bobojay5 wrote:
Fastpaddler, the Sprinter you own and the company that made our 2 must be different manufacturers. Both of ours, '08 & '13, have been all over the road in winds and when a semi passes. Now the winds I'm talking about are 20-30+mph gusts however.
Both had front end & alignment issues when brand new requiring multiple 40+ mile drive service visits. The '13's sheet metal fits were so bad that you could see light at the top of the rear doors when closed, had to SLAM the slider to get it to latch, and the passenger door stuck out so far at the top that the wind noise was intolerable.
It's a well known fact that when you buy a Ford 350/450 RV chassis, that after 3 to 5k miles a good front end alignment takes care of 95% of the handling issues. All the RV makers that use the Ford chassis, as well as the Sprinter, recommend an alignment after 5k or so miles
Dodge provided the body for the up to 06 Sprinters but the chassis is pure Mercedes Benz with the ESP etc as are the later models. With the longer Sprinters ie 22ft9ins they have dualies which theoretically provide more rear stability in cross winds. My 06 has single rear wheels and Firestone air bags at the rear which i keep at 60psi. I keep the front tires at 55psi and rears at 80 because that gives some understeer up front.At 60 or more up front oversteer happens. 35mph winds are substantial for an rv especially with an overhang bunk system up front.
2. The Ford front end geometry has been debated on the web and there are innumerable cases of 'loose' front ends. Could be a problem with tire pressures, driver traits, roads, strong winds,overloaded rvs, and lack of rear end stabilizers. I have driven chevs and found the front end characteristics ie Stabiltrak superior to Ford. Perhaps the wheel alignment might cure the problem but it didnt for my Trail-lite. The Winnebago Aspect wasnt much better.
3. If I were to buy an LTV and I like the company products, I would still prefer a rear single wheel system if possible. I find the MB chassis quite tight and vehicle tracks well, more like a car. Others with dualy models can weigh in on their reactions. I came back from Manitoba where I can park my 06 on city streets without getting a ticket. With dualies the parking cops are after you right away.
AL
