Community Forums

Lynn Hayden · 06-23-2021, 07:31 AM

I recently bought a 2018 Allegro Open Road 36LA. It sways a lot even in light wind. I'm told there is a sway bar and better shocks I can put on it, but I haven't identified what I should use. Any recommendations?

HarryStone · 06-23-2021, 09:05 AM

See the CHF thread in the Ford chassis area. That will do wonders. I put a rear trac bar on as well, and put Koni shocks on front and rear. DW is amazed at the difference.

SargeW · 06-23-2021, 09:19 AM

Before you start throwing money at the problem, make sure your tires are properly inflated for the weight that you are carrying. Often times dealers with inflate the tires to the max load rating on the tire instead of what the manufactures tire pressure load chart recommends. A four corner weight is best, but if not available go to a truck scale and get weighed. If after setting the tire pressures you are still having the issues, then they can be addressed.

**Lt Dan** · 06-23-2021, 02:18 PM

I guess the first question is this your first motor home? Except for the ones with active air suspension, they will all sway to some extent.

HighDesert · 06-23-2021, 03:08 PM

The Open Road series sits higher than the DP's, so sway is more noticeable. On top of that, the F53 chassis is not known for rider comfort. Like anything, it can be fixed to almost eliminate issues, but that comes at a cost. I don't really agree with the "CHF", but that is just me. It would seem to me that if this was the correct fix, the chassis would come that way. There are steps that you can take, in order of price that may solve your concerns:
1) Add steering stabilizer
2) 4 corner weight and set tire pressures accordingly
3) Laser alignment on all wheels
4) Sumo springs (may help)
5) 1 3/4" HD front sway bar
6) Add additional sway bar to rear
7) Replace stock shocks with Koni FSD, or go big and do quad Koni FSD shocks all around
8) Rear Trac bar

All the above would run you $7500 $8500, depending on who you have doing the job. Of course, you can do this in a step function sequence and improve things over time. On the other hand, there are those with the F53 that say "it drives like a dream" and never did a thing to it. Me - got tired of fighting the tiger on trips and fixed it the way it should be.

Brianb131 · 06-24-2021, 05:05 AM

The steering stabilizer we used on our 2016 36LA was the Safe-T-Plus.
It dramatically helped the sway caused by wind, especially when being passed by a Tractor Trailer on the highway.