Handling issues

Vach wrote:
Sorry to sound rather negative, but I just reread some of these posts. It sounds like another way of saying some of what these posts say is that it's common for manufacturers of small motorhomes to sell RV's that are not comfortable, perhaps even safe, to drive without requiring several thousands of dollars of "upgrades". No wonder I'm having a hard time finding something I really like.

I surely understand your feelings over this. I too feel the same about it. I still scratch my head as to why the NTSB continues to allow motor homes on the road without these simple upgrades implemented as a requirement. The chassis manufactures are installing stabilizer bars, shocks and steering dampers already. They are simply insufficient for the application. For example, the four shocks, the steering damper, and front stabilizer bar for an E450 cut-away chassis are the same ones installed on an E250 van. Just install heavy duty parts and all will be greatly improved. It wouldn't cost but a few dollars more to the chassis manufactures.

I think the substandard parts assume the cut-away chassis will be a box truck being driven around most often empty or with a light load. They don't take into account that for RV applications, a fully featured heavy house, people and contents are always on the chassis when being driven. They also don't consider the poor weight distribution from the house, modifications often made to the wheel base, and various rear overhang extentions. Each motor home has it's own characteristics because of that. Because of variations in dimensions, wheel base, and weight distribution, the chassis manufacture could never come up with the "Ideal" chassis. They'd be changing out springs & spacers, shocks and such for each particular RV design and model. But they can surely install some heavy duty suspension parts to positively impact every motor home in handling which translates to a safer rig that stays within the lines, reduced driver fatigue, and will brake in shorter distances. With the wheels firmly planted on the street, braking distance is naturally improved.

There is a simple and affordable means to make motor homes notably safer to drive, but the NTSB, chassis manufactures, and RV manufactures close their eyes to it. It's left up to us which isn't the decision I agree with.

As for us, we did invest in the heavy duty suspension upgrades and it did make all the difference in the world with our particular rig.