Anti-sway vs. Trac-bar

[RTegarini]

I know that there have been threads on this topic, and I myself have asked some questions regarding improving the handling of an Itasca on a Workhorse W20 chassis.

I've been thinking about installing a front anti-sway bar, or possibly front and rear bars. Or, one on the front but a trac-bar on the rear. Looking for opinions on what I should do and which type of bars to select. Which set-up will give me the best handling for long freeway drives with crosswind. Why a rear sway-bar, or why the rear trac-bar with a front sway-bar?

Thank you-RT

[edgray]

I think you will get the best bang for the bucks by simply doing a rear track bar, such as is offered as Ultra-trac from Brazels or the SS302 from Henderson.

AFTER you get used to its improvement you can add other stuff if you still feel the need to spend more $$.
Ed

[DAN L]

Quote:

Originally Posted by edgray I think you will get the best bang for the bucks by simply doing a rear track bar, such as is offered as Ultra-trac from Brazels or the SS302 from Henderson. AFTER you get used to its improvement you can add other stuff if you still feel the need to spend more $$. Ed

i second ed's recommendation for installing the rear track bar first.
i installed the ultra-track track bar on the rear and 4 koni fsd shocks.
that made a big improvement in handling in windy conditions.
i recently had 2 degree castor wedges installed (for a total of 5 and 5.5 degrees of castor) and the front wheels aligned at brazels in centralia, wa. when they accomplished my brake recall and replaced all four calipers.
i am in the process of installing a hellwig front sway bar. i purchased it 3 years ago and would have installed it already if the holes had been in the frame rail on the right side as they were supposed to be. now, i have to drill 2 each 9/16'' holes. i will get around to it sooner or later.

[TXiceman]

Anti-roll bars (some call sway) and track bars are fro two different problems. Waht are you trying to cure on your coach?

[RTegarini]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXiceman Anti-roll bars (some call sway) and track bars are fro two different problems. What are you trying to cure on your coach?

Hello TXiceman;

To answer your question, can I say 'everything'? I know that gas motorhomes are built in essence on a truck chassis, so it's no surprise to me that my motorhome could be called 'Miss Piggy' since that's how it drives and handles.

1 - I'd say my complaints are similar to others: at highway speeds, I'm constantly sea-sawing the steering wheel, especially if there is any side breeze. It's a handful when there is a strong side or head wind.

2 - When I pass, or get passed, by a large SUV or anything bigger, such as a semi, the motorhome wants to suck in towards that vehicle, then push away, requiring a lot of steering input. There is so much movement, or at least it feels that way, that I think anyone behind me must think I've been drinking and can't drive in a straight line.

3 - Lastly, there is a lot of rock-and-roll when pulling into or out of driveways. I know that there's 20 thousand pounds of motorhome with a higher center of gravity, so it doesn't take much to take a corner of on/off ramp and feel that the motorhome wants to tip over and would rather keep going in a straight line.

I've tried to read all the threads, done a lot of Google searches and read some articles, and they all seem to lead in all sorts of directions. Rear trac-bar. Front trac-bar. Rear anti-sway bar. Front anti-sway bar. All at both ends. Two in the rear, one in front. Two up front, one in the rear. Aaaaaahhhhh!

Don't know what I need, and certainly can't afford to install products just for the sake of installing. Should I go anti-sway front and rear, or trac-bars, or some combination of both? The Bilsteins on my Itasca are now six years old; should they be replaced, along with the rubber doughnuts that show a lot of cracking?

Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you. -RT

[Billieg]

I'd put in new Koni FSD's and the rear track bar first. Both will help with everything but #2 which is just the way it is with a MH. My wife used to call the MH a boat since it swayed so much. I put in the FSD's and now it's pretty solid. The rear track bar will really help with cross winds. I also put in a Steer Safe unit that helps keep the wheels centered and that helped too. Also, make sure your bushings on your sway bars are in good shape.

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RTegarini 1 - I'd say my complaints are similar to others: at highway speeds, I'm constantly sea-sawing the steering wheel, especially if there is any side breeze. It's a handful when there is a strong side or head wind.

RT, The first recommendation here to to make absolute certain that a good front end alignment exists. To better control the tail wagging the dor or "yaw" a track bar is recommended. Front and rear track bars eliminate this tendency to a great degree.

Quote:

2 - When I pass, or get passed, by a large SUV or anything bigger, such as as a semi, the motorhome wants to suck in toward that vehicle, then push away, requiring a lot of steering input. There is so much movement, or at least it feels that way, that I think anyone behind me must think I've been drinking and can't drive in a straight line.

Response to Item #1 still applies.

Quote:

3 - Lastly, there is a lot of rock-and-roll when pulling into or out of driveways. I know that there's 20 thousand pounds of motorhome with a higher center of gravity, so it doesn't take much to take a corner of on/off ramp and feel that the motorhome wants to tip over and would rather keep going in a straight line.

Controlling "Roll" is going to require anti sway bars from manufacturers such as Hellwig. Hellwig also incorporates track bars in their equipment so it can take care of all the items that you are concerned about. Couple the Hellwig setup with a good set of shock absorbers and you would be all set. Lastly a Safe-T-Plus will assist you in centering your steering wheel.

[TXiceman]

Driver pretty well summed it all up. i would start with a weighing, adjust tire pressures and front end alignment with the coach loaded fro travel. next, better shocks and then the anti-roll bars to see if that cures the problems. And last the track bar.

Ken

[Jackm]

I'd add a Safe-T-Plus steering stabilizer into the mix. A real life saver when you get a blow-out. Plus, it does wonders for that sucking problem when passed by a large vehicle.

Jack

[TXiceman]

Safe-T-Plus is a crutch to cover up a problem. It is better to fix the root cause of the problem.

Ken

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXiceman Safe-T-Plus is a crutch to cover up a problem. It is better to fix the root cause of the problem.

Ken, A blowout could require that the owner wind up with crutches....

I've driven over 50,000 miles with an STP and it works. That's all I can say about that. There's nothing wrong with my other stuff.

[CoastieSCPO]

Recently, I had a RSS rear anti sway bar, Davis trac bar on the front and 4 new Koni FSD's installed on my W-20. No rear trac bar. The shop owner advised that the sway bar would take care of the sway and about 75 % of the tail wag. He was correct as we put the rig through it's paces on the wonderful roads and interstates in Pennsylvania. The rig is a joy to drive now. New Safe-T-Plus is on deck!

Bob

[Topflite51]

Sway bars and trac bars address different issues. Polyurethane bushings for the sway bars will help the sway control. Trac bar will help the tale wagging the dog feel or vice versa. Check OEMY's site for DIY trac bars for your WH chassis. For your WH chassis, bushings and a DIY trac bar should solve a lot of your handling problems. If it doesn't you expect too much from a gas chassis.