Bilstein makes B6 heavy-duty shocks for the chassis most American motorhomes are built on: the Ford F-53 and Workhorse gas Class A chassis, Freightliner, Spartan and Monaco diesel pushers, and the Ford E-Series and Chevy Express cutaways under most Class C coaches. Bilstein's own US store tags these parts by chassis class, A or C. The catch is that Bilstein lists them by chassis, not by coach brand, so the first job is to find out what your coach is built on.
Step 1: identify the chassis, not the coach
A Winnebago, a Thor and a Holiday Rambler can all sit on the same Ford F-53. The chassis maker and model year are on the chassis VIN plate or in the chassis owner's manual, and they are what Bilstein's application lists use. Bilstein does name some coaches in its lists as a cross-check: its F-53 parts list the Holiday Rambler Vacationer and the Monaco La Palma and Monarch, for example.
Step 2: find your chassis below
| Chassis | Bilstein B6 front / rear (examples we carry) | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Ford F-53, 1999-2024 (gas Class A) | 24-234511 / 24-234528 | Model year: Bilstein lists 1999-2004, 2006-2009 and 2011-2024 |
| Ford F-53, 1988-1997 | 24-187015 / 24-187022 | Model year |
| Workhorse W20 / W22, 2001-2004 | 24-186629 / 24-186537 | Year; later W-series use other parts |
| GM P30 / Workhorse P32 | 24-252898 / 24-015875 | Year; Bilstein lists the front for some years without the mono beam front suspension |
| Freightliner XC, 2002-2021 (diesel pusher) | Mono beam front 24-234498 / rear 24-234504; Neway IFS front 24-225007 | Front axle type: mono beam or Neway IFS |
| Spartan K2, K3, MC2000, Mountain Master | Front by suspension (for example 24-061995 for the IFS 1460 air IFS); rear 24-186780 | Front and rear suspension model |
| Monaco / Holiday Rambler Roadmaster chassis | By chassis code, for example 24-186605 (RR8R / RR10R) | Chassis code and shock count |
| Ford E-350 / E-450 (Class C) | Comfort 33-187563 / 33-176840; HD 33-187570 / 33-176857 | Valving: Comfort or HD |
| Chevy Express / GMC Savana (Class C) | 24-187435 / 24-221948 | On the 2500: GVWR over 7,300 lb |
| Chevy Kodiak / GMC Topkick (Super C) | 24-186650, 24-186667 | Mounting type (Bilstein notes pin-to-pin or eye-to-eye) and year |
Every chassis we carry, with all its part numbers, is in the Bilstein Shock Fitment Finder.
Step 3: the details that change the part number
Front suspension on diesel pushers
Freightliner and Spartan built the same chassis model with different front suspensions. On the XC, Bilstein lists 24-234498 for coaches with the mono beam front axle and 24-225007 for the Neway IFS. On Spartan K2 and K3 chassis there is a different front for each of several suspensions. See Mono beam or Neway IFS on a Freightliner XC and Spartan K2, K3 and Mountain Master fronts by suspension.
Shock count
Bilstein's F-53 parts carry no extra-shock note. Diesel pushers vary: Bilstein's notes on several Monaco parts, including 24-187329 and 24-186605, say "Axle requires four shocks." Count the shocks on each axle before you order. Our answer on the Monaco Roadmaster chassis lists them by code.
Valving on the Ford E-Series
Bilstein offers two B6 valvings for the E-Series cutaway. It describes the Comfort pair as "HD Comfort valving for optimal RV ride quality" and the HD pair as "HD Standard valving for commercial and HD use. More Firm." Our answer Comfort or HD for an E-450 Class C? covers the choice.
GVWR on the Express and Savana
On the 2500 vans, Bilstein lists the 24-187435 front and 24-221948 rear only for a gross vehicle weight rating over 7,300 lb; the 3500 and 4500, including Class C cutaways, are listed without that note. The rating is on the door-jamb sticker. More in Bilstein shocks for an Express or Savana Class C.
Model-year gaps
Bilstein's application list for the F-53 1999-2024 pair names 1999-2004, 2006-2009 and 2011-2024. If your chassis falls outside the listed years, send us the VIN before you order. Our F-53 answer, What Bilstein part numbers does a Ford F-53 take?, has the full table.
Add a steering stabilizer while you're there
Bilstein lists steering stabilizers for several motorhome chassis. For the F-53, 24-245975 covers 1988-2024, and Bilstein notes that chassis without a factory stabilizer also need bracket kit 11-317555 (see do I need the bracket kit?). The E-Series has 24-174534. Our Bilstein shock and steering kits page puts the four shocks and the stabilizer in one cart for the F-53 and the E-350/E-450 Class C.
Sets and pairs
Replace shocks by the axle so both sides damp the same. For the common chassis we sell complete sets of two fronts and two rears at the sum of the singles:
- F-53 1999-2024 set and F-53 1988-1997 set
- Workhorse W20/W22 2001-2004 set
- E-350/E-450 Class C Comfort set
- Express/Savana 2500-4500 set
- Freightliner XC mono beam front pair and rear pair
Browse every chassis in the Bilstein collection, or by vehicle: F-53, Workhorse, Freightliner XC, E-Series Class C, Express/Savana. Found it cheaper? We'll beat it.
FAQ
Do Bilstein motorhome shocks need new springs?
No. They are B6 shocks, which Bilstein designs to work on the existing springs at the original ride height.
Are coach-brand names enough to order?
Not on their own. Bilstein lists parts by chassis and year, and one coach model can come on more than one chassis. Use the chassis VIN plate.
Does Bilstein make shocks for Class B camper vans?
Yes, for the Sprinter, Transit and ProMaster. See Bilstein shocks for camper vans.
Can I do just the front or just the rear?
Yes, but replace both shocks on an axle together so the two sides match.