Community Forums

PalmSprings · 09-12-2010, 12:14 AM

I tow a 1981 isuzu pickup behind my RV , w/towbar& all 4 on the ground
The isuzu does not have locking steering. Its 4 sp manual and 4x4(hubs unlocked)
When I tow the pickup on highways,streets and in town, I have no problem with the pickup tracking properly.
The problem occurs when I turn sharply such as in a u turn .
When I do this,the pickup steers and follows me fine,but does not straighten back to follow me.
I have to get out and straighten the steering wheel .
What I have done to correct the problem is to take a "bungie type cord.
I loop it around the spokes of the steering wheel and around the brake pedal
as a stationary anchor point. This solves the issue.
I have not spoken to anyone that has to do this.
The vehicle is aligned properly and has no frontend issues.

I even mentioned it to the service mgr at Camping world,he had no idea what i was talking about,or somethin on that order,.
Anybody heard of this problem?

Route 66 · 09-12-2010, 05:15 AM

It's the design of the front end geometry and it was more common with older vehicles.

Some folks could solve the problem by adding more caster to the front end alignment.

JMonroe · 09-12-2010, 03:02 PM

That can be an issue with a very sharp turn, and a long rear overhang on the motor home. Think about it. When you crank the steering wheel over as far as it will go to the right, as example, when the front starts to move right the rear is actually moving to the left, and so is your toad. The longer the distance between the rear axle on your motor home and the rear hitch, the greater the swing will be in the opposite direction. The front tires on the toad are actually being asked to crank as far to the left as possible, as you crank the motor home front tires as far to the right as possible. As you straighten the motor home the rear swings back in the opposite direction very quickly, just after the wheels on the toad had 'locked' into their tightest in the other direction. If you start pulling forward before the toad tires can come back toward center, it is not at all unheard of for the toad wheels to 'lock'. It is something you need to be aware of.

Adjusting the caster may improve the situations, but very tight manuevering, with toad, should be avoided if possible. If you must, move slowly, until you confirm that the toad is tracking with you.

PalmSprings · 09-12-2010, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMonroe

That can be an issue with a very sharp turn, and a long rear overhang on the motor home. Think about it. When you crank the steering wheel over as far as it will go to the right, as example, when the front starts to move right the rear is actually moving to the left, and so is your toad. The longer the distance between the rear axle on your motor home and the rear hitch, the greater the swing will be in the opposite direction. The front tires on the toad are actually being asked to crank as far to the left as possible, as you crank the motor home front tires as far to the right as possible. As you straighten the motor home the rear swings back in the opposite direction very quickly, just after the wheels on the toad had 'locked' into their tightest in the other direction. If you start pulling forward before the toad tires can come back toward center, it is not at all unheard of for the toad wheels to 'lock'. It is something you need to be aware of.

Adjusting the caster may improve the situations, but very tight manuevering, with toad, should be avoided if possible. If you must, move slowly, until you confirm that the toad is tracking with you.

Good explanation....
As I stated in my original post I solved the problem with a adjustable bungi from home depot. It basically limits steering wheel travel which means the tires never go lock to lock.Simple fix and has hauled problem free ever since

Gary RVRoamer · 09-14-2010, 07:43 AM

You may be able to adjust the front wheel caster to improve the situation. Caster is what makes the wheels come back to center after a turn. Have an alignment shop check the toad and ask them to set the caster to its maximum value (the spec gives a range of allowable values). Or maybe a bit more than the max spec.