Community Forums

Billieg · 04-06-2011, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richz

All. Since my post requesting info on steering stabilizers, here are my findings. First, I wanted a product that requires NO maintenance and/or worries if wiring or electrical issues should occur. So my focus was on a mechanical product, just like we have in our cars. The narrow search resulted in 2 products. The Roadmaster Reflex & The Safe T Plus. Each is a hydraulic shock that has NO electrical connections, and seloinods to ever worry about. This was important to me. I also searched for a product that would help with wind and truck effects when passing. These 2 issues are important since I live in the SW and we always have some wind and our highways always have trucks. Comparing the 2, the only difference I could see was that one product has been around longer, and one was significantly lower in price yet virtiually the same in the way it works including the components, and thier specifications (weight, spring strength, shock shaft body) however, in construction, one has an external spring around the hydraulic shock and the other is enclosed. I contacted both companies directly and spoke with the leading tech/engineer. Then I concluded that maybe "getting what you pay for is not the case here"? The Roadmaster product was less expensive and did what I wanted it to do. So, a Roadmaster is on its way. I hope this helps others who may be wrestling with the same issues I was. I think both products are so similar and both do the job they are designed to do. So, it's a buyer's preferance, and you have mine.

As I said above I have the Steer Safe but also spent $1,400 on front end repairs and the steering box was checked. So I guess the "real" test and real review is when you put on your Roadmaster let us have a review on how it works and if the problems are solved. I have rarely seen a MH sway problem fixed by just one product without fixing something else on the coach.

JC2 · 04-06-2011, 08:45 AM

We have the Safe T Plus on our MH.

Steering Controls for RV's, Trucks, Buses | Safe-T-Plus Steering Control

MPython · 04-07-2011, 07:55 AM

All
We are going down the one thing at a time path. Have appointment at truck center recommended by our RV shop for full suspension check. Will drive and see if any improvement before deciding on any after market purchases. Our newly acquired 2004 Itasca 37b has no after market equipment.
Thanks for sharing your experience which helped us put together a good plan.
We will keep you posted on results.

CarlGeo · 04-07-2011, 07:05 PM

Installed Safe-T-Plus on my Safari Serengeti with Torsilastic chassis. Coach handled OK before installation, but wanted it primarily for control in case of a blowout.
However, after installing the unit the coach handles much better and requires much less effort to drive. I am very pleased with the unit and would recommend it.

MPython · 05-02-2011, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MPython

All
We are going down the one thing at a time path. Have appointment at truck center recommended by our RV shop for full suspension check. Will drive and see if any improvement before deciding on any after market purchases. Our newly acquired 2004 Itasca 37b has no after market equipment.
Thanks for sharing your experience which helped us put together a good plan.
We will keep you posted on results.

All
We had the suspension checked on our Itasca and found the following:
Springs badly sagged out, chassis sitting on the bump stops. Had springs beefed up with an extra leaf.
Shocks shot, new Bilsteins
Front end alighment way off, now set to specs.
Already had new tires on back, fronts OK

Results, she tracks straight, very little wander. I can actually steer her straight down the worst rutted highway. We brought it home in a substantial cornering headwind and crosswind, 20 to 30 mph and gusty whihc pushd us around a bit, but not bad.

We are leaving on an extended trip and will use as is for now. After this trip will decide if we will consider aftermarket.

Thanks for all your advice and sharing of experience.

MPython

Billieg · 05-02-2011, 08:44 AM

That's usually the case. Worn parts are to blame. We haven't heard back from RichZ to see how he made out.

Tim&Paula · 05-02-2011, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billieg

My 2 cents. First, have a truck center check out your front end. Bad bushings, bell crank and other problems could be the cause of the wandering. Fix them first. I spent $600 on a Steer safe unit only to find out my front end needed $1,400 worth of work. The steer safe unit is what most trucking and bus companies use and mine did make a big difference plus it will help you in a front blow out. Also, after all that work, the steer safe unit and Koni FSD shocks when a truck passed or the wind kicked up I was still "wandering". A trac bar in the rear is now needed. It never ends....

