Community Forums

mlacute1 · 03-05-2018, 07:44 AM

New to us 36.1 2014 Palazzo, seems to wander, maybe operator error, but wondering what changes others have made? Centering attachments, shocks, alignment, etc. Need recommendations for good chassis shop in Farmington Hills, Michigan area. Also body shop to repair some fiberglass.

sbleiweiss · 03-05-2018, 07:50 AM

Don't know how experienced a driver you are with a big rig. there are a lot of ways you can throw money at it, and they probably improve things some. I say probably because we have never done any of the add ons. One suggestion I would make is try looking a little farther ahead down the road when you drive. You'd be surprised how much it can smooth out your travel path.

MisterT · 03-05-2018, 08:16 AM

what do you mean by 'wandering'?

are you meaning 'pulling right' or 'pulling left'?

what does the steering wheel 'do' while on flat level driving?

I highly doubt you 'need' to do anything to your coach, other than check the psi of your tires. They can many times be too high, or different left to right, causing a 'pull' or 'wandering' mostly in one direction.
At our first stop in Gaffney SC at the Freightliner Custom Chassis shop back in late 2015, I mentioned this 11oclock steering wheel 'pull' of the coach to my tech. When they returned the coach after an initial oil and gen service, he said that they simply switched the two front steer tires. It rode so much smoother and with no 'pull' from then on.
Also, after weighing the coach in Arizona, I found that my tires were over inflated. While they are 120psi tires, that doesn't mean to run them at that level. When you weigh your coach, and know the front and rear axle weights, you can refer to the Goodyear or tire manufacturer's brochure/website to determine your correct 'run psi' for each axle. Mine was about 90 on the fronts, 85 on the rears. Also a much smoother ride.

Berlin Kid · 03-05-2018, 08:40 AM

I'll second MisterT...best thing is to get a "four corner" weight to see how the loading is distributed and to determine the correct tire pressure. Adjusting the tire pressure did wonders for the way mine drives.

If at all possible, Freightliner Service in Gaffney, SC is the place for chassis service. It is an OASIS service center that has parking and electric hookups. The Freightliner Custom Chassis factory is in Gaffney and you can take a tour of the facility while there. I have my yearly chassis maintenance performed there.

doublebs · 03-05-2018, 08:58 AM

Consider a alignment check, could be way off?

Robf · 03-05-2018, 05:08 PM

First bought our palazzo, it pulled right big time, turned out ride height was off and tires way over inflated....

BoDu · 03-05-2018, 07:17 PM

Proper tire pressure will help, especially if you are at the 120 psi that comes from Freightliner. You will find front tires for the Palazzo will probably end up at 90-95 once the 4 corner weights are done.

I also have installed the Safe-T-Plus which is basically a large shock absorber that brings the wheels back to center. It is designed to keep the coach centered in case of a blowout, but it also helps with wind and the effects of tractor trailers passing. My driving went from constant correction to one handed driving. Much more pleasant.

Nxeil · 03-07-2018, 09:20 AM

I concur on the Safe T Plus. Not a cure all and doesn't alter the laws of physics, but it makes one handed driving much easier (like when reaching down for that bottle of water) and it helps in the wind.

Duane n Lora · 03-15-2018, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nxeil

I concur on the Safe T Plus. Not a cure all and doesn't alter the laws of physics, but it makes one handed driving much easier (like when reaching down for that bottle of water) and it helps in the wind.

Who did you guys have the Safe T Plus installed by? I'm finding it difficult to find RV dealers that I trust.

BoDu · 03-15-2018, 05:48 PM

I called a couple of local rv places. One, a small chain, when asked if they had installed many of the Safe-T-Plus admitted they had not. The other, a mom and pop operation noted a long history of doing so. I suspect you can also get a list of certified dealers from Safe-T-Plus. You could also go there, I think in Atlanta, to have the company install.

Duane n Lora · 03-16-2018, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoDu

I called a couple of local rv places. One, a small chain, when asked if they had installed many of the Safe-T-Plus admitted they had not. The other, a mom and pop operation noted a long history of doing so. I suspect you can also get a list of certified dealers from Safe-T-Plus. You could also go there, I think in Atlanta, to have the company install.

Thanks BoDu. I'll contact the company. :-)

Nxeil · 03-16-2018, 09:18 AM

I used Chico Truck and RV in Chico, CA. Its a good shop.

vmyoung61 · 03-21-2018, 01:12 PM

Just had a Safe-T-Plus added to our coach at the Perry, GA, rally. WOW! What a difference! I highly recommend it.

Robf · 03-22-2018, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vmyoung61

Just had a Safe-T-Plus added to our coach at the Perry, GA, rally. WOW! What a difference! I highly recommend it.

I have been looking in to this, I may tackle it my self but ball park was is the cost installed ? Looking at the videos I can see how it could help !!!!