Community Forums

Lightseekers · 03-20-2009, 09:14 PM

My brother-in-law has a 04 Brave on a workhorse. He is debating on front or rear stabilizer. Or does he need one? He had a 94 Adventerer than had a front one and is not sure if he need one on this unit. He had not taken a trip over 100 miles with today and we are going from St. Louis to Utah in late May and wants to know before finding out the hard way.

Mike Canter · 03-21-2009, 06:53 AM

That depends on how much you feel the MH roll when you go into corners or curves beacuse that is where the stabilizers realy come into play. They also help some with crosswinds or when the #$%%$# big trucks sneak up alongside you when you are taking a nap with one eye at a time. If it didn't come with one from the factory then they must feel fairly confindent on how it is set up stock so it will not be dangerous how it is right now on the road. There is no doubt that adding stabilizers to a MH that does not have one will improve the handling. Stabilzers also change the feel when you go into corners as far as oversteer on understeer.

RustyJC · 03-21-2009, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Canter

Stabilzers also change the feel when you go into corners as far as oversteer on understeer.

Stabilizer (anti-roll) bars will increase the roll resistance of the vehicle. In terms of handling, it certainly does matter (as Mike says) where the roll resistance is increased. Adding a front bar (or a larger front bar to a vehicle that already has one) will promote understeer, while doing the same to the rear will promote oversteer. Therefore, if a coach has no stabilizer bars, adding an appropriate amount of roll resistance to both ends will reduce the tendency to roll while maintaining handling balance.

Rusty

DAN L · 03-22-2009, 03:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SRL-R36

My brother-in-law has a 04 Brave on a workhorse. He is debating on front or rear stabilizer. Or does he need one? He had a 94 Adventerer than had a front one and is not sure if he need one on this unit. He had not taken a trip over 100 miles with today and we are going from St. Louis to Utah in late May and wants to know before finding out the hard way.

consider a track bar such as ultra track on the rear also.

DriVer · 03-22-2009, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SRL-R36

My brother-in-law has a 04 Brave on a workhorse. He is debating on front or rear stabilizer. Or does he need one?

SRL-R36, Many times the word stabilizer is used to describe several different components of a suspension.

What we need to know is what is the motorhome doing that needs resolution. Is it yawing, pitching or rolling? Each of these vectors can be addresses by a specific component.

In a yaw situation or tail wagging the dog, we are looking to install track or panhard bars.

In a pitch situation or porpoise the best devices to address this issue are shock absorbers.

In the case of a roll or side to side wobble the best device to resolve this would be anti-sway bars.

A good approach would be to apply a limited effort and address as many issues as possible with the least cost. If I were trying to improve the stability of a 2004 motorhome, I would be looking at a new set of shock absorbers and most likely a rear track bar.

Have your friend call Mike Bronzini at Brazels RV Performance Center and he will review the issues and suggest solutions. Brazels provides the UltraTrack line of products and they will also have a number of 3rd party solutions as well. Identify the exact problem, seek a solution.

John-D · 03-22-2009, 04:01 PM

I have an '05 Workhorse, I was told by assorted experts that a rear trac-bar would give me the most benefit.. Alas, much to my surprise when delivered the unit turned out to be a front trac-bar

Amazing difference

When I build up some cash Reserves I'm going to pay a call on Mike Bronzini at Brazel's and have a rear bar bolted on. But it appears that will take a while as I have bills to catch up on , Repairs to the towed, and then I can worry about the Trac Bar

Lightseekers · 03-23-2009, 06:06 AM

Thanks to all for the replies.

I am passing the information on and will what he decides. DriVer's note about shocks was timely since Motorhome mag. had an article on shocks in it, so I passed that along as well.

Oemtech · 03-29-2009, 06:46 AM

You may want to check out the write ups on my Free Tech Tips site on this subject.

Mike Canter · 03-29-2009, 07:01 AM

Stan, I just read that article on MH shock absorber comparison. Great test and write up. I have the Bilsteins on my MH now and I was going to swap them for the Koni shocks to see what the difference is. Glad I didn't. I am going to stick with the Bilsteins

.

geo91740 · 03-29-2009, 09:51 AM

We had a 1996 Georgie Boy Cruise Master, 34" on the Ford F53 chassis found the most economical & effective solution to wind was a product called Rollgard by Amtech in Las Vegas, NV. 888-880-8949, ask for Sheli or Mary try promotion code rolling331.