Comfort Drive Steering instructions

[wagonmaster2]

There has been so much excellent information here on the Forum for all us going-to-be Newmar owners and was now wondering if some of the experts could do a short write-up discussion on the use of the Comfort Drive Steering? Like maybe different uses for it in heavy cross-winds, lots of passing truck semi traffic, and controlling exhaustion during long distant days. When do you use the very light touch on the wheel and when do you tighten it up for more sensitive handling?

I know all of us will find out the best setting for our particular usage and personality but with all the new stuff to learn anyway the more information ahead of time will help eliminate a lot of guess work. After reading the great explanation of the Oasis system I just thought how great something like that on the Comfort Drive would be wonderful.

Will the Safe-T-Plus I am currently using on my Itasca DP have any place on the 4018 DS? If so, it will be easy to remove before I let the coach go.

[Mr_D]

The inventor of the system sometimes posts here, hopefully he'll be around to post.

[Dutch Star Don]

"wagonmaster2".....One of the reasons the Comfort Drive system doesn't get more accolades than it already does, is because it does everything behind the scenes. People forget they have the system, even in high winds. We just came back from a trip to Quartzsite and traveled through Palm Springs. The Palm Springs area is always windy and it was blowing hard. The Comfort Drive held the course through the high winds, correcting for the push.

There's no learning to drive it, no special tricks.....just set the steering input to the road feel you want. Mine is set to 2.5. This takes less effort than standard steering, but still gives me a feel for the road. I always drive with just my left hand, usually using just three fingers. I keep my hand near the cruise control buttons and thumb my speed up and down.

The system self centers when you release the wheel. This is handy in tight quarters and helpful when positioning the coach in a campsite. My only caution.....watch your hand placement if you shut the coach off wheel the wheel is turned, the wheel will return to center.

The last thing you want to do is add any aftermarket steering products. They'll be of no value.

[Centerfire]

I agree with the previous post, dial in the feel you like then enjoy the ride, I like mine at 4, nothing more to do. Also I do not change for wind conditions or city driving, pretty much set and forget.

[bullheaded]

Mine is at 3.75 for road driving and then the lowest setting for parking and tight maneuvering...when I remember to turn it lower. Like they say...nothing to do.

[KenSherwin]

Here's the problem with instructions on how to use CD because it's sorta like instructions on where to set your radio volume. It depends.

For example, I know 2 Essex owners with who like about the same efforts setting in normal driving but in gusty wind, one of them turns up the efforts to hold him on center better and the other one turns it down to make it easier to chase the inevitable lane drift from the sideload. Which one of those do I put in the instructions and who do I tell that he's not doing it right?

The instructions have already been written by Dan. Set it where you want it now and if you want to set it someplace else at some other time for what seems to be a good reason (or no reason at all), go for it. That knob is called the driver-controllable efforts because that's yours to control the way you want it right then, and NOBODY (including me) can tell you you're doing it wrong.

All that said, here's how I use it.

First thing in the morning, I set it about 3 or 3-1/2 but as the day wears on, I turn it progressively lighter. After several hours in the seat when I should stop to stretch out my sore back, I could turn it full heavy, lean forward, and drive with my elbows on the wheel. Nobody I know EVER does that, though. Had I done that (but of course I didn't), after a few minutes of stretching, I could lean back, turn it back down, and drive normally. Then poor planning puts me in the middle of 5 lanes of traffic, all doing 60 mph in the rain, right next to me. I know there is an idiot within eyesight but I don't know which one he is. I'm so busy paying attention to everything outside that it overwhelms my fingers and I can't feel the steering so I turn it up to nearly full heavy.

Another guy I know sets it a 2 and has left it there for the last 3 years. Which one of the four I've mentioned is doing it right? The answer is "All of us".

Enjoy it, because there's no wrong answer.

["007"]

Another worry off your mind from the expert designer of CD.

[BattChief]

I adjust mine pretty regularly. I normally drive with it around 2 to 2 1/2, but on windy days I turn it up to as high as 3 1/2. On a normal day, I will drop it as low as 1, then down to 0 when parking at a campsite. The reason I change it so often is to take advantage of what it will do in various conditions, given my limitations as a driver. On windy days with it set to a lower setting, I find myself "chasing" it, and constantly behind on my steering. Turning it up a bit helps me to feel the road and makes driving easier. You will learn what works for you after a few miles in the seat. You can't break it, so just change it up from time to time to see what you like!

[slabman]

I like it on "max" when my 15 month old Grandson wants to steer....and he does it very well! Try THAT with your ordinary brand!

[KenSherwin]

Originally Posted by BattChief

then down to 0 when parking at a campsite.

By the way, the system automatically turns itself to the very lightest setting when stopped or moving very slowly. You don't have to turn it down because I do it for you under the theory that nobody wants to work hard when parking these houses.

On the other hand, if you feel like doing that, go right ahead. That's why it's there.

[BattChief]

Ken, seems you've thought of everything! Thanks!

[KenSherwin]

There are a lot of things in this world (and especially in our coaches) that make us wonder to ourselves "What in the world were they thinking when they dreamed up this mess? Don't they understand the real world????????????" I spend a lot of time in the same seats you do and more time talking with and, more importantly, listening to the people who do or could use my products. It's a big reason I'm on this forum. Please feel free to offer other things you would like to see ---- I mean feel ---- and I will look at it.


Remember that if the CD is perfect, I won't have a job long!

[countrypair]

Can comfort drive be added to older motor homes? My unit has the comfort drive encoder in the electrical compartment up front & all the fuses in place!

[KenSherwin]

All the parts of a Comfort Drive are contained in the column in the cab. I don't think I know what a "comfort drive encoder in the electrical compartment up front " might be. Can you post or PM a picture of it?