 |
10-13-2018, 04:35 AM
|
#1
|
|
Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Estherville Iowa
Posts: 83
|
Steering damper
Himall
We have done 1 shake down trip on our new to us 15 35b Excursion.... we noticed that we found ourself “chasing” the steering wheel, making constant input left then right. It was windy and on the return it was much better but there still seemed to be a need to keep adding corrections...
On our class c we installed a safe t dampener but in the Freightliner paperwork they say they recommend against adding a dampener.... any idea why or advice as to if this is normal behavior? It is a 15 with 19k on it and the steering components look to be in very good shape.
Also, is the Safe t dampeners a good place to start on the class a or is there something better?
Thanks
Mark
|
|
|
 |
Join the #1 RV Forum Today - It's Totally Free!
iRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? Do you need advice on what products to buy? Or maybe you can give others some advice? No matter where you fit in you'll find that iRV2 is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!
You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more!
|
|
10-13-2018, 07:36 AM
|
#2
|
|
Registered User
Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 1,336
|
Start by checking the tire pressures per the placard usually found near the driver's seat.
We have installed a Safe-T-Plus on each of our motorhomes.
We have also installed Koni shocks, front and rear trac bars, and sway bars if not already present.
Our current motorhome a super C drives and handles more like a large SUV.
|
|
|
|
|
10-13-2018, 07:41 AM
|
#3
|
|
Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: SoCal
Posts: 15,749
|
Start with ensuring tires pressures are set correctly. Then all steering abd suspension components are ok. Only then consider aftermarket addons.
We installed ki ed a SafeTplus on our Frieghtiner XC chassis. Improved return to center when cornering, improved straight line tracking, and made a substantial improvement in windy conditions.
__________________
Vince and Susan
2011 Tiffin Phaeton 40QTH (Cummins ISC/Freightliner)
Flat towing a modified 2005 Jeep (Rubicon Wrangler)
Previously a 2002 Fleetwood Pace Arrow 37A and a 1995 Safari Trek 2830.
|
|
|
|
|
10-13-2018, 10:16 AM
|
#4
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Rogers, AR
Posts: 2,623
|
Have never used a steering damper. I get the alignment set to improve the handling and liter steering. Have done this on two F53’s and XC chassis with great results.
__________________
2019 Fleetwood Discovery LXE 40M w/2021 Equinox
|
|
|
|
|
10-18-2018, 06:49 PM
|
#5
|
|
Senior Member
National RV Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Rice Lake, Wisconsin
Posts: 790
|
XC Chassis with IFS
I did everything prior to adding Steer Safe, Tires, Shocks, Air Springs, and alignment which all improved the wandering.
Steer Safe definitely made a improvement in my wandering issue.
Yes I would definitely recommend the Steer Safe!
__________________
2003 National Tradewinds LTC 7374 FL XC-Chassis IFS, Steer Safe, 8.3 ISC 350 Cummins, 3000MH Allison, 2023 Equinox, Blue Ox Tow-Bar, Brake Master Air Over Hyd
|
|
|
|
|
10-19-2018, 05:20 AM
|
#6
|
|
Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Central Arkansas
Posts: 1,374
|
Another fan here for the Steer Safe device. I don't fight the wheel anymore. Couldn't be more pleased.
__________________
2008 Fleetwood Bounder 38S 2022 Grand Cherokee WK Limited 2021 Polaris Slingshot R Limited
|
|
|
|
|
10-19-2018, 05:58 AM
|
#7
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Rendon, Texas
Posts: 1,461
|
Your best bet is to start with an alignment of the coach. That way you will know the coach is set to specs. If the trouble persists, then start looking for other options. If the coach hasn't had a recent oil change and complete lube job, then those need to be completed prior to the alignment. Dry lube points do not always work smoothly.
When our coach was acting like that which you describe , an alignment took care of the problem. Hopefully it will take care of yours too.
__________________
May your smiles be many and the miles be plenty.
Karen & Allen Van Zandt
|
|
|
|
|
10-19-2018, 01:49 PM
|
#8
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 388
|
positive caster
Having too little + caster will manifest itself as wandering at highway speeds. +Caster induces stability at highway speeds.
|
|
|
|
|
10-19-2018, 04:26 PM
|
#9
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Rogers, AR
Posts: 2,623
|
So, how much too little caster is “too little? How much + caster do you think is stable?
__________________
2019 Fleetwood Discovery LXE 40M w/2021 Equinox
|
|
|
|
|
10-20-2018, 06:17 AM
|
#10
|
|
Senior Member
National RV Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Rice Lake, Wisconsin
Posts: 790
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by alank
So, how much too little caster is “too little? How much + caster do you think is stable?
|
My opinion, for what it's not worth!
Check with your chassis manufacture and go with the Max that they recommend is a good start!
Ask/demand a print out when there complete so you know what they set it at!
__________________
2003 National Tradewinds LTC 7374 FL XC-Chassis IFS, Steer Safe, 8.3 ISC 350 Cummins, 3000MH Allison, 2023 Equinox, Blue Ox Tow-Bar, Brake Master Air Over Hyd
|
|
|
|
|
10-20-2018, 09:00 AM
|
#11
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 388
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Damion
My opinion, for what it's not worth!
Check with your chassis manufacture and go with the Max that they recommend is a good start!
Ask/demand a print out when there complete so you know what they set it at!
|
Good advice!
I have been promoting +caster on RVs for about 8 years. In that time I think I have noticed that tire pressure on 22 inch wheels makes a big difference in the effective run time caster. The less pressure, for the actual load, the better caster effect.
Apart from that, a caster setting of at least +5.5 degrees seems to be a reasonable universal guide. IMO
|
|
|
|
|
10-20-2018, 11:27 AM
|
#12
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 388
|
POPULAR MECHANICS MAY 1973:
START QUOTE:
If too little caster exists, the car will wander and weave,
thus necessitating constant corrections in steering.
END QUOTE:
|
|
|
|
|
10-20-2018, 07:19 PM
|
#13
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Middle Tn.
Posts: 281
|
Ours wasn't terrible to start with, but adding the safe t plus made an improvement.
__________________
2005 Fleetwood Bounder 34H
Freightliner XC Cat C7 300HP
2014 Honda Crv 2001 Wrangler TJ
|
|
|
|
|
10-21-2018, 10:50 PM
|
#14
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 698
|
Two words...TIRE PRESSURES.
If the tires are over inflated, it will ruin the handling characteristics. Been there. Done that. And this is an easy fix.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
|
| Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
|
| Display Modes |
 Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
