Hard to Drive....

[Gunny068]

So we bought this 40ft Gulfstream recently, took it out for the maden voyage the other day, went to Bakersfield from Salem Or. Mostly went OK.

The only issue I have was the wandering (I really had to consentrate on keeping it between the lines) Freighliner chassis, brand new tires, bell crank, sway bar.

While I am new to RVing, I spent 20 years driving truck...

Getting an alignment on next Saturday, Is it me or anyone else have issues with the steering on these units?

[wa8yxm]

Possible issues and improvements:

1: (You already schedled this) alignment
2: Tire pressure, it has to be proper for the weight the tire is carrying, NOTE this may be different from both the sticker and the sidewall (Most likely WILL be different) may also be different corner to corner.

3: There are 3 problems that plague RV's due to their top heavy construciton

1: Sway, Side to side rocking, like people at a rock concert Solution sway bars

Diagnosis, have chase driver observe vehicle if it tilts right and left, add sway bar.

2: Wag, the chassis is going straight down the road but the body is doing the shimmy wagging like a dog. Solution TRACK BARS or Pan Hard bars (Same thing)

Diagnosis, again the chase driver.

3: Steering wander. This is where the chassis wanders.. NOTE hard to diagnose less other issues fixed first.. Solution... Steering stablizer, Safe-T-Steer or my choice was the Blue-OX stablizer.

[Fred Cooper]

Besides correct tire pressure after weighing all four corners, and correct alignment, be sure to check for any binding (bellcrank) or loose components in front end. Most of my problem was slop in the steering box which is adjustable (at least on my model) but most shops do not want to adjust the steering box. Several other Freightliner owners have had this same problem. There is another thread in this forum about adjusting the steering box.

Unless Freightliner has changed their design, your chassis will already have front and rear trac bars as standard equipment.

I did install a steer-safe, and it helped eliminate rut tracking but that was the only difference I could detect. It was already tracking nicely before I installed the steer-safe.

Fred

[wb7auk]

I am not sure on your model of MH but before a alignment check the ride height
adjustment. Call Freightliner with the chassis vin# and they will tell you the measurements and how and where to measure it. Also note this is an often over
looked item that is to be checked every 6 month/ 6000 miles/ and at service.
Improper front ride height adjustment will cause the whole alignment to be out and
is like trying to herd a bunch of cats down the road.
The rear sets the drive line angle to the pinion yoke and must be correct.
All of these adjustments are plus or minus 1/4 inch on most Freightliner chassis's
If it needs adjustment I suggest you take it to a Freightliner shop or a shop that
knows how to make the adjustments as most shops do not have a clue on the proper
way to adjust it.
Side Note: Unless you have access to a drive over pit doing it your self is very
dangerous as a mistake will cause the unit to drop and crush you.