3343 New Aire Comfort Drive Wore Me Out

[John.Ferrari]

My last to motorhomes were 45 foot tag excels. I expected that there would be a difference in handling when driving down the road in the New Aire but after 8 hours on Interstate 95 from Florida to Virginia I was totally worn out. I know the Comfort Drive system was working and I had read Ken Sherwin's article on Comfort Drive so I thought I was prepared for the trip (this was my first trip with the New Aire).

The problem was that at 65-70 MPH the motorhome was constantly whipped back and forth. It seems that the front end was loose (as they say on TV when watching NASCAR) and very loose in the turns. I turned the Comfort Drive to the "6 position" to tighten up the steering but still was whipped around. I was constantly moving the steering wheel back and forth to keep the motorhome straight while going down the road. Moving the steering wheel back and forth for 8 hours in the number 6 position wore me out. I think the tow car was tail wagging the New Aire causing the New Aire front end to be whipped back and forth. It seemed the tow car was trying to stay in the groove of the road and forcing the motorhome to move over????

So my question is, is this normal? Has anyone else experienced "tail wagging" when towing a heavy vehicle? Does anyone tow a heavy vehicle over 5,000 lbs with a New Aire?
Do I need to get a lighter tow vehicle? Should I get a gym membership to build up my bicepts so I can drive the New Aire?

[DrPhil]

I can only relate the reverse experience. Had a 39 ft non-tag DP w/IFS, and it porpoised all the time. Not sure it was due to the toad, but I figure the addition of a tag axle is what really helps on my new rig.

["007"]

Is the tow bar from car level with the hitch? No pitch to car.
Is the DP's ride height correct?

[LJowdy]

I tow a 2015 GMC Terrain Denali. I suspect it weighs in at around 4,500 lbs. I have a 4369 Dutch Star and I don't even know the car is back there unless I look at the rear view camera. I think you have either a weight distribution issue or a grossly misaligned front end. In APril I was on my way home from Laughlin, Nevada along I-40. Winds were kicking up a story (50 MPH +) at times with dust across the road so bad that at times you could only see ahead about 100 ft. The motor home stayed relatively stable and stayed in it's lane and had it not been for Comfort Drive I seriously doubt that I would have continued driving. It worked so well that at times I totally didn't feel the wind. Bottom line is don't blame the Comfort Drive, I'd look at the issues I mentioned above as well as your tire pressure.

[Stuart W]

I think comfort drive is amazing. But it can’t be understated what a tag axle adds to tracking straight in windy conditions.

[Mr_D]

This is the first report I've seen about poor handling with a New Aire. Must be something with alignment, towing setup. or weight distribution.

[TJ]

Originally Posted by John.Ferrari

My last to motorhomes were 45 foot tag excels. I expected that there would be a difference in handling when driving down the road in the New Aire but after 8 hours on Interstate 95 from Florida to Virginia I was totally worn out. I know the Comfort Drive system was working and I had read Ken Sherwin's article on Comfort Drive so I thought I was prepared for the trip (this was my first trip with the New Aire).

The problem was that at 65-70 MPH the motorhome was constantly whipped back and forth. It seems that the front end was loose (as they say on TV when watching NASCAR) and very loose in the turns. I turned the Comfort Drive to the "6 position" to tighten up the steering but still was whipped around. I was constantly moving the steering wheel back and forth to keep the motorhome straight while going down the road. Moving the steering wheel back and forth for 8 hours in the number 6 position wore me out. I think the tow car was tail wagging the New Aire causing the New Aire front end to be whipped back and forth. It seemed the tow car was trying to stay in the groove of the road and forcing the motorhome to move over????

So my question is, is this normal? Has anyone else experienced "tail wagging" when towing a heavy vehicle? Does anyone tow a heavy vehicle over 5,000 lbs with a New Aire?
Do I need to get a lighter tow vehicle? Should I get a gym membership to build up my bicepts so I can drive the New Aire?

