Best $2K ever spent on Bay Star

lundy · 10-02-2011, 04:22 PM

After 10 years in Alpine Coach pushers, we chose to down-size this year. We selected the 2901 Bay Star. Although it is a nice coach for the price, I have had a difficult time getting used to the handling characteristics. I was used to driving at 60 mph (probably closer to 70!!) with one hand on the wheel and one with my coffee cup (please no comments on this). Anyway, I could not do this with my Bay Star. Well, at the recommendation of my friend at RoadMaster Corp (the tow bar folks), I spent the money to add torsion bars, front and rear; steering stabilizer, and rear track bar.

Just returned from a 250 mile weekender to the Oregon Coast and wow, what a difference. I can't believe the change. Back to steering and drinking at the same time!!!!!! The first turn out of the parking lot at RoadMaster told me that things were going to be different. It's flat on curves and no more rocking. With the short wheelbase and high profile, it was bound to rock ---- but no more. It still doesn't have a 400 Cummins but is now much more pleasant (at least for me) to drive.

Lundy

Perry White · 10-02-2011, 04:53 PM

You kind of wonder why they don't do these mods at the factory when they are new. They should put in the broucher that it's a new coach but it drives like crap.

lundy · 10-02-2011, 05:27 PM

Couldn't say it any better than that!

dajudge · 10-02-2011, 05:32 PM

I had a rear track bar installed on my Allegro Bay in august, but that didn't qute do the job so I just last week installed one on the front. I haven't taken it out yet, but I can tell the difference when I walk in it, no more rocking.

lundy · 10-02-2011, 06:10 PM

I was going to do it piecemeal but really did not know what component would do the job, so I just bit the bullet and did it all. Mine is a 2011 Ford and they have now factory installed a front trac bar. There was a rear anti sway bar but they put an additional one back there. The front one was too small and replaced it with a bigger one. The guy parked next to me when I got to my destination said," wow, you sure have a lot of hardware under there".

On the return trip, I pulled into a closed state weigh station (Oregon leaves the scale on when closed) and weighed the rig. It was 450 #'s heavyier that the last time I checked! Now right at the limit!!!

They sure don't seem to want to build any extra in these rigs. Might cost them an extra percent or so!!!!

**"007"** · 10-03-2011, 03:36 AM

Any add ons to basic coach would be a added cost to a new customer that a Mfg is trying to get into their market.
We know through experience that the coach will be much improved with the additional add on, most new customers are just looking for the interior features of coach not understanding the chassis functions that may arise.
How many have shown up on irv2 with questions after the fact of purchasing their new coach?

lundy · 10-03-2011, 09:16 AM

I realize that manufactures attempt to stay within a price point but when you maximize the weight capacity of a particular chassis due to price, safety is compromised. I happen to be a different purchaser-type; down-sizing rather that being a new motorhomer. We might have more owners moving up rather than getting out of RV'ing if their initial purchase was more of a pleasure to drive. What changes I have made, IMO, has not only improved the pleasure of driving, but is a lot safer.

Elf · 10-03-2011, 09:46 AM

Lundy,
Sounds like the same issues I am having. Where did you get the work done?

Also, does anyone know if you need to "go all in" or is there some lesser degree that will provide a more stable ride. I'm all right to about 60 but above that I can tell a big difference and the cross winds keep me on toes.

This is a new area to look at for me so lots of questions. Any info is appreciate. Thanks.

Elf · 10-03-2011, 09:48 AM

One more thing is does anyone have a ballpark estimate on how much I need to st aside to pay for better handling?

lundy · 10-03-2011, 10:34 AM

Ethan,

I have to admit that my experience is, thus far, without any wind. That will be reported later. Since I went all in, I don't know what component does the best job. I have in excess of $2000 invested but the first thing that I would consider being deleted would be the steering bar. Some might not agree because of the safety in case of blow-out of front tire.

I used RoadMaster Corp in Vancouver, WA. There are other folks who use their equipment, like Henderson's in Grants Pass and another one in Chehalis, WA but there is probably one closer to Spokane. When shopping around, the first thing that was recommended to me was a Trac Bar in both rear and front (now installed on new Fords in front) and HD anti sway bar in front.

Hope this helps a bit.

Elf · 10-03-2011, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lundy

Ethan,

I have to admit that my experience is, thus far, without any wind. That will be reported later. Since I went all in, I don't know what component does the best job. I have in excess of $2000 invested but the first thing that I would consider being deleted would be the steering bar. Some might not agree because of the safety in case of blow-out of front tire.

I used RoadMaster Corp in Vancouver, WA. There are other folks who use their equipment, like Henderson's in Grants Pass and another one in Chehalis, WA but there is probably one closer to Spokane. When shopping around, the first thing that was recommended to me was a Trac Bar in both rear and front (now installed on new Fords in front) and HD anti sway bar in front.

Hope this helps a bit.

Thanks. Even at 2K it seems like it may be worth it for the stress
/workload reduction. We are on the road in KS right now so I may look around otherwise maybe we can come back via Vancouver and stop by Roadmaster.
How long was the process?
Thanks again for the info.

lundy · 10-03-2011, 04:26 PM

They were so fast that they were done quicker than I had time to pick up so they left it indoors overnight. I had it in at 8:00 am but was done about 3.