Another handling question, sorry

[Jukenut]

I have a 2019 canyon star 3710. Just came back from a 1200 mile trip. Its comfortable, but it could be a little tiresome to drive. I feel like i am constantly making steering corrections. Like it wanders or something. I read a few post on Chf, did that. I had wheel alignment done, tire pressure set at 100lbs , as recommended by decal in cabin. I added rear sway bar, rear track bar, and safe t plus steering. All this helped with handling, but i feel there is too much correction going on continuously with steering.

When i was at newmar a couple of weeks ago, i ran this by a ford tech there, he suggested sumo springs. He said it will help that steering issue some. I did not think it would too much, i thought the springs were more for pitch and roll.

Any thoughts on this before i drop some $$ on this.
Any suggestions to improve the constant steering inputs.?

Thanks

[capnqball]

You should get a four corner weight for the coach before going any further. The weight shown on the inside sticker may not be the best for your degree of loading. Once you have the weights then you can verify with the tire manufacturer's website what you should be using for proper inflation. Lots of discussion on this forum on weights vs. inflation.

[Arch Hoagland]

Originally Posted by capnqball

You should get a four corner weight for the coach before going any further. The weight shown on the inside sticker may not be the best for your degree of loading. Once you have the weights then you can verify with the tire manufacturer's website what you should be using for proper inflation. Lots of discussion on this forum on weights vs. inflation.

I agree.

Had new tires put on mine and they ran the pressure up to 105 pounds. The coach handled terribly.

Dropped them to the Michelin recommended pressure for my weight, 85lb and handling improved drastically.

[Earl II]

Absolutely agree with the comments about getting your rig weighed on each corner and then follow the tire manufacturer's guide for PSI. Sumo Springs are made for bottoming out action and extreme leaning like traversing driveways, not wandering while driving down the road. More is not always better when it comes to tire pressures.

[vsheetz]

The rear track bar ususlly corrects what you are experiencing. I would revisit this area. Install, etc.

Rear Track bar. Via Blue Ox, Super Steer, others. Rear track bar positively affixes the rear axle laterally to the chassis. In the F53 there is not a rear track bar - allowing the rear of the coach to continually shift to either side. When the rear shifts to one side, the front must shift the other way. Then steering correction is needed. This goes on repeatedly..

[twinboat]

Have the wheel alignment rechecked at another shop.

See if you can find a shop that specialises in Motor homes.

Sometimes factory specs aren't good enough.

[450Donn]

Also look at rear overhand. Long rear overhang coupled with short wheel base will make for some horrible handling.

[hohenwald48]

You should be aware that when I did the CHF to my 2019 CS (2018 chassis) on the 26K chassis I had issues with the rear anti-sway bar contacting the pumpkin and parking brake drum. I wrapped the bar with blue painters tape and when I reached my destination I had marks where it had made contact. I removed the CHF and went back to stock.

I have no complaints about the handling of my CS 3627.

I'm not a fan of Sumo's. They're basically just very expensive axle bump stops.

I'm running fully loaded almost to the max and towing a Wrangler. Motorhome drives just fine. I've talked to new owners and it seems some new motorhome drivers sometimes tend to over compensate the steering and end up wagging down the road. Not implying that's your problem but I've known others who solved their issue by paying attention to that.

[Jabber Jaw]

Originally Posted by Jukenut

I have a 2019 canyon star 3710. Just came back from a 1200 mile trip. Its comfortable, but it could be a little tiresome to drive. I feel like i am constantly making steering corrections. Like it wanders or something. I read a few post on Chf, did that. I had wheel alignment done, tire pressure set at 100lbs , as recommended by decal in cabin. I added rear sway bar, rear track bar, and safe t plus steering. All this helped with handling, but i feel there is too much correction going on continuously with steering.

When i was at newmar a couple of weeks ago, i ran this by a ford tech there, he suggested sumo springs. He said it will help that steering issue some. I did not think it would too much, i thought the springs were more for pitch and roll.

Any thoughts on this before i drop some $$ on this.
Any suggestions to improve the constant steering inputs.?

Thanks

I have a 2020 Canyon Star 3710....and just an "FYI" or "Reference" here is what I did. And having returned from a 2200+ mile trip; I must say I am very happy & impressed with the ride & handling!

Prior to picking up my coach at Newmar, I had already purchased the items I was going to change.
1) Ultra-Trac rear trac bar
2) Set of 4 Koni shocks
3) Saf-T-Plus steering stabilizer
4) Front Sumo springs
5) Per the Ford Dealers recommendation; with these changes; did not do the "CHF"! Local Ford Dealer did all the installation work.
6) Newmar weighed the coach, & based on those weights, am running 95 PSI front & 88 PSI rear. Sorry, I don't have the 4 corner weights with me, but used the Michelin chart & I added 3 lbs PSI as a cushion.

My results; the coach rides quite comfortably, except harsh bridge transitions, or big potholes, which will rattle any coach.
Very little, if any movement from passing trucks, or the wind.
Expansion joints, & most bumps in roadway give slight feedback, but not much. In some cases, none whatsoever.
Almost no lean & roll, though some entrance approaches are such that it will lean a bit.
Drove 800 miles home from Napanee, towing a Terrain through the mountains of West Virginia & Virginia, and must say the coach did well! The tow/haul mode is a must to use in the mountains, but I use it almost exclusively.
Made a 2200+ trip down I-95 to Florida, across Florida to the west coast, back through the Ocala National Forest, to the east coast, then back up I-95 to Virginia.
I do not have to "battle" the steering input, I enjoy driving it, and after a day of driving, am not worn out , nor very tired. And at 73 years old, that's a blessing!

Afterthought: Get the coach weighed. Setting tire pressures with the Michelin guidelines may be a big help with the ride! Undoing the "CHF" may make a difference too. Ford Dealer mentioned it could cause more harshness in ride characteristics. I do not know, as I've not had that done to mine. And lastly, KONI shocks will make a big difference, they did for me.

Best of luck, hope this info may help, and be safe, & Happy RV'ing!

[deepcj7]

Dont let them fool you....sadly, it is just the nature of the Ford F53 chassis. You will never be happy with it and you will constantly chase the problem while throwing money at. Just gonna have to deal with it or upgrade to Diesel pusher. Tire pressure makes a huge difference though and yours may be high. Mine are set at 82 psi. Good luck

[hohenwald48]

Originally Posted by deepcj7

Just gonna have to deal with it or upgrade to Diesel pusher.

Yeah, you want to throw money at something, trade for a diesel pusher. Been there, done that and ain't going back. My CS handles just fine thank you.