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Navy vets 2 · 12-18-2012, 09:44 PM

We recently purchased a 2003 Gulfstream Sunvoyager 37ft with the workhorse chassis it only has 8300 miles. during our first trip out we made a sharp left turn into a parking lot that had a little dip in it. The driverside front wheel rubbed on the fiberglass wheel well and cracked it. any suggestions would be greatly appreciated as how to prevent this from happening again.

Thanks in advance for your advice
Navy vets 2

RV Wizard · 12-19-2012, 02:28 AM

Hello Navy vets 2 and

We are glad to have you join us here and we look forward to reading of your adventures and experiences. I am sure you will enjoy the website and forums. Good luck, stay safe and keep us posted.
Start off by checking to be sure the tires are of the proper size for the coach (there is a data tag @ the drivers area) and they are properly inflated. Check to be sure the suspension is in good shape by taking it to a good truck shop. They can check to shocks and do any adjustment or repairs needed. Congratulations on your Sun Voyager. Enjoy!

Koop · 12-19-2012, 02:05 PM

I also have a 2003 Sun Voyager on a Workhorse W22 chassis. Pulling out of my driveway requires a sharp right turn, if I go full lock I get a slight tire rub (makes a noise but haven't broken or cracked anything). I assume it is due to the incline angle of my driveway and the sharp right turn loading the left front suspension. The 22.5" wheels on the W22 may contribute. Rubbing on the body is not a good thing, I try to avoid turning to full lock when leaving the driveway. Never had it happen anywhere else.

Tony Lee · 12-19-2012, 04:07 PM

If you have airbag suspension with automatic ride-height valves, you might check that they are set to the right height.

Other than that - if you have to make a full-lock turn on uneven surfaces, keep the speed right down to limit the suspension travel over the bumps.

TdogKing · 12-19-2012, 05:32 PM

I would bet that your suspension has the air bags inside the coil springs to help assist . They normally have hose extensions up under the hood to air them up. When they do leak or rub a hole it causes the suspension to sag/drop a few inches. I had this happen on my Workhorse Chassis twice, I finally had the front coil springs changed to match my front axle weight (I weighed in advance) I don't have to worry about the air bags anymore and my coach rides just as nice .

Koop · 12-19-2012, 06:53 PM

My chassis does not have have air suspension. It does have the closed cell urethane (i.e. Sumo Springs) helpers, but these are not adjustable. I'm assuming the OP has the same set up.

I think the clearances are a bit tight and Gulf Stream drew up the body panels assuming 19.5" wheels (which were the "normal" size for a class A gas until the W22 came along). With the W22 and steering at full lock you must pay attention to irregularities in the road that load the suspension. Some may call this an engineering fault, I dunno. To me, it's just something to be aware of, I try not to be complacent and assume that any of my vehicles are able to handle every condition all of the time.