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Old 11-29-2021, 01:30 PM   #1
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Steer Axle Tuning–Spartan K3 Chassis–2018 Cornerstone

Rather than make a very long post, attached is a PDF file which includes, text, photos and other images summarizing a very interesting project in which I recently participated. Also involved were three individuals from Reyco Granning (supplier of various suspension packages to Spartan RV) and two individuals from Bilstein (a large multi-national supplier of shock absorbers and related suspension components).

The write-up covers steer axle changes to improve handling and drivability of our 2018 Entegra Cornerstone which is on a Spartan K3 chassis. My belief, subject to confirmation by Reyco Granning and Bilstein, is that most of the changes we tested would be equally applicable to coaches built on a Spartan K2 chassis.
Attached Files
File Type: pdf Spartan K3 Chassis Front Suspension Tuning.pdf (871.6 KB, 172 views)
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Old 11-29-2021, 02:11 PM   #2
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Great write up. Thanks. As I recall, my 2018 did not come with E-Z Steer. Presumably your results would be different on a E-Z Steer coach, but maybe not. Any thoughts? I’m not unhappy with the way my 2021 handles but wouldn’t be adverse to an improvement.
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Old 11-29-2021, 02:34 PM   #3
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Dan, you are correct that my 2018 Cornerstone doesn't have E-Z Steer.

Thinking about what E-Z Steer is designed to do, my sense is that the anti-sway bar would still improve handling on curvy roads by controlling body roll (which E-Z Steer is not designed to do). As for my belief that the anti-sway bar would also be beneficial in crosswinds, E-Z Steer is supposed to help in those conditions. So it's probably an open question as to whether there would be an additional benefit provided by the anti-sway bar in that situation.

I'll put it this way. Based how much better my coach drove with the anti-sway bar installed I wouldn't hesitate to install one even if I had a newer coach with E-Z Steer. Same for the reconfigured Bilstein shocks.
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Old 11-29-2021, 03:30 PM   #4
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Thank you Larry, an excellent and very informative write up. What a great project to be involved with. I am sure you have had the opportunity to drive a 21 CS with the Valid air system and EZ steer. How did you find comparison? I already see a need for shock improvement on the 21.
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Old 11-29-2021, 03:57 PM   #5
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Chuck, I haven’t had an opportunity to drive a 2021 Cornerstone with E-Z Steer. I have driven the following coaches equipped with E-Z Steer (Entegra) or Comfort Drive (Newmar):

- 2018 Newmar Essex (Spartan)
- 2019 Newmar Mountain Aire (Freightliner)
- 2010 Newmar Mountain Aire (Spartan)
- 2019 Newmar London Aire (Freightliner)
- 2020 Entegra Anthem (Spartan)
- 2020 Entegra Anthem (Spartan)

Regarding my impressions of E-Z Steer/Comfort Drive, I could take it or leave it. That said, I will readily acknowledge that my test drives were 10 to 20 miles, whereas friends who have it tell me the advantages are much more apparent on longer drives.

Regarding your comment about needing shock improvement, I have no idea why Spartan insists on doing their own tuning of Bilstein shocks. I do recall various Entegra owners changing from Bilstein shocks to Koni and reporting significantly less porpoising.
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Old 11-29-2021, 04:10 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LWBAZ View Post
Chuck, I haven’t had an opportunity to drive a 2021 Cornerstone with E-Z Steer. I have driven the following coaches equipped with E-Z Steer (Entegra) or Comfort Drive (Newmar):

- 2018 Newmar Essex (Spartan)
- 2019 Newmar Mountain Aire (Freightliner)
- 2010 Newmar Mountain Aire (Spartan)
- 2019 Newmar London Aire (Freightliner)
- 2020 Entegra Anthem (Spartan)
- 2020 Entegra Anthem (Spartan)

Regarding my impressions of E-Z Steer/Comfort Drive, I could take it or leave it. That said, I will readily acknowledge that my test drives were 10 to 20 miles, whereas friends who have it tell me the advantages are much more apparent on longer drives.

