Community Forums

JimLuk · 06-05-2021, 06:02 PM

I've put over 3,000 miles of "of white knuckle driving" under my belt... The initial delivery, in April, included all tires at 125 psi, and the steering seemed "floaty and loose". I called Tiffin, after 2,000 miles or so, they recommended lowering tire pressure to 115 front, and 95 rear with some improvement, but still "floaty & loose". We dropped by Safe-T-plus in GA enroute to FL... some improvement but still floaty and loose". We are in Red Bay waiting our turn to get stuff fixed and adjusted. Any suggestions?

Shutterbug57 · 06-05-2021, 06:23 PM

Weigh the coach and use the tire manufacturers inflation chart.

garykk · 06-05-2021, 06:23 PM

Is this your first large coach? The Tiffin buses handle great. First thing is to get it weighed and adjust the tires pressures correctly. Our bus handles like a dream.
If this is your first coach, you might be driving it like a car. Don’t forget, you’re sitting in front of the front axle and you may be over compensating in your steering. Don’t look right In Front of you but about 4-5 car lengths at least.

JimLuk · 06-05-2021, 07:01 PM

Thanks both of you... I will get it weighed and use the 2021 power glide tire weight chart... As this is my first RV I was extending my vision perhaps too far down the road... Will try as you suggest... I do have several reference spots on the dash and wiper blade to double check lane bounderies.

JimLuk · 06-05-2021, 07:04 PM

What are the usual places to get each axil weighed? LOVES, other truck stops etc?

Props2 · 06-05-2021, 10:18 PM

With only a few thousand miles under your belt, you probably don't quite have a solid feel to what should be a normal driving experience. White knuckle driving could be too much of a stranglehold on the wheel when its not needed, or just a bit of anxiety. I think everybody is different with that. You'll do fine, we all had to go thru it.
The Safe T plus should have tightened things up a bit more for sure. Cheap insurance would be a front end alignment if it was not done at the install of the Safe t plus.

I think you will find Tiffin's tire pressure numbers will be just about spot on. That is where I run my numbers after 4 corner weight in Gaffney. But get your rigged weighed, that way you know where you stand on how you loaded your rig. Any of the major truck plaza's will have a scale and axle weights will get you in the ballpark. Try to have a full tank of fuel and 90 gallons of water (or beer) before you weigh.

Shutterbug57 · 06-06-2021, 03:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimLuk

What are the usual places to get each axil weighed? LOVES, other truck stops etc?

CAT scales are at many truck stops. They have an app to find scales and another to operate them and get your weigh ticket without having to leave your vehicle.

JimLuk · 06-06-2021, 06:35 AM

Thanks everyone... I will checkout the CAT application... & fuel & water weight.

EcoRick · 06-06-2021, 09:42 AM

I take zero credit for this post. It was written by “Betr2Trvl” last year. I took a screen shot and referred to it often learning to drive our gasser.

“And take your time to get used to driving your RV.

I usually don’t get involved in “handling” discussions (like most people, I’m getting bored and stir crazy at home, so I’ll jump in for a change) because much of each person’s perspective is due to their driving style and type of driving experiences they have had in their life. A big RV, with a high center of gravity exaggerates many things that you seldom feel in your normal everyday driving of your car.

Look down the road, relax your grip on the steering wheel. Don’t try to “point it” and be constantly trying to make small corrections because at that point you are chasing it and it will be a never ending cycle that becomes the tail wagging the dog creating a lot of dynamic weight transfer that can create a very unsettled feeling.

Brake early for corners so that you are braking in a straight line down to a speed for the slowest part of a corner before you start your turn (yes, that means you have to look further down the corner) to again control dynamic weight transfer. You’ll feel like you may be over slowing, but it’s a lot better than having to add brake mid corner which just shifts more weight to the outside front corner. This is just as true on the interstate as it is anywhere else.....

Breath a little and relax, and again, a light grip with both hands on the wheel at all times. Also try sitting more upright and closer to the wheel to gain leverage and ease your back and shoulders.

And load distribution makes a huge difference in handling. You don’t want a lot of weight way behind the rear axle (exaggerates tail wagging the dog) and / or a light front end (steering wander).

Don’t just start throwing parts at it until you’ve got at at least 3000 if not 5000 miles under your belt.

BTW, your dealer doesn’t make any money with those suggestions

Good luck!”

It was great advice for me.

jkorn · 06-06-2021, 10:19 AM

The suspensions on Tiffin products is first class. I suspect you want your new rig to drive more like your car which it will never do. Remember it’s more or less a bus not a Porsche.

Sit back, relax but stay vigilant while driving down the road. Stop every couple of hours to stretch your legs and take a break. You have to “drive” these rigs 100% of the time unlike a car on the highway. We plan for just a little over 300 miles a day so are never in a hurry. My sweet spot for speed is 67. Good mileage and not loafing down the road.

Know your route well before you take off in the morning. No surprises. I love two lane over all the hectic traffic on a freeway or interstate highway. And normally better scenery.

Maybe it’s kind of like golf. Once I realized I did not have to squeeze the heck out my clubs and relax my grips I did much better.

I hope you learn to enjoy your new rig. I do mine and can’t wait for the next time to get back on the road.

Jeff

JimLuk · 06-12-2021, 03:47 PM

THANKS EVERYONE! We had Bay Diesel, Red Bay check the safe-t-plus strut and a slight adjustment made a big difference... Now fingertip steering is a breeze! (along with many of everyone's advice above.) May not need a new alignment! They recommend that when an alignment is performed also adjust the safe-t-plus.

jlturner · 06-12-2021, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by garykk

Is this your first large coach? The Tiffin buses handle great. First thing is to get it weighed and adjust the tires pressures correctly. Our bus handles like a dream.

If this is your first coach, you might be driving it like a car. Don’t forget, you’re sitting in front of the front axle and you may be over compensating in your steering. Don’t look right In Front of you but about 4-5 car lengths at least.

Gary is right on the money! We taught the Smith System advanced driving to all our drivers of commercial vehicles.

The Smith System emphasizes five keys to safe driving. The company teaches drivers (1) to aim high in steering, meaning that drivers are taught to look farther down the road for potentially unsafe situations. A good average is to look down the road to the point the vehicle will be 15 seconds later.

You’ll have to practice this and train your eyes to look further down the road. Some advantages are seeing hazards sooner, pacing traffic lights and maintaining vehicle position in the middle of the lane. Also by looking way down the road and as far into the turn as possible. You'll notice your turns are not only smoother, but you're being safer, too. [emoji613]

jubilee32 · 06-15-2021, 03:47 PM

I recommend using the tire manufacturer’s tables to determine appropriate weights.

It is likely best to get weights at all four corners but that is difficult to do. I believe the Escapees web site might have sources for that. Certainly, front and rear weights should put you pretty close. It is amazing what a couple of pounds +/- can make

Frbear · 06-15-2021, 04:13 PM

I’ve found that what works for me, is to look ahead and adjust to keep my body on the line between the dark center area and the lighter traveled area on the left of the lane. It will pretty much center you in the lane. Occasionally checking the wide angle mirrors on the sides will confirm your position in the lane.