I am new to the motor home life style and have just purchased a new gas 28' 2014 motorhome. Love the motor home, but as I am now learning they handle extremely bad on the Inter State highways when being passed by a large vehicle, not totally unexpected but was much greater then anticipated. The first time that this happened the motor home was pushed to the shoulder of the inter state and I almost went over an embankment. I contacted the dealer and was told "OH, you need to add a front steering stabilizer." So, I sprung for the $800.00 addition and believed I would now be safer to drive the vehicle. NOT the case! The problem has not been cured and now I am told that a rear anti sway bar is the fix.I have seen a lot of discussion on this forum about fixes, causes etc. concerning this problem and it all leads to the fact that the manufactures of the chassis have not produced a safe product. I question why the problem and the fix our known but nothing has been done to correct the problem. I seems to me that if the problem can be alleviated with the addition of a front and rear stabilize/anti-sway device that the cost would be less than the lives endangered by selling a new vehicle as road worthy and then expecting the buyer to then spend another thousand or two to make the motor home safe. When one considers that we are all not professional stunt drivers and lives are at stake a few hundred dollar increase in the cost of the motor home would be worth the additional cost.I would appreciate anyone who may know of any class action suits that may be pending against any of the major motor home or drive train manufactures?Modify message

I guess it depends on the MH and chassis. My 21 yr. old Spartan chassis goes down the road like a dream. Don't get me wrong wind and other elements do have far more affect than a car but I drive with no major concerns or problems. As you are driving a new MH possibly there is something out of alignment. The first few times can be a little scary. I do not know of any class action suits against a manufacture for the problem you are having You can find some posts with handling questions but they are not too frequent. Best of luck in solving your problem.PS you might want to say which chassis you have for a better response.

I had a 31' gas motorhome and a wind gust hit me and moved me over 1 lane in about 3 seconds. Fortunately no one was in that lane. I moved up to a 40 Diesel MH which weighs 33K lbs and no more problems. I had safety steer on the gasser and it still was jumpy in high winds so I sold it and went w/Diesel. I doubt if you will find anyone that has sued the MH Mfgrs or chassis Mfgrs. The wind and semi truck problem is constant when driving the Interstates!

Proper loading can affect handling as well. Most coaches will wander on the road if the front end is loaded light. You may need to load the coach the way that you normally travel and get it weighed. Loading the front axle at close to the maximum axle weight may improve the handling.

Have you weighed the coach and set tire pressure accordingly? Have you had a front end alignment? Until these are answered, there is not much point to this thread.

I would love it if the new gas coaches had more handling features as standard equipment as I see them as part of the cost. If they are not on when I buy it then I install it. Many others want the choice. I don't think they unsafe. Most of the safety is with the driver. Driving in wind or snow conditions may be dangerous so don't do it if you can avoid it. We all know the smaller gas coaches have more handling issues and require some dollars to smooth them out. Recently I have read a significant number of concerns on this forum about small DP's and handling issues. I own 4 automobiles and each drives differently. The Smart Car requires some work in the wind on an Interstate and there is nothing I can add on to fix it. Well wait a minute, I did put on larger wheels and wider tires and it did make a big difference in handling. The Jeep, Prius and Santa Fe each have their own pros and cons depending on the driving conditions. So we shouldn't be surprised with the difference in motorhomes as well. The smoother the ride often the faster we go and the biggest issue remains a great deal of tonnage hurdling down the road and it just doesn't stope quickly. Tell that to the guy who cuts me off diving for the exit.or who provides a negative gesture because I am driving slower than he would wish while behind me. If he were in front he would appreciate my caution.

Handling Problems | Good Sam Community

27 Replies

steelpony5555
Explorer
May 03, 2014
Guys he has a 2014,,,, why would he have to change tires, suspension etc... If it's that bad take it back to the dealer. I swore off gasers way back cause they have no help in the suspension department. I had an old Bounder and I think they called the shocks all the suspension it needed lol lol lol.... Dumped that albatross quickly, sad cause I like camping in it.....
jfkmk
Explorer
May 03, 2014
Sometimes the tires make all the difference in the world too.
Goldencrazy
Explorer
May 03, 2014
I would love it if the new gas coaches had more handling features as standard equipment as I see them as part of the cost. If they are not on when I buy it then I install it. Many others want the choice. I don't think they unsafe. Most of the safety is with the driver. Driving in wind or snow conditions may be dangerous so don't do it if you can avoid it. We all know the smaller gas coaches have more handling issues and require some dollars to smooth them out. Recently I have read a significant number of concerns on this forum about small DP's and handling issues. I own 4 automobiles and each drives differently. The Smart Car requires some work in the wind on an Interstate and there is nothing I can add on to fix it. Well wait a minute, I did put on larger wheels and wider tires and it did make a big difference in handling. The Jeep, Prius and Santa Fe each have their own pros and cons depending on the driving conditions. So we shouldn't be surprised with the difference in motorhomes as well. The smoother the ride often the faster we go and the biggest issue remains a great deal of tonnage hurdling down the road and it just doesn't stope quickly. Tell that to the guy who cuts me off diving for the exit.or who provides a negative gesture because I am driving slower than he would wish while behind me. If he were in front he would appreciate my caution.
Daveinet
Explorer
May 03, 2014
Have you weighed the coach and set tire pressure accordingly? Have you had a front end alignment? Until these are answered, there is not much point to this thread.
rgatijnet1
Explorer III
May 03, 2014
Proper loading can affect handling as well. Most coaches will wander on the road if the front end is loaded light. You may need to load the coach the way that you normally travel and get it weighed. Loading the front axle at close to the maximum axle weight may improve the handling.
Snomas
Explorer
May 03, 2014
I had a 31' gas motorhome and a wind gust hit me and moved me over 1 lane in about 3 seconds. Fortunately no one was in that lane. I moved up to a 40 Diesel MH which weighs 33K lbs and no more problems. I had safety steer on the gasser and it still was jumpy in high winds so I sold it and went w/Diesel. I doubt if you will find anyone that has sued the MH Mfgrs or chassis Mfgrs. The wind and semi truck problem is constant when driving the Interstates!
Dog_Trainer
Explorer
May 03, 2014
I guess it depends on the MH and chassis. My 21 yr. old Spartan chassis goes down the road like a dream. Don't get me wrong wind and other elements do have far more affect than a car but I drive with no major concerns or problems. As you are driving a new MH possibly there is something out of alignment. The first few times can be a little scary. I do not know of any class action suits against a manufacture for the problem you are having You can find some posts with handling questions but they are not too frequent. Best of luck in solving your problem.
PS you might want to say which chassis you have for a better response.

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Handling Problems

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