Community Forums

prndl · 08-05-2016, 02:56 PM

Hello, I need some HELP and/or some suggestions with an issue I'm having with my 2016 Thor - Four Winds on a 2015 Ford E-450 Chassis with the V-10 2V Engine.
When we 1st picked it up last summer it had a real problem being moved all over the roadway by cross winds or passing Semi's. The Sales and Service Dept. recommended that I replace the Steering Stabilizer with a Safe-T-Plus Stabilizer and the sway bars with Helwig Sway Bars (Front & Rear). The work was done and I'll say that 85-90% of the issue was rectified. The Wife & I were Happy CAMPERS.
This Spring we purchased a 2013 Honda CR-V and had the same Service Dept install a Roadmaster Hidden Brackets with a Falcon All-Terrain Tow Bar and Accessory Kit. On our 1st trip the weather was not of the best a lot of wind and rain so it was pretty much a white knuckle ride. Even the ride home wasn't the nicest.
We got back last week from a 14 day, 900 mile trip round trip and it was a white knuckler all the way. I just went out for a ride 'without' the Toad and everything was Fine. Passing Semi's and Cross Winds didn't move me. The issue appears to be the Toad. Am I correct????? Anyone have a similar problem??? Ideas???? Suggestions???
Thanks,

BFlinn181 · 08-05-2016, 03:10 PM

How are tire pressures? If at the maximum, it might handling squirrelly. Recommend get RV weighed, then look up tire pressure on tire manufacturer website. With the fixes you've already done, I'm surprised you notice such a difference with the CR-V on the back.

vsheetz · 08-05-2016, 03:13 PM

Slop / movement in the receiver / tow bar connection? If not snug can cause this. There are gizmos that will snug up the connection.

SuperGewl · 08-07-2016, 12:51 AM

Here are few that may help also. Do you run with a full tank of Potable water, if not then do it. This is ballast and will help with the top heaviness. Are the Black and Grey tanks empty when traveling ( with the exception of the gallon or two in the black tank to keep it wet), if not then empty them.
Now as stated by someone else, check the Tow bar setup. Without the car hooked up grab the tow bar and see if it will move side to side and or up and down in the receiver. If it does then this is a problem and needs fixing. Roadmaster Quiet Hitch will take care of the problem.
Also do the weigh thing and adjust pressure as necessary for the load you are carrying.
You may also need to move some stuff around to help get some of the weight from behind the rear axle. The longer the MH is behind the rear axle the more effect weight has on handling.

With the Potable water you can always let some out to adjust handling.

BFlinn181 · 08-07-2016, 10:32 AM

Filling the water tank, at 8.4 pounds/gallon, could be a very unsafe idea. What if the twitchiness is caused by already being near weight capacity or a weight distribution issue? Where is the water tank? If it's under the bed, in the rear of the RV, that's the last place you want excess weight since it's already stated the RV is stable without the toad.

This is a Ford F-450 chassis, making me think it's a Class C. The front wheels are in front of the driver, the rear axle at the chassis designed spot, unless the frame was extended. Probably a long distance with frame extensions from the rear axle to the receiver. A bit of slop in the receiver would make annoying clunks, but not cause the large changes in handling the OP reports. The amount of motion needed to create these changes would be far more than I've ever seen in receiver/draw bar set up. I doubt if tightening the slop in the connection will do more than quiet the noise down and empty the wallet.

Get the RV weighed, making sure the rear axle capacity isn't exceeded, set tire pressures per tire maker recommendations. Watch tires for improper wear patterns indicating alignment issues, or get it aligned, but I'd assume it was done when the stabilizer and sway bars were installed.