Community Forums

Snodsy · 01-23-2023, 03:08 PM

Just wanted to stop in and say hello for the first time. My wife and I just bought our first RV over the weekend-- a 2008 Four Winds Dutchmen 31F on an E450 chassis. I've been lurking on this site for about the last 3 months reading, and reading, and reading. We finally found a coach that we liked and seems to be in relatively good condition for it's age. Chassis only has 22,000 miles and appears to be solid with no leaks or anything unusual.

I'm a long time Ford truck owner and enthusiast, so when we started our search for a Class C, it was imperative I found one with a Ford chassis. I would have LOVED to found one with a 6.0L Powerstroke, but apparently that's an anomaly in the RV world. I've owner two Super Duty's with V10's and always got along well, so this will be my third, and lowest mileage, V10. Currently have an F250 with the 6.7L Powerstroke and I'm already learning that I need to set my expectations for performance much lower.

I drove the RV about 4 hours home from the dealer we bought it from and it was definitely an eye opening experience for me. I'm familiar with HD pickups, towing heavily with gooseneck trailers and such-- but this is definitely a different experience for me.

I wanted to thank everyone on here who I've never interacted with before. This forum has already proven to be extremely helpful and it appears most users are more than happy to share their experiences and knowledge with others. As mentioned, I've already been taking advantage of the hospitality on here for a couple of months and it's truly appreciated. I'm certain I'll have plenty of questions moving forward as we learn and grow with this coach. I've already spent a great deal of time this morning researching Hellwig sway bars, alignments, etc.

Thank you all again and I look forward to many more future discussions!

John58 · 01-23-2023, 03:25 PM

You are very welcome and glad to have you onboard. Good luck in your travels and stay safe.

NRR · 01-24-2023, 02:12 PM

Welcome to the group.

If big trucks pushed you around. First have the caster set as close to +5 as they can get it. Then consider other additions/changes.

Have fun out there.

TandW · 01-24-2023, 02:16 PM

Welcome aboard!

Snodsy · 01-24-2023, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NRR

Welcome to the group.

If big trucks pushed you around. First have the caster set as close to +5 as they can get it. Then consider other additions/changes.

Have fun out there.

I was able to get a pretty good feel for this coach on the drive home from the dealer on my 4 hour trip, and the pushing around on the interstate was definitely a little alarming to me. I've always had 3/4 and 1 ton trucks but never experienced the sway I did with this coach (not that I'm entirely surprised, I was expecting it to an extent). Been reading about the caster adjustment. I do think this thing is due for an alignment. When running straight down the road it didn't seem to pull one way or another, but the steering wheel is cocked pretty hard to the right for some reason. We've got a very reputable tire shop locally that also works on semis and I believe they have an alignment rack for big trucks, so they will likely be on my list to call and I'll be sure and recommend the +5 adjustment.

Also studied quite a bit on the Helwig bars for the front and rear. I'm going to keep those in my back pocket for now. I'd like to put a few more miles on it before I start dumping a ton of money into those upgrades just yet. We bought this coach to pull our SxS for trail riding, so I'm going to see how it behaves with my 16' utility trailer and SxS behind first.

And speaking of trailers, much to my frustration I discovered on delivery that this coach only has a 4-pin trailer plug at the rear. I think* I found a thread discussing adding a 7-pin plug and trailer brake controller for my year model. I'm going to crawl around underneath this weekend and see if I can locate the factory harness along the frame rail that was discussed in that thread and keep my fingers crossed I don't have to run an entire harness and wire in a brake controller from scratch.

KidzBox · 01-24-2023, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snodsy

I was able to get a pretty good feel for this coach on the drive home from the dealer on my 4 hour trip, and the pushing around on the interstate was definitely a little alarming to me. I've always had 3/4 and 1 ton trucks but never experienced the sway I did with this coach (not that I'm entirely surprised, I was expecting it to an extent).

We just moved from a 38ft TH with a F250 to a 24ft Class C. Drove from SLC to Santa Cruz and I was very surprised by the effect the wind and passing semis had. With the TH we felt nothing but our new MH we sure did feel it.

Snodsy · 01-24-2023, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KidzBox

We just moved from a 38ft TH with a F250 to a 24ft Class C. Drove from SLC to Santa Cruz and I was very surprised by the effect the wind and passing semis had. With the TH we felt nothing but our new MH we sure did feel it.

I’m sure glad to hear it’s not just me that experienced this same sensation. I’ve never had a 1-ton dually, only SRW trucks— but I’ve never felt that much push running down the interstate with loads.

SergioP · 01-25-2023, 12:14 AM

I have the Roadmaster sway bars front and rear. They helped a little controlling movement when a semi passes or I pass them. The bars really helped in the curves reducing the leaning a bunch. It almost feels like a sports car.😛 The ride didn’t seem to change any, still rough in the rear.

Definitely get the caster set to 5°. I think the Ford spec is like from 2 to 6° and they come factory set at 2 or 3.

GABob · 01-29-2023, 05:25 PM

Have a 32’ Class C. Never drove one before I bought it 4 years ago, flew up to pick it up and drove back 12 hours (grabbed a few winks at a rest stop) for my baptism under fire. Rain, backups, congestion … put me thru the paces on my maiden voyage. Added the SafeTPlus stabilized and track bar. Feel the occasional push but able to steer with one hand now (can do but prefer 2 hands, of course).