Front wheels swing left and right

[CountryFit]

Hi all,
I am new on this coach I bought last week. On my way back home over 400 miles driving, I noticed that front wheels didn't go straight while on a straight road. It swung left and right, I had to correct it constantly. What might be the cause?

Really appreciate your advices or comments.

[IWillRVToo]

Worn ball joints, tie rod ends, something loose or broken, REALLY out of alignment.
Get it into a shop ASAP!!

[CountryFit]

Thank you IWillRVToo! I checked PO's service records, 9k miles ago he did alignment. For safety purpose, I will bring it to a RV shop to check it out tomorrow.

[dons2346]

I have basically the same coach. Make sure your ride height is set correct. Weigh the coach and set the pressure in the tires accordingly. If it still has the original red Koni shocks, you might want to change them to the firmest setting. I can almost guarantee that you won't find any worn out parts.

[Mr_D]

Another cause is overcorrecting. Keep you elbows on the arm rest and use your wrists to steer and look further ahead. FL tech support told me that when I had "problems" with our then new 2000 DSDP.

[GuitarLefty]

Interesting, Mr_D has a great point, I am new to driving a 37' Class A motor coach also. We went to Gulf State Park 1st trip, approx 300 miles - one way. During the 1st 75-miles I kept the coach to far to the right of the lane (right lane - interstate) which made the coach react in the manner you were speaking of, we stopped for breakfast and afterwards and for the entire trip I realized that I had to keep the coach closer to the center line, changed everything. I checked my centerline distance continually with my rear view mirror, which I also used to check for Semis coming past as not to be surprised.

Good luck, CBS <><

[CountryFit]

Hi Don, the coach has 70kmi, almost everything is original, except lift pump being new. the suspension is soft, it keeps bouncing many times after passing a bump, I didn't check tire pressure before hitting the road. what you pointed out might have contributed to the issue.

Mr_D and Guitarlefty, Looks like we all had similar experience. Initially on highway I thought I was in middle but more than often I heard my right tires were rambling on right side lane markers. After about 20 miles I improved my driving skills and no longer heard the sound.

[Dutch Star Don]

sdlcrazier.......Is this your first large Class DP? I've found that a lot of people do what "Mr_D" suggested. If yo;re driving by looking directly in front of the coach, you'll be all over the road. You need to steer toward a point about 150' - 200' ahead.

Another thing to try (may sound funny) is to tilt the steering wheel farther back toward you. The more it's in the upright position, the more you'll oversteer. Give it a try by tilting the wheel all the way up. You'll find yourself really correcting the steering.

[dons2346]

With only 70,000 miles I can guarantee there are no worn ball joints or steering arms. With the porpoising I can guarantee the shocks are shot even if they are set on the firmest setting. When you replace the shocks, spend the $$$ and get Road Kings installed. I tried the Koni FSDs and in 25,000 miles they were in the same condition as the old Konis. Our coaches are heavy on the front end and need a heavy shock. My '02 40ft Intrigue has 112,000 miles BTW.

[wa8yxm]

Was someone tailing you watching the wheels?

A common issue with motor homes is that the wheels and the chassis DO in fact go straight down the road, but the body "Wags" like the tail of a dog.

The reason:

Leaf springs.. The springs as you know allow the wheels to bounce (Well not really bounce shocks stop that) but to automatically "Adjust" to a bump in the road. Absorbe some of the shock but with a solid axle, such as the rear axle on a Rear Wheel Drive or the front axle on many I-Beam front suspension motor homes. they also allow side to side movement, Thus the body can shift side to side over the wheels.

THE SOLUTION:

Some years ago the auto companies came out with "independent front suspension" on Pickups and cars, This fixed a good part of it, So did "Strut" type suspension since this uses pan-hard or Track bars (2 names, one product).

On a motor home though.. These are not normally put on at the factory.

They DO, however, fix the problem. Easily added If you are on the west coast see Brazil's for the Ultra Power if you have a Ford or Workhorse. Otherwise they can fix you up with one of the other more expensive brands.

[CountryFit]

Originally Posted by Diplomat Don

sdlcrazier.......Is this your first large Class DP? I've found that a lot of people do what "Mr_D" suggested. If yo;re driving by looking directly in front of the coach, you'll be all over the road. You need to steer toward a point about 150' - 200' ahead.

Another thing to try (may sound funny) is to tilt the steering wheel farther back toward you. The more it's in the upright position, the more you'll oversteer. Give it a try by tilting the wheel all the way up. You'll find yourself really correcting the steering.

Hi Don, Yes this is my first RV. I am surely at the bottom/beginning of the learning curve. When I drive cars, I mostly use one hand at the closest point of steering wheel to me, I will make sure doing similar with another hand assistance with wrist on RV, and steering toward far ahead. Tilting toward me is another good reminder. Thanks.

[CountryFit]

Originally Posted by dons2346

With only 70,000 miles I can guarantee there are no worn ball joints or steering arms. With the porpoising I can guarantee the shocks are shot even if they are set on the firmest setting. When you replace the shocks, spend the $$$ and get Road Kings installed. I tried the Koni FSDs and in 25,000 miles they were in the same condition as the old Konis. Our coaches are heavy on the front end and need a heavy shock. My '02 40ft Intrigue has 112,000 miles BTW.

I will look into the shocks... 112kmi already - you have been traveling quite a bit

[wa8yxm]

If you don't have 'em have a track bar installed too (Also called Pan Hard Bars)

There are 3 improvements in many RV's.

That's one

Steering stabilizers try to keep wheels pointed straight ahead (Well they help you do that) by encouraging the wheels to be "Centered" I like the Blue-OX True Center though for many it is NOT the best.. I still like it, it is 'Re-Centerable" from the driver's seat.

Next is a "Sway Bar" Many motor homes are a bit top heavy and thus they rock side to side, Kind of like kids at a rock concert swaying right and left in.. now Workhorse put a decent sway bar on the chassis at the factory which seems to do the job for me. but some folks like more anti-sway so add a 2nd sway bar as well.

[dons2346]

Sway bars, track bars and wheel centering gizmos are not needed on a DynoMax chassis.