Community Forums

scrapper1 · 04-14-2015, 10:32 AM

I am the second owner of a 34SS. The only Suspension "upgrade" is a safety steer in the front, which I have been told is the reason this thing doesn't drive straight down the road. First, does anyone have the same issue, and second is there something better that you all would recommend replacing it with? The alignment place said to get rid of it... My second issue is with the "sag" in the back end. I have done some digging and it looks as if I still have the original leafs @ 15000. I live in Chicago and I've called several places and nobody knows what I'm talking about when I tell them I want to increase to 19000. Does anyone know of a good RV suspension shop around the Chicago area. I can't believe with all the trucks around here that I can't find help! Thanks for all your time!!!

BFlinn181 · 04-14-2015, 12:02 PM

When you talk about sag in the rear end, is it caused by overloading or tired springs? Get the RV weighed to find out. You might explore replacing the shocks and/or adding air springs in the rear. The safety steer on the front can be disconnected with a couple of turns of some wrenches, you could disable it and drive to see if it makes a difference.

Just adding heavier springs in the rear doesn't increase your load carrying capacity, that was set by the manufacturer of the chassis. To add bigger springs does nothing to increase tires, brakes, axles capacity.

Perhaps that's what the lack of response is all about. No decent shop is going to increase the springs because of liability. They know bigger springs doesn't mean bigger capacity.

Doggy Daddy · 04-14-2015, 12:19 PM

Never heard of a Safety Steer. Maybe you mean - SteerSafe or Safe T Plus.
To test your Steering Stabilizer to see if it is still working: 1. Raise both front wheels off the ground together. 2. Turn the wheel sharply to the right and let go - It should return to center by itself. 3. Turn the wheel sharply to the left and let go - It should return to center by itself. 4. If the steering does not return to center, then it needs repair or replacement.
Safe-T-Plus has a Life Time Warrantee. The serial number will be needed.

If you haven't already, inspect your tie rods and rubber bushings.
The standard & popular suspension improvements are:
Front steering Stabilizer, Front and Rear anti-sway bar, rear trac bar, Sumo springs, Koni FSD Hydraulic Shocks;

If your rear leaf springs are flat, I suggest you weigh your coach at all 4 wheels. You load could be uneven or overweight.

JohnInAz · 04-14-2015, 03:54 PM

I had a coach like yours. Jayco undersprung the chassis and at the time would pay the cost of having the springs upgraded. Doubt that they would do that now, but you might be able to get them to refer you to a suspension place in your area and they should be able to specify what the upgrade is. I didn't have any steering issues with mine, so I can't help you there.

Harvard · 04-14-2015, 07:44 PM

If you are going to have the alignment checked you need to bone up on +caster.

Here is a starting point.
E350/E450 Handling Problems are caused by too little + CASTER

Cosmo64 · 07-10-2015, 06:34 PM

The Jayco Seneca he has is built on a Kodiak chassis, not a Ford E350/E450.

scrapper1 · 07-15-2015, 08:32 AM

thanks everyone. Just had the springs upgraded to the 19000lb, makes a huge difference in the handling. just went through the smokies and handled 10 times better than last years trip. I may still order the super spring kit as people have posted that it really adds the finishing touch to handling like an SUV. I have not touched that safe steer shock up front yet. It still pulls to the left. does anyone know if that thing is under tension? I know someone said its just a couple of bolts. I see them and I'm sure I can get it off, but I am worried it may "blast off" if under some tension...