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RVER's avatar
RVER
Explorer
Jan 30, 2017

ANY have comments on SAFE T Plus Steering control

So my new to me is a Newmar Mountain Aire 2003 and love it BUT when driving and it is windy this rig is all over. Have had other Class A rigs of the gas variety and had not had this experience. So, thinking of put in a SAFE T PLUS Steering control unit and getting a front end alignment. It was suggested by a friend to get the alignment where they have the HUNTER machine for that alignment, but place I wanted to go to has BEE LINE to do the alignment. NEED advice regarding the alignment and the SAFE T PLUS unit. PROS and CONS, fire away please. IF I am going to do it, it is soon so have to order it soon. Amazon is cheaper than the company pricing wise for the same unit. WE live in MA so if you have suggestions of where to get both done, welcomed.
Class A

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  • YC_1's avatar
    YC_1
    Nomad
    Jan 31, 2017
    Took mine off. Tired of the resistance when driving. It does not solve poor handling. Track bars, Watts links, and getting the slop out of steering boxes really solves the poor handling. For example, many of us Monaco line owners have changed our steering boxes from Sheppard models to TRW. The TRW has an adjustment that will take virtually all of the steering play out.
  • smlranger's avatar
    smlranger
    Explorer
    Jan 31, 2017
    The Safe T Plus is basically a hydraulic steering stabilizer. I had one on my previous coach, a 2002 36' DP on a FL chassis. It did seem to help the coach track better.

    Before I would start putting things on, I would have a competent truck/bus suspension shop check alignment, condition of other front end components (sway bar bushings, end link bushings), grease the king pins, etc. Also, have you weighted the coach and adjusted your tire pressure to your actual load?
  • Kaz's avatar
    Kaz
    Explorer
    Jan 31, 2017
    The Safe-T-Plus is basically a spring-loaded and damped centering device. My experience was like that of Hiker; mostly what it did was remove the play in the steering wheel. However, that "looseness" in the steering led to a certain amount of wander as I drove along, which was made worse in cross-winds, especially gusty cross-winds, so the Safe-T-Plus does seem to help in that regard. For my unit (short wheelbase with excessive rear overhang), I think adding a rear track bar provided a greater improvement in stability in cross-winds than the Safe-T-Plus.
  • Hiker_01's avatar
    Hiker_01
    Explorer
    Jan 31, 2017
    I've installed the Safe-T-Plus on my RV. The main thing it did was cut down on the "play" in the steering wheel. First few times I drove it (without Safe-T-Plus), seemed I was constantly making small right/left adjustments. After installation - tracked the road much easier. As to the cross wind - if it's significant wind (15+ mph) I'm fighting it constantly.
  • tegu69's avatar
    tegu69
    Explorer
    Jan 31, 2017
    If you haven't already, search CHF. My Baystar drove "fairly" well during test drive, but I want it better. I started with alignment, then chf on front, then chf on rear. All seem to have made it better. I am considering a rear track bar next and maybe the steering control. Its been inexpensive so far, but may be spending some money so I would be interested as well.
    I might be spoiled by my old fw, that I could tow in 40 plus winds.
    On edit, never mind on the chf. Guess I read your post wrong when you said you had other "gassers'. Went camping this weekend with two Dutch Stars and the wind was really blowing. The other guys said it was blowing them around some too.
  • George_Beggs's avatar
    George_Beggs
    Explorer
    Jan 31, 2017
    I can't comment on the alignment. My old RV had the Safe-T-Plus; it is only a shock absorber that helps keep the RV under control when a front tire blows out or a wind gust hits the side. The RV that I have now has the Blue Ox Tru Center steering stabilizer. It does what the Safe-T-Plus does and will help counter the wind or road slope, so that you don't have to hold the steering wheel in a turn to go straight in a side wind.

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