Coach pulls to the right

[Don and Kim]

We just returned from a trip out to Colorado Springs. Coach performed great, even the dash a/c worked, well kinda! We were at 6600' elevation and I didn't really notice any change in the pulling power.One thing I did notice is the coach seems to be pulling to the right. Wanted to get the alignment checked, but it was a holiday weekend and no one could get us in. Not noticing any abnormal tire wear though. Also when traveling through Kansas seemed to have to fight the steering a lot, it was pretty breezy though, with the wind hitting the drivers side of the coach. I just don't remember having to constantly concentrate on steering the coach while going down the road. Coach has 20k miles on it, so I wouldn't think its worn components. Anyone else experiencing this?

["007"]

I'd have your right front wheel brakes checked, passenger side, for to early braking operation. Maybe seized and not releasing.

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don and Kim Coach has 20k miles on it, so I wouldn't think its worn components. Anyone else experiencing this?

Don and Kim, I experienced the same driving conditions while crossing South Dakota. It was so bad we had to get off the road and I had a Safe-T-Plus and a front & rear track bar.

Rule out that alignment and then see how it's workin' after that!

[BEBOP]

I had that problem about a year ago and they found the toe in had to be adjusted by 3/8 inch. That solved the problem for me, and at a reasonable cost.
Now if I just had some brakes :(

[mythplaced]

Many roads in CO that are not concrete are "crowned and damaged by heavy truck traffic...

I find most of the "blacktops" cause my rig to pull slightly to the right, but just as soon as I get on "new "pavement, it goes away..

Just a thought,

[Mike Thomas]

I would have a two axle alignent done at a MD Alignment Shop. Search on the internet to find a shop that does MD Alignments. The have a different approach to doing alignments. If your back axle is out of alignment, it will push the front end. We drive semi trucks. Most truck drivers are happy with 75,000 to 100,000 miles out of steer tires, we get over 200,000 and then move them back to the trailer and get another 50,000 out of them. It all has to do with proper, 3 axle alignment, tire balancing, and proper air pressure.

[squeak]

did you add some weight to that side? tire presure ok? what if you change lanes so as Mike said crowned roads. just trying to find easy fixes good luck.

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Thomas I would have a two axle alignment done at a MD Alignment Shop. Search on the internet to find a shop that does MD Alignments. The have a different approach to doing alignments. If your back axle is out of alignment, it will push the front end. We drive semi trucks. Most truck drivers are happy with 75,000 to 100,000 miles out of steer tires, we get over 200,000 and then move them back to the trailer and get another 50,000 out of them. It all has to do with proper, 3 axle alignment, tire balancing, and proper air pressure.

Mike, Is this what is also known as a "Thrust Alignment?" The principal here is to make sure that the rear axle follows exactly in the track of the front axle.

[Mike Thomas]

The front axle is aligned so that the tires track down the road, straight and without tire wear, ie. no scrubbing or pulling of the tires. Then the rear axle is aligned so that it is not quite straight or parallel with the front, but slightly twisted. This compensates for the crown in the road, which would push the vehicle off the road if it were aligned perfectly.

As Mike Beckett of MD Alignment explains,"The alignment at the factory consists of how close can you get everything in alignment in 12 minutes. That is how long the guy on the assembly line is given to accomplish this task. Then those numbers are given as factory specs for alignment. The regular shop that does alignments, works within that range of numbers to bring it to within factory specs. MD Alignment picks a point within factory specs that works best for handling, tracking and tire wear."

The guy is a real guru for alignment. Go to his website www.mdalign.com

[Don and Kim]

Just some comments. I always check the tire pressure before we leave in the am. Have not weighed the coach in a while, but the drivers side always was a couple of hundred pounds heavier. I went to the MD website and there's some interesting information re the 2 axle alignments. There is a dealer about 30 miles away that does the 2 axle alignments. I'll give them a call and see what they say. I'm interested in the Safe T Plus, but $500 seems pricey.

[Duner]

I took out of CA state delivery on my coach as a result I followed my the delivery guy 260 miles to pick up my brand new rig in AZ. What was obvious to me was that my 40 ft coach was "dog tracking" with the rear end riding about 3-6 inches to the right. So I had it 4-wheel aligned under warranty at 3T's and it was ok. They checked that the box was centered on the chassis and it was ok. Things were more complicated because Winnebago stretches my chassis 20 inches.... my wheelbase is 266"

Well, after my continued complaints to Winni and WH, and some finger pointing as to whose responsible, I just to it to highly recommended truck shop (Daniel's Tire Service, Oxnard, CA)for an alignment on my dime. They found that the front was toed out too much. He took it out for a test drive and said I would notice a nice improvement in steering and handling after the correction.

So my theory is the longer the wheelbase, the greater the impact of the crown on the road, making the rear drift to the right toward the ditch.

For the tech guru's this is the result of the "toe" realignment:
Left Front Right Front
Min Max Actual Min Max Actual
0.02" 0.04" -0.16" 0.02" 0.04" 0.08"

After adjustment Actual = 0.02" both sides.

I have 49,7000 miles and the tires are wearing perfectly. I also have the Safe-T-Steer and I have fine tuned it to slightly steer to the left to compensate for the usual slope to the right.

I'm a happy camper regarding my chassis handling and performance!