Can Steering be Dampened in a Hurricane 30Q

[komac]

We have a 2010 Hurricane 30Q on the W-18 chassis. We bought it new and it now has about 16K miles. We just got back from a 4000 mile trip into the Upper Peninisula and throughout that Great Lakes area. The coach was fine with no problems except that my wrists got very sore after every long day of driving on many of the rough roads. The steering wheel jumps in my hands, vertically and horizontally, perhaps as much as two inches when I go over the normal poorly maintained roads and other rough sections of asphalt. I don't drive fast, hardly ever more than sixty, and often around 30 or 40 in the rough areas. I'm wondering whether there is a shock system or other dampening devices I can install on the steering linkage to make it more comfortable to drive. I've tried lowering the pressure in my front tires, and am now running 80 psi instead of 95. That helped, but not nearly enough. By the way, the coach has been this way ever since new. There's nothing loose in the front suspension. I'd appreciate your thoughts. Komac

[billyb]

i would think you should get the alignment checked and also might think about installing or replacing the steering damper on the steering relay rod.

[texnet]

I installed a Safe-T-Plus on our previous MH which was a Hurricane 34N. At the end of the day I was no longer tired of fighting the steering!

[komac]

Thanks for the replies. The alignment and tire balancing on our coach are fine. Even though the coach was new when we bought it, we had it aligned at an excellent tire service center here in Tennessee. (We bought the coach in Alabama.) We also had the tires on both front and rear axles balanced. After 16K miles, all the tires are showing even and smooth wear. The coach tracks true on the road, with steady steering and very little wandering. My only problem comes when we hit rough road sections. That's when the steering wheel responds so sharply to the impact of the front tires on the rough or broken road surface. This has been an issue with me since I purchased the coach and brought it home. I think I'll check out a local Workhorse service center or a good truck service center to see whether they have any ideas. Komac

[YC1]

Lots of vendors for these. I believe the difference in the colors is size. Blue is heavy and made for big rigs. You should be able to find their site and find the right one for your rv.

[wildtoad]

My '00 has a steering damper as BillyB suggested. I would have thought these are standard. You might want to compare Safe-T-Plus versus Steer Safe, both should fit the 30Q.

Anyone know if the Safe T Plus replaces or is in addition to the steering damper I already have?

[YC1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wildtoad My '00 has a steering damper as BillyB suggested. I would have thought these are standard. You might want to compare Safe-T-Plus versus Steer Safe, both should fit the 30Q. Anyone know if the Safe T Plus replaces or is in addition to the steering damper I already have?

I would dump the one you have if it does not have centering control. If it is just a shock the other devices will keep you going straight if the front end is aligned correctly.

[komac]

I went to a local Workhorse center a few days ago and was told by the service manager (reluctantly!) that the problem I'm having seems to be a normal characteristic of the W-16 and W-18 chassis! She said there is no service bulletin from the factory concerning this problem, and she did not recommend an after-market solution. I also talked with a Safe-T-Plus representative and was told that installing a Safe-T-Plus "might help the problem somewhat," but it would not solve it. (I appreciated his honesty.) A dealership technician told me that the problem is also seen in the W-20 series chassis. My coach does not wander on the road, nor is the steering affected very much by winds or trucks passing. My only complaint is the shudder that I feel through the steering wheel when the front wheels encounter rough pavement or pot holes. The shudder comes right through the steering column, and it shakes the steering wheel violently in both a horizontal and vertical motion. A long day of driving on rough roads makes the wrists in both of my hands ache. I've thought about getting a padded steering wheel cover, but I'm not sure that would help very much. I've now developed the habit of just holding the steering wheel with my finger tips whenever I see a patch of rough road ahead. The steering system and suspension have been inspected and found to be in perfect condition. If there is a solution, I'd like to hear about it. Otherwise, I'll accept it as something that has to be endured. Komac

[jjquincpa]

Just finished a 5,375 trip in my 30Q. Rough road shudder was my main complaint. Has anyone come up with a solution.

Cannot believe Workhorse does not have a fix.