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The RVer's Open Forum / TECHNICAL RV HELP / Leans too much-wife gets seasick

Back 20 Messages Next 20 Messages

Jim M
User ID: 7399413 Sep 27th 3:59 PM
I have an 89 allegro 27' on a p30 chasis. it is stock, haven't done anything to suspension yet. This thing goes down the road like a boat and rolls and leans as you go. I need to tighten it up. I plan to put on bilsteins but what else should I do to tighten up. Has original tires which I will replace-any thoughts on a type that might help this problem?

Jerry
User ID: 9906923 Jul 15th 10:00 PM
We have a 1992 Pace Arrow 33 foot. It's equipped with Bilstiens, Michelin's inflated to 80 PSI. Davis TruTrac, GV Aux trans, Banks Power back and trans-command. This coach handles and rides like a dream, all speeds, but we cruise at 60 most of the time. Towing a 1995 Ford Escort, 2381 Lbs. Best of luck with your upgrade to Bilstien's and Davis TruTrac. Regards, Jerry

DON G
User ID: 9948493 Aug 5th 8:45 PM
Whats the concensus on Bilstein shocks on the Ford F53 chassis? Some say they are too harsh and will make my hard ride even harder. Gotta buy soon so let me know.

jdo
User ID: 2839494 Aug 6th 11:14 AM
I just put Bilstein's on my 99 georgetown and I can tell the difference in the ride, much easier on the bumps.

99 georgetown v10, 92 accord toad

Marvin P
User ID: 9990163 Aug 22nd 10:59 AM
I have a 1991 xplore 25ft that wanders just like the tail wagging the dog. New tires, shocks, front end alignment, weight distribution ect. with no improvment. Would a Davis TruTrac help solve the problem. I do not experience any roll.
This is on a Dodge D-350 Front with a Dane 60 axel leaf springs assisted by leaf overloads.

Tom T
User ID: 7329463 Aug 27th 4:05 PM
I have a 33 Foot Southwind on an F53 and handling
is terrible. I have installed the Bilsteins, the
Steer-Safe, the Davis Tru-track bar and the Air
Lift. I've had the front end aligned and installed
new Michelins. I notice some improvement but probably not a thousand dollars worth. The Tru-Track seemed easy enough to install but I wonder if it needs to be adjusted some more. Does
anybody have any experience with the Tru-track bar?

Jeff B
User ID: 0074284 Aug 27th 9:56 PM
Marvin:
Does the wandering get worse as speeds increase, by highway speed hard to keep in your lane? How tight is the steering? I have a 1989 Fleetwood 23 ft on Ford E350, was really scary to drive. Did all the weighing, measuring, changing parts etc. problem turned out to be not enough (!) play in the steering box, was overadjusted. Backed off sector nut enough to just give a perceptable free play in the straight ahead position, and lock the locknut. Hard to beleive was the same rig, went on 5500 KM trip with it, ok to drive now. Not sure if Dodge uses similar steering, but suspect so. Good luck

Keith in PA
User ID: 9495963 Apr 5th 7:40 AM
Just put 6 new tires and Bilsteins on my Fleetwood Class C...what a difference! BUT...after reading this entire thread, I'm not sure if I want to invest in a steering assistance device or not. I was looking at the Steer Safe and the Safe T Plus items, but not sure if they are worth the money on a 1989 27' class C? Any input is appreciated.

jd
User ID: 8798943 Apr 5th 8:59 PM
Keith, if your C-Coach is on a Ford, it's about like our '83. Steering (and tracking/resistance to trucks/crosswinds) improved dramatically after we did three things: 1. Adjust slack out of steering box; 2. Replace front swaybar bushings; 3. Adjust toe to specs (had been toed out, should be zero or slightly in. Very inexpensive and made a huge difference. We have 97,000 miles so yours may need less of the things we needed to do. God Bless, jd

