Community Forums

bduemig · 03-18-2023, 08:11 PM

I recently purchased a 2019 Georgetown XL 378ts on an f53 26k chassis. I seem to have to make constant steering adjustments, not bad but seems more than I should with only 6k on the coach . I had the alignment checked and it is good.

I already upgraded the front anti sway bar and looked at the rear. It looks fine. I want to try something to take out the rear sway / tail wag.

For those who have experience with these upgrades, which would give me more bang for my buck
1. Replace or install an additional rear sway bar or
2. Add safe t steer.

Or is there something else I could do that won't break the bank.

High Road Travelers · 03-18-2023, 09:23 PM

If you are having to make constant steering adjustments, install the safe t steer. I have that on mine and it steers fine, unless it is fairly windy.
Thanks,

blueridge-fl · 03-19-2023, 04:53 AM

Where did you have the alignment checked? Did they ask you what problem you were having?

Chargerman · 03-19-2023, 06:13 AM

I would be looking at Hendersons components. I added their track bar, rear sway bar and a set of Koni shocks, along with a safe t steer and radius rods and front sway bar to a friends rig. Night and day difference.

bduemig · 03-19-2023, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueridge-fl

Where did you have the alignment checked? Did they ask you what problem you were having?

It was looked at with a well known truck shop. He asked me about the problem I was having when I called to make the appointment.

wolfe10 · 03-19-2023, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bduemig

It was looked at with a well known truck shop. He asked me about the problem I was having when I called to make the appointment.

And, from the "before/after" alignment printout, what is L and R CASTER set to?

yeloduster · 03-19-2023, 06:46 AM

If you read past posts on the Ford Chassis Forum you will find numerous posts stating the thing that made the most difference in straight line steering performance on their F53 chassis was setting the Caster to ≈5.5° positive. The spec is more like 3° positive caster. I suspect the alignment shop checked it to spec. The alignment shop should have provided a printout that showed the alignment measurements. See if you can find it, take a picture of it and post it here. There will be lots of opinions about what you should do.

This is done by adding wedges between the front springs and the axle.

**Camp CA** · 03-19-2023, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bduemig

.........Or is there something else I could do that won't break the bank.

Safe-T-Plus steering stabilier by a Safe-T-Plus dealer who should also center the steering wheel. Plus a SuperSteer rear trac bar and second rear Roadmaster anti-sway bar. That is what I instlled on my 2022 Entegra Vision Ford F-53 chassis.

bduemig · 03-19-2023, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolfe10

And, from the "before/after" alignment printout, what is L and R CASTER set to?

No printout. So perhaps I need to have it checked again.

Thank you

wolfe10 · 03-19-2023, 12:29 PM

If no printout, it is VERY likely that if caster was anywhere near specs, it would not have been adjusted to OPTIMAL SPEC, as it involves loosening the axle mount and adding wedge-shaped shims. For a tech on flat rate, that is a non-starter.

If no printout, you would need to tell them exactly what caster L and R you want and be able to verify it.

yeloduster · 03-20-2023, 06:55 AM

bduemig,

For sure have the alignment checked again. Be sure the shop that does the alignment can and will add the wedges to adjust the Caster to 5-6° if it is needed.

Once the caster is set in the 5.5° range, drive it enough to know if the issue is better. If it is resolved the your done! If you still want it tighter you might then start considering the various gizmos available to improve the handling of your motorhome.

Domo · 03-20-2023, 07:17 AM

Don't forget weight distribution on the chassis. Much that same as too much weight in the rear when towing a trailer can create sway, the same is true for any vehicle.

Many manufacturers have information about the optimal front-rear and side-side weight distribution.

Also, proper tire inflation is always critical and the first thing that should be checked using proper fully-loaded corner weights and tire manufacturer's inflation charts.

George Schweikle · 03-20-2023, 08:57 AM

X2 for the "Various Gizmos". Rather than just throwing a lot of money on several different products, the ideal process is to accurately describe your handling issue, then apply the product intended to address that issue. In your case, your first post mentioned the "rear sway / tail wag" and this is best reduced or eliminated with a rear track bar (Panhard bar).

That said, sometimes there are several things going on at once. Steering stability, as others have said, is addressed by adding caster.

Quote:

Originally Posted by yeloduster

bduemig,

For sure have the alignment checked again. Be sure the shop that does the alignment can and will add the wedges to adjust the Caster to 5-6° if it is needed.

Once the caster is set in the 5.5° range, drive it enough to know if the issue is better. If it is resolved the your done! If you still want it tighter you might then start considering the various gizmos available to improve the handling of your motorhome.