I agree. I had many people tell me to check the basics, tires, alignment, shocks, weight and so on. Also as I gained more experience it was easier to drive. Mine drives much better and I did not install a steering stabilizer.

mtmy2k · 05-03-2011, 04:32 AM

I had the Safe-T-Plus installed on our MH last year and it did make a difference. However, there is still a good bit of play in the steering. It seems that regardless of what type of road we are on I'm constantly moving the steering wheel 5-6 inches each way.

I also just recently figured out the previous owner put tires on the coach that are one load range too low for the true weight of the front end. I'm thinking the the overloaded front tire sidewalls may be causing the constant movement of the steering wheel.

I obviously need to replace the front tires (i'll get a front end alignment while there) so my question is this; is there a tire brand that generally has less sidewall flex than another?

Thanks, Steve

richz · 05-03-2011, 08:35 AM

All, Sorry for the late update with the install. As mentioned earlier, I purchased the Roadmaster Reflex Stablizer. It was a simple install. However, the product was shipped with coarse threat bolts & fine threat nuts self looking nuts? A trip to a nut & bolt shop was necessary. Very disapointed that I NEVER heard back from Roadmaster about this issue. Back to the product. It was hard for me to beleive the 270+lb spring would not be felt on the steering. It is not. The things that are big time noticable out of the gate is that you no longer feel road ruts at all!. You have no worries about 18 wheelers passing. That was annoying, and it is no longer. Qusty winds are immediately corrected with the stablizer corrections. That was felt on our current trip with winds at times qusting to 35mph. Again, how this could help with wind was a criteria for me since living in the SW. Certainly still feel the wind, but qusts are handled, were before it was up to me. And, I now have some added help in the event of a blowout. Overall, the $425 investment was well worth it. Why coaches are not fitted with them at the factory, in my opnion is a mistake. Most. if not all cars/trucks have them....... Hope this helps. Rich Z.

Billieg · 05-03-2011, 12:45 PM

Hey Rich,
Glad it worked out for you. Most of the many "steering" posts here and on other forums are looking for a quick fix for the "wandering" problem as was I awhile back. I found out there was no "quick fix" with my unit and I suspect many other people will find this out too. If a coach has worn or broken front end parts no amount of after market parts are going to fix it. They may cover up some of the problems but this could be dangerous. When I took my coach to a local garage and they said the front end was fine I took their word and got the Steer Safe. When the coach still "wandered" I took it to a truck center and they found all kinds of things wrong. I'm glad I got the Steer Safe and it does help like your Roadmaster unit and I feel better about a blowout but I'm also glad the worn and broken parts were found and replaced. My coach rides and drives great now and the money was well spent fixing it.

What mine needed and got replaced:
Bell crank
Upper and lower bushings
New ball joints
Replaced sagging springs
4 Koni FSD shocks
Steer Safe unit

paulrtaylor · 05-03-2011, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtmy2k

I had the Safe-T-Plus installed on our MH last year and it did make a difference. However, there is still a good bit of play in the steering. It seems that regardless of what type of road we are on I'm constantly moving the steering wheel 5-6 inches each way.

I also just recently figured out the previous owner put tires on the coach that are one load range too low for the true weight of the front end. I'm thinking the the overloaded front tire sidewalls may be causing the constant movement of the steering wheel.

I obviously need to replace the front tires (i'll get a front end alignment while there) so my question is this; is there a tire brand that generally has less sidewall flex than another?

Thanks, Steve

I bought bridgestone tires with steel belted sidewalls for this very reason. I now have a vastly improved ride.

krf9113 · 08-04-2011, 08:51 PM

I had the same issue with a Workhorse Chassis. I've been told that you should start at the rear of the coach and work forward. Even with steering play issues. I did the same thing as you did and it didn't help with the steering play one bit. I talked to the Roadmaster rep and he said the Safe-T-Plus or equivalent could possibly make the problem worse. It might be worth a phone call to Brazel's in WA or Henderson's in OR and discuss the issue with them. They are very knowledgeable.