Regarding your comment about needing shock improvement, I have no idea why Spartan insists on doing their own tuning of Bilstein shocks. I do recall various Entegra owners changing from Bilstein shocks to Koni and reporting significantly less porpoising.
What I was curious about was the Valid air system over the Hadley. I notice a considerable difference in side sway over the 19. The EZ steer, I am finally getting use to. The 1/4 mark is the most comfortable for me. Any higher and it is ghost steering to me in normal conditions. At 1/4 turn I still feel the coach, but the truck ruts in the right lane are no longer felt.
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Old 11-29-2021, 04:24 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by brobox View Post
What I was curious about was the Valid air system over the Hadley. I notice a considerable difference in side sway over the 19. The EZ steer, I am finally getting use to. The 1/4 mark is the most comfortable for me. Any higher and it is ghost steering to me in normal conditions. At 1/4 turn I still feel the coach, but the truck ruts in the right lane are no longer felt.
Good info Chuck - thanks. Maybe Spartan's opinion is that air suspension negates the need for an anti-sway bar, but the bar made a big difference on my coach. On yours, maybe not so much.

That said, anti-sway bars are pretty much ubiquitous on cars and light trucks these days, so given a choice I'd want one on a motorhome as well.
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Old 11-30-2021, 07:45 AM   #8
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I have never driven an easy steer coach, but I have a hard time imagining how much easier my coach "needs" to drive than the way it drives right now. At least up to the COVID period of inactivity, I was able to drive my coach 8-10 hours with no noticeable fatigue or problem. That is in high cross wind and well rutted blacktop.

Maybe I really need to try it, but my guess is that this is an example of a problem that really did not need fixing on 95% of all coaches and the motivation to add it was more due to Newmar deciding to add it to their coaches and Entegra wanting to say.... "Us too !!!!!".

My coach is a dream to drive.

Gary
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Old 11-30-2021, 07:47 AM   #9
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Now Dee has said that this Cornerstone is harder for her to walk around in when in motion than our 2015 was, but that is not something that I feel or experience or feel in the driver seat, but she knows what she is talking about usually and so I believe her.

Gary
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Old 11-30-2021, 08:57 AM   #10
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Larry, excellent info. Maybe you are not at liberty to say, but surprised EC did not have people there to see tests for themselves.
I would think they would have a vested interest on any improvements of the brand first hand.
I have no axe to grind with Spartan, but if I were EC, I would not rely solely on what they tell me about sub components.
Must have been fun to be in on this.
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Old 11-30-2021, 09:03 AM   #11
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Cool test. Glad to hear they allowed you to be part of it. Assuming they have options for solid axles too? Specifically the roll bar?
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Old 11-30-2021, 10:41 AM   #12
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Thanks, Larry for the great write-up! Like most, I really enjoy the Cornerstone ride but do feel it’s shortcomings. To be able to retrofit a swaybar would certainly improve its drivability!
I would definitely be interested in a kit with any or all of those components. The ping tanks sound like an interesting idea.
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Old 11-30-2021, 11:14 AM   #13
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Larry,

An interesting read, thanks for posting.
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Old 11-30-2021, 01:58 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bevandtomH View Post
Larry, excellent info. Maybe you are not at liberty to say, but surprised EC did not have people there to see tests for themselves.
I would think they would have a vested interest on any improvements of the brand first hand.
I have no axe to grind with Spartan, but if I were EC, I would not rely solely on what they tell me about sub components.
Must have been fun to be in on this.
Tom, the Tuesday and Wednesday test runs (the 50 mile round trips out to Bartlett Lake and back) were very enjoyable, as well as enlightening. It’s a fun road to drive, very scenic, and the weather was great.

The Thursday tests out a Phoenix Raceway were more challenging. The scenery wasn’t anything to brag about (a big, relatively flat, asphalt parking lot), but at least the weather was still nice. One of the big takeaways from that day was that if you have to make emergency maneuvers in a big Class A motorhome, be prepared for lot of things inside the coach to NOT stay in place. By the time we were done, pretty much every drawer and door had executed at least one unplanned opening!

Regarding anyone from Entegra being invited, Brad Boehmer from Reyco Granning can elaborate if he so desires, but my sense is that Reyco Granning’s objective was to collect data on the handling and drivability characteristics of a Spartan K3 chassis as built by Spartan, then see if various changes would achieve potential improvements. What they learned and whether they plan to share it with Spartan and/or the motorhome builders who buy chassis products from Spartan is something Brad can address. Spartan RV’s two largest customers are Entegra/Jayco and Newmar. Foretravel and Nexus RV are their two other customers, but those two are comparatively low volume.
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