03' Islander- adding steering stabilizer?

[Rsrsjr]

Recommendations for a good steering stabilizer system to help with lane drift. I have severe arthritis, so hoping to find a way to lighten the grip. Safe-T-Plus? Or any other tips would be greatly appreciated.
- tires inflated properly
- drift the same fully loaded, or mostly empty
- semi truck place just serviced engine, raised it & "checked" front end. Said it's ok. But I'm thinking we need to have it aligned? And possibly a system installed?
Thanks, in advance for any advice or experience.

[Whaler2]

What chassis are you on? I had a Safe T Plus. They no doubt will help with a blow out but I am not convinced it actually helped handling. First of all they must be centered exactly or you end up fighting it too. The best way to figure that out is to test drive it for a several miles after installation. Most techs won't do that and it is better that you do the driving anyway.
Start with a good alignment, may want to consider a four wheel alignment and see how that goes.

[Rsrsjr]

Thanks! We have a dynomax chassis, which was built for National by Country coach. Think we will start with alignment, as you suggest.

[Whaler2]

I figured it was a DynoMax. You likely have the Neway suspension and TRW steering. Someone else will likely know for sure but I think your grearbox may be adjustable. Have that checked when you get your alignment and I assume the shop checked all tie rods and steering componets while they had it up.
Your chassis should drive/ handle like a dream. Put your dollars toward improving the drive with out an add-on stabilizer unless a blow out concerns you. That's just me tho. No doubt other's may have a different opinion.

[Charlie 5320]

Originally Posted by Rsrsjr

Thanks! We have a dynomax chassis, which was built for National by Country coach. Think we will start with alignment, as you suggest.

My coach has the Safe-t-plus, had it when I bought the coach. If I have the wheels turned when I back n the driveway and put my levelers down the wheel will straighten itself up. This is the first coach I've owned that had that system and the steering feels very light to me, but it is also my first W22 chassis. I really didn't care for the feel, but I just got back from a 1000 mile trip and really like it now.

[trode]

Originally Posted by Charlie 5320

My coach has the Safe-t-plus, had it when I bought the coach. If I have the wheels turned when I back n the driveway and put my levelers down the wheel will straighten itself up. This is the first coach I've owned that had that system and the steering feels very light to me, but it is also my first W22 chassis. I really didn't care for the feel, but I just got back from a 1000 mile trip and really like it now.

Similar experience for me, I put the Roadmaster Reflex on my F-53, centers after a turn better, whereas before I had to steer back to straight after a turn, and seems to keep "center" better, especially on a highway with a slant. Same thing with raising coach on jacks, steering will center up as soon as weight is off front tires. Not familiar with chassis mentioned, but mine was much better to steer on highway after front end alignment, only thing that drives me crazy is on the ford chassis it is a major ordeal to center the steering wheel after alignment (removal and reset is what I was told), so mine sits cock-eyed now.

[hohenwald48]

Word of warning about steering stabilizers like the Roadmaster Reflex. At least on an F-53 chassis.

When you install it (or have it installed) make sure it's mounted in such a way that it doesn't get hit by the front trac bar. Mine was mounted level (by the previous owner) and the trac bar bent the Reflex shaft. Probably when going over a bump or due to some significant body roll. I intalled a new one at a downward angle to avoid that in the future. Just something to watch out for.

Obviously, I like the steering stabilizer or I wouldn't have spent the money to replace the bent one.

[Rsrsjr]

Thanks Whaler 2! Sound advice, will check steering gear & alignment first. I'll post the results.