Ride Quality

[pdemarest]

First time poster here. We're looking at used Chinooks and have only driven one so far, which was a 2002 Baja with a Quigley 4x4 conversion with a solid front axle. The ride was terrible - slamming over every small bump like one of those airport shuttle vans with everything rattling. I'm assuming that the solid front axle is largely to blame but given that Chinooks are not that common I haven't had a chance to compare that experience with driving a regular 2wd Chinook. Any info about Chinook ride quality or suggestions for improvement that you can provide would be appreciated.

thanks,

Paul
Santa Cruz, CA

[Manitou]

Hey Paul,
First sorry for the delay in approving your post.. I'm on vacation from my day job and not paying much attention. I do have a similar 4x4 conversion and like the front end honestly. The rear end (that just has block risers) gives more of a shock over speed bumps. What I've found (as others with any chinook) is tire pressure shouldn't be at the max. These load E rated tires are great, but go up to 80psi. People that know lower the front to around 65 and the backs to 55-60. These numbers are a little off based on owner preference, but I ran at 80 when the new tires were installed for about 20 miles and thought I'd loose my teeth!

[Concourse]

I have never driven a 4x4 Chinook (rare!). But after three years of driving a regular rear wheel drive 2004 Chinook Concourse all over the United States I must say that it's a smooth driving RV. Like driving a minivan. My wife and I enjoy it. Just sucks up the miles and we often drive 12 straight hour a day in order to cover ground (in other words, it isn't wearing on you).

The later 2WD Chinooks (99% of them) on the Ford chassis have a split front axle. The manufacturer's recommended tire pressure is 65psi front and 60psi rear (80psi is the tire's max psi at max load).

[Blue~Go]

Paul,

First of all, welcome!

My only experience with a pre-2008 Quigley 4x4 was driving a 1997 E-350 EB Sportsmobile that was an original Quigley conversion. This was after driving a late 90's E-250 2WD camper van for a couple of years, and then my 2WD Chinook for a year or so.

To me, both the 2WD E-250 and my 2WD Chinook handled VASTLY better than the "early" Quigley E-350. In fact, I loved the van and really wanted to buy it, but ultimately ruled it out because there was no way I was going to "regress" that far in handling, and it was priced such that "re-converting" it (which would fix the issues) was out of the question, financially.

After doing some research, I think that pre-2008 Quigley Ford 4 x 4 conversions do typically have some handling issues - so it wasn't just that van, or just me. Some can be fixed, but it seems like maybe the best way is to have a different conversion (Quadvan, U-Joint, etc.) OR a 2008-and-later Quigley. Some folks "re-convert," but the problem with that for me was that I'd essentially have to pay for a 4 x 4 twice. Converting straight from 2WD might be better in that case.

Now, saying that I'm sure many people love their pre-2008 Quigley 4 x 4 conversions. I just didn't like the handling. Agile Off-Road (San Diego) does make some Quigley improvement packages for the pre-2008 that sound like they work really well, but he's fairly busy and there is a bit of a waiting list. But that could be an option.

In the end I decided that if I ever go (or buy) 4 x 4, it will be with a Quadvan/U-joint/Agile/or post-2008 Quigley conversion.

I always thought that Quadvan converted the Chinook Bajas though (?). But maybe not all of them or not in 2002 (?) From all reports the Quadvan 4 x 4's are nice handling rigs, although I have not driven one. (I had John at Quadvan put a 2014 front end on my 2WD Chinook - great experience at his shop.)

[Chinookers]

Before buying my 2003 Premier I tried several other Class C motor-homes. Overall I found the build and ride quality of the Chinook better than many others. I liked some of the Sprinters but their price tag was significantly higher than what I paid for my Premier.

When I first had the rig I followed Chinook's recommended tire pressures of 65 front and 55-60 rear. As time went by I got around to weighing the rig, finding out about tire pressure weight based tables, and adding contingency factors. With a set of Yokohama YK-HTXs and 10% - 15% contingency I now run at 60 front and 65 rear. Theoretically I could reduce front pressure but 60 just feels right.

We are often on the road for months at a time and find the ride quality adequate for most purposes, although more ground clearance would be useful especially for when we are on back country dirt & desert roads.

[Blue~Go]

I just want to clarify something slightly. This is based on information I got from Quigley and Quadvan. (Granted, Quadvan might have a slight conflict of interest, but on the other hand he gave me specifics, not just vague negativity toward Quigley.)

As I mentioned, the Quigley conversions prior to 2008 are different than the post-2008 ones. I don't have every difference memorized, but essentially the pre-2008 Quigleys had a bit of a "mix" of front end parts, and also have some handling issues. (I noticed major bump steer and other things that were much, MUCH less pleasant than my 2WD Chinook or my 2WD Ford camper van.)

So a pre-2008 Quigley is not going to handle the same as a 2WD Chinook, a different 4WD conversion, or a 2008-newer Quigley.

If you want to pursue that particular Chinook and upgrade the handling, then Ramsey at Agile Off Road is who I would contact (the issues are such that he has a big demand for his specific improvement packages for the earlier Quigley conversions).

Again, not to bash, and I'm sure many love their "earlier" Quigleys; but just.... the one I drove handled nothing like what I consider to be normal for these rigs.

I will say that in taking to Quigley, they seem like a great company to work with. I wouldn't hesitate to buy a 2008-newer Quigley conversion.

[pdemarest]

Thanks for all the info. I'm tempted to take a second look at the 4x4 since I knew he was running the tire pretty hard and had 80 psi in the rears air bags. Very great info - I hope to be a chinook owner soon.

Paul

[Blue~Go]

We hope to see you back - either with questions, or, even better, with your own Chinook!

Then you can start showing us your cool mods