two pieces of plastic that look like a quarter and a dime thickness. These are the two options on setting. One is wider (Quarter size) and that give the stiffer adjustment. I set mine to the quarter or firmer setting and I am very very happy with the ride. If I didn't tow I might set it to the dime one, but I do tow and so I set it to the quarter. You can watch videos on youtube or roadmaster sites on installation.
I did not have to disassemble the unit when I received it. Just put the rear of the van on jackstands, a floor jack under the diff in the middle. Rear wheels off, which I did as I did the jackstands because I don't like the whole weight of the van on the center diff, so the floor jack was only supporting the weight of the differential, not the whole back of the van weight plus diff. I put the roadmaster in position, adjusted it looser a couple of turns to allow for bracket attachment around the front of the axle spring location and made sure the curved end was centered on the spring and started adjusting the spring tighter. Locked the lock nuts and its finished. It has not come loose or changed its adjustment since I installed it, very nicely built and heavy duty in the quality of materials not ride. Their instructions are very good and easy to see with pictures Andrew.

blageurt · 07-28-2012, 10:49 AM

Is this what you are talking about ?
http://www.activesuspension.ca/RASInfoBooklet.pdf

Alaskapsdvan · 07-28-2012, 11:35 AM

That is what we are talking about.
I will be doing mine on Monday.
With the load that I have in the van on any given day I will be setting the springs with the quarter.

Alaskapsdvan · 08-05-2012, 02:08 AM

Ok, there have been a few looking for photos of the roadmaster active suspension.
Here are two photos that I have put together of before and after for my 2000 E350.
Now before I put the Roadmaster in the rear shocks are the RV type with that big freaking spring, so that might be part of the reason for the 33.5 inches showing up in the first photo.
Then in the second photo after the Roadmaster has been installed and put the 40% setting the distance has increased by 1 inch.

Now around town there is like any where USA a main five lane road, 4 for through traffic and the turn lanes and the so called feeder that crosses that road, there are the ruts that we all know about and having to cross that five lane can be a bounce fest... with the roadmaster that bounce fest is almost removed, it is there but way way down.

I have also just done a 180 mile road trip with one way head winds and the ride was much nicer, or less fighting with head and cross winds, the return or 85miles was more with tail winds.

There was a point where I turned off the main road on to a dirt road with a little more speed that I would have liked but the van did it like I was at a lower speed and the dirt or gravel road was much smoother than before the Roadmaster.

Now the other item, it is to soon to say yes to , but it looks like there could be an increase in mpg... like I said-to soon. A month or too of my driving close to 2k per month I will have a better idea as to any mpg increase. My driving is a real mix of town-city and open road miles and the open road has any number of hills and turns...

andrewzx92000 · 08-06-2012, 07:59 PM

This weekend I towed my travel trailer 35 footer, 9200 lbs all up I'm 17,200lbs. The van rides a lot less harsh in the back end, the sag is gone and it sits level with the trailer on. Really like the stability, there is no dislike I have. the rear heat hose that runs close to the roadmaster did touch at one point, I put some grease on the roadmaster spring and there was just a touch of grease on the rear heater hose on that one spot. I don't believe this is a big problem and I will be keeping an eye on it. Of course this is only when I am towing a trailer that has 1300lb tounge weight. The AC lines have plenty of clearance and there is enough movement in the heater hose that I could support it and pull it up enough to keep it clear with a zip tie. Just thought I would mention this for E van owners to keep an eye on.
This is a great product and does what it says Andrew.

Super_Dave · 08-07-2012, 02:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alaskapsdvan

Now the other item, it is to soon to say yes to , but it looks like there could be an increase in mpg... like I said-to soon. A month or too of my driving close to 2k per month I will have a better idea as to any mpg increase. My driving is a real mix of town-city and open road miles and the open road has any number of hills and turns...

Well, that's interesting...

Any ideas on why? Less energy wasted into the leaf spring that gets transmitted to forward motion?