Is a Western RV Alpine a Quality Coach?

wolfe10 wrote:

barmcd wrote:
So, how would I look at the bracket to make sure it's installed? Up under the left wheel well?

http://www.irv2.com/forums/f104/wrv-alpine-steering-bracket-upgrade-kit-58155.html

The 5th post has a picture of it, along with a good description.

I am sure the designers of that modified steering bracket are quite capable people. But, That steering box and related mounting arrangement are under much stress especially when maneuvering the coach at slow speed. I like what they did on the bracket but I would go a step further and increase the angle iron thickness to 1/4" instead of what appears to be 1/8". The plate the steering box is mounted to appears to be a Z configuration rather than just another piece of angle. My suggestion would be to make that out of 1/4" material as well. Also it appears that where the Zeed piece attaches under the angle piece that bolts it all to the frame that it does not go completely under the angle piece. That's probably ok but if it fit all the way it would contribute to the rigidity of the overall project. The bolts attaching the whole thing to the main frame could be increased in size and number if that sandwiched part of the Z went clear under the angle. Hopefully their is a backup plate on the inside of the frame and not just nuts and washers holding things together. The bolt holes need to be drilled and reamed to size and body bound bolts installed and torqued to spec.according their size.
As near as possible the desired result should be zero movement or flex.