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starduster67's avatar
starduster67
Explorer
Jul 09, 2013

98 Dodge handling problems

Hi its me again with a new concern I guess I should have looked into this more but its spilled milk. You know I love the Coach House wide body we have a deposit on and everything works and its in great shape so why am I worried tonight? Because it is low mileage under 40,000 miles I should have questioned more but didn't,. I've been reading in some forums there's been highway handling problems especially with passing trucks. We didn't drive it on a highway it was nice on regular streets. We want to use it to travel and enjoy sightseeing going to NJ to visit family etc. We use those awful bridges(my opinion) on 50 and 301 over Potomic and Chesapeake Bay, not a good place to have handling problems. What if we are buying something unsafe, frankly I'm a little scared now. Not to go on and on please if any of you can tell me if you had problems what you did can they be corrected I want this little coach but at ages 70 and78 we want to be safe too. I hope I can get some input to settle myself down. Our deposit is non refundable and it was substantial but I'd rather lose money then possibly my life ( sorry don't mean to be dramatic) but I am worried. Thanks in advance for any and all comments and opinions. Joyce
Class B

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  • RnRs-RT's avatar
    RnRs-RT
    Explorer
    Jul 09, 2013
    I have a "99" Road-Trek on a 3500 Dodge Ram Van. When I jump from my auto into my RT after having not driven it for a while I have a tendency to over steer or over compensate for any front end movement. Sitting over the front wheels is a different feel than other vehicles.I think some people have more problem getting used to the difference,hence the poor handling problems (just my opinion), I'm sure some complaints are legit. I have the narrow rear axle and have never had reason for the spacers although I am sure it would probably give it more stability. The only time I have any problem is under severe cross wind conditions which is true of most high profile vehicles at which times I just slow down a bit for comfort.
  • steveh27's avatar
    steveh27
    Explorer
    Jul 09, 2013
    My 1997 Xplorer on a Dodge 3500 van chassis had some problems on the highway with wind & trucks causing my steering to sway. I bought it used in 2000 with 18,000 miles. I replaced the original shocks with Bilsteins, added the rear wheel spacers (correct track), and eventually all 4 ball joints which had worn out. Now I'm very stable & safe.
  • starduster67's avatar
    starduster67
    Explorer
    Jul 09, 2013
    Thank you, I'm new real new at this forum stuff so no I haven't read too much yet but I will. Not sure how to find things yet on the forums. One good thing last night the owner contacted me he took it for a ride on the Interstate and he said it handled fine. See he has only owned it a few months himself and has to sell it for personal reasons and he never had a chance to go anywhere but local with it. I feel better today about it he said there are stabilizers under there. Guess when we get it home we'll find out what's what.
  • jrobert01's avatar
    jrobert01
    Explorer
    Jul 09, 2013
    I have a 2002 dodge and was worried about driving problems when i bought it and after reading the threads.I put 2" spacers on it lowered the pressure in front tires and i don't know if it had a steering problem or if i was just paranoid but i love the camper and would do it again it is great no problem parking driving and we have learned to deal with the lack of space Mine is a Pleasure Way.If you like you can e-mail me with any questions I will help anyway i can.Robert
  • Arizona_Kid's avatar
    Arizona_Kid
    Explorer
    Jul 09, 2013
    You won't know till you drive it. Some had problems that just couldn't be resolved, some that could be. Most had minor problems that spacers fixed.
    Ask if wheel spacers have been put on the rears, spacers usually helped handling.
    Dodge used the rear axel off their Pick-Ups and it was a little narrower than the front. The spacers made them track better.
    Have you read the FAQ,s at the top of the Class B home page?

    Lots of reading in the archives about Dodge handling.
    Wheel Spacers

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