I suppose you could have an alignment issue that is causing the coach to wander, but I suspect the real problem is that you are new to Comfort Drive. Until you get comfortable with the new system, you will tend to over-correct. That causes you to have to correct again and again. Once you learn to relax and trust CD to keep you on track, I think your experience will improve significantly.

Since this is a new coach, it might be wise to have the alignment and ride height checked just to eliminate those issues and ease your mind. Newmar sets up the coach when new...and, before it is loaded with your household items, etc. After adding all your gear, things may change and a new alignment may be needed.

Still, I'm betting that once you get comfortable with CD, you will love it as much as the rest of us do. Oh...and, turning the dial up or down does not "tighten" anything on the CD; it merely adjusts the amount of assistance you feel. Most new users start by raising the numbers so that it takes more effort to move the wheel. That feels like something is tightened up. I think what you'll find over time is that going to the lower numbers and relaxing your grip on the wheel will make driving much more pleasant. I started out using a setting of 3.5 to 4. Now, I'm using about 1.5 and enjoying the drive.

Good luck.

TJ

[lass]

I don’t have a New Aire but my 35’ Ventana was the same way when I first got it. My solution was to simply adjust the tire pressures to the mfg tire chart. Didn’t have access to 4 corner weight so I started with the axel rating and lowered my pressures. Worked for me and it’s a cheap start for a fix.

[DrPhil]

oh yes! Tire inflation is SUPER important to get right for safety and ride/handling. Makes big differences.

[TJ]

Originally Posted by lass

I don’t have a New Aire but my 35’ Ventana was the same way when I first got it. My solution was to simply adjust the tire pressures to the mfg tire chart. Didn’t have access to 4 corner weight so I started with the axel rating and lowered my pressures. Worked for me and it’s a cheap start for a fix.

Yes. I should have mentioned tire pressures in my earlier post. If you haven't weighed your coach when it is fully loaded, you need to. Get individual corner weights, if possible. If you can only get axle weights, use 55% of the axle weight as an estimated corner weight and adjust tire pressure accordingly.

You'll get this figured issue out soon.

TJ

[lass]

Just one more point on using axle weights. Divide the front by 2 (number of tires). Divide the rear by 4. Again number of tires.

[turbopilot]

Originally Posted by John.Ferrari

So my question is, is this normal? Has anyone else experienced "tail wagging" when towing a heavy vehicle? Does anyone tow a heavy vehicle over 5,000 lbs with a New Aire?

Sounds like the tail wagging the dog.

No such behavior with an NA towing a 3,800 Wrangler. How heavy is the toad? Any slack in the tow bar system? Do you use anti rattle devices on your connections?

[BobKatMsu]

Originally Posted by Tranquil Jim

I suppose you could have an alignment issue that is causing the coach to wander, but I suspect the real problem is that you are new to Comfort Drive. Until you get comfortable with the new system, you will tend to over-correct. That causes you to have to correct again and again. Once you learn to relax and trust CD to keep you on track, I think your experience will improve significantly.

Since this is a new coach, it might be wise to have the alignment and ride height checked just to eliminate those issues and ease your mind. Newmar sets up the coach when new...and, before it is loaded with your household items, etc. After adding all your gear, things may change and a new alignment may be needed.

Still, I'm betting that once you get comfortable with CD, you will love it as much as the rest of us do. Oh...and, turning the dial up or down does not "tighten" anything on the CD; it merely adjusts the amount of assistance you feel. Most new users start by raising the numbers so that it takes more effort to move the wheel. That feels like something is tightened up. I think what you'll find over time is that going to the lower numbers and relaxing your grip on the wheel will make driving much more pleasant. I started out using a setting of 3.5 to 4. Now, I'm using about 1.5 and enjoying the drive.

Good luck.

TJ

I have never heard of a learning curve for CD. In my case, the first time I drove it I could tell a huge improvement over my previous coach.

[Droski]

I do not have Comfort drive. Was the steering wheel unlocked on the toad?