Forum Discussion

juanzo's avatar
juanzo
Explorer
Aug 10, 2014

need help stabilizing my 1995 coachman catalina

hi guys. my name is juan and im new to rving. my wife and i just took the family on a trip to myrtle beach a few weeks ago and we had a great time. getting there was a little different. i am a truck driver by trade and i have to say that driving my rv on the highway faster than 55-60 was really REALLY SCARY! it handles very poor and i am kinda regretting buying it. i have been searching online for things to improve on my rig to make it handle better. i have read some people have put on their rig 19" wheels compared to the scrawny 16" on thier now. i have put quite a few bucks into it since i bought it. i installed a banks intake and full exhaust header to tip. full tuneup chassis lube,wipers,ac charge up, full detail by now you get the picture. its got some great pep now that it has the banks system but handleing is very very poor. i need suggestions from the community on what i can do. like i said i heard about people slapping on 19" wheels somehow. i heard about swaybars and whatnot. i just dont know where to start.... plz advise a young newbie here. ty. :D
Class A
  • juanzo's avatar
    juanzo
    Explorer
    Aug 10, 2014
    the tires i have on there are brand new michelins. i dont think thats gonna help any.
  • Johno02's avatar
    Johno02
    Explorer
    Aug 10, 2014
    Bilstein shocks and/or struts. check front end alinement. tight front end parts. What type of rig? How old? Have a good truck alinement person check the full suspension.
  • juanzo's avatar
    juanzo
    Explorer
    Aug 10, 2014
    its a 1995 coachman Catalina class a It has 16 inch wheels right now the wheels look really small on it.
  • Matt_Colie's avatar
    Matt_Colie
    Explorer II
    Aug 10, 2014
    Juan,

    A coach that age could easily have both suspension and front end issues that normal shops just won't find. Among the things to have checked are the front end rubber bushings. These can fail and many front end techs never even look at them.

    Most of all, I would suggest you find a Coachman group. If it is any regular problem, someone there must have seen it.

    Don't even consider changing wheels. That is a can of worms that you don't want to open....

    Matt
  • RLS7201's avatar
    RLS7201
    Explorer II
    Aug 10, 2014
    Juan,

    I have the same year and make of chassis as you. Like you, I will not tolerate a poor handling vehicle. Your F53 can be made to drive well.
    The side walls on fabric ply 235/85R16 tires are too flimsy. I suggest Michelin all steel XPS or Bridgestone all steel R250 tires for your chassis. Don't bother with the expense of changing to 19.5 tires. The 16" tire size is not your problem.
    Make sure the toe-in is set at 5/32" toe-in.
    Add 2° of caster to the front axle. Shims are available on the internet.
    Add a Davis TruTrac or SuperSteer front Pan Hard bar. Those long front springs allow the chassis to move laterally across the axle.
    The OEM rear sway bar bushings are poor quality and fail early. Replace them with these bushings. Or do both ends with these bushings.
    I suggest the two most important issues are toe-in and quality tires.

    Richard
    95 Bounder F53 with all the goodies.
    Banks Power Pack
  • randallb's avatar
    randallb
    Explorer
    Aug 11, 2014
    Juan,
    Corner weigh if possible. If not, max axle weight/2 will get you started. Set the tire pressure to minimum for the weight, using the Michelin chart, plus 5 psi. Start adding 5 psi to the front axle and see what this does. If no improvement or it worsens handling return to original psi and do the same with the rears. Keep moving the pressure around until you find your best handling with out upsetting the ride quality. It took me 2 pressure adjustments to dial in my HR. You could get as lucky or you could spend all day. Once you have done this then you can really consider throwing money at suspension mods. Also a light hand is a necessity because of the rear overhang. A slight change in your driving style can make a lot of difference.
    Randy
  • Yankee_Clipper's avatar
    Yankee_Clipper
    Explorer
    Aug 11, 2014
    If you're really willing to throw more cash at the problem, Rickson Wheels makes a bolt-on up size to 19.5" wheels. With rubber, figure $750 per wheel.
    Here's an alternative thought. I try to stay off the interstates when possible, because over 60MPH, you're pushing the tires, brake, steering system (well, you get the picture) to their design limits. That 460 and E4OD can take it, but these machines are leisure vehicles and underpowered while running at max weight. Ford has a long history of deploying vehicles with smallish engines that one has to wind the stew out of it to perform. Slow down, enjoy the drive, and learn that the "RV Salute" is donated by folks in one helluva hurry.
    BTW,, don't forget to lube that front end after every long trip...
    One last thought: you probably carry a spare; with bigger tires there is no space and the wheels become A LOT heavier.
    HTH,
  • Andy1602's avatar
    Andy1602
    Explorer
    Oct 29, 2014
    I just bought a 1994 Coachman Catalina Sport 220rk and I think it handles fine. Mine has just over 39,000 miles on it. It has had rear air bags added to it with overload springs on the shocks and a larger front steering stabilizer. Running Michelin 225/75-16 tires. Compared to my 1976 Jamboree class C I had a few year back mine drives like a dream. I don't push over 65mph on the interstate. Plenty of power it just starts to drink gas past that. 11mpg is about average with the cruise control on. I am happy with mine so far.
    Just my 2 cents worth, Andy

About Motorhome Group

38,705 PostsLatest Activity: Jan 14, 2025