Power steering/ Safe T-Plus

[ron55]

Since it takes 200 lbs to move the Safe T-plus stablizer shock anybody think this will cause power steering problems?

[dveasey]

If I understand the physics correctly... It's the initial foot-pounds needed to budge it one way or the other from dead-front-center. The power-assist will very easily overcome this inertia. After all, that's a 200lb. force at one foot distance. The power assist should generate several thousands of ft-lbs. force. Not a tremendous labor for your steering power-assist.

Any way...this device is in daily use, many coaches, for many years time, all over the country. Do you think the engineering ignored this fact? I've had one on both my former Winnebago and now on my Tiffin gasser. A no-brainer from my seat as bad road conditions, wind turbulence and front tire blow-out are very real safety concerns.

[Photog]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dveasey A no-brainer from my seat as bad road conditions, wind turbulence and front tire blow-out are very real safety concerns.

I have one too. I agree with the above statement.

[Olive]

I had one on my last coach for 10 years and it caused no problems. It helped greatly with all the problems dveasey spoke of including front tire blow out. I have my present coach about 1 1/2 yr and it was the first thing I added.

Within the last few days I read a very sad story about a PGA golfer who was driving through MS in his MH with 2 other people and his dog. He had a right front tire blow out, lost control and crashed. He was the lone survivor and he has very serious injuries. I had a right front tire blow out driving over 70 mph in my last coach. I heard the tire blow but I honestly did not feel it and easily drove into the median (was in the passing lane) where I could have the tire changed and what was left of the side panel removed. Insurance adjuster told me front tire blow outs usually have terrible outcomes. I credit my being able to completely keep control of the coach to the Safe-T-Plus.

Like dveasey said it's a no-brainer

[TrekPR]

I'm going to display my ignorance and ask a question. I understand that there are many who swear by the Safe-T-Plus but if it only exerts 200lbs and the power steering several thousand why/how is it so successful in maintaining control during a blow out? A vehicle without power steering the steering wheel may be jerked from your grasp, I don't think the same is likely to happen with the power steering, am I wrong?

[speed racer]

The biggest problem with front tire blowouts is people tend to just rest their hands on the steering wheel insted of holding it and when the tire blows its to late and the coach or what ever you are driving goes to that side and with a large MH or truck by the time you grab the wheel its already out of control.

[dveasey]

In powered steering systems the power -assist feature diminishes as your forward speed increases (ie, more force applied at low vehicle speeds,while you are turning corners, maneuvering, etc...and "very little force-assist" while moving along at higher highway speeds). You don't have thousands lbs. of assist at 60 mph...It's practically nil. None, nada.

The resistive 200 ft./lbs of the steering damper gives it the only resistance to the steering wheel spinning wildly from your hands as mentioned above. It's better to have something forceably keeping the wheels straight ahead should you suddenly lose steering control via a front blow-out. [Incidentally, be sure to see the Michelin safety video on what steps to take in that event. ]

Like I said earlier: this is a well-engineered item & very necessary safety improvement for gas-powered MH such as my 04 Workhorse.

[JonBrazel]

We have many, many customers that swear by this product above all other aftermarket steering and handling upgrades because of its safety enhancement and addition of better handling. I have several customers that trade in their coaches every couple years and that is the first thing they schedule to have done to the new coach, even before they pick it up off the lot. When we pull them off their old coach so that they can be reused on the new one, every one of our customers has stated they can't believe how bad the coach handled without it.

[Steve Headley]

I just had my first MH front tire blowout on an interstate last week. My MH has the Safe T-Plus installed under it. It was just like mentioned above - I heard the blowout and the noise of the tire flapping around, but it seemed to drive straight and normal - I just eased off the road.

[wa8yxm]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Olive I I had a right front tire blow out driving over 70 mph in my last coach. I heard the tire blow but I honestly did not feel it and easily drove into the median (was in the passing lane) where I could have the tire changed and what was left of the side panel removed. Insurance adjuster told me front tire blow outs usually have terrible outcomes. I credit my being able to completely keep control of the coach to the Safe-T-Plus. Like dveasey said it's a no-brainer

TO answer the question that followed this post: Every little bit helps. 200 pounds may be enough to make a big difference.

To comment on this. I have found over the years that there are two or three kinds of drivers.

Type one: Most common: BANG the tire blows: Reaction: Stand on the brakes roll over and die. (I do mean DIE as in your funeral in 3 days)

Type 2: Avoid the brakes, coast to a safe controlled stop.

Type 3: (I recently moved from 2 to 3) Watches the excelent video (in another of the forums here the title is "Watching these videos may save your life") and does it right, he also comes to a safe controled stop

I think the major differnece between 2 and 3 is I did the "2" bit in cars, not motor homes.

I can not stress enough the need to keep away from that brake pedal. With a flat tire it WILL kill you unless you are very lucky or moving very slow (I do use the brakes long about the time pedestrians pass me) I also use them "Gently")