Forum Discussion

ericsmith32's avatar
ericsmith32
Explorer
Mar 20, 2016

Chevy Chassis is out of control

Frankly it doesn't seem any different than my grandparents E450 31ft but I'm getting tired of being pulled over! Pulled over outside of Jackson MS because the road suddenly started tossing the RV around and couldn't slow down quick enough (although the step was starting to come down so it was good timing). My wife got pulled over for the same but was the wind in KS. Starting to think it could be our age, grandpa never pulled over except speeding and he's worse than we are!

Planning on this in the following order.. Alignment.. Changing out the rear D Load Range with E's and pumping them up to 80lbs (front are already changed out)... Steering stabilizer up front .. and shocks last.

It does track straight and ride good for the most part but is easily influenced by wind and road conditions. And it does excessively bounce over the dips in the road. Typical RV's that I'm used to but has to be better. Thinking about a rear sway bar to but those are pricey for my budget. Anything I should look into?
Class C
  • j-d's avatar
    j-d
    Explorer II
    Mar 21, 2016
    Some of those Chevy chassis had problems with broken parts or welds on the idler arm bracket. Most front ends with steering boxes have a center link supported by the steering box's output lever, called Pitman Arm, on the driver side. The passenger side end is supported by the Idler Arm. All it does is provide support, but if it fails, the steering gets really sloppy. Ford E-Series doesn't happen to have one.
  • ericsmith32's avatar
    ericsmith32
    Explorer
    Mar 21, 2016
    4600 series on the Bilsteins? Have to change the tires out first they do have flat spots. Was going to experiment with the pressures. Jayco recommends 65 front 60 rear. Seems to like the 70psi on the front E's, but might be wearing the center too soon to tell. I've added 21 gallons and 2 batteries in the back so 60 might be too low.

    Yes pulled over by the MS Highway Patrol. No issue's either time.. quick questioning and on our way.
  • carringb's avatar
    carringb
    Explorer
    Mar 21, 2016
    The bouncing is inherent to the chassis. The OEM shocks are garbage. Bilsteins will help a lot. If its sitting on the front bump stops, some heavier springs would help the bounce.
  • rvten's avatar
    rvten
    Explorer
    Mar 21, 2016
    When you said Got Pulled Over. I thought the cops stopped you.
  • IAMICHABOD's avatar
    IAMICHABOD
    Explorer II
    Mar 20, 2016
    Having a 2005 Chevy Chassis like yours, I had some problems with the bouncing,that was taken care of by putting on a set of Bilsteins,that would be the first thing I would do,it also helped in the side to side roll,improving the handling in the wind.

    Then I would check the alignment,had mine checked at 90000 and found that was in great shape,Chevy Chassis don't have the problems that plague the Fords,even my alignment shop agreed on that.

    As for the 80 lbs in the tires,that seems to high,on my Michelin LTX M/S 2 I run 65psi front and 75psi rear,well within the specs for the weight on each axle,and it handles very well.
  • ericsmith32's avatar
    ericsmith32
    Explorer
    Mar 20, 2016
    I'll ask them but I jacked up the front end and couldn't detect any play in those areas. There was some around the center link though, not sure which piece was suspect.
  • enblethen's avatar
    enblethen
    Nomad
    Mar 20, 2016
    Have the alignment shop check the control arm bushing and ball joints.

About Motorhome Group

38,706 PostsLatest Activity: Jan 31, 2025