Community Forums

txhood · 05-24-2018, 08:12 PM

I would like to hear from anyone who has installed a track bar on their MH. Did it help any with having to constantly move the steering wheel back and forth to keep it traveling straight? I have had an alignment and had over 5 degrees + caster, heavy duty sway bar and steering stabilizer. Tire pressure is with charts. This thing still wears me out after about 6 hours of driving. I know it is a big box on wheels but it should not be this difficult to keep in a straight path.

TeJay · 05-24-2018, 08:28 PM

I'm assuming you are on the F-53 chassis. You already have a front TB (Track Bar). Yes you will reduce the semi wall of wind effect with the addition of a rear TB. They are designed to reduce lateral coach movement.

Your front one works but the rear is being moved side to side and you're trying to correct for it.

If you have some tools and skills there's a thread on a "DIY REAR track bar for the F-53 RV " Just google it. It'll cost you about $50 to build.

We have most all of the needed MODS on our 31' rig. Last week we drove about 1,300 miles total north then south and had cross winds in both directions. The flags were straight out on the trip up.

The trip was tolerable but I want to make it better. I'm going to add the Roadmaster RSSA steering stabilizer shock with the heavy spring. Everything I read about that says it is a must.

The RED shock/spring I can get for $310 from Amazon and I'll use the brackets that I made for my other steering shock to mount it. You can buy the bracket kit for $100. Read the reviews and check out the U-Tube video's on the install. It's a piece of cake.

Mich F · 05-24-2018, 08:51 PM

My situation is probably a little different than yours. I have had my current 32 1/2' MH for over 5 years. Fortunately I had absolutely no handling/driving problems in the almost 4 years driving without towing anything and in the 4 trips totalling about 6,000 miles towing a Mazda CX 5 on a tow dolly.

When I started towing an F 150 4 wheels down I would occasionally get a slight tail wagging the dog feeling. One day last Nov. while driving across TX in some fairly strong winds, it turned into a white knuckle driving experience. I unhooked the truck and my wife drove the truck the rest of the day. Without the truck I could still feel the wind, but it was totally manageable. Actually I was driving along between 70 and 75 MPH, which was faster than I normally drive while not towing anything.

When I got home after the trip out to NM, I had a Super Steer rear Trac bar added since I had read on the internet that it would solve those handling problems. Since getting the Trac bar I've only towed the truck a couple of times back and forth across Alligator Alley (I 75) in FL. On both trips the winds were in the very low teens. I could still get the same tail wagging the dog feeling. I haven't been in any strong winds, but I think that in my case the Trac bar was probably a waste of money.

txhood · 05-25-2018, 07:17 AM

Forgot to mention my rig is a 2017 Jayco Redhawk 26XD on Ford E450 chassis. Thanks for the replies. Also, I flat tow a 4 dr Jeep Wrangler.

Harvard · 05-25-2018, 07:50 AM

Wow...I am really surprised of this RV wandering with over +5 degrees of caster

Do you know the alignment shop well?

Did the alignment shop change out the caster/camber sleeves?

How much did the alignment cost?

How long was the RV on the rack?

Yes, I am very suspicious you may have over +5 degrees of caster on paper only....just saying.

TeJay · 05-25-2018, 07:51 AM

I'm not familiar with the E-450 chassis so you may not have the front TB as I thought. I did look up your rig on your public profile but it only gave the year and model of your unit and not the chassis.

You do have a 2017 unit and most everything is new so it's not worn out. I changed my stock shocks from Bilsteins to KONI with less than 1,000 miles because I wanted a better shock. Shocks since they dampen frame movement will help with side to side and some lateral movement.

What "Harvard " says above is a consideration. Ask for a print out of the final readings which is something that a good alignment should and does always do.

On the F-53 chassis which has a straight forged cast iron front axle the caster is set using flat plate shims and the camber is set by cold bending the axle. I know because I watched them do mine three years ago. The straight axle is made by Ford the camber should not have been off but both sides were.

vsheetz · 05-25-2018, 08:03 AM

I installed a rear track bar in a F53. Huge improvement, huge. Had constant steering correction needed due to the rear shifting one-way, pushing the front the other. Steering input needed. Then it shifts to the other side. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat...

SafetyTplus steering stabilizer was another impactfull driving And safety improvement.

machlin · 05-25-2018, 09:06 AM

txhood,

You mentioned steering drift. Do you have a steering damper on the front? Check the existing steering damper. It may need an adjustment.

You might look at Safe-T-Plus steering damper. It reduces steering drift and assists in controlling steering during a front tire blow-out.

machlin

Gidyupgo · 05-31-2018, 04:12 AM

txhood,I thought the JRide package on the Jayco E450 included a rear Trac bar...but I guess not. Yes, a rear track bar to stop the side to side movement between the rear axle and coach from winds, both from nature and trucks. We also replaced the stock steering dampner with one with a centering spring which along with the trac bar cuts down on the constant left, right, left steering wheel sawing that you may have experienced. Put on HD sway bars and alignment. You can find a lot of info in the forums from people that have done these.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

twinboat · 05-31-2018, 05:57 AM

Did you upgrade the rear sway bar ?

Have you tried running the tire pressures listed on the door jamb ?

I did the above mentioned things and I can steer my old Class C with 2 fingers.

Helwig rear sway bar and 80 psi rear, 65 psi front tire pressure.

There is no front track bar for the E series twin I beam suspension. Each axle beam is already connected to the chassis on the opposite side, elemenating any side to side movement.

txhood · 06-01-2018, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twinboat

Did you upgrade the rear sway bar ?

Have you tried running the tire pressures listed on the door jamb ?

I did the above mentioned things and I can steer my old Class C with 2 fingers.

Helwig rear sway bar and 80 psi rear, 65 psi front tire pressure.

There is no front track bar for the E series twin I beam suspension. Each axle beam is already connected to the chassis on the opposite side, elemenating any side to side movement.

I am running the pressures listed on the door jamb-- 75 front 80 rear. Have not replaced the sway bar or added an aftermarket steering damper.
Thanks for the replies.

Mich F · 06-01-2018, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by txhood

I am running the pressures listed on the door jamb-- 75 front 80 rear. Have not replaced the sway bar or added an aftermarket steering damper.
Thanks for the replies.

Have you had your MH weighed ? Chances are the 75# tire pressure in the front wheels is more than necessary. Lowering the pressure to support the actual load could help in the handling.