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BluBounder · 12-15-2013, 09:54 AM

We have just completed an 1800 mile trip from NH to Ft Myers, Fl and, thankfully, we made it ahead of all of the awful weather that has been moving across the middle and northeast Atlantic states. Last year, when we made the same trip, I was exhausted by having to chase the tail of our 2005 Fleetwood Bounder (Workhorse 8.1 chassis - gas) for the whole way. I have driven a lot of vehicles over the years - from school buses to race cars - and I have never driven such an ill handling thing as this Class A MH. We were able to make some improvements last year by replacing the shocks with OEM Bilsteins. That took out most of the lurching around. But the tail wagging in cross winds and having to chase the thing all over the place every time an 18 wheeler passed by was a huge issue. Careful adjustment of tire pressures helped quite a bit. I got some very good info from Oemy's web site and decided to try a rear trac bar made by Brazel's Performance Products (Brazel'sRV.com). The bar is not cheap but what a difference!! No more tail wag. Cross winds are barely noticed. 18 wheelers, even the ones that are pushing a big bow wave, only give a slight push as they go by. Uneven pavement is no problem at all. The rig will still try to follow big cracks, buy I can steer off of them without having to chase it all over to regain control. The bar is very well made and includes all of the hardware required for installation right down to a tube of Loctite. Directions are excellent and the install is very straightforward. An air impact wrench is a help. The only problem that I had was pulling 150 pounds on the torque wrench while lying on my back under the coach. At my advanced age, I don't have the arm strength that I once did, but, being a determined sort, I managed. I highly recommend this product or a similar one for anyone who is having driving problems with their class A gas coach.

George Schweikle · 12-15-2013, 01:18 PM

A rear track bar worked for me, also. It's really the only cure for rear sway. It's important to match the accessory to the problem, rather than throwing multiple modifications at something, and not knowing what resulted in the desired effect. In both of our situations, I don't think any of the "Steering stabilizer" products would have done any good.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BluBounder

We have just completed an 1800 mile trip from NH to Ft Myers, Fl and, thankfully, we made it ahead of all of the awful weather that has been moving across the middle and northeast Atlantic states. Last year, when we made the same trip, I was exhausted by having to chase the tail of our 2005 Fleetwood Bounder (Workhorse 8.1 chassis - gas) for the whole way. I have driven a lot of vehicles over the years - from school buses to race cars - and I have never driven such an ill handling thing as this Class A MH. We were able to make some improvements last year by replacing the shocks with OEM Bilsteins. That took out most of the lurching around. But the tail wagging in cross winds and having to chase the thing all over the place every time an 18 wheeler passed by was a huge issue. Careful adjustment of tire pressures helped quite a bit. I got some very good info from Oemy's web site and decided to try a rear trac bar made by Brazel's Performance Products (Brazel'sRV.com). The bar is not cheap but what a difference!! No more tail wag. Cross winds are barely noticed. 18 wheelers, even the ones that are pushing a big bow wave, only give a slight push as they go by. Uneven pavement is no problem at all. The rig will still try to follow big cracks, buy I can steer off of them without having to chase it all over to regain control. The bar is very well made and includes all of the hardware required for installation right down to a tube of Loctite. Directions are excellent and the install is very straightforward. An air impact wrench is a help. The only problem that I had was pulling 150 pounds on the torque wrench while lying on my back under the coach. At my advanced age, I don't have the arm strength that I once did, but, being a determined sort, I managed. I highly recommend this product or a similar one for anyone who is having driving problems with their class A gas coach.

DriVer · 12-19-2013, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BluBounder

At my advanced age, I don't have the arm strength that I once did, but, being a determined sort, I managed. I highly recommend this product or a similar one for anyone who is having driving problems with their class A gas coach.

In regard to yanking on a torque wrench, I know that the BIG toque wrenches are longer so, you might want to try a pipe. It'll help with leverage.

The rear track bar is the upgrade path that I first pursued many years ago and it gave me so much bang for the buck that I invested in getting a front track bar as well.

I drive my rig with one-hand all the time and never get tired.