Fixing a leaning coach

[AZ Gypsy]

I have a 2007 Pace Arrow 37C that is exhibiting problems with lean. The coach leans to the right (passenger side) and has been inspected by three shops, all of whom concur that the coach leans too much. The most reputable shop has suggested the addition of a pad kit to correct the lean and feels that will be a good solution rather than adding more springs, which would change the body roll and bounce attributes. The upside is that this is reasonably affordable and would seem to be a good fix, the downside is that the extended warranty company nor the manufacturer seem to be interested in touching this issue even though it is obviously not the way the coach should be sitting and, if left as is, could cause more damage to the coach. I'm considering just paying for the fix out of pocket to protect the rest of the coach systems, but was wondering if anybody had a similar experience who could share some advice or thoughts on this scenario? Thanks in advance!

[safari1]

Install Firestone Ride Rite Air Springs. You can adjust the lean from side to side and it helps going around corners.

[Chuck 1935]

If it has springs, how about switching them side to side.

[Pete & Linda]

Has anyone said why it is leaning? I have an 04, 37 C and no problem, did Fleetwood have any ideas?

[thelastplace]

My '97 Winnebago Adventurer had an air suspension and something got under the coach on the road (tire gator?) and there is an adjuster under the coach at each axle that told the air system it was where it should be. One was bent 'up' and that bag just filled with too much air. You haven't said what kind of suspension you have or did I miss it?


But the true travelers are they who leave for leaving’s sake
Saying continuously, without knowing why: ‘Let us go on’.
Paraphrased from Baudelaire’s ‘The Journey’

[Pete & Linda]

The, not air.

[offthewall]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AZ Gypsy I have a 2007 Pace Arrow 37C that is exhibiting problems with lean. The coach leans to the right (passenger side) and has been inspected by three shops, all of whom concur that the coach leans too much. The most reputable shop has suggested the addition of a pad kit to correct the lean and feels that will be a good solution rather than adding more springs, which would change the body roll and bounce attributes. The upside is that this is reasonably affordable and would seem to be a good fix, the downside is that the extended warranty company nor the manufacturer seem to be interested in touching this issue even though it is obviously not the way the coach should be sitting and, if left as is, could cause more damage to the coach. I'm considering just paying for the fix out of pocket to protect the rest of the coach systems, but was wondering if anybody had a similar experience who could share some advice or thoughts on this scenario? Thanks in advance!

There must be a diagnosable mechanical issue that this "lean" can be attributed to. On a coach that new, I'd want to find the real source of the issue and have the proper defective parts "replaced" rather than adding anything.

[AZ Gypsy]

Thanks for all the feedback. Much appreciated. Here's some supporting details as requested...

Essentially, the kitchen slide on the passenger side is very heavy and caused the coach to sink on that side, thus compressing the leaf springs on the ford chassis more on the right side than the left. The compression is uniform for both front and rear springs on the right side of the coach and the leaf springs are still within spec to operate, but the coach rides sideways and is therefore not a great setup. Ultimately, this is a design flaw, but it doesn't sound like anyone is willing to touch it since the springs haven't technically failed. The extended warranty won't kick in because it's not technically a "failed component" but it is obviously not within operational spec of less than 5/8" maximum sag from side to side. It actually sags more the 2" from left to right, which may not sound like a lot, but it truly is once it the effect is seen up the side of the coach. You can very obviously see the exaggeration of the lean when looking at the vertical side of the coach and several shops have noted that it is a problem worth addressing since it is more extreme from their views and could eventually lead to other issues down the road (pun intended).

I have another call into Fleetwood, but haven't heard back yet, so hopefully they will have some good advice to offer as well.

Thanks again for all of the great advice. I just want to be sure I tap into your wisdom on this item so I can make a good decision on a fix. Thank you all!

[MrMudstud]

OK.......That's a bad deal. If and I mean If, there is nothing broken or supports bent, then there’s only ONE correct action to get it fixed. I had mine fixed as it leaned about 1” on the passenger side due to the layout of the slide and appliances. I went to a reputable heavy duty truck spring shop and ask what he would do.

He gave me 3 scenarios.
1. Add air lifts and adjust one side, but it would make it ride rougher.
2. Add an extra leaf or reshape the springs to carry the load.
3. Add spacers below the springs to lift the coach to get it level.

His suggestion was to add spacers. I asked is this common for the coach to lean, and he said it was not common but he has worked on many which is not unusual. He said he averages one per week. So go figure………

I have been satisfied with mine and I did it 4 years ago. It took all day as I was there watching a worker repairing it. It was a trial and error, as he put spacers on one side it would shift weight to the other side and adjustment were used of different thickness spacers to get all 4 corner level. After it was level, I had them do a front end alignment as the coach weight was shifted and changed the front end suspension. Cost was $495. Good Luck……………

[Steve N Sal]

Boy you do have a problem. I had a much older Fleetwood product that the previous owner had installed Firestone Ride-Rite air bags on just the rear. By adjusting the amount of air from side to side I was always able to correct the lean situation. (this was also on a Ford chassis) There is a lot of talk about Sumo Springs. You can get info from their site supersprings.com. Give them a call and speak with one of the techs they might have a solution to your problem. Good Luck!

[AZ Gypsy]

Thanks everybody. I really appreciate the insights.

I spoke with Fleetwood this morning about it as well and they advised that installing pads was the best fix as some have suggested. They indicated that they often do that on brand new coaches to make them sit level and that I shouldn't be fearful of that fix. So, that sounds like the plan -- I will get that setup.

I did speak with the extended warranty company about it too and, while they we very kind to discuss and explore options to help get the claim paid, none of the proposed solutions really lined up with the true problem -- which is that, technically speaking, no components have "failed".

Needless to say, it looks like a $750 fix for a design problem...but I think its the right decision to have the work done.

Thanks for all of the support and ideas. It's great to hear from people with first hand experience that this fix is ok. Much appreciated!

[AZ Gypsy]

Thanks MrMudstud. I will setup the alignment as well -- that makes a lot of sense.

[AZ Gypsy]

Good Afternoon Everyone,

I wanted to quickly follow up on how everything turned out from this group's advice.

I had the lean corrected with the installation of a pad kit (both front and rear on passenger side) and had an all-wheel alignment performed.

The result is excellent and the coach drives much better, the lean is gone, the body roll from turning or passing semis is vastly improved and the chassis feels much more solid to drive on overall. Total cost was $770.

Needless to say, this group was right on the money with the fix and I appreciate the support and feedback. Thanks!