Keith in PA
User ID: 2693314 Apr 5th 9:51 PM
jd
Thank you for the reply. I just had the RV aligned after the new tires were installed and I did notice some improvement. Did you replace the swaybar bushings with stock or neoprene bushings? Did you adjust the steering box yourself? If so...was it easy to do?
IHS, Keith in PA

jd
User ID: 1557854 Jun 6th 8:05 PM
Keith, this is LONG overdue, and maybe you've moved on by now. I bought a NAPA sway bar bushing kit. It's for all Ford E-series chassis and apparently some are different from mine. This left me with parts left over. The tops use two bushings, one each side of the bar, like we usually see. The bottoms used a two-piece bushing that goes into a ring-like mount that the bolt goes through, perpendicular to the rod with the two opposed bushings on the top. All bushings were a hard, black plastic. Not the usual poly look but clearly not rubber. I have not yet replaced the center bushings but plan on using Poly when I do.
I've found the "4x4" stores (you know, Big Boy Toys) don't specialize in RVs in the least but can furnish lots of stuff that will fit them. Steering stabilizers, airbags, bushings, etc.
I adjusted both the steering box and the toe-in myself. Have a little more to do before pulling the steering wheel to re-center it. E-Series has adjustment on only one tie rod end, so final centering of the wheel has do be done by taking it off and putting it back on again.
If I can still help, let me know. God Bless, jd

Bruce McKenney
User ID: 1000714 Jun 8th 10:22 AM
Hum! Air spring on rear of leaf spring on rear suspension. Sounds like a good idea. Where can I find out more about "Jet ride"?

brucemckenney
User ID: 1000714 Jun 9th 12:15 AM
We've recently installed the Brocks-AD-A-Ride air ride system to our 2000 F53. What a difference! No more harsh ride. No more constant steering corrections. Floats down the roughest roads with no dash board wiggles. It constantly monitors the front axle to frame distance, per side, and adds or subtracts air pressure accordingly. That's even better than the diesel pusher systems. They've also had Monroe specially re-valve the Gas Magnum shocks to their specs. to work with the system.
Guess we won't have to eat the depreciation on our gasser plus double our investment for a diesel pusher, just to enjoy the ride.
Now if Jet Co. has a system for the rear, we're in hog heaven!

brucemckenney
User ID: 1000714 Jun 18th 7:47 PM
Ah Ha! I've found it! Fleetco offers a rear air ride package. It will share the same on-board compressor with the Brock's AD-A-RIDE. Completely replaces the rear leaf springs.

Let's see. A complete air ride suspension on a gas motorhome will run about $3500, total. For those of us that don't put enough miles on our units to justify a diesel, that's not so bad!

Steve D
Moderator
User ID: 1314254 Oct 31st 12:34 PM
jd,

Just put Bilsteins on my pickup. FWIW, the same part number fit the 1500, 2500, qnd the 3500 series truck. I was going to put Monroes or Gabriels on it but a friend that races said not to waste the money. In fact, he said I would be just as well off leaving the stock shock with 83K on there if I wouldn't put a good shock on it.

The Bilsteins cost about $50.00 each at shox.com. I would have to say it was money WELL spent.

You might give them a call. They WILL deal.
I have no affiliation with them by the way.

Hope this helps,

Steve

jd
User ID: 1557854 Nov 4th 8:47 PM
Thanks,Steve! I sent them a request for quote. Will advise. God Bless, jd

Gerry
User ID: 0415304 Jan 24th 1:00 AM
You need to look in the truck specs. to find the right shock for a motorhome. Not to many dealers know that and the truck book gives much better info about shocks for a Class A motorhome.
Gerry

Earl Dunham
User ID: 0979534 Feb 9th 5:09 PM
I have Bridgestone 12ply F rated tires with maximum pressure of 110lbs, tire experts have recommended 100lbs, which I use. The pressure was 70lbs when we got RV and the ride was sloppy. Increasing pressure and Bilsteins has made the ride firm and easy to handle.

Mike
Administrator Feb 9th 6:12 PM
Earl,

Depending upon your wheels, you may also have inflated your tires above the max. allowed for the wheels and put yourself in a dangerous situation; a vastly increased possibility of catastrophic failure of the wheels.

I believe this topic is addressed somewhere earlier in this thread.

Mike

Gary
User ID: 1634094 Apr 25th 1:23 AM
After reading the messages relating to ride quality, two names of suspension system mfr's were mentioned that I would like to get more info on. The two were Mor/Ryde and Brock's Add-A-Ride. I Own a 2000 34' Winnebago Chieftain that could use some help in the ride department and I would appreciate hearing from anyone with personal knowledge of these products. I couldn't find a web sight for the Brock's product. Does anyone have a number for them, or an address?

