Thank you again for the post. I did leave some detail out in my original posting. We did have an alignment done and the tires balanced. Per Goodyear, the tires are at 85psi. Would 80psi make that much of a difference? We also installed a stabilizer bar in the front. These changes did not make much of a difference in our case. So, we are looking at the more extensive modifications. Do you travel with a tow vehicle and water in the fresh water tank? Any issues with that?
While we are new to RVs, we have owned several travel trailers and a 5th wheel. My husband was a truck driver for over 25 years and was also a certified truck driving instructor. After leaving the trucking industry, he drove for Greyhound for a couple of years and was a city bus driver for about 5 years. So, he can pretty much handle anything and is amazed that if this were a commercial vehicle it would not be allowed on the highway. Since I am inexperienced, he is concerned for my safety and I have not driven it except for on city streets.
We have taken the vehicle to a Ford dealer after having it scaled per Ford Chassis Division. It was the service advisor that noted on the service ticket the scale results, which showed that there was less than 35% of the weight over the front axle, he also noted that the front bins were fully loaded and the rear bins lightly loaded, that there was no water in the fresh water tank and that there was a full tank of gas. He also noted the equipment distribution between the driver and passenger sides, which may cause the vehicle to pull to the right. He then noted that there was over 50% of the vehicle behind the rear axle (132" behind axle on a 190" wheelbase).
Add this all together and it shows a vehicle that should be on a longer wheelbase and will have poor handling characteristics. I am hoping that by posting this information, it will help others in making a more informed decision. I was just so excited about the vehicle layout and features, that we didn't spend much time educating ourselves.
I am happy to hear that this is correctable.
