Hello from a new owner

[buckeyes]

My wife and I were on a vacation touring the west when we decided that the 5'er that we had just didn't fill the bill anymore. We stopped in Sioux Falls, SD and traded for a 2002 Holiday Rambler Endeavor. She is a beauty,and if the rest of our time with her is as good as the first two weeks, we are gonna be happy!
We were told that Holiday Rambler is now owned by Monaco Corporation which made us feel even better as we have heard of the good reputation of the Monaco Coaches. Just wanted to drop in say hello, and that we are proud to be affiliated with the Monaco name.

[buckeyes]

My wife and I were on a vacation touring the west when we decided that the 5'er that we had just didn't fill the bill anymore. We stopped in Sioux Falls, SD and traded for a 2002 Holiday Rambler Endeavor. She is a beauty,and if the rest of our time with her is as good as the first two weeks, we are gonna be happy!
We were told that Holiday Rambler is now owned by Monaco Corporation which made us feel even better as we have heard of the good reputation of the Monaco Coaches. Just wanted to drop in say hello, and that we are proud to be affiliated with the Monaco name.

[teofff]

Buckeyes:
Welcome to the Monaco forum...wish you the best with your new MH.
Don't forget, with a Diesel Pusher, all your weight is in the rear...and if your towing a car...even more so...I also had mine aligned and the wheel bearings packed...didn't make a huge difference. I also find, that if I just rest my hand on the wheel instead of trying to oversteer, I am not constantly fighting the wheel. Of course, the shape of many roads don't help!

[SacsTC]

It will definitely not drive anything like a car.. However, there should not be much slop or looseness in the steering. <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content"> I also find, that if I just rest my hand on the wheel instead of trying to oversteer, I am not constantly fighting the wheel. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
I fully agree with Teofff in this regard. I think most people try to overdrive these rigs. After you drive it a bit, you will begin to relax at which point the steering will begin to feel normal.
However, I voted for a possible problem just because I'm unable to drive it myself to see if there is something wrong. (And to nullify the vote of the person who ate my supplies; but that's another story.)

[buckeyes]

I really think you have something there about oversteering. I find that both of my hands are on the wheel and trying to keep it in a tight straight pattern. There is no wild drifting, or wandering, so it probably is that 5 inches between my ears and not the coach! Thanks to all of you.<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by teofff:
Buckeyes:
Welcome to the Monaco forum...wish you the best with your new MH.
Don't forget, with a Diesel Pusher, all your weight is in the rear...and if your towing a car...even more so...I also had mine aligned and the wheel bearings packed...didn't make a huge difference. I also find, that if I just rest my hand on the wheel instead of trying to oversteer, I am not constantly fighting the wheel. Of course, the shape of many roads don't help! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

[teofff]

Gene:
SACS is just bitter...his bride gave us some supplies (as in food) to drop off to him at the Monaco factory, and we broke down on the way, and will probably eat his supplies...you know how those sore losers are

[Robin_M]

Hi Gene,

Welcome to the Monaco family of owners, and welcome to the iRV2 forum.

To answer your question, there's probably nothing wrong with the steering on your coach for the reason others have mentioned. However if you are in doubt, it doesn't cost much to have a truck alignment shop check it out. Then you'll have piece of mind. I just had my new coach checked for alignment, just because I wanted the satisfaction of knowing it was adjusted correctly, and that the tires would not be subject to uneven wear.

Since you are new to driving something this wide, here's a tip for you. (Sorry if you already knew this.) Some new coach drivers worry about how to keep the wide vehicle centered in the lane at all times. It's not hard. Get it centered using the left and right mirrors and then note where the left lane marker intersects your windshield. Now, just keep the left lane marker always in the same spot on the windshield. In a very short while, this will become a subconcious effort and you won't even need to think about it.

[MonacoMama]

Welcome Buckeyes...
Congrats on your new HR Endeavor! First of all...I know you will enjoy it as much as we enjoy our Dip....although I tend to enjoy it more when we are together! Oh...let me introduce myself...I am the aforementioned bride that has sent supplies to the aforementioned SacsTC (Teofff ...will you guys at least have it for lunch ...forget the sore loser...he will get something better later on!)

You will find a lot of good natured joking & humor, plus tons of good advise and many funny stories!
Make sure you ask Ronboc for some of his magic pixie dust...so you can become a member of the Monaco Owners Forum.
Please post often ...and feel free to ask questions. you will always get at least one serious answer...along with all the joking!

Again...Welcome to IRV2!!!

[Robin_M]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by MonacoMama:
...forget the sore loser...he will get something better later on!) </div></BLOCKQUOTE>...and I'm sure he'll appreciate that, too. But it's FOOD he really wants. The poor guy is up there starving.

[GoneFishin]

Buckeyes,
Congrats on the new coach and welcome to iRV2. Thanks for asking this question because I also learned from the answers. Although we're new to owning a motorhome, previously having tt and 5th wheel, we've learned something in the couple trips we've taken.

Someone here told me to relax and slow down. Although our LaPalma is a little different than most other diesel pushers (no air bags), once I learned to keep my hands relaxed and not fight every little wiggle, it got much easier. (I let Rick do the white-knuckles). On the first trip Rick also had to keep reminding me I wasn't driving the 4-Runner. "We're not in a hurry dear. No need to pass EVERYONE."

Since June 1, I've driven almost 3,000 miles and love it! For years I wouldn't drive the trailer, but was determined to be the primary driver this time. I take extra time to get comfortable with the seat, mirrors aligned, keep an eye on the gauges, and enjoy the ride.

On our trip north and south through Salt Lake City, I had great experience with the road construction obsticle course. The southbound trip was in the dark and I didn't take out one orange cone! (Although I did keep kidding Rick about the steps being in or out.)

We plan to take it in for a once-over before hitting the road fulltime (Feb 08?), and will be sure to check the alignment as mentioned by Robin_M. I also noticed a difference with full tanks vs empty. Tire pressure is also important and we had the moho weighed to be able to get it right.

Around home Rick has followed me in the 4-Runner and he says I don't wander as much and I stay in the middle of the lane now. I love the way it handles and I'm thrilled he lets me drive all the time. I think he also enjoys other driver's reactions when they see me driving and him relaxing.

Safe travels.

[ronboc]

Hi Buckeyes -

Let me add to the other folks who've said: "Welcome to irv2" We're really glad to have you here as a new member and are looking forward to reading your posts about your RVing experiences and adventures. You'll find a great bunch of folks on this site who are very knowledgeable of RVing, the rigs we use, and the places we go in them. Enjoy the forums and post often, and when you want to be a official member of the forum just let me know.

Hope you get your steering-concern solved. These things are big and they 'drive' big, I second the suggestion to get it looked at by a reputable truck-place.

Thanks!
Ron