Back 20 Messages Next 20 Messages

Jim M User ID: 7399413	Sep 27th 3:59 PM I have an 89 allegro 27' on a p30 chasis. it is stock, haven't done anything to suspension yet. This thing goes down the road like a boat and rolls and leans as you go. I need to tighten it up. I plan to put on bilsteins but what else should I do to tighten up. Has original tires which I will replace-any thoughts on a type that might help this problem?
Jerry User ID: 9906923	Jul 15th 10:00 PM We have a 1992 Pace Arrow 33 foot. It's equipped with Bilstiens, Michelin's inflated to 80 PSI. Davis TruTrac, GV Aux trans, Banks Power back and trans-command. This coach handles and rides like a dream, all speeds, but we cruise at 60 most of the time. Towing a 1995 Ford Escort, 2381 Lbs. Best of luck with your upgrade to Bilstien's and Davis TruTrac. Regards, Jerry
DON G User ID: 9948493	Aug 5th 8:45 PM Whats the concensus on Bilstein shocks on the Ford F53 chassis? Some say they are too harsh and will make my hard ride even harder. Gotta buy soon so let me know.
jdo User ID: 2839494	Aug 6th 11:14 AM I just put Bilstein's on my 99 georgetown and I can tell the difference in the ride, much easier on the bumps. 99 georgetown v10, 92 accord toad
Marvin P User ID: 9990163	Aug 22nd 10:59 AM I have a 1991 xplore 25ft that wanders just like the tail wagging the dog. New tires, shocks, front end alignment, weight distribution ect. with no improvment. Would a Davis TruTrac help solve the problem. I do not experience any roll. This is on a Dodge D-350 Front with a Dane 60 axel leaf springs assisted by leaf overloads.
Tom T User ID: 7329463	Aug 27th 4:05 PM I have a 33 Foot Southwind on an F53 and handling is terrible. I have installed the Bilsteins, the Steer-Safe, the Davis Tru-track bar and the Air Lift. I've had the front end aligned and installed new Michelins. I notice some improvement but probably not a thousand dollars worth. The Tru-Track seemed easy enough to install but I wonder if it needs to be adjusted some more. Does anybody have any experience with the Tru-track bar?
Jeff B User ID: 0074284	Aug 27th 9:56 PM Marvin: Does the wandering get worse as speeds increase, by highway speed hard to keep in your lane? How tight is the steering? I have a 1989 Fleetwood 23 ft on Ford E350, was really scary to drive. Did all the weighing, measuring, changing parts etc. problem turned out to be not enough (!) play in the steering box, was overadjusted. Backed off sector nut enough to just give a perceptable free play in the straight ahead position, and lock the locknut. Hard to beleive was the same rig, went on 5500 KM trip with it, ok to drive now. Not sure if Dodge uses similar steering, but suspect so. Good luck
Keith in PA User ID: 9495963	Apr 5th 7:40 AM Just put 6 new tires and Bilsteins on my Fleetwood Class C...what a difference! BUT...after reading this entire thread, I'm not sure if I want to invest in a steering assistance device or not. I was looking at the Steer Safe and the Safe T Plus items, but not sure if they are worth the money on a 1989 27' class C? Any input is appreciated.
jd User ID: 8798943	Apr 5th 8:59 PM Keith, if your C-Coach is on a Ford, it's about like our '83. Steering (and tracking/resistance to trucks/crosswinds) improved dramatically after we did three things: 1. Adjust slack out of steering box; 2. Replace front swaybar bushings; 3. Adjust toe to specs (had been toed out, should be zero or slightly in. Very inexpensive and made a huge difference. We have 97,000 miles so yours may need less of the things we needed to do. God Bless, jd
Keith in PA User ID: 2693314	Apr 5th 9:51 PM jd Thank you for the reply. I just had the RV aligned after the new tires were installed and I did notice some improvement. Did you replace the swaybar bushings with stock or neoprene bushings? Did you adjust the steering box yourself? If so...was it easy to do? IHS, Keith in PA
jd User ID: 1557854	Jun 6th 8:05 PM Keith, this is LONG overdue, and maybe you've moved on by now. I bought a NAPA sway bar bushing kit. It's for all Ford E-series chassis and apparently some are different from mine. This left me with parts left over. The tops use two bushings, one each side of the bar, like we usually see. The bottoms used a two-piece bushing that goes into a ring-like mount that the bolt goes through, perpendicular to the rod with the two opposed bushings on the top. All bushings were a hard, black plastic. Not the usual poly look but clearly not rubber. I have not yet replaced the center bushings but plan on using Poly when I do. I've found the "4x4" stores (you know, Big Boy Toys) don't specialize in RVs in the least but can furnish lots of stuff that will fit them. Steering stabilizers, airbags, bushings, etc. I adjusted both the steering box and the toe-in myself. Have a little more to do before pulling the steering wheel to re-center it. E-Series has adjustment on only one tie rod end, so final centering of the wheel has do be done by taking it off and putting it back on again. If I can still help, let me know. God Bless, jd
Bruce McKenney User ID: 1000714	Jun 8th 10:22 AM Hum! Air spring on rear of leaf spring on rear suspension. Sounds like a good idea. Where can I find out more about "Jet ride"?
brucemckenney User ID: 1000714	Jun 9th 12:15 AM We've recently installed the Brocks-AD-A-Ride air ride system to our 2000 F53. What a difference! No more harsh ride. No more constant steering corrections. Floats down the roughest roads with no dash board wiggles. It constantly monitors the front axle to frame distance, per side, and adds or subtracts air pressure accordingly. That's even better than the diesel pusher systems. They've also had Monroe specially re-valve the Gas Magnum shocks to their specs. to work with the system. Guess we won't have to eat the depreciation on our gasser plus double our investment for a diesel pusher, just to enjoy the ride. Now if Jet Co. has a system for the rear, we're in hog heaven!
brucemckenney User ID: 1000714	Jun 18th 7:47 PM Ah Ha! I've found it! Fleetco offers a rear air ride package. It will share the same on-board compressor with the Brock's AD-A-RIDE. Completely replaces the rear leaf springs. Let's see. A complete air ride suspension on a gas motorhome will run about $3500, total. For those of us that don't put enough miles on our units to justify a diesel, that's not so bad!
Steve D Moderator User ID: 1314254	Oct 31st 12:34 PM jd, Just put Bilsteins on my pickup. FWIW, the same part number fit the 1500, 2500, qnd the 3500 series truck. I was going to put Monroes or Gabriels on it but a friend that races said not to waste the money. In fact, he said I would be just as well off leaving the stock shock with 83K on there if I wouldn't put a good shock on it. The Bilsteins cost about $50.00 each at shox.com. I would have to say it was money WELL spent. You might give them a call. They WILL deal. I have no affiliation with them by the way. Hope this helps, Steve
jd User ID: 1557854	Nov 4th 8:47 PM Thanks,Steve! I sent them a request for quote. Will advise. God Bless, jd
Gerry User ID: 0415304	Jan 24th 1:00 AM You need to look in the truck specs. to find the right shock for a motorhome. Not to many dealers know that and the truck book gives much better info about shocks for a Class A motorhome. Gerry
Earl Dunham User ID: 0979534	Feb 9th 5:09 PM I have Bridgestone 12ply F rated tires with maximum pressure of 110lbs, tire experts have recommended 100lbs, which I use. The pressure was 70lbs when we got RV and the ride was sloppy. Increasing pressure and Bilsteins has made the ride firm and easy to handle.
Mike Administrator	Feb 9th 6:12 PM Earl, Depending upon your wheels, you may also have inflated your tires above the max. allowed for the wheels and put yourself in a dangerous situation; a vastly increased possibility of catastrophic failure of the wheels. I believe this topic is addressed somewhere earlier in this thread. Mike
Gary User ID: 1634094	Apr 25th 1:23 AM After reading the messages relating to ride quality, two names of suspension system mfr's were mentioned that I would like to get more info on. The two were Mor/Ryde and Brock's Add-A-Ride. I Own a 2000 34' Winnebago Chieftain that could use some help in the ride department and I would appreciate hearing from anyone with personal knowledge of these products. I couldn't find a web sight for the Brock's product. Does anyone have a number for them